A Wolf's Journey

By Alicia Hamilton and Robin Victory Bennett

One girl's journey to discover where she came from.
Daceria is alone, the last of the clan of silver wolves and daughter of Ace, King of Wolves. She can hardly remember her family or past, and has lived in near solitude most of her life. But things are about to change.
"This world I live in is full of danger no matter where I turn. "
Daceria is half demon, hiding away deep in a forest, where she is safe. Her life is quiet and peaceful, if lonely, until a human man stumbles across her path.
Blood ran down his face like rain falling from the midnight sky.
She knows one thing for sure: never trust a human. But she is drawn to him for reasons she can't explain. He is handsome and charming, but the connection they share runs deeper than words, and she finds herself falling...
"Everyone falls in love with someone, even people like you."
Adam flies solo. He always has, and always will. That is what he tells his brother. But when he is attacked by demons, he stumbles into the home of a beautiful girl with wolf ears and a tail. Demons are evil--he has always known this, ever since the day his parents died. But Daceria challenges that belief, surprising him with her gentle ways and caution, and of course, plight--she is a rare creature, wanted by Demon Hunters who will stop at nothing to capture her.
"Daceria I love you."
When a sorceress's evil spell takes Adam away from her, Daceria must find a way to save him. To do that, she must unlock the hidden secrets of her past and discover what it truly means to be Ace's legacy. She is her family's last hope; she cannot fail. But she cannot succeed alone.
Let the journey begin.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Sep 18, 2013
• ISBN: 9781483666433

Book preview

A WOLF’S JOURNEY

Alicia Hamilton

Cover Illustrations By: Robin Vickery Bennett

Copyright © 2013 by Alicia Hamilton.

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013912240

ISBN: Hardcover 978-1-4836-6642-6

Softcover 978-1-4836-6641-9

Ebook 978-1-4836-6643-3

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted

in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system,

without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the

product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance

to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Rev. date: 09/14/2013

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris LLC

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

130268

CONTENTS

Chapter 1

The Clan

Chapter 2

Darkstorm

Chapter 3

Possessions Of The Demon

Chapter 4

Marks Of The Hunter

Chapter 5

Call Of The Wolf

Chapter 6

Deadly Beings

Chapter 7

The Mystery Of Forest

Chapter 8

Outrage Of The Black Wolves

Chapter 9

Engagement

Chapter 10

Journey Home

Chapter 11

Silver Wolf

Author Bio

"This world I live in, is full of danger, no matter

where I turn . . . .

CHAPTER 1

The Clan

My name is Daceria and I’m the last of my kind. I don’t remember anything about my clan, I barely know myself. I have managed to survive for nineteen years now. I only know one thing and that’s of the danger that surrounds me every day. I watch them from a safe distance, I stay hidden away to all who seek me for a fortune. Hunters and demons alike, neither can be trusted. I live hidden away from both kinds underground in a tree. I can’t remember how I found this place but it’s the safest place for me. A wanted demon is never safe in the open so I stay beyond the earth where not even the demons can catch my scent. I’m merely a half breed. I’m part human and part demon. That reason alone is why I’m on the most wanted list, I’m rare and there aren’t many like me. To this day I don’t understand why I’m the hunter’s top demon though. I’ve tried avoiding them, even escaped when I was captured but I can’t evade them forever. One day, a hunter will surprise me and I’ll be dead, that’s why it’s safest for me to just stay under my tree as if I was a mole. She hated the way she lived but it was the way she survived.

She missed her sister, Forest. She had found Forest when she was just a baby inside of a cave near the mountains. If Daceria hadn’t found her that day, she would have been dead. It didn’t make any sense to her, why would a mother leave her child to die? Daceria had raised her as a sister, she grew up and left their underground hideout to find love in the village. Daceria warned her of the hunters, still she had gone said she couldn’t spend her life hiding from nothing. It was Daceria that was on the wanted list, not Forest. Daceria sighed and went off to prepare for her journey to the village.

Tonight was a full moon which meant she could travel safely to the village without having to fear the hunters. She would be human. She would still however have to worry about the demons, she could handle them. For years she had practiced fighting, she didn’t have a sword of her own but she could defend herself with magic. She didn’t know how or why she had magic but attached to her belt was a scroll and many spells. She only knew a few and that was all she needed to know to keep herself alive. The most important thing of all was to find out who she was. It was the most mysterious question of all, and she couldn’t die until she knew the answer.

