The Awakening: A Wolf Creek Falls Novel

By S.D. Vieau

Witches, a guardian dragon, and sexy wolfshifters, Oh My!!

5 stars 'A must read!!!!!..... Great storyline, dynamic characters. I can not wait for the second book!!' J. Hagood
5 stars 'Great Read!..... Very well written book. Enough detail to make one feel "in the moment" with the characters. It moves quickly and keeps interest. Hope another will be coming soon!' D. Haynes

“You are now entering Wolf Creek Falls! We hope you enjoy your stay!”

CARA WEATHERLY was a vivacious 24-year-old Vet Tech on the fast track to success. Focused on her future she never gave much thought about her childhood, until the death of her Grandmother changed everything. Learning she was a sun witch and having her once stolen childhood memories returned to her fractured and incomplete; Cara made the unexpected decision to uproot her life and move to Wolf Creek Falls. Plagued by dreams of her childhood and struggling with her shattered memories, Cara tries to control her rapidly returning powers.

From the second LUCIAN and LUCCA CALVETTI walked into her life, Cara was inexplicably drawn to them. At 6’2 with muscles to spare and molten amber eyes a girl could drown in, the brothers were hard to forget. Acting as if they had known her all her life, Cara couldn’t deny feeling the same way. Will Cara ever be able to piece together her fragmented memories? What else will she find waiting for her in Wolf Creek Falls?

********For Mature Audiences Only*** 18+years of age ********

***Can be read as a stand alone novel***

ADDED BONUS: First chapter of the second book in the Wolf Creek Falls Series, The Tree of Light.

• Language: English
• Publisher: S.D. Vieau
• Release date: Apr 26, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463092460

S.D. Vieau

S.D. Vieau was born in NC in 1981. She enjoys reading just about anything that catches her eye. A couple of her favorite authors are Christine Feehan and Stephen King. She has always had a love of writing even when she was younger. She currently loves to write paranormal and fantasy romances. She is partial to witches and wolf shifter stories. A person is never too old and its never too late to follow your dreams. Whatever they may be.

Book preview

A Wolf Creek Falls Novel

The Awakening

By: S.D. Vieau

All rights reserved. This book, or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner without the express written consent of the author.

This is a work of fiction and is intended for mature audiences only. All characters within are eighteen years of age or older. Names, places, businesses, characters and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, actual events or places is purely coincidental.

© 2018 S.D. Vieau

Smashwords Edition

I would like to thank my Husband, Family, and Friends for the years of support and encouraging they have given me in chasing my dream of writing. Without their love and support I would have never made it this far. It is never too late, and you are never too old to follow your dreams.

S.D. Vieau

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

The Tree of Light

Chapter One

Chapter One

"You are now entering Wolf Creek Falls. Please enjoy your stay!"

Cara caught herself reading the welcome sign aloud as she drove by it, officially starting her life on her own. It wouldn’t be long before she would arrive at her new home.

Familiar houses and stores were around every turn. Cara had spent a great deal of time in Wolf Creek Falls when she was younger. Her Grandmother had lived here for as long as she could remember. Cara spent every summer with her here until the year her mother died. Afterward, her father, Walter Weatherly, refused to let her return. Too afraid he would lose her also. Every year she had begged and pleaded with him to allow her to go back, even if it was only for a day or two. However, his answer never changed, year after year.

Childhood memories flashed through her mind as she quietly made her way through the small town. Cara smiled as she drove by Creeks Diner. She saw that it was still open with cars filling the bustling parking lot. Grammy had taken her there often for ice cream when she was a child. They would walk hand in hand talking and laughing too and from the diner. She felt a pang of sadness hit her like a lead weight in her chest, remembering why she ended up here again.

Six weeks ago, her Grammy had died. Cara could remember the day she found out as if it had been yesterday. Early that morning while she was getting ready for work, Ethan Thomas, one of only a few lawyers of Wolf Creek Falls, showed up on the doorstep of the house she and her father shared. He was quite young looking to be a lawyer and wasn't bad to look at either with dusty blonde hair, deep blue eyes, and a nice trim muscular build.

