56. Kaya

Kaya

I stood there watching the people gathering. There would be two challenges today. The first one was to be a race. The second was challenging: working in groups to see how you work as a pack. It had snowed most of the night but had stopped. The ground was coated in a white blanket. After the race, before the next challenge, I planned to check on those still running in the endurance challenge. Helen was next to me this morning.

"Mercy is the fastest runner in the pack; she will do well for us in this challenge." She mind-linked me as everyone lined up for the race to begin. It was not a short distance. Cade and the other alphas were stationed at the end of the track a few miles away. I looked at Len. He was running this race. Where was Kimi? I thought to myself. I looked around for her, but she was as short as I was, and it was hard to spot her over everyone who towered over me.

"Helen, do you see Kimi?" I mind-linked her. She looked around. "No, sorry, I don't." I mind-linked Kimi. "Where are you? The race will start soon." "I went out to catch a rabbit. I just wanted some alone time." "Is everything okay?" "Yeah, just so many Southerns and I was tired of their company. I just wanted some time in nature, to pray to the Goddess and hunt and just be." "I understand." "Well, I hope Len kicks their asses." "He has an advantage; the ground is snow, and he is wearing his boots." "Good, he should show them up, and when we do the group challenge, we will win that too."

I was happy with her confidence, and as I did root for them, I also wanted Shadow Pack to win. In truth, either outcome would make me happy. "I will find you after my hunt, Kaya." "Okay, have fun." I dropped the link. Helen looked at me. I linked her, "Kimi is hunting and needed some time with the goddess and nature." She nodded. "So, you guys pray a lot to the goddess." "Yes, you guys don't." "It is not like we don't believe in her; we do. I mean, she is the reason we have mates; we just, I guess, don't spend too much time thinking about her."

"Well, in the North, we learn all about her. On winter solstice, we have a huge festival in her honor. She is our creator. Why would we not talk to her?" "You make a fair point." "Not only that, but she blesses those faithful to her. Without her blessing, how would anyone survive in the Arctic?" "I guess I never really thought about her all that much." "Maybe you should?" "I will try praying to her to see what happens." "That is a great idea; you know she is why we are a matriarchy in the north?"

"Really?" "Yeah, I mean, yes, women seem to be better at multitasking, but our Goddess is our creator; therefore, women hold positions of power in the North. Just like she holds position." "That totally makes sense." Helen looked at the lineup. I didn't know what the man was saying; his mouth was not facing me to read his lips. Then, all of a sudden, everyone took off. I watched till the runners were out of sight. I hoped Shadow Pack and Len did well, but I wouldn't know until Cade told me the race results.

"Helen, do you want to check the arena and see how everyone is doing." I mind-linked her. "Yeah, lead the way." We walked together to the arena. Helen's mind linked to me. "Did Cade tell you that everyone wants to see you fight?" "Yes, he did, and it is ridiculous. Kimi and Len will be fighting, and they will see what the North is capable of. I don't see why I would need to fight." "A lot of people are curious about you Kaya?" "But, why, I am not anything special."

"You are different and now a Luna; I mean, once Jack opened his big mouth, everyone was more curious; you didn't die fighting an alpha, you didn't even lose, not to mention everyone heard what you did to Annalise at the ball and that alone made them curious. And I am afraid beating up that asshole to defend Kimi even intrigued them more." I have no desire to fight other than when I feel it necessary. "Just so you know, it is like I said when you first came here. If you show strength, they will respect you for it."

Helen did have a point. I didn't want people to think of me as weak because I couldn't hear or talk. Howie thought I was weak, and that was bad enough. I was anything but soft. I decided if they wanted a show, I would give them one. But only if the majority wanted it. I was in no rush to fight, and I sure as hell would not be fighting an alpha. Helen and I stood looking into the arena. Only three people were still running. George was more like limping. He was barely awake. The other guy was running with his eyes closed.

The guy was staggering around. Helen and I watched as the guy tripped over his feet and crashed into the ground. He didn't move. He could not have died; he was so tired he couldn't move. I mind-linked George. "George, you are doing so good." "Luna, I can't." He was fighting just to move; that was apparent. I looked at Saka, who looked tired but nothing near George. How long would it take him to feel like George? "George, you can keep running if you want, but I will be honest. It will probably be another day or two before Saka looks like you."

"Will you hate me if I stop now?" "George, I will never hate you. I am your Luna. If you had been the first out, I would still be happy with you." "Thank the goddess." George stopped running and stood there wavering. Saka kept running. Someone must have said something because the Saka stopped running. The challenge was over. I ran out onto the track.

Saka saw me coming and walked to me. He signed, "I won." "That is great, Saka; you deserve it." I was trying to get to George. I stood in front of him. He was practically shaking. I threw my arm around him and mind-linked him. "Lean on me; let's keep you on your feet and get some food into you." Saka saw what I was doing and put his arm around him, and we both helped him up to the packhouse. I knew he wasn't a gamma, but he had run for days and could use a soft bed and food.

I mind-linked Saka. "Saka, you should rest too." "Yeah, I am tired. I will just grab some food and hit the shower first." "How are you so awake? Shouldn't you be like the others?" He threw his head back, and I watched him laugh. He then signed. "I am not made of weak stuff like the South. I was forged by wind and snow." I cracked a smile. Cade then mind-linked me.

"Daybreak won the race. Shadow Pack got third, and Len got second. He would have gotten first, but near the end, he was tripped by daybreak, who won." "Well, Saka won the endurance, and George got second. I don't know who got third?" "How is George?" "I put him in the packhouse; he is passed out in one of the gamma's rooms, sleeping it off. I am bringing food to him, but he already fell asleep, so I don't know if he will eat right away?" "Just let him sleep. The next challenge won't be until tonight after dinner?" "What will it be?" "A game of sorts."