She finished packing her supplies for the journey, not much just a change of clothes. She watched for the howling of the local wolves before she let her underground safe haven. She touched the top of her hair and sure enough, there were no wolf ears on the top of her head. She walked slowly, cautiously. She didn’t want to cause a fight with any of the local demons. This was their forest, not hers. Daceria had a tree and she was happy with that. She knew the local demons were always fighting over who was king or queen. That didn’t concern Daceria what did it matter if you were king or queen if you were dead? There was no need for fighting your own kind just to be the leader. Daceria made her way to the village safely with no demons attacking her. Forest was waiting for her at the entrance. It was strange, Forest and Daceria had a connection that they both didn’t understand but Forest knew Daceria was coming and that was a good thing.

Sister. smiled Forest as she embraced Daceria. Forest walked Daceria and herself to her hut and they went inside. Daceria put her bag on the floor once inside and sat down by Forest on the couch. Forest was also a half demon like Daceria, the difference was Daceria had silver ears and could perform magic with her scroll and Forest had grey ears and had no idea how Daceria had acquired her magical talents. That was part of the mystery for Daceria, why did she have this scroll? Who had given it to her? What had happened to her clan, she knew she was the last but not how it happened? There were too many questions and not enough answers.

Forest how have you been? asked Daceria who knew she couldn’t stay long. She had until sunrise to get back to her tree without any hunters interfering. Daceria had escaped the hunters before but she knew next time, they’d have better supplies and better hunters. She was trying to avoid them at all costs.

Lonely, I’ve missed you sister. I haven’t had any luck finding a mate. said Forest softly. Forest didn’t have a family, her only family was Daceria and she wanted to have a family with someone. Wanted to understand what she had missed during her first seventeen years. She was only two years younger than Daceria and it was amazing how much Forest and Daceria looked the same. The only way to tell them apart was their outfits, and their ears and Daceria’s magic. Forest was a villager and wore villager clothes. A blue shirt and a purple skirt that went to her knees, and white shoes to blend. Daceria always wore green jeans and a black shirt with a moon on it.

It’s hard to find half demons like ourselves. You have to either pick a human or a full demon. said Daceria honestly. Daceria planned to live her life alone, a mate would distract her from finding out who she was.

I know. I’ve made friends with a few humans but none of them know what I really am. I haven’t even tried leaving the village yet. said Forest.

Then try. The only way to know is to try. If you coupe yourself in this village your entire life you’ll never find a mate. said Daceria and she realized she would have to leave her tree to find out who she was.

You’re right. When the new moon comes I’ll leave the village and try to find a full demon as my mate. Thank you sister for dropping by. smiled Forest as she knew dawn was approaching and her sister could stay no longer.

I’ll miss you. cried Forest into her older sister’s arms.

It’s okay. I’ll be back someday. promised Daceria as she ran off into the trees without a second thought. Forest waved and headed back inside. She laid down on her small bed and thought as she drifted off to sleep. She knew what she really wanted. She wanted Daceria and herself to have husbands and be able to live in peace, not afraid of neither demons nor demon hunters. Humans were okay as long as they weren’t hunters, Forest had made a few human friends but they were very hard to find and some of them were still afraid she would eat them. Gross. That’s always what she would tell them, just because she was a demon didn’t mean she was a bad one. She stuck to ordering and buying food from the village, villagers were never on the menu, never.

Deep, inside the village inside of a very small hut hardly big enough for the two of them was where Adam lived.

Ah, today’s the day! smiled Adam yawning as he stretched and got out of bed. He quickly dressed in blue jeans and a white shirt that made him appear to be shirtless. Adam was muscular, and had the tan of someone who lived in the south. Adam loved the outdoors, loved to hunt deer and be a real man. His younger brother however loved to party and get drunk. Adam had made arrangements to move to the forest. An old man had told him of a house that was literally inside a tree, at first Adam had thought he was crazy but then Adam had seen it for himself. You have to pull a branch to get in and a stairway would appear. Adam couldn’t wait to see the rest of it. Ryan, his brother had promised to pay him back for the money he had borrowed for beer but right now Adam’s main concern was his new home.

Are you sure about this? asked Ryan worried about his brothers safety he knew their parents had died to demons and Ryan didn’t want to lose the only family he had left.

Listen, Ryan if the demons even think about killing me, I’ll kill them first. smiled Adam as he showed Ryan his brand new sword he had purchased a few months back. It was safe to be prepared if not you were just dead.

Will you find love in a forest? asked Ryan laughing a little.

I fly solo, always have always will. I don’t need a girl to be happy. said Adam with pride. Ryan just patted his shoulder.