Surprisingly he informed them of Grammy’s death with profound respect and tact. You could tell he had genuinely cared a great deal for her. Cancer had stolen her from us. It was sudden and fast. She only had weeks left once her doctor had discovered it.

At first, as Ethan spoke Cara was in disbelief, she had just received a letter from Grammy last week. She felt as if he had just walked in and ripped a part of her heart out leaving a painful empty hole in her chest. Cara suddenly couldn't breathe; Ethan and her Dad became blurry and unfocused as her vision started going dark. She could hear her rapid breaths and knew she was breathing way too fast. At this rate, she was going to pass out. Cara squeezed her eyes shut and tried to focus on slowing it down.

Gradually she could feel herself gaining back control, tears spilling out of her eyes. She could see her Father and Ethan looking at her with concern. Walter slowly rubbed his hand back and forth between her shoulder blades to comfort her. Cara could feel herself calming, but the throbbing hole in her chest was still there, leaving her feeling empty inside.

After the shock of the news had hit, Ethan began to explain how he was there to read Grammy's Will. Ethan set his briefcase on the coffee table and opened it, pulling out a tied blood red lace bag and a piece of paper. He set the bag down on the table, and it thudded down as if it had some weight to it. He cleared his throat and began to read Grammy's Will after he was done Cara shook her head in shock. Grammy had left Cara everything, her cabin, and all her possessions. Cara looked over at her Father in disbelief. Walter gave her a sad smile; she knew he was already afraid that she would leave.

Ethan pointed to the red bag on the table, Grammy had exact instructions concerning this bag. I am supposed to make sure you open this bag today, and that you're alone when you do so. She was very clear on these instructions and stressed them to me a great deal.

Ethan gave Cara a warm smile, lifting his head slightly and smelling the air. Is that coffee I smell? Perhaps Walter and I could go fix us all a cup while you have a chance to open the bag.

What’s inside it? Cara asked looking curiously down at the bag. The silky lace pooled on the table reminding Cara of a pool of blood.

Well Miss Weatherly, that is for you to find out while Walter and I go get that coffee. Ethan said as he stood up and motioned over to her father, If you would be so kind as to lead the way?

Of course, Walter replied as he stood up, pausing to leave a brief kiss on Cara's forehead. Call us when you're ready Cara.

Cara sat there and watched as they left the living room. When they made it to the kitchen at the end of the hall, she could faintly hear them chatting. Her eyes drifted over the bag on the table, as she leaned up and reached out to touch it. Whatever was inside of it was smooth to the touch, the silky lace bag sliding smoothly over it. The moment her fingers touched the object inside, she could feel the warmth radiating from it. The bag immediately drew Cara to it, and without realizing she had pulled open the ties of the silky pouch. There was a faint light blue glow coming from within it. She reached inside and picked up what at touch appeared to be a smooth river stone. As she withdrew her hand from inside, she saw a flatly rounded opal looking crystal. The weight is heavy in her hand.

The milky pearlescent color mesmerized Cara as her eyes focused on the depths of the stone. At the center, she could just barely make out a faint blue glow. There was something deep inside the center of the crystal. Cara could see it, betrayed by its steady blue light. The longer she stared at it, the brighter it became. Cara could feel the crystal growing warm in the palm of her hand, but found herself unable to look away from it. She felt hypnotized by pulsing blue glow.

In a blink of an eye, Cara went from sitting safely on her couch in her living room to being inside the crystal itself. Cara spun around and noticed its milky pearlescent shell now surrounded her, swirling and sparkling in constant movement.

Oh, my dear sweet Cara.

Cara let out a gasp of shock as she heard Grammy's voice. She slowly turned around. Sure nothing would be there. She had to have imagined that. ‘Yes, that’s it.’ She must have fainted after her Dad and Ethan had gone to the kitchen. ‘This has got to be a dream.’

No, my dear. I'm sorry to say this is not a dream. And yes, I am gone. I have left my impression inside this crystal for you. Cara fully faced Grammy then; her image was faded and transparent.

