Chapter Four
The trip to the pack was very short from the market grounds. I learned that the three men who found me were Ronan, the Alpha, his beta, Kai, and his second-hand beta, Tarlo. They were very shocked to see me, no doubt, but they were nice enough. Tarlo ran ahead of us in his wolf to prepare things. I’m not too sure what there was to prepare but I was excited either way.
“Do I have any family in the pack? A Grandma? Grandpa?” I asked Ronan excitedly after building up enough courage. He didn’t say anything to me at first. Maybe he didn’t hear me. I looked down towards my shoes and watched as I took one step after another. The men around me didn’t wear shoes, they all walked barefoot. The thought felt weird to me, my feet were so sensitive that each stone underfoot would be so uncomfortable.
“Your elders passed long ago.” He finally spoke, breaking the silence. Startling me with his deep voice.
“Oh.” Not what I was expecting. I felt a little disappointed. I thought that just maybe I would be able to find some sense of family here, but it seemed just like my previous foster homes, I was going to be alone. Maybe that's my destiny, to be alone in this world. “Any brothers or sisters? Aunties or Uncles? Anyone?” I asked, looking up into the sky, holding in my disappointment. Was there really no one here waiting for my return?
“They have all passed to the next life.” He informed me. I felt him looking at me, but I couldn’t take my eyes off the open sky above. If I did, the tears threatening to break free, surly would.
Taking a deep breath in, then out. I felt that warmth from before. It didn’t spread throughout my body but it was in my chest where my heart is. It warmed me and took my pain away. A little part of me felt like maybe that was my mother, or maybe my father, still with me, but just in another way.
“Shouldn’t be much longer now. Just over this ridge here and you should be able to see the pack.” Kai smiled, pointing up the road. I felt the excitement of meeting everyone, and finally seeing home. I wonder what it was like?
Coming up and over the peak the pack laid out before us, Thatch roofs littered the top of the stone homes no higher then one or two story's in the center of the clearing. Surrounding the clearing was a giant hillside all the way around, with the current path we were walking on following the slope downwards along the side almost like a spiral. Some homes lined the hill, with grass roofs. It looked like they had traveled into the mountains. Everything looked green and lush with wild flowers.
“It’s beautiful.” I whispered as we continued walking down the path towards the group forming at the bottom of the slope. I felt the sense of being home and I couldn’t help but let a tear escape. This is where I truly belong!
Ronan grunted as if he heard me. I felt my face go red again as I forgot that, just like me, they would be able to hear super well.
“Is it really her?” I heard a child ask among many voices. “It’s our Luna!” a woman called out. Many voices spoke out at once. It was hard to make out who was talking or what was being said. I smiled at them as we got closer and closer. More and more people came out in human and wolf form. Some wore robes while others had nothing on. It was a sight to see for sure something I was sure I could get used to.
Some of the more adventurous children ran forward to greet us. “Ronan! Your Amazing! You brought the Luna home!” one little girl excitedly cheered as she grabbed my hand, walking with me to greet everyone. Another voice spoke out and said "What can't Ronan do!" as cheers grew among the people.
Names were thrown about, I couldn’t remember everyone if I tried. The group closed in around me as they all scented me, rubbed up against me and cheered. Something I was not prepared for at all. I felt very uncomfortable but at the same time, if this was what they did, I was okay with it.
“Welcome home!” They would say. “We knew you would find your way to us!” another would say. It was so crazy how many people came out to greet me. I tried to smile at them all, tired to greet them, tired to remember their names, but it was impossible. I was quickly getting overwhelmed with all the touching and pushing. I lost track of where Ronan and Kai were long ago.
“Enough, let's let her settle in now.” Ronan’s strong voice carried over the crowd. Thank goodness. The crowd quickly took a step back, still cheering.
“Come” His voice echoed in my head. I followed suit and found him among those standing at the back. Tarlo was now with him again.
“I will show you to your living space.” He said as he walked passed me down the stone path into the village. I wonder if I will be getting one of these cute little stone huts? Or maybe I would be bunking with another family? I wasn’t too sure what would be the case but I figured I would soon find out rather than ask. Ronan didn't seem to like many questions.
We walked to the end of the village, and over to one of the huts connected to the hillside when Ronan finally turned to speak with me. “This is where you will stay.” Sighing, he walked up to the front of the door and opened it for me.
“Thank you!” I smiled as I walked into my new home, trying to suppress how excited I was. The inside surprised me a lot. It was not as simple as the outside and a lot more spacious than I first imagined. When you first walked in, there was a place to wipe your feet on a small mat, or take off your shoes, which I did right away.
Walking further into the space on the left was a huge round dining table fit to sit more then she could ever have over at once. Next to that were some counters and shelves with a wood stove, the kitchen. To the right was more seating that looked to be made out of some type of fur. I walked over to the couches that were shaped in an L. The fur was defiantly delicate and soft.
“The bedroom is down here.” Ronan spoke much more softly inside. He had closed the door behind him, leaving him and I alone together in the house. I followed him past a curtain, hiding a hallway.
“There's a few rooms back here actually. Most of them are unfurnished currently but we can arrange for more furnishing if you would like.” He led me into a huge room that opened up very spaciously. This room was not only bright with marble walls and floors, but also had a monstrous bed out of furs right at the center. Across the bed was a wall of windows. Opening to what looked to be a private garden.
“Down the hall and to the left is the washroom.” He motioned as he ran his hand through his hair.
“This is great thank you!” I went further into the room to look at the garden. It looked stunning from here. Flowers littered the ground, moss grew on the white rocks of the hillside, a small stream ran through the corner of the small space. It truly was stunning.
“I’ll be back with some food,” Ronan quickly decided as he left the room. I was rather hungry. After all, I didn’t keep anything down at the market besides the orange.
Turning to the bed, I crawled in. Not only was it super warm, it was incredibly soft. I didn’t mean to close my eyes, but I couldn't help it, exhausted from all the excitement. Walking all the way here, taking the teleporter today, it just all wiped me out. I wonder what type of life I can live here? Where will I fit in best?