Return of the Legendary Lycan

Chapter 6

Over the next 2 days, Charlie and I help all we can with getting ready for the funeral.  Since neither of us have any experience with anything like this, we rely on Nina and Aunt Denise to help us.  Uncle Edward and other males from the pack who have lost mates take Daddy to the “grieving grounds” basically it’s an area where the male can release all the anger he’s feeling, toward his mate for dying and himself for not being able to stop it from happening.  They let Daddy, basically, destroy everything on the grounds in his grief.  Jason and his sons went along since this was a new concept to them.  The Lycan female is usually the one grieving the loss of her mate, not the other way around.  Nina had a few questions as well.

Nina:  So, do they replace the broken items each time, or do the males just break the same items?

Denise:  Whenever a female in our pack passes away, the males gather anything they can find that can be destroyed.  The grounds are replenished by items that families and single males donate.  This time, didn’t you send somethings to be destroyed, Char?

Char:  Daddy’s old truck made one last trip to the “grieving grounds”.  I know, he will take some comfort in turning it into a pile of rusted metal bits.  Also, the bed they shared was taken there as well and the new one will be here today.  Charlie and I thought it would be easier for him to sleep without her scent constantly reminding him of what he’s lost.  I sent along a few things that I don’t need anymore, the old motor to my Trans Am and the carcass of the plane I stripped for parts for my new plane. 

Charlie:  Do you think we are wrong to try to remove Mama’s scent from the bedroom?

Nina and Denise:  No.

Denise:  Your instincts are correct.  The best way to help him with his grieving is to remove some of the things that carried her scent.  If he keeps smelling her every time he tries to sleep, it will drive him crazy with grief every night.  My Dad didn’t get rid of anything from my Mom’s when she passed 2 years ago. After 2 months he couldn’t take it anymore and killed himself by jumping off the cliffs.  We don’t want you to know that kind of pain.  We will help you pack her clothes up, you are donating them, right?

Charlie:  Yes, it’s want she wanted, and we need to do the same with Carlotta’s things as well.  Carlotta, the former Alpha, and his hoe were sentenced to be put into the segregation hole yesterday, and no one comes out of there alive.  So, there was no need to keep her things.  Plus we wanted to get rid of her smell from the house, because the stink was making us sick. 

Char:  I should have sent her bed to the grounds, too.  Shoot, wonder if it’s too late.    For now, I’m moving it to the garage, when they get back I’m sure Uncle Edward can put it in the shed for the next male who needs it.  I have to go into town to get some boxes.  Charlie, do you have the grocery list made?

Charlie:  On the counter, in the kitchen.  Char, how are you getting to town with Daddy’s truck gone?

Char (blushing): I kinda bought him a new one!  He likes Uncle Edward’s so much, I ordered him one and it was delivered an hour ago.  Guess, this means since “technically” you have the license, you will be going instead of me?

Charlie (laughing at me): See you are learning more every day.  But I want to know when you are going to get me that Porsche I asked for. 

Char:  Check outside, sis.

She looked into my mind, let out a squeal and ran out the front door.  There was Dad’s new truck, a Metallic Blue Chevy Silverado 3500HD, and behind it was a Black Porsche 718 Spyder with the top down.  She turned and I tossed her the keys.  Before she ran to her new car, she ran back to me and hugged me saying thank you over and over.  I urged her to go take it for a spin, but to be careful to watch the speed limits in the wastelands.  Those cops were pains and I would have to be the one to “convince” them mentally not to give her a ticket.  Upside, they are humans which makes it way too easy to make them do what I want.  She grabbed Aunt Denise’s hand and drug her to the car, so she wouldn’t be alone.  She knew Denise could drive if she needed her too.  As they hopped in, I asked if she wanted the grocery list.  She giggled and said she forgot about that, and took it from my hand, giving me another hug before hopping into the driver’s seat and starting the car.  Nina and I watched as they took off toward town and once they were out of sight, went back into the house.

Nina:  Char, how were you able to pay for those vehicles?  You’re only 15.  There is no way you won a lottery or anything.

Char: Remember Daddy talked about me digging in the wastelands?  Well, I tend to find more then hidden gold or silver bars.

