~Alyce/Faelyn~
I groaned, my entire body was so sore it felt like it was on fire. My eyes fluttered open, squinting against the sudden assault of light coming through the kitchen window. Slowly I lifted my head, looking around to get my bearings. I remembered leaving the Alpha’s office. I remembered making it to Matheau’s and then it was just blank. I blinked a couple times as everything came into focus, I was laying on their kitchen table, various medical supplies both new and used were laying about. Matheau was slumped over the table, head on his arm and drool on his cheek. I grinned a bit at the sight wishing I had a way to take a picture of it for later. I shifted my head so I could look towards the living room, Faith and Jake were on the couch, sleeping propped up on each other. They must have all been with me throughout the night. They truly were amazing people.
“Mattie.” I whispered, my throat incredibly dry, “Mattie wake up.” I reached out to shake his arm and instantly regretted it as pain coursed through my stiff muscles. Even the thought of moving, much less the actual action of it, seemed to make my body throb at me in warning.
Matheau grunted when I shook him, sitting straight up with a start, “Huh, wha..” He looked over at me, sleep still evident in his eyes. After a moment his brain seemed to catch up and he grinned at me, suddenly wide awake, “Alyce! You’re awake! Thank the Goddess!” he squealed.
“Ugh, not so loud Mattie. My head is killing me. My whole body is killing me actually.” I groaned softly. Then I looked down at myself, seeing that I was in one of Mattie’s oversized t-shirts and a pair of his boxers, “These better be clean Mattie!” I hissed at him.
I heard some movement in the living room, “Of course they are, I got them for you, not him.” I heard Faith chuckle groggily, “To be fair he is pretty clean for a guy though. Glad to see you awake. Let me start some coffee and I’ll take a look at your wounds and get you some pain killers while it brews.”
“Faith, you are an angel from the Goddess herself, though I didn’t mean to wake you. Sorry,” I smiled at her, trying not to move too much.
“Oh hush sweetheart, you’re one of my kids. I’m just doing for you what I would do for Mat. That’s a mother’s job.” She patted my hand as she walked past the table heading further into the kitchen, “And you didn’t wake me. Mat’s squealing did.”
Jake stretched out on the couch, still snoring lightly, “I swear that man can sleep through anything. I bet he’d sleep through a rogue attack if he didn’t enjoy tearing them apart so much.” Faith giggled. Her husband was a fierce fighter, why he didn’t work as a full time warrior I’ll never understand.
It wasn’t long before Faith was back at the table, helping me to sit up so I could drink my coffee and take my pain killers while she examined my injuries. I felt her poking and prodding as gently as she could while still being efficient, “The physical injuries are already starting to heal, you should be up and moving again in a couple days. Some of these are really deep, the scars will be bad. We…” She paused, coming around to look at me, “We know what happened this time, we know what they did. How are you? Can you tell me what happened? I can kick the boys out if you want me to.”
I froze, lifting my head to look between her and Matheau. I didn’t really want to talk about it, but Faith had taught me from the very beginning that I couldn’t bottle up the emotions, that I needed to let them out. I couldn’t heal and push forward if the past was dragging me back. I couldn’t change what had happened, but I could use it. I could take it and turn it into strength, use it to get through the hard times because I had survived more than any one person should ever have to. I sighed, taking a deep breath to calm my nerves.
Looking at them again, “You don’t have to send anyone out, just.. Let me finish my coffee and help me get off this table. My ass is numb.”
Faith nodded with a smile and Matheau laughed so hard he snorted. I handed Faith my coffee and let Matheau pick me up bridal style. He carried me to the oversized recliner and settled into it with me. Faith came over as well, handing me back my coffee as I curled into Matheau. He had become my safe space.
I think Faith could see my nerves, she reached over and patted my arm gently, “It’s ok sweetheart, take your time.” She smiled softly at me and sat on the end of the couch closest to the chair I was in with Matheau. I smiled back at her and steeled my nerves, taking a deep breath before filling them in on everything that had happened in detail. There was growling, anger, tears, hurt, disbelief, we had to calm Matheau and Xavier down a couple times, and I’m pretty sure Xavier will kill Vincent if he ever gets the chance. In the end I felt better, stronger. I wasn’t alone, and with my family’s support I truly could get through anything life threw at me.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I sat up in bed with a start. This was the 3rd night in a row. Involuntary tears were running down my face, I quickly wiped them away and hopped out of bed. I wouldn’t be able to go back to sleep after the nightmares. Might as well get a jump start on the desserts I was making and freezing for the event.