She couldn't resist the urge to reach out and touch her. As her fingers brushed against her arm, Grammy's image blinked in and out, but her voice never wavered. I could not leave this world before rectifying a wrong your father, and I have done to you. I can only hope that someday you will come to forgive us for what we have done. I didn't want to do it, but your father thought it would be in your best interest. And his fear of losing not only your mother but you as well was overwhelming to him. Over the years, I have tried to convince him that what we did was wrong and that you deserved to know the truth.

Cara stared confused and suddenly afraid of what Her Father and Grammy could've done to have given Grammy so much guilt. Cara could see the pain on her face as she continued to explain, Your father and I altered your memories, and replaced them with new ones. Before you get mad, please hear me out. The day your mother died, your father lost a significant part of himself. And I think this pushed him into desperation. Your mother did not die in a car accident as you believe she did. After years of searching, I found a very old Moon Witch with the power to speak to the dead. Even being as powerful as she was, the Witch was unable to connect with your Mother's spirit. I don't believe Willow died that day, in a car accident or by a backfired spell. She didn't practice the kind of magic that would carry those kinds of consequences. But I have never been able to locate her, and your mother has never returned home. As the years passed, I began to wonder more where she is and what happened to her. I know my daughter. She would have never left you or Walter. You two were Willow's world. She loved you both so much.

Cara’s mouth dropped open, Your saying Mom’s not dead? Wait you guys altered my memories?

But Grammy's image continued as if she had not heard her, I managed to hide and save your original memories safely from your father for all these years, hoping one day he would allow you to return to me. A tear fell from her eye as she spoke. But it seems that I have been unsuccessful. My time has run out Little One.

Cara smiled as Grammy used her nickname. She wanted to reach out and hug her, but then she felt a pang of betrayal as she wondered what memories they took from her.

I cannot allow your Father to deny you any longer. A sad smile crossed her lips as she continued, You have the potential for a life so much more than what your settling for now. A gift I hope you can forgive me for taking from you.

Grammy stretched out her hand palm up towards her, Cara could see gold lightning streaking up her arm and focusing into a little ball of golden light in the palm of her hand. The gold orb glowed brightly, I love you Cara, my dear little one. Now you can begin to live as a true sun witch should.

The gold orb pulsed brightly blinding Cara, she lifted her hand to her eyes trying to shield some of the light. Grammy melted away engulfed by it and disappeared. Cara called out to her, her voice washed away in the pulsing light.

Cara reached out and touched the orb. Gold lightning raced up her arm and through her body. Memories flashed through her eyes. She could feel them filling up her mind too fast even to know what they were. Memories of Grammy's cabin, the stream clearing, a pair of black wolves, of magic…. Yes, magic. She was a witch! Anger arose in Cara, How could they take my magic? she asked out again to no one. Cara dropped down to her knees, hyperventilating again completely overwhelmed by it all. Cara's vision grew dark as she blacked out.

∞∞∞

Cara… Can you hear me? Cara heard her father's voice, her eyelids fluttering open. She saw her Dad and Ethan leaning over her with worried expressions on their faces.

Cara sat up slowly, Yes I’m fine. I-I must have fainted. She said quietly. She took the cup Ethan handed to her, wrapping her hands around the warm mug for comfort. Thank you. She said giving him a small smile.

The men settled back into their seats, and her father turned to Cara asking, So honey, what was in the bag?

Cara opened her mouth to answer and stopped herself as she closed her mouth back, would they even believe her if she told them? Taking a moment to think about her response, she took a sip of coffee and looked right at her father and said. An opal crystal, it's beautiful. She opened her hand showing them both the crystal, no longer glowing in her palm.

She set her mug down and returned the crystal to the lace bag, closing it up. She turned and faced her father, Dad… She paused carefully considering her words. I'm moving into Grammy's cabin, and there's nothing that you can say to stop me. Cara leaned in close to him and whispered, I remember.

Her father's face grew pale, and his expression saddened. Cara turned her attention back to Ethan. Thank you, Mr. Thomas, for all you have done. She smiled and extended her hand out to shake his. Instead, she found herself holding a set of keys.

