I chew my lip. So, what was your name? When you were a woman?
The she-wolf takes her time. Then she says, I don’t remember. While Silver’s name took precedence, my human intellect remained.
Is that why Luna gifted you to me? Because I was born wolfless?
Pretty much. You weren’t the first dud to be born either. Though extremely rare, there have been others. She has always gifted me to shifters who lack a wolf... and it’s through them I have learned a lot about the world.
The stream trickles before me as I sit with my eyes closed, and that’s how I stay until morning.
It’s so much to take in, but at least I finally know of the origins of my wolf. I’m the first shifter.
No wonder no one can outmatch me.
Luna made it seem as if I was the first to be gifted with her wolf. She told me and I quote; “I want to experience life on earth...and live amongst mortals...” But it appears she has many times before, giving her wolf to others before me. I suppose I should take comfort in the fact that I wasn’t as special as I previously thought. I honestly believed that no other dud had been born in the history of shifter society, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. There were duds who had lived before me, and there will be duds who will most likely live after me too.
Are there other duds living now? I am the sole dud on the planet?
No one can know for sure, Ylfa, but please don’t feel as if you are any less special. As I said, you are my favorite incarnation. You are by far the nicest and the bravest.
I ponder once again, my mind wandering as it always does. How many times have you lived before? That’s fifteen thousand years in the making. Human civilizations have come and gone since you last walked the earth as an ordinary human.
Yes, and I saw it all... That is why I fight as I do. I have seen many wars. No one can outmatch my experience when it comes to combat and wit. You have inherited all the skills and knowledge of every life I have lived, Ylfa. Embrace it.
My heart pounds as I think of the endless possibilities; not bad for a former dud who was ostracized by every member in her pack. That’s awesome! Will I ever get flashbacks of these lives? Were they all as pathetic as I once was? I can’t wait!
Silver laughs, and she almost sounds like a human. Who knows? Each time I die and return to mother, she consumes all my memories of that life and stores it away for her own personal use. But it appears she has favoured you somehow... None of my other lives have seen my first life, Ylfa. I had actually forgotten about it myself until you dreamed about it. I’d forgotten how harsh those times were. So cold.
Silver makes a “Brrr” sound inside me, and no shit. She lived during the Ice Age, but I smile, getting all smug now.
Seems I am something special then, after all. I just wonder why? Is it because of the prophecy? Has Luna decided to show me all of Silver’s past lives to aid me somehow? They would sure come in handy.
To learn from my past lives would be a blessing indeed, and now I close my eyes, wondering if I can tap into more of Silver’s memories.
Ooh, maybe I lived during Roman times. Each night I fall asleep, a new memory will awaken inside me, and I’m so excited.
Don’t try to force it, Ylfa. Each memory will come when the times is right. For now, return to camp and try to get some rest. You have a big day ahead of you tomorrow.
Silver is right. A long day of trekking and negotiating with humans. So it’s best I get some shut eye.
I rise to my feet, heading back to sleep beside my mates. As I slip into unconsciousness, another memory emerges, but it’s only faint. It doesn’t seem I will get much out of this dream. But never mind.
As Silver said, when the time is right...
My past lives will guide me in the war ahead.