I stayed with Matheau for 2 days, healing up. Faith had tried to get me a 3rd day from her medical standpoint, but Alpha Andrew wouldn’t hear of it. He had been insistent that I get to work on the event immediately. Faith did manage to persuade him to at least make sure the others would leave me alone if he wanted me to be available up until and throughout the event. She was exaggerating, but I was thankful for it. I knew I would be fair game after the banquet, and that I would no doubt be in for it, but for the time being, I was thankful.
I looked at my alarm clock, as I pulled on a long sleeve purple top and a pair of black yoga pants, the large blue numbers glaring at me. 0300; I had officially been 18 for three hours and the banquet was only a week away now.
*Good morning and happy birthday Faelyn.* I heard Aramyth purr sleepily in my head. I know, a canine purring seems weird. It was more of a chest rumble for wolves versus the gentle throat vibration of felines.
*Thank you Aramyth, does this mean I will see you soon* I asked.
*Soon, the night before the banquet actually. That’s the night of the full moon. Soon everyone will realize what a grave mistake they’ve made towards us. You will see how special you truly are.*
*No, no I don’t want everyone to see. We will meet with Mattie and his parents. They can help us and help keep everything quiet.*
*Are you sure Faelyn? We could just wipe out this pack before we leave and be done with it.*
*I’m sure. A few bad apples does not justify wiping out the entire pack. We will take out the bad apples when the time is right, Aramyth, but we are better than them. We will be the bigger wolf and not drag everyone else down with them simply because it is easier.*
Aramyth huffed, *I know, I know. You’re right. I’m just restless, ready to be out.*
*I understand, just a little longer my friend.* Aramyth receded to the back of mind, as if curling up to go back to bed and I headed up the stairs. I made an easy heat breakfast for the pack members in the manor and then headed out to the pack house where I had spent the last week and would spend the next week.
The kitchen in the pack house was at least twice the size of the one in the pack manor since the pack house was where the single wolves who were adults lived. Many of them were pack warriors and ate even more than the other wolves. There were also some younger wolves who lived in the packhouse for various reasons. Most mated wolves and our elderly wolves lived in their own houses around the pack community, but some still preferred the pack house. It was also an open kitchen at meal times. Anyone was welcome to come get food and eat with the other wolves.
I stepped into the darkened kitchen, flipping the switch on the wall as the lights in the room came to life, flooding the area with soft white light. I had put dough in the fridge the evening before when I had wrapped up for the day so I pulled it out and set it on the counter to come to room temperature. While I was waiting I pulled out the supplies to make fillings for the various desserts. I set about making some compotes, blueberry, strawberry and peach, each in their own bowl to cool. Then I moved on to making some chocolate spreads and fillings as well as some icing. Before I knew it I heard other Omegas starting to come in to make breakfast for the pack house members. I made sure I was out of the way and continued my work.
It wasn’t too long before I caught a familiar and comforting scent. Matheau was nearby. He had been helping me in the kitchen, if you could call pinching tastes from the various bowls helping. I saw his mop of blonde hair around the edge of the kitchen doorway, soon followed by his piercing blue eyes as he peeked in at me, “Is it safe to come in? Are you going to thwack me with utensils again?” He asked cautiously. “I don’t know. Are you going to keep your fingers out of the bowls this time?” He ventured further into the kitchen, coming to stand across the counter from me and saluting me, “I will try my best, Sir! Eer, Ma’am!” I laughed and motioned to a tray of pastries that were waiting for an icing drizzle, “I’ll make you a deal, you help me with desserts today and I’ll send you home with your very own snack p
~Theo~ I was in my father’s office, half listening to him drone on about pack duties and what was expected of me when I took over the Alpha position. I had heard it all before, a thousand times it seemed like, but I feigned interest, nodding my head when appropriate and answering his questions absentmindedly. “Theo, are you even listening to me?” I heard my father ask while giving me a pointedly annoyed look. “Of course I am, but how many times are we going to have the same conversation?” I sighed, rubbing my temples as I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees. “It’s an important one, son. It’s my job, my responsibility to make sure you’re prepared to take over once you’ve found your Luna. Speaking of Lunas, when are you going to decide on one?”