The keys to your new home, Miss Weatherly. Ethan gave her a warm smile before excusing himself and leaving.

∞∞∞

Cara spent the next six weeks packing up her life to move the four-hour drive to Wolf Creek Falls. Her father tried every day to change her mind, some days he threatened to disown her and some days he begged and cried. But still, Cara remained firm in her decision to move.

Dad, I'm 24. What other 24-year-old woman do you know of, that still lives with her father? It's unnatural, and besides I'm not going to be that far away, Wolf Creek Falls is only a four-hour drive from here. Cara reassured him.

Distance is not the point, Cara. I know you’re going to get back into magic. You said you remembered, so you must remember that magic is part of the reason your mother died. I don’t know what I’d do if I lost you too. He said pleading with her.

Magic is not what killed Mom, and you know it. Cara shot a warning glance in his direction. Besides I've told you already that I no longer have magic anymore. I tried basic things I remembered doing when I was younger, but nothing has worked for me. Whatever you and Grammy did must not have undone itself completely after my memories returned. Cara avoided his eyes, she still carried anger over her memories being taken from her.

Her father sighed heavily and left her there, giving up for the moment. Cara was relieved, every day he seemed to get more worked up and desperate in his attempts. She thought revealing that she still could not work her magic would be enough to ease his worries, but it looked as if she had been unsuccessful again.

∞∞∞

The hardest part of leaving Cara found was her job at the Vet Clinic and the friends she had made there. Her best friend Ella Kingsley, who also worked as an intern, threw her a farewell party on her last day at work. Cara didn't realize how hard it was going to be to say goodbye. She found herself tearing up off and on throughout the day. Her boss Dr. Mossly gave her a firm hug and said that Cara always had a job. If and when Cara ever decided she wanted to come back. Cara had smiled and thanked him warmly but knew deep down that she probably would never be back. Wolf Creek Falls was calling to her, and each day she got closer to leaving the more excited and impatient she became.

Two days before Cara was set to leave, she and Ella planned one last girl’s night. Ella went all out, stocking up on the best sappy romantic comedy movies and all the buttery popcorn they could ever need. They stayed up all night watching movies, laughing and crying over their huge bowl of popcorn.

The next day after waking up, they sat around Ella’s table enjoying their last cup of coffee together before Cara left. Well, Ella started a little sadly, Tomorrow got here a lot quicker than I was hoping it would. She gave Cara a warm smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

I know, time does seem to have flown by, I hope I like the Vet practice in Wolf Creek Falls. Dr. Avery seems very nice, but he's rather old. I've spoken with him and his wife on several phone interviews, and they seem like a very nice couple. He welcomes the chance to take a bit of a break from work. Cara paused briefly before confessing, I am a bit nervous about seeing my Grammy's house again after all this time. Cara admitted to Ella.

Are you worried it won’t be the same without your Grammy there?.

Cara paused and thought it over before answering. Yes, that and what if it’s nothing like I remembered it to be. It has been ten years since I’ve been back there. And it’ll be the first time I will be on my own, maybe I’m just a little afraid of it all. Cara admitted.

Ella reached across the table and took Cara's hand and gave it a comforting squeeze, smiling warmly at her.

Cara you are one of the strongest people I know, I have no worries that you will be fine. Ella grinned at her and added, And hopefully Wolf Creek Falls will be full of incredibly hot men. And as your best friend I expect you to give me full details about them all.

Ella and Cara spent the next 30 minutes giggling and daydreaming about all the imaginary ‘hunks' that awaited Cara in her new town. Cara hadn't even thought about what the men of Wolf Creek Falls would be like. She doubted that there would be a vast selection of ‘hunks' in such a small town, but she didn't have the heart to put a damper on Ella's steamy fantasies. Instead, Cara decided to have fun and indulge in them with her. After all, Ethan had been rather handsome, and he called Wolf Creek Falls ‘home'.

Cara cried as she and Ella hugged for the last time. Cara promised Ella as soon as she got settled in she would invite her over to stay for a visit. Cara made Ella promise to save her vacation time. So she could spend the whole week, to which Ella promised she would. They stood there hugging on Ella's porch for a long time before they both broke apart and said their final goodbyes. Cara left Ella's waving one last time before driving away leaving Ella standing on the porch waving back.