Everyone falls in love with someone, even people like you. smiled Ryan.

Wow, that’s deep hearing something like that from you. laughed Adam.

Heh. I can’t help it the ladies love me. I haven’t picked a keeper yet but I’ll find her. said Ryan with confidence in his eyes, his frown told Adam even he doubted that a girl would truly love a partying man. Ryan had a girlfriend, they had been dating over a month which was a new record where Ryan was concerned maybe just maybe this one would stay.

I’ll see you someday brother. Later! smiled Adam as he ran out the door and went immediately to the forest. It was beautiful. The trees and bushes were all in great care and not a demon was to be seen. There were rabbits, squirrels, some deer but none of the truly dangerous things dared to lure out in the opening. Adam walked to his tree and descended down the stairs unable to speak when he saw the living room. There was a couch much bigger than one he was used to, there were lamp shades on each table beside each end of the couch. Adam went and sat down.

Wow, this place is huge. he smiled to himself. Adam thought about Ryan said and just grumbled.

Girls, who needs a girl when you can have all this space to yourself! smiled Adam as he laid back and drifted off to sleep. He woke up in the middle of the night hearing a strange noise and decided to what out what was causing the noise.

Finally a chance to use my new sword. smirked Adam as he went outside to find out what was bleeding but more importantly what had attacked it. He followed the scent to a dead deer, it was still bleeding but Adam knew it was dead. Suddenly he was surrounded by five rat demons.

Human do you wish to die? asked the leader. Adam just turned to look at them and smiled.

The only one dying tonight demon, will be you. said Adam as he got into position to attack.

Boy we have you outnumbered, not even a sword will help you now. said the leader as he ordered them to attack. Adam struck at the leader and made him fall to the ground. The others were trying to sneak up on him. Adam waited for them to make their move and struck them with his blade. Each one fell to the ground dead. The leader looked up at Adam and then to his fellow demons.

How? How a human could beat all of us? asked the leader.

Heh, I’m a lot stronger than I look. If you don’t want to die, I suggest you leave this forest. said Adam.

A human living in the forest? Has the world gone mad? asked the leader as he darted away hissing. Adam fell to the ground as he saw a drop of blood fall from his face.

Blood ran down his face, like rain falling from the midnight sky. Adam grumbled as he used his sword to stand up.

Damn, they managed to injure me. If I stay out any longer, I’m bound to be attacked again. mumbled Adam as he covered his wound the best he could with his left hand and went as quickly as possible back to his tree. Adam sat on his couch after dressing his wounds, mostly on his face. They were minor but the fact, he had let them injure him had hurt his pride. If he wanted to survive in the forest, he needed to learn how to fight. He knew some fighting skills, he knew the demons had known more and if not for his quick thinking, he could have been a lot worse than injured. Adam sighed to himself and dreamt of becoming the best fighter around.

Daceria was safe in her tree when she smelt the blood of a demon and a human nearby. Out of pure curiosity she left the tree and went to the scene of the scent. Four dead rat demons and suddenly one was behind her.

You, I’ll kill you. muttered the rat demon. Daceria turned to him and tried to explain that it wasn’t her that killed them.

I believe what I see and I see you in front of my dead family. I will kill you. said the rat demon. Daceria sighed and got in a defensive stance as she used a lightning spell to knock him off his feet.

You’re a mage? Ah! shouted the rat demon as he rushed off. Daceria just sighed and was relieved it hadn’t taken her actually fighting. She knew very little about physical combat and without a weapon, she wasn’t likely to live long if she had to fight all the demons that way. She needed to master her scroll, Daceria still didn’t understand why she even knew magic, there had to be a reason. Daceria was low on energy and knew she couldn’t make it to the end of the forest by daylight, so she found a high branch and climbed up to it and fell asleep.

Adam woke up to the sound of a demon. He stretched and yawned a few times. He got up and got dressed.

Eh, can’t a guy get a break? asked Adam as he looked in the mirror at his bandaged face. Demons had to be dealt with otherwise they would kill him. Humans and demons couldn’t be friends or at least that’s what Adam believed. Adam went outside and followed his ears to where the sound came from to find where the demon was and when he looked up to see what kind of demon it was, he couldn’t believe his eyes.

She was sleeping but she was a wolf demon with silver ears. Adam had heard legends of a clan of legendary silver wolves that were killed because of the hunters. They were thought to be extinct but right here in front of him was a survivor. A girl probably about his age and she was beautiful. Adam didn’t know what to say or what to do. Adam hated demons for they had killed his parents, but as he looked at this one she seemed different. She was a survivor of an ancient clan. He had to know more about her.