~Alyce/Faelyn~ I had showered and changed into my nicest outfit for dinner with Matheau and his parents. A pair of black yoga pants, a pleated lavender skirt, and an oversized black sweater. I even put on a pair of lavender ballet flats that Faith had given me last Christmas. I pulled part of my hair up, securing it with a simple silver colored barrette, leaving it to hang down my back in loose waves. I glanced briefly at myself in my mirror and then headed up into the kitchen and made a stack of sandwiches, which I then wrapped and put in the fridge for grab and go options. I was told to focus on the banquet and let the other Omega’s worry about cooking for the pack, but I still tried to do small things when I had the time. I knew most of the other Omegas were barely passable cooks. No one would die, or get sick, but it wasn’t great either. Glancing at the clock on the wall and s
~Alyce/Faelyn~ I cried into Mat’s shoulder the entire trip to his house. Contemplating the events that had just occurred. Why did this affect me so much? I had been through scenarios that were much, much worse and never cried or even made a peep.” *Because matters of the heart get to humans much more than physical things, and the mate bond is a very intense, sacred matter of the heart.* Aramyth whimpered. *It will get better, with time and distance.* *I know that logically, but nothing about me is very logical at the moment.* *It’s ok, Little One. I spoke to Fjord, his wolf, and I trust that our secret is safe wit
The last week leading up to the banquet was beyond busy. Mat kept me company as I prepped and cooked, even getting some of the other Omega’s to help us with storing the food and rotating dishes through the ovens. I still did every last bit of the cooking and most of the prep work, but it was nice to have some extra hands for the little stuff. The banquet was tomorrow night and some of the guest packs had started to arrive this afternoon. I avoided the guests as much as possible, glad that I wasn’t having to hide bruises while they were here. I also avoided Theo as much as possible. I would catch him looking at me from across the room on the rare occasion that our paths had to cross. The only upside to that was the fact that Jewel seemed to notice his attention towards me, no matter how brief, and the anger it instilled in her was oddly satisfying to me.
~Tristan~ The meeting with Alpha Andrew had been uncomfortable at best. We all know the rumors that surround this pack, even as secluded as our pack is, we still keep up with the outside world. We even have internet and cell phone service. Granted we had to pay to put in the lines and towers ourselves, but we have it. We live more simply than most packs, but we still run business and various trades to fund our pack. I listened absent mindedly as Victor and Titus spoke briefly before Victor wandered off to go find his room. I was a little envious of him right this moment. The girls in this pack had already been making eyes at me once they found out I was the Alpha’s son. Our pack members were mingling with theirs at the pack house, probably in the hopes of finding their mate, or in many cases just having some fun, but I wasn’t like that. I had watched too many of my friends sleep a
~Alyce/Faelyn~ *Beep.* *Beep.* *Beep.* The obnoxious echo of my alarm clock started invading the first peaceful sleep I’d had in a long time. Probably because it was such a short sleep. I reached over, smashing the buttons of the alarm clock, silencing it.My feet hitting the cold cement floor as I rubbed the sleep from my eyes got me moving. I didn’t waste any time as I slipped into a pair of leggings and an oversized t-shirt that came to my knees. I looked like hell, but it was by design. I wanted something easy to slip on after I shifted back. Slipping on a pair of black flats I ran my fingers through my hair and then piled it into a messy bun on the top of my head. Aramyth was prancing around in my head, *I can’t wait, Little One, as anxious as I am to run, I’m more anxious for you to realize just how special you are.*
Mat was laughing at me, “Just picture yourself in your human form, how you look, what it feels like and will your human form to return.” I nodded at him, and closed my eyes, picturing my human self. I felt my bones starting to snap and reform as my body went from Aramyth’s giant wolf to my tiny human self, *How do you even fit? You’re ginormous compared to me!* I teased her. *I’ll admit it’s a tight fit, bit uncomfortable.* she teased back. I rolled my eyes at her and looked at Mat, “Give me your shirt Mattie.” He didn’t hesitate, pulling his shirt off and handing it to me. I slipped it on and smiled at them all, “We should head back before anyone realizes we’re missing. Is everything set for tomorrow?”