Chapter 3 - Don't You Dare Jump

Ciara's POV 

13 Years Later

“Ciara!”

The sound of my name crept up my spine like spider legs, jolting me awake from my midday slumber. Keeping my eyes closed, I pretended to be invisible as the sound of the leaves rustling in the summer June breeze continued to lull my mind into a calm stupor.

“CIARA JOY!”

If I can’t see her, then I don’t hear her. I thought to myself in a sing-song voice as I reclined cross-legged with my head resting back against the trunk of one of my favorite hiding spots in the woods. Nestled on the east edge of the border of our pack’s land is my favorite oak tree, with thick, wide branches stretching out in all directions high above the rest of the woods. My oak tree also has the most magnificent views of the mountains and surrounding woods which also border on two sides of the Crystal Lake waters.

“Miss Ciara Joy Callaway, you better not be up some tree again, or so help me. Goddess. I will tell Alpha Radar and your father you are flapping about again!”

Yep, there it was. My full name was the official signal that I had reached the final straw from the Head Housekeeper, Nanny Alma, which meant she was all business and no play.

Nanny Alma was one of my favorite people in our pack. She was loved by all and even though she would give the youngsters a stern word or two when they caused their childish mischief, they always left her side with a giggle on their lips and either a fresh baked cookie or a piece of candy from her hidden stash in her apron pocket. She is a tall thin woman, who always had a look of professionalism to her. Her short bob cut framed her thin face and narrow eyes. Her dark hair had streaks of gray and silver strains that peppered throughout. Even though she was a grandmotherly woman, her smile gave off a gleam of youthfulness and small wrinkles kissed the corners of her dark brown eyes. However, right now, she was anything but happy with me.

I begrudgingly opened my eyes and uncrossed my legs, letting them fall on either side of the large oak branch. I peeked over the side to peer down at her. She was searching the area for any signs of my movement. Her small hand shielded her eyes from the bright sun, which blocked me from her view.

I giggled to myself. Oh well. One final torture. Carefully standing up I remove my dark blue running shorts and sports bra, the branches around me shielding my naked body. Folding the clothes up into a ball, I threw them down to the ground. Stretching my arms out, I closed my eyes and prepared my mind for the Olympic perfect 10-point dive that the imaginary judges would swoon over.

When the clothes plop down next to her, Nanny Alma looks up in shock, “Ciara! DON’T! YOU! DARE!  JU…”

As I leaped into the air, her words were abruptly interrupted. Feathers began to sprout from my body, morphing me into my owl form. I stretched out my wings and extended my talons for a split second before tucking them back in and diving into the grassy ground. In one swift motion, I shifted back into my human form, landing on the ground in a crouching position with a soft thud. ‘Yes! I stuck the landing.’ I could almost hear the roaring crowd go wild as Nanny Alma let out a high-pitched scream when I landed only about a foot from her.

“Good afternoon, Nanny Alma!” I looked up at her with a wide grin on my lips. The look on her face never gets old. You would think she would have known by now that I ALWAYS jump.

She clutched at her chest as she took several deep breaths. “Child, I will never understand you. Wolves are meant to be on the ground… not in some tree!” She flapped her free hand in the air. I rolled my eyes. I am 20 years old, and she still calls me a child? She knew I wasn’t just some ordinary werewolf so why is she getting upset?

“Ciara, Beta Leon and Alpha Radar wanted me to remind you about your 3 pm appointment since you blocked the mind-link…. Again…” She lifted her watch covered wrist close to her eyes, “And it’s already 2:15 pm. So, quickly go, wash up and look presentable before you meet them in the Alpha’s office.”

“Ok…” I say while I pick up my small bundle of clothes.

She turns her back, giving me some privacy while I pull my clothes back on. One bad thing about being a shifter is that we can’t shift with clothes on. I don't mind being seen naked by Nanny Alma, since when it came to werewolves and nudity, no one cared.

I am in no way a prude about nudity, but my body isn’t something I care to display for all 600 pack members to see. My breasts are full and plump, and my hips and thighs are what the male werewolves like to call “thick”. My wolf, Ember, says, “We’re a shifter with some sass and a whole lotta ass.”

“All dressed!” I announce. I pulled my neon green running shoes out of their hiding place at the base of the tree and slipped them on.   

Nanny Alma sighed warmly, her frustration with me dissipating before my eyes. “Now get a move on before the Alpha starts mind-linking you in his alpha voice for being tardy.” She wrinkled her nose at me and shooed me in the direction of my house before she made her way back to the Packhouse. Several little children run up to her and try to peek in her apron pockets for a sweet treat while giggling and smiling up at her. “Can I please have candy?” I heard them say, their voices as sweet as her treats.