We Are Strong

               A trail of clothes forms from the elevator to our apartment.

Impatiently we strip each other while kissing we bump into the door and when we manage to open it, we almost fall into the living room. When we finally land on the bed, there is no time for foreplay. We own one another like two drunken sailors, moving each other to incredible heights only to tumble breathlessly back to earth and then slowly begin the climb to the heavens again.

               Like true werewolves we ravish our bodies throughout the evening, hot lust raging through us. Everything in the apartment is unsafe for our love, from the bed to the sofa, the wall and my dressing table. And it is already late morning when we finally fall back into the disheveled bed, exhausted like hell. Fortunately, the day after the festival is a holiday and the pack is at a total standstill. So,I can keep Jasper to myself for a few more hours. We sleep until noon when hunger drives us out of bed. "Luna, are you awake?" I hear Jasper whisper behind me. I lie with my back against his warm body while his hands hold me against him like a vise.

               I smile.

"I do now. But I don't want to move, it feels so good in your arms," I murmur, sleepy. Fortunately, I'm not the only one who feels this way. Jasper snuggles deeper into my neck and inhales my scent. "I'd like to lay with you like this all my life, but my stomach growls. Let's take a quick bath and see what the kitchen made for us," he suggests. We have a short bath and descend to the ground floor, heading to the kitchen. As we approach the dining room, delicious smells penetrate our noses. The cooks know that a group of hungry wolves will sign up after the festival. The whole mating is an intense affair that drains a lot of energy, which must be built up as soon as possible.

               With Jasper's arm around my shoulders, we step inside and take a seat at the head of the table. My mate fills my plate with the dishes I usually take and places a glass of freshly squeezed juice next to it. Then he starts scooping up food for himself. A displeased sneer passes through the room, which causes Jasper to stop his movement and look up with steely eyes. But those guilty of the sneer now stare innocently at their plates. Jasper looks around warningly before continuing his feeding.

               In silence, we continue eating.

When it's time to leave, Jasper captures my hand. "What are you doing today? If you have time, join me in the office. There are plenty of books there you can read while I finish some work," he proposes. I peck him on the cheek. "I want to visit my parents. It's been a long time since I've been back there. They definitely think I forgot about them," I answer him. "Okay, if you have time after that, come to my office anyway," Jasper responds. And we part ways, I walk to the garage and choose the Bugatti, my favorite car. The robust engine growls on and I slowly drive out of the garage toward the main road of the pack. Two minutes later, I parked in front of my parents' house.

               Stepping inside, I find my mother in the kitchen.

"Mom," I exclaim as I kiss her on both cheeks. She holds me by the shoulders and moves me closer to her. "My daughter, how are you? It's a long time since we last saw you," she exclaims delightedly. "Is everything going well with Jasper? Didn't he come with you?" We walk to the living room where I drop into one of the soft pillows. "No, Jasper is busy today. You know that the day after the festival always brings more work," I explain. Even before I can sit up straight on the pillow, I'm crushed by a weight. "Sister! Are you finally here? How I've missed you!" Lying on top of me now is my youngest sister Ruth. She has always been so impulsive, acting first before thinking. Ruth has me trapped in the pillows now, leaving me breathing with difficulty. "Hey girl. I still need to breathe, I'm choking," I cough playfully. Quickly she stands up. "Sorry, but I haven't seen you in so long. And you don't host those fun parties anymore either, so I don't have much time with you," she accuses me.

               Of course, I can't tell my family that the pack no longer needs my get-together parties. In the first few years, I organized them to boost the family bond in the pack and especially to let the young pups get acquainted with the older ones. It was always enjoyable and everyone had a good time. But when it turned out that I didn't give birth to pups myself, the members became uninterested and it was even difficult to find workers to set up the party.

               "Yes, it has indeed been a long time since I last organized one. I'll see when that comes around again," I responded vaguely. "But tell me, in a few months, you will turn eighteen. Do you already have an idea who your mate might be?" I tease her. My mother starts laughing, too.

               "I don't want a mate yet. I want to study in human town and become the pack doctor," she grunts. "I've already told daddy to save up for my studies. I have already seen some universities I can attend online". Full of pride, I stare at her. "That's a nice plan for the future. But you can do all that too when you meet your mate. Studying together stimulates more and you won't be lonely," I lecture her.

               She looks skeptical.

"Rain, few in the pack are willing to send their kids to Human Town to study. Everyone keeps their kids in the pack, everything we need is here. And the Alpha gives scholarships only to students with the highest school grades and then only if their mate gives permission. I don't want that".

               "And what do you do if you do meet your mate? You know the mate bond makes it impossible for you to separate. If he won't or can't leave with you, you'll have to stay here in Storm Forest, too," I lecture her.

               "No, Rain. Remember that I am your sister. We are Beta offspring with potent genes, and we go for what we believe in. We are strong".