Chapter 1
The mist hung like a silver veil over the rugged hills of the Scottish Highlands. Rugged and untamed, they rose high into the sky and merged with the horizon. Moira MacKenzie stood on a rocky outcrop, chin held high, trying to pierce the silver veil. She could only make out the trees through the morning mist. But something was emanating from them, calling to her, luring her. A restlessness gripped her that she could hardly resist.
A cool breeze ruffled her long dark hair. Moira barely noticed. She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear as she stared almost desperately at the forests that stood like defensive patrols in the valley and on the mountain slopes. Ready to repel any intruder who found the courage to venture between the giant trees.
Lost in thought, she played with the copper amulet in her hand. It was an heirloom passed down from generation to generation and was said to have magical powers. A smile played on her lips at the thought of the old legends her grandmother loved to tell her.
Suddenly, a hoarse growl broke the silence. Moira froze, her heart starting to beat wildly. She turned her head carefully and saw a figure in the torn veil of silver mist. Her eyes widened as she saw a large figure, its fur shimmering a silvery blue, almost merging with the mist. Even from this distance, she could feel the piercing amber eyes staring at her.
A wolf.
But there was something different about this wolf. It seemed bigger and more majestic than any wolf Moira had ever seen. Its eyes seemed to look directly into her soul, and for a moment she felt strangely familiar with this wild creature.
Before she could think any further about what was happening to her, the wolf broke out of its trance. In one smooth motion, it turned and disappeared silently into the mist. Moira felt a strange emptiness inside, as if a part of her had gone with it. Helplessly, she took a step in its direction and then stopped, confused. Hastily, she lowered her head and saw that she had almost fallen off the cliff. The hard rocks below would surely have broken her neck. A cold shiver ran through her body. She squeezed the amulet harder. Then she quickly turned around and climbed up until she came to a path that led to her home.
But even as she approached the old family estate, the feeling of unease did not leave her. The thought of the wolf would not leave her mind, and as she closed the heavy oak doors behind her, she swore to herself that she would unravel the mystery of this encounter. Inside, she was greeted by the familiar scent of turf and herbs. Her grandmother sat by the fireplace, reading an old book that had been in her family for centuries. Moira sat down across from her and looked at her intently.
"Grandmother," she began hesitantly, "I experienced something strange today."
The old woman looked up and a knowing smile appeared on her face. She seemed to know what was troubling her granddaughter. "Tell me everything, my child," she said gently. She reached out and ran her bony fingers over her granddaughter's soft skin. "Perhaps it is time you learned of the ancient pact our family made with the wolves."
Moira opened her mouth in surprise. How did her grandmother know about it? How did she know she wanted to talk about a wolf?
"You took the amulet, Moira," her grandmother said. "It is the sign of the Covenant. You used it to lure her."
"Who is 'they'?" Moira asked, a cold shiver running down her spine. She was a little afraid of what the old grandmother had to tell her. She had never heard of a pact before, but the word sounded very heavy and significant and frightened her.
Moira felt it was her turn to pass on the burden of family history to the next generation. The unexpected death of her parents had always brought her and her grandmother very close. But now Moira was old enough to start a family of her own. And deep down, the young woman felt that this amulet and the silver-blue wolf were her destiny.
The fire crackled softly and the warm light cast dancing shadows on the walls. Moira leaned forward, tense, as her grandmother began to tell her story in a calm voice.
"Many centuries ago," she said, "a mighty pack of wolves lived here in the Highlands. They were not ordinary wolves, but beings who could take the form of both man and wolf. Our family, the MacKenzies, made a pact with them. We promised to keep their secret and offer them protection, and in return we received their wisdom and strength.
Moira listened intently, her mind drifting back to the majestic wolf she had encountered on the cliffs in the thick fog. "You mean the wolf I saw today could be one of them?" she asked softly.
The grandmother nodded. "It is quite possible." Her eyes took on a distant look. She seemed to be traveling to another time in her mind as she continued. "I was a young girl, about your age. A great black wolf emerged from the woods in the valley. He came to renew the pact. I followed him into the forest, and he followed me to our home. So we renewed our covenant with the blood we poured into the amulet.
Moira flinched. Her eyes went involuntarily to the copper amulet in her hands. Could it be that it still had the smell of blood on it and that the wolf had smelled it? It frightened her to think that she, too, would have to make a pact with the wolf.
"The wolf-walkers live in hiding," the grandmother continued, "but sometimes they return when great changes are about to happen. Your meeting with the wolf is no accident, Moira. It could be a sign that you have been chosen to renew the old pact, or even to accomplish something greater."
Moira felt doubts rising inside her. "But why me? What could I do that others can't?"
A soft smile played around the old woman's lips. "Sometimes fate chooses those who are unaware of their own strength. Your heart is pure and your mind is open to the mysteries of this world. That makes you special."
Moira nodded at the words. It still seemed incomprehensible to her. But when she thought of the big silver-blue wolf, she shivered. Her heart beat faster and her breathing got heavier. She felt connected to the mighty creature, as if she had been waiting for him all her life. She longed to know more about him.
"Yes," the grandmother said, nodding meaningfully, "the time is ripe. I can see it. You are ready, my child, and the pact must be renewed. It is the only way to save the Highlands."
