#56

Aurora

The next few days I spent between Millie and Whinnie. Not only were we running over the announcement and Luna ceremony preparations, but I was also learning about how they all worked together to support the pack. I hadn’t let them in on my plan yet. The women generally had traditional roles helping with cooking, canning, and the production of craft items that they would take to large fairs throughout the year, and with the money raised, they would buy bulk necessities for the pack. As well as the impressive woodwork, the dynamic duo did. Meeting the men face-to-face who had created the bed where I found my carnal pleasures daily caused me to blush and bite my lip as I attempted to suppress the memories that would cause the ghost of his lips and fingers to sear into my skin as I held my thighs tightly together praying my scent did not betray me. Millie and Whinnie said it was natural that after mating so recently we’d want to go at it like rabbits. I'm sure that all the time we had been spending apart during the day was amplifying that effect.

Evander was still a silent shareholder of the family company and Whinnie owned a portion as well. All of this is hidden under artificial names to keep the council of werewolves off their trail. The story was that Evander had been approached to be a council member and dramatically declined to state he would never be a part of the callous nature of the self-benefiting individuals who held those positions. He basically gave them the middle finger and named his brother Alpha after commanding Dominic's fealty to him. He had remained in the pack searching out properties. When Amy had been born and his instinct clearly noticed her gift. He took the pack members who chose to follow him. Those left behind were under his orders to protect those who left. They did so well at their job. The constant inquisition of the council into their finances and their attempts to track them down had all been fruitless. At least the fruitcake had some redeeming qualities, but I doubted, given the circumstances, he would want to risk such a threat.

As my mind was running over sketching out a plan for a more substantial greenhouse situation and the use of hydroponics in the warm months and creating indoor spaces for our tiny cabins to grow basic herbs and such for cooking. As well as increasing storage for all the canning and root vegetables, we would need to support growing numbers. That is if I became Luna. I let out a long, cleansing breath.

‘What’s all the stress over love?’ Evander's voice wafted into my mind. I smiled. ‘Getting ahead of myself. I’m worrying about tomorrow’s problems when I should be focused on today’s,’ I confessed. Evander had become a steady presence in my turbulent mind, a tree with roots so deep and secure I believed him when he soothed my thoughts, but I’d find myself back down the rabbit hole of self-doubt and worry. I’d waver somewhere between the girl I was once forced to be and the confidence of the wolf I was becoming. He told me we would find our balance as we melded. I wanted to be genuine as I interacted with the pact, but I did not know who I was becoming. And at this party, how was I supposed to know how to present myself? Who was I? Who was I going to turn into? Who did I want to be? Who did they expect me to be? I projected my thoughts out in whirling images and he took a moment to decipher. ‘Love just be you, you are generous as well as kind, you are loving, just, and a force to be reckoned with when it is needed. You are both powerful and humble. They would be fools not to accept you as their Luna.’ he attempted to reason.

‘I will do my best,’ I answered, letting out a sigh. ‘Have to get going. I shrugged the girls off for an hour, but I promised Amy I would help her with collecting eggs this afternoon. Then I want to help Shelly in the kitchen. Need to see how that all works.’ I explained. The guilt hit me hard in the chest, as I could feel the disappointment filter through the bond. ‘I will,’ I started to say. ‘You will do as you deem fit, love, but rest assured, tonight I will have you pleading and whimpering beneath me before I watch the glory of you riding me to your heart's content.’ I stilled in my footsteps. ‘My love, is that a threat or a promise?’ I teased. He chuckled. ‘Take it as you will my love’ he said darkly before retreating. I pushed the images away as I came up to the henhouse.

Amy ran up to me with tears in her eyes and sniffled as her arms wrapped around me. I pulsed
soothing comfort through her as I stroked her hair. “Ames, what's wrong, little one?” I asked keeping my tone soft and even. Something hit me in the gut that this was not going to be a simple conversation.

I came to my knees in front of her wrapping my arms around her slight frame. What is it? I asked. “can't tell you she sniffed. Can’t tell anyone,” she sobbed. “I don't want it to happen!” she cried out. “Shh,” I soothed rubbing her back. “Sometimes Ames, the visions force us to be quiet because they have yet to show you the rest of the picture. We have to endure things we don't want to happen for fate to create what is needed for her outcome. Sometimes little one, that is a great sacrifice for what seems a small gain, but further, down the line, the catalyst of events will prove the worth of that sacrifice.”

She sobbed for a few moments before she collected herself to meet my flickering eyes with her teary brown doe gaze. “We cannot change it,” she said, sounding much older than she should have. I took her hand. “Then we mustn’t interfere. Fate can be cruel little one, but she has her purpose.” I wanted to take away the darkness Amy saw. I wished I could absorb it and bury it deep down. However, my council was true. As much of a bitch as fate was, she had her reasons. Little did I know how great the sacrifice was in the vision, Amy, had been cursed with a horrific turn of events to safeguard.

We finished our task. It was something simple I could do to check up on her. Yesterday she was bubbling over with questions, but today she was soelmn and quiet. Sometimes fate should keep to herself. I was worried about what would come to pass.

Truth be told, my dreams had been bombarded with and taken over by the wolf, except for one that played over and over in my mind. That dream I held close to myself, not even confiding in Evander. Not all things were meant to be shared. Some things you were shown to create that which fate needed doing.