∞∞∞

Cara was surprised when her father didn't bring up her moving that night at dinner. They ate a huge meal of spaghetti and meatballs with salad and garlic bread. They laughed and talked as if it wasn't their last night together. Cara was determined not to be sad, she was going to be happy and hope her father was at least in some small way happy for her too.

After dinner, the two of them cleaned up the kitchen together. Once finished Cara's father went to the living room to sit down and watch television while Cara went upstairs to finish packing up the last few items in her room. She looked around at the boxes and bags stacked around the room and thought how funny it was that someone's whole life could quickly be picked up and moved in just a few weeks. A little later Cara got ready for bed, slipping out of her jeans, shirt, and bra before pulling on a simple t-shirt to wear. She walked over to the door and turned out her light, making her way back across the room and crawling into bed. Although tired, her excitement over leaving would probably keep her up half the night.

Cara laid in bed listening to the soft sound of the TV and wondered if she would be ok, alone in a house way out in the woods. She thought back to her childhood memories of Grammy. She had never felt scared or nervous there when she was a child. Then again, Grammy had always been there with her too.

Cara's thoughts drifted over her time at Grammy's cabin, and the stream out behind it in the woods. She listened to the sounds of the house settling around her and eventually drifted off to sleep. The next thing she knew she was running through the woods behind Grammy's house as a child. She could hear herself laughing as she ran, finding her way to the clearing by the stream. The sun was bright and high in her favorite place. The pink and purple wildflowers growing along the edge of the stream glowed brightly by its light. She sat there singing to herself drawing shapes into the dirt of the side of the creek for an unknown amount of time.

Becoming bored with the drawing she stood up and walked over to the side of the clearing, sliding her hand into the front pocket of her dress. As she reached the edge, she pulled her hand out and opened it palm up, revealing a tiny seed. The seed pulsed with a golden light, Cara is unable to look away as a bolt of gold lightning left the seed and traveled up her arm. She leaned over and dug a small hole in the dirt placing the seed inside, then lightly covered the seed with soil. Cara closed her eyes and lifted her head up towards the sun, raising her hand's palm up. She stood there absorbing the energy coming from the sun. Cara could feel herself drawing it into her body through her skin. She could feel herself warming from the inside out. A bright golden ball of energy was building up inside of her growing with every second. When she thought she was full to the point of bursting Cara stopped gathering and returned her focus to the soil where she had just planted the seed.

She placed her hand over the small mound of soil and released the stored-up energy inside of her. She urged the seed to grow, pictured it maturing inside her mind. She watched the gold light travel through her arm and into the soil, lighting it from within. The seed split as roots rapidly sprouted digging deep into the earth, green vines grew and stretched their way up towards the sky. The more energy Cara released into the plant, the immense and thicker it became, but the dimmer the light inside of her grew. By the time she had given all the energy she had pulled from the sun, she was standing there looking at a beautiful thick and full rose bush. If she didn't know any better, it seemed as if this bush had been here for years instead of just a few minutes. Cara stood there a little out of breath from her efforts, gazing at her roses. Buds were still slowly opening showing bright blood-red blooms. She watched them blooming in awe. Her magic always seemed to amaze her.

Somewhere from her left, she heard a stick snap. Her head snapped up in the direction of the sound her raven black curls flying, as it broke her from her focus. Her mouth dropped open as her eyes found a pair of black wolf pups, their honey amber eyes staring right at her.

Cara sat up in bed gasping as her alarm buzzed loudly. With her heart pounding in her chest, she shut off her alarm clock and laid back in bed. Closing her eyes and willing her heart to slow down Cara remembered the wolves from her dream. For as long as she could remember she had always dreamt of them. But since she touched that crystal from Grammy, her dreams seemed more vivid and real than before. Was it even really a dream? Or just a fragmented memory she couldn't quite place yet.

Even though Grammy's opal crystal returned Cara's memories to her weeks ago, she still had a tough time recalling