Um, hello up there. shouted Adam. Daceria opened her eyes and looked down at the human.

Who are you? asked Daceria seeing that this human wore simple villager’s clothing. He wasn’t a hunter which was a good thing but why was he talking to her, she was a demon.

My name is Adam, may I ask your name? asked Adam kindly. This was bound to be a good day for him finding a survivor of the silver wolves.

My name is Daceria. Why are you talking to me? Don’t humans hate demons? asked Daceria confused.

Um, well I know most humans hate demons but I don’t hate you. said Adam.

Are you a hunter in disguise? asked Daceria.

No, heavens no. I would never dream of being a demon hunter and even if I was I would never capture a demon like yourself. There aren’t many of your kind left. said Adam.

You mean there are more silver wolves? asked Daceria her ears perking up.

Yeah, I heard the hunters talking about some silver wolf they’re trying to capture right now. said Adam who thought had they been talking about Daceria. He couldn’t let them have her.

Oh, well then it’s probably me thereafter. said Daceria sad that she had no family. She knew little of what happened to her family.

Adam is it? asked Daceria.

Yes.

Can I ask you a question? asked Daceria.

Sure, just don’t make it too hard. smiled Adam. Daceria couldn’t believe she was talking to a human but he was cute. This was her one chance to learn about her family and maybe learn a little bit about herself at the same time.

Tell me what you know about my kind. asked Daceria.

Sure. A long time ago there was a clan of silver wolves like yourself. They had a king named Ace. Somehow they made the hunters upset with them and the demon hunters supposedly wiped out all of Ace’s clan but yet here you are. said Adam with confidence.

Ace. said Daceria.

Why don’t you come down here and join me? asked Adam.

I’ll pass. said Daceria eyeing the sword.

I won’t hurt you. said Adam.

Even so you have a sword and I can’t afford to take any chances. said Daceria.

I swear I won’t hurt you. I just want to talk to you. Shouting like this could attract demons and demon hunters. said Adam. Daceria jumped from her branch and stood in front of him.

I hope your happy now. sighed Daceria as Adam stared at her.

I can’t believe it, you really are one of them. Wow. said Adam.

So, Adam why are you in the forest anyway? asked Daceria who was used to humans living in the village. Usually only the demon hunters dared to venture out into the deep part of the forest where she lived.

I live here. said Adam, he couldn’t believe he was attracted to a demon but he couldn’t help staring at her.

What? Why in the world would a human be living in the forest with all the demons around? asked Daceria.

I love to hunt and where I used to live, I was bothered by my idiot brother twenty four seven. I wanted to be outdoors so I found a home in the forest. replied Adam honestly.

Well anyway you shouldn’t be here demons will attack without warning. said Daceria.

You didn’t attack me. said Adam.

I don’t attack humans, especially ones with weapons. said Daceria pointing to his sword.

Oh, this thing? Don’t you have a weapon? asked Adam.

Unless we’re counting my claws no I don’t have one. said Daceria not wanting to tell a mere human about her magic.

Well, I need to head to the village anyway. My brother promised to pay me back for the money I borrowed. I guess I’ll see you again someday. said Adam.

This will be the only time you see me. I can’t risk being in the open. The hunters are everywhere. It was nice meeting you though, thank you for telling me about my family. said Daceria.

You’re welcome. smiled Adam as he ran off into the village waving back at Daceria. He entered the village and couldn’t get her off his mind suddenly he saw a wanted poster attended to a wall.

Attention! Wanted demon in the area. Silver ears, silver tail can perform magic. Is a survivor of Ace’s clan? If anyone sees this girl please report it to the demon hunters immediately.

Sincerely, your temporary leader

Carson.

Adam just smiled to himself and ripped the wanted poster in shreds, whispering to himself. You’ll never have her not if I have anything to say about it. Adam went to his hut and knocked on the door. Ryan answered in just his boxers.

Adam, what are you doing here? asked Ryan. Adam just sighed surely Ryan hadn’t forgotten about paying him back. Ryan owed Adam at least a thousand dollars from all his drinking.

I’m here for the money you promised to pay Me. said Adam.

I don’t have it yet but come by this Saturday. I promise I’ll have it then. said Ryan.

And you won’t forget? asked Adam.

