89. Kaya

Kaya

The day had been fantastic snowboarding. The South had so many things we didn't have in the North. At first, when I arrived at Shadow Pack, I felt like I would hate it here, but in truth, I really enjoyed that there was a lot to do. There was so much to see and do besides just working every day. I really loved the South, and that is something I thought I would never think of. I mean I still missed my family and the people I grew up with but I was content with my role in the pack as Luna. Even if I thought I could be better at it. I was quick to lose my temper.

I had never been raised to be a Luna and have the temperament for it. I liked when people focused and did things. Which is why I was mad at the moment, waiting for the high schoolers to get out on the field. We were running formations today and school had gotten out fifteen minutes ago and not everyone was on the field. I had Saka and Len with me today. We would be showing them how to work as a team to track and hunt.

Though we had no plan to actually kill something, we just wanted to show them how you work in a team to get a kill. The last few people began to file in. Saka and Len started to sniff the air. When two girls who looked similar but not exactly the same entered the field, both my friends took off. I watched as they embraced the girls and started rubbing there faces into the crook of there neck. I knew what was happening. They had found their mates. When they started to kiss them, I felt instantly happy. They had found their mates.

Everyone including myself watched as the couples embraced each other. I mind linked Saka and Len. "You guys go enjoy your mates, I can handle today." The guys grabbed their hands, and the four of them left. I knew they would fill me in later about the whole thing. I looked back at the teenagers who were still standing there. There was no way we were doing formations without people here helping me. I mean I had Robert but you needed at least three people to do formations. With Saka and Len I had four and it was perfect. But, just me and Robert could not do it.

I signed and mind-linked at the same time. I had taken to doing this with most people still learning sign language. It got them more familiar with the language. "Okay so we were supposed to be doing formations today but as you can see something wonderful happened so no formations today." One of the boys mind linked. "So does that mean we are free to go, or are we doing something else?" I addressed the group. "How about you guys tell me what you want to do?"

The kids all looked around, and I could see they were talking amongst themselves. I stood there with Robert waiting for an answer. One girl in the front mind linked me. "Could you tell us about the North. I mean we know you are from there and we don't know much about it and have all been curious." I smiled. Of course, they were curious. The pack all knew me and my friends were from the North, but they never really got to know the differences. "Yes, let's sit down." I mind-linked them. I caught the lips of one of the girls as she spoke, "But the ground is covered in snow." "You get used to it now, come on." I mind-linked. I sat down with Robert next to me.

The teens followed suit. I mind linked them all. "Now, whatever your questions are, I will answer whatever you want. Just raise your hand. When I call on you stand and look at me so I can read your lips and then I will mind link everyone the response." They all nodded. I planned to include Robert in the mind link so he felt like he was involved. "Now who wants to go first?"

A bunch of hands shot up. I picked one. The young man stood up and looked directly at me. "Do you guys have electricity?" "No, we also have no running water or indoor plumbing. We live directly on the ground in huge tents and live without any of the things we do here." Their faces showed shock. "Okay, what next?" I called on the next kid. "If you live in tents, what are they made of, fabric?" "So our tents are made of animal skins. All of our clothes are made of animal skins and fur." She added. "So that is why you are such a good hunter." "Yes, it is essential in the North to know how to hunt, fish , and shoot a bow. We live off the land."

More hands shot up. I called on another kid. "Is there a difference in pack structure?" I mind linked. "Yes, actually. We don't have alphas." The kid's eyes all widened and started to talk among themselves. "But who runs the pack then?" the boy questioned. "We have a Luna. She runs the pack. The luna is chosen by the last one and they have to an alpha bloodline but unlike here it is not based on the children of who the current Luna is. It is not passed on through generations. The Luna chooses who will replace her and teaches them what it means to be a Luna."

More hands raised. "Are there a lot of northern packs?" "Yes a lot actually. My pack the Crescent Moon pack is the largest." "Do you miss your family?" another question. "I do, I talk to them a lot though over the mind link. I never expected to leave home." The girl went on. "What do you mean you still talk to them you are our luna part of our pack and why did you never expect to leave. You would have had to when you found your mate."

"So I am still connected to Crescent Moon Pack. I never broke the connection. My Luna Nieva she never lets anyone with alpha blood break the connection and athough I don't have alpha blood I was the first to ever be mated to a pack in the South. And since I was to be a Luna, she wanted to be able to communicate with me. I also think she wanted me to stay in touch with my family. But she has always been more than a giving Luna. As for your other question about me not expecting to leave my pack. Females in the North don't leave there pack. The men in the spring and summer go out and look for their mates. When they find them then they move to their mates pack. Women are not displaced."

They all had a shocked look on their faces. I laughed. "What is the coolest thing you hunted." A tall, gangly boy asked. "When I was thirteen, I went on my first solo hunt. Something everyone in the North does. It is a coming-of-age thing. Well, I came face to face with a polar bear, and well, I won. Though I almost died doing it. It is only by the grace of the Goddess I survived." "So fucking cool." I laughed. There questions just kept coming. We sat there in the snow for hours there questions never ended.

It had gotten late, but we were still talking. They wanted to know all about dens and when I told them about whaling they lost it. They had so many questions. They wanted to know all about my tattoos and how I lost my hearing and just everything. I thought they had very inquisitive minds. Cade mind linked me "Where are you it is dinner and your not here?" "I am with the kids at the school." "Still?" "We are talking." "Well could you come home please I am not a big fan of eating without you." I smiled and mind-linked him back. "Fine, I will be there soon. Please go ahead and eat. I will be there soon."

The mind linked dropped. There were kids with their hands still in the air. "Guys, sorry, but your alpha has summoned me. Plus, I am sure your parents are anxious to have you home. If you have any more questions just ask when you see me out and about or you can ask Saka, Len, or Kimi." They all nodded and the group got up and I stood. Robert looked at me and signed. "I had no idea about all that. I had an idea but no real clue what life was like up there. "Well, now you do." I shot him a smile. The two of us headed back to the packhouse.