Chapter Thirty-Two – The Nothern Moon

Most of the Nothern Mood pack members were young wolves in their late teens and early twenties. But there were also the here and there families, and thankfully some of them had some clothes that Alehtta could inherit.

She looked like a brand-new girl after a bath and some toast. Her skin was glittering from the water, and she loved it. The young girl ran around outside with some of the younger pups, dressed in sensible clothing and showing of her sparkly skin to everyone.

Talia stood in the doorway off the side, watching with a smile on her face as the new and old kids blended together, all playing together like they had been friends all their lives. It made Talia happy to see how the kids seemed so unfazed at everything happening around them. And it was nice to see Alehtta be a child and not worry about her parents.

“Katlyn should be back soon” Adam snuck his arms around her waist, resting his head on her shoulder. “Dimitri, Filip, Oliver and Marie have gone into town to get some tents and other camping equipment. I also asked Marie to get some new clothes for Alehtta, it just felt right” He continued.

Everyone had worked together to get the newcomers settled. The families were settled into the huts scattered around the property, while some of the younger wolves had been accommodated in the main house. A pair of brothers had agreed to share a room, even though it didn’t have two single beds. And three of the teenage girls insisted on staying together. They had stayed together since they had decided to leave their packs about half a year back.

They all had different stories, had been traveling for a different amount of time. Somehow, they had all met up and been sent there by Nadine. It was a lot to take in, and they would eventually have to sit down and hear all the stories. But not now. Now it was just time to unwind, relax, get cleaned up and eat decent food.

“What is Monica preparing for lunch today?” Talia asked. She could already smell something cooking, and her mouth was watering. “I believe she’s making pasta. It’s easy to make for a lot of people. And it’s a favorite among kids” Adam answered, taking a whiff of the air drifting from the kitchen. Onions, garlic, carrots and tomato. She was making Bolognese for sure.

“I can’t help but wonder what happened to them all. All the families and friends. They are just 37 people. I believe there were more of them at one point. Just look at Marjatta for example. She has a story to tell, and it’s not a good one” Talia spoke softly as she looked at the tall woman with the raven hair. She had an aura of authority about her, and like she had once been someone of importance.

“I’m sure they will all share their stories at some point. But for now, no prying” Adam placed a soft kiss on her cheek before disappearing into the house again, no doubt to inspect the work on patching up the hole in the wall. Some of the kids had actually pointed up at that while playing, everyone wondering what kind of person could do that. No one was going to say it was Talia, who would even believe them?

“Miss, miss!” Alehtta came running to her. “What is it little one?” Talia sat down to be on the same level as the girl. “He said you’re not a wolf. You’re not a wolf? What are you then?” Alehtta spoke quickly, having to catch her breath at the last question.

“No, I’m not a wolf” Talia answered with a little chuckle. Oh the curious mind of a child, would she ever be able to get used to this? After the bath, and another cry for her parents, Alehtta had started asking all kinds of questions.

“Then what are you? Can people who are not wolf live with wolves? I’ve never met someone who isn’t wolf!” Her eyes widened, her whole face lighting up with wonder and surprise.

“They can. Not everyone here is a wolf. Most are of course. But then there is me, who is a fae, and then there is Katlyn. She’s a special kind of shifter. And she just comes and goes as she pleases”

Like on queue a little white bird landed on the patio next to them.

“Pretty bird!” Alehtta exclaimed with a smile. But her mouth soon dropped open and her eyes once again widened as the bird turned into a naked woman.

“Woooow” Alehtta managed to say as she continued to stare at Katlyn, who were ruffling her hair around, trying to shield her body from prying eyes. “Here” Talia handed her the jacket she was wearing, it was at least giving the other woman coverage of her private parts.

“Thanks” Katlyn smiled, putting on the jacket and immediately started to search the pockets for something sugary. But they were all empty. Not even a mini bar of chocolate to be found.

“Letha, why don’t you go play with your news friends? I’ll come find you when it’s lunchtime” The little girl started at Katlyn for a moment longer before returning to the other kids, loudly talking about how she had just seen a bird turn into a woman. A naked woman at that.

“So, any news?” Talia turned to Katlyn.

“There were no movements anywhere around the border, not where these people passed, not north nor south of it. I even flew over camp Čárajávri, and it wasn’t a pretty sight. They are still searching the area for remains” Katlyn plumped down in one of the chairs, arranging the jacket so she didn’t show of more than intended.