Running upstairs, I grab my jewelry box, the small one.  I take it back down to show Nina a few of the pieces I’ve found over the years.

Nina (eyes widen):  Char, these are antiques and priceless.  You found them all?

Char:  Yes, my sense of smell is very sensitive.  I can smell ore and base elements.  I have been able to find chests since I was about 6.  Daddy took me with him and the warriors on a hunting trip that year.  I grabbed the shovel they used to make the potty trench and went digging in a totally different area.  It took them about 2 hours to find me and by then I had dug 5 feet down and uncovered a big chest.  A couple of the warriors finished the heavy digging and lifted the chest out.  One took the shovel and broke the lock off, when I opened it up there were 20 bars of silver and 20 bars of gold.  They said since I found it the items inside were mine.  These warriors were some that came to help at the house, none that liked the former Alpha.  So, when Uncle Edward told them to keep my treasures a secret they all agreed.  I told them I wanted to give the silver bars to the pack weapons smith so that these warriors would have superior weapons.

Nina:  What did you do with the gold bars?  How many chests have you found?

Char:  Daddy and I took the gold bars to town and exchanged them for cash, the money was put into a CD that mature when I hit 16 and then I can decide what do with it.  I have found over 50 chests, various sizes.  I have sold some Antiques I sold on EBay, using an account Mama setup for me, the money was put directly into my personal account and I have 15 safety deposit boxes at the bank filled with coins, jewels and other items.  Daddy will help me empty some of them before I move to your pack, so I can put them in a bank closer to me.  I understand the shortage of silver is a big issue, so those coins and bars will be the first to go.  Hopefully, your weapon smith will be able to melt them down and make more daggers and swords for your warriors.

Nina:  Char, you already gave us so many weapons from your personal cache.  We can’t take silver from you without paying you back somehow.

Char:  Nina, you will be paying me back.  I will be living with you and your pack, eating your food, using your utilities, going to school with your children and everything else that comes along with taking in another member.  I want to show I can help the pack, isn’t that was a Luna does?

Nina:  Yes, Julius is your mate, and will be Alpha, which makes you his Luna.  But you are family, we would be remiss if we charge you for coming home with us.

Char:  Consider the weapons and silver as my dowry.  Julius can’t claim me as his mate officially until I’m 16, so that is almost a full year your family and pack will be protecting and taking care of me.  Let me give you all something back, please.

Nina:  I’ll talk it over with Jason and Julius when they get back.  What grade are you in again?  You make a compelling argument, maybe we need to get you on the debate team when we get you home.

Char (blushing): I just tested out of 10th grade last week before Mama died.  That is why I haven’t had any homework brought to me like Charlie has.

Nina:  Explain how you tested out.  Does that mean you don’t have to go back for the rest of the school year?

Char:  Every year, I go for the first 3 weeks and then I take the final exams and pass.  So, there is no point in me going back until the next year.  This has been happening since I was in Kindergarten.  My mind retains everything I see, read or hear.  Since Lottie has come out, we’re learning faster than before. 

Lottie:  I have a workout area set up for us and now I’m able to do more of the fighting skills I’ve seen on movies and videos.  Julius saw part of my training area, but only where I practice my knife throwing.  There is a section in back where I train to fight.  I think I have Black Widow’s throw down move perfected, but Char is being a baby about trying again, since last time I broke our arm and since the training area is a secret no one found us.  I had to figure out how to brace it myself.  Needless to say, Daddy was mad when he saw it, she told him we fell from a tree.  You could come with me, and then we wouldn’t be alone.  Char just doesn’t like trying that jump when we are alone, even though I’ve told her I have it down pat now.

Nina:  I would be honored to watch you practice.  When would you like to go?

Char:  First, we need to run into town to get some boxes.  Charlie’s still showing off her new car, and I reminded her to stop and get insurance and license plates before she goes shopping.  Would you like to drive the new truck?  Or can I?  I already got it insured and it has temp plates.

Nina:  I know you’ve been driving for years, but maybe it would be best if I drive and you navigate this time.  Deal?

Char:  Deal!