I won’t forget. I swear. said Ryan slamming the door. Adam knew his girlfriend was there. Adam sighed to himself as he thought about heading home but was too tired to make the walk. He sat down in the back of a tree and covered himself with leaves to protect his scent. He laid back against the tree and tried to sleep.

Daceria was outside her tree. Tonight wasn’t a full moon but she could still smell the human on herself. She decided to bathe in the hot spring. She hadn’t done it in a long time. It was late at night and all the hunters would surely be asleep. She slipped into the water naked, letting the water covered her completely and just kept her head above the water when she heard footsteps. She dived under not sure of what else to do and suddenly she heard four different men talking.

She’s here, I can smell her. said one of them.

Yeah but where? asked another one.

The water. said Carson. I see a shadow on the water. She’s under the water. When she comes up for air, we grab her." said Carson.

All right boss. said the other three preparing the ropes. Daceria tried to swim away from them but the only land near her was where they were. She had to come up for air but that didn’t mean she had to get out. If she could swim to the other side of the springs which was at least a mile long she could outrun them. She came up for air and dived back under before they had a chance to grab her.

She’s not getting away. I’ve waited too long for this day. said Carson taking off his shirt and diving in after her. He swam towards her and Daceria kept swimming trying to avoid him. He grabbed her ankle and pulled her body towards him. Carson smiled as Daceria struggled to escape but was captured and brought into the hands of the other hunters. Once her hands were tied behind her back Carson lifted her chin so she could see his face clearly.

Finally. Finally I can show Kedro that I’m the real leader. said Carson. Daceria knew that name. Knew it and hated that man for everything he was. Kedro was the leader of the demon hunters and at one point had dated Daceria and tricked her into the hunter’s hideout. Daceria had escaped but barely. Kedro hadn’t been seen with the hunters since, they got a new leader named Carson but to everyone he was the temporary leader. Daceria hated him more than Kedro. She knew she had no hope of escaping. These hunters were stronger than the last ones and her hands were bond so she couldn’t get to her scroll. Carson threw his shirt over Daceria to cover her as the two men carried her. Daceria howled and howled for help not a single demon would dare mess with the hunters but she did know someone who would but if Adam was still in the village he would never hear her cries.

Adam awoke to the sound of howling as he heard footsteps. He looked to the side of the tree and four men were heading towards the village carrying a wolf girl in their arms. Adam had just woken up and thought so these were the demon hunters and that girl was Daceria! I’m not letting them have her, he whispered as he jumped out and attacked them. The hunters were shocked, Carson grabbed Daceria and told the others to fight the human. He headed back to the hideout.

Face it boy, we have you outnumbered. smiled the biggest hunter. Adam just smiled.

Numbers aren’t everything. said Adam. It’s talent that matters.

The hunters attacked Adam dodged threw the big one over his shoulder and tossed him to the ground. He struck at the other two with his bare fists as they fell to the ground unconscious.

See, I didn’t even need my sword for the likes of you guys. smiled Adam as he raced after Daceria. He followed her scent to a small hideout hidden away by many huts together it was built like a fortress out of stone. Adam knew he couldn’t enter the front door, he had to find a different way in.

Daceria woke up fully dressed and tied to a chair. She didn’t know where she was but she knew she was in danger. The hunters had her, it was the worst thing of all things to be a slave of the hunters. The demon hunters killed demons and sometimes sold rare demons to collectors for their own purposes which were usually sex and making the demon do things they didn’t want to do. Daceria didn’t want to be sold or killed she had to get out. She tried to use her claws to cut the ropes, her claws had no effect on the ropes. They had to be strong ropes if her claws wouldn’t cut them. Daceria couldn’t help thinking about Adam. Had he heard her or was he in the village? It was her only chance, she had to try her magic. She looked down to her belt and the scroll was gone. She looked around the room and couldn’t find it anywhere.

Damn that hunter. muttered Daceria.

***

Adam jumped through a window. There were no hunters in this room. It looked to be a storage room full of boxes and really clustered. Well, no one ever said demon hunters kept their place tidy. There was a bare spot in the room where he was and next to him was a glass case and inside it was a scroll. Adam remembered the scroll it had been on Daceria’s belt loop. He had no idea what was so important about it and then he remembered the flyer, Can perform magic. Daceria hadn’t told him that magic was her weapon. In some situations magic was better than a sword because you could use it from range. He couldn’t let the hunters have the scroll. He took out his hunter’s knife and carved a nice hole in the glass case and told the scroll carefully. No alarms sounded which was relief for Adam. Adam thought about going through the door but he had no idea if any hunters were guarding it or not. He had to get