“No survivors?” Talia already knew the answer of that as she got seated on the other chair, offering Katlyn the blanket that had been laid over it. She accepted it with a small smile. Though the sun was out it was still a chill day, not a day for walking around but naked.

“None. And I couldn’t see anyone traveling anywhere around the area the little girl is from. Either they have fled someplace else, or they are dead” Katlyn lowered her voice, making sure the little girl didn't heard them.

“That was what Marjatta said as well” Talia wished she had found time to speak with the woman again, but she was busy with getting everyone under her care and protection settled. But soon. Very soon.

“LUNCHTIME!” Monica shouted from the entrance, making everyone who had been lounging around spring to life. The newcomers followed the pack members into the dining hall, either through the main entrance or the one off the side. The kids came running towards where Katlyn and Talia were sitting, Alehtta still looking with wide eyes when she spotted Katlyn.

“You’ve never seen anyone shift to anything other than wolf, have you?” Katlyn asked when she saw the girl’s eyes. Alehtta shook her head in response.

“Then watch this” Katlyn rose to her feet, handing the jacket back to Talia before she shifted. Where the brunette had stood there was now a little artic fox running around in circles around the little girl. It made her laugh and smile, clapping with enthusiasm as Katlin shifted back to human.

“I didn’t know you could turn into a fox” Talia said as she gave the jacket back, but this time Katlyn didn’t accept it. Instead, she wrapped the blanket around herself and headed for the entrance.

“I’m a shapeshifter – I can shift into pretty much whatever I like. But I have a thing for white animals, which is why I shift into white creatures” Katlyn explained as they followed the steady stream of people into the dining room.

“I’ll see you both later. I’ll go change before eating. Monica is not too fond of people dining in the nude” Katlyn waved as she disappeared into the other direction, while Talia and Alehtta went to find Adam.

He was seated at his usual table in the corner, a frown on his face that disappeared once he saw the duo head for him. He'd already gotten them plates of food from Monica, most likely cutting the queue that formed by the serving counter. Though it from the outside could look like any other double sized farmhouse the inside told a whole other story. The dining room was more like a canteen, making it easier to serve and seat everyone.

“Adam, Adam, you’ll never guess what I just saw. This woman, she was a bird, then she was a woman, then she was a fox!” Alehtta was excited as she got seated by the table. Not only had she been able to take a bath that made her skin glitter, she’d also made new friends, met a woman who could turn into all kind of animals, and they were having pasta for lunch. Could it get any better than that?

“Alpha Adam. What is your wolfs name? This boy, Linus, said that he was sure he would get his wolf very soon, and that he would have the best name in history” Alehtta kept talking, barely taking breaks to eat her pasta.

“Damir” Adam answered with a smile. It was a relief to have such a bubbly, outgoing bundle of energy around. It distracted his thoughts and made his head and heart feel a little lighter. This girl had been through enough, yet she still got excited just about the thought of a wolfs names.

“And what color is he?” Alehtta continued.

“He’s the most beautiful golden” Talia answered, making Adam look down with a small smile on his lips. Damir on the other hand spun around excited in his head. *‘She thinks I’m beautiful’* He exclaimed in pure excitement.

“But you don’t have a wolf. What can you do? Are you like that other woman?” Alehtta asked between mouthfuls of pasta.

“She’s something very special” Adam answered, placing his hand over Talia's and looking at her with fondness. He loved this woman with all his being. And he wasn’t afraid to show it to the world any longer.

“Look at this” Talia whispered, placing her other hand on the table with her palm facing up. As she wiggled her fingers little sparks of lightning started to appear, slowly forming to a ball of pure energy before Talia curled her fingers into a fist and everything disappeared.

“I want to do that! That’s so cool!” Alehtta shouted, making the people at the nearby table to turn to look at them. One glare from Adam made them turn back around again. It was a private moment between Talia and Alehtta, not prying eyes.

“I’ll tell you a little secret” Talia leaned closer to Alehtta. “I think wolves are much cooler” She whispered, but the little girl just shook her head. “No, no way. You’re the coolest. Even cooler than the bird woman” Alehtta insisted, making Talia’s heart melt. She didn’t care what had happened before, from here on out Alehtta was staying with her.