It turns out, Regina did like the strange humans; they weren't so bad. She had spent the past week with them, and nothing terrible had happened. She had food three times a day, an excellent bed to sleep in, and several humans to observe. There weren't any adverse side effects.
At first, Regina was always on edge. Constantly flinching when one of the pack members even raised a hand, hiding from everyone she didn't know and not eating until everyone else took a bite. She didn't want to be afraid of the pack, but she couldn't help herself; she was just full of anxiety for an unknown reason.
Everyone at the pack was so sweet, though. Marissa and Blake comforted her with every single one of her nightmares, even if it left them exhausted. Tyler was always there for company, whether she wanted to be alone or try meeting new people. Teresa was annoying, wanting to check on her wounds, telling her to rest or not to eat so much. But she also had kind eyes and would sneak Regina a little treat.
No matter what, these people had kind eyes. Even after Marissa and Blake got no sleep or a stressful day for Teresa and Tyler, they were never harsh. Their voices were soft, and their eyes had peace radiating off them. It made Regina want to trust them more, and she found herself doing just that.
Walking around the packhouse with Tyler wasn't so scary. She knew he was there and would protect her. Suddenly, meeting new people wasn't so nerve-wracking.
She still flinched when people touched her, but she did like it when she got pets. Teresa always managed to find the perfect spots that just made her melt. Tyler was also pretty good, but not quite as good as his Fated.
It had been a week. As time went by, Regina got more relaxed and comfortable with pack members. She could walk down the halls getting greetings without freaking out. That still didn't mean she was ready to meet someone, introductions, and all that.
So, when Marissa woke Regina up one day by saying, "Wake up, we have guests." Regina just buried herself further into the blankets.
Sure, she could walk around and see other pack members. But Tyler was almost always there, and there was time to meet them gradually. Surprise visitors that would most likely want to talk to her, no thanks.
"Come on pup, they are family of the Beta, and all the pack members are going downstairs to greet them. Besides, one of them may know more about your family. Wouldn't you like to know where you came from?"
Yes, but that didn't mean Regina wanted to meet strangers. She was still getting used to the pack, and she hadn't even met any of the leaders. If she couldn't meet the Alpha, how was she supposed to meet potential bad guys?
Marissa let out a sigh and left Regina to sulk. The pup wasn't required to meet the Neri's, but it would be kind. Attalo and Mavis had traveled from Montana to see them. That was at least six hours, depending on traffic and the roads. Still, she couldn't force Regina; she was dealing with enough anxiety.
Marissa was proud of how much the pup had adapted, but there were no signs that she would shift anytime soon. Until that happened, they couldn't work with her to figure out what had happened to Regina. Adding two strangers to the mix probably wouldn't help.
"No Regina Luce?"
Teresa called out as they continued together to the entrance hall.
"Nope, she just stayed in her blankets. I had hoped she would be okay if we were all with her but no dice."
"Well, we can only hope Attalo has information. Maybe if we find her family, Regina Luce would be more comfortable shifting."
Marissa's heart clenched, and she glanced down at her notebook. It was horribly selfish, but she didn't want Regina to go. She had been with Blake for almost eighteen years now, and they had no luck having children. They had given up, thinking they would never have a chance. Then Regina Luce was found.
There weren't any orphans in the pack; something considered very lucky. But with Regina, they could finally have a family. Marissa couldn't help but wish for such a dream to come true finally. It would be perfect; she could help Regina heal and be there the whole way.
But if Regina had family out there, could she keep Regina from them? What if Regina saw them and suddenly, she was better? It would be better if she was with those, she knew than stuck in a place she didn't know.
"Marissa!"
She looked up to see a wall right in front of her eyes. How long had she been thinking?
"Are you okay? You literally just about ran into a wall; I've never seen you like that."
Marissa let out a breath and turned to Teresa.
"I don't want to find Regina's family."
Teresa's mouth dropped as she stared at her friend. They had known each other since they were kids, and she had never heard Marissa say anything like that.
"You want to keep this poor pup from going to her family and loved ones? Why in the world would you want that?"
"Think about it; she didn't even smell like another wolf. Regina was all alone, with no one looking for her. If her pack could let her run away, should we really send her back?"
"That wouldn't happen here. Blake and I could raise her, love her, and help her get back on her feet. Would that be so bad?"
Teresa looked at Marissa, who seemed close to tears. She had been there through all of the couple's problems, miscarriages, stillbirths, and failure. Marissa and Blake would be the perfect parents, but they never had a chance to show. They would love and care for Regina Luce, that was a fact Teresa knew.
"But what if there is someone out there waiting for Regina?" She pulled Marissa into a hug and comforted the woman. "If there is someone out there that needs her, we can't keep Regina Luce all to ourselves."
Teresa was right, but that didn't make this whole situation any easier. Regina wasn't her pup, and most likely would never be. That was her fate.
"Let's just go see Mavis and Attalo. In the end, if there isn't anyone waiting for Regina Luce, we know who could take care of her."
Teresa smiled, trying to boost Marissa. She sent one back to Teresa and turned around before Teresa could tell it was fake. Whatever happened, it would all be for Regina's benefit.
The two continued to the entrance hall where the Alpha, Beta, and Gamma families were. Marissa and Teresa stood in the back since they were taking care of Regina Luce the Alpha invited them. Rosalia was also there with her family because she would be working with Attalo.
A car pulled up to the driveway, escorted by some of the border control in wolf form. The car parked, and a couple got out; Marissa clutched her notebook. Reinga was leaving; this was it. They would find Regina's family, and she would forever lose the pup.
****
"Why do you think Liam called us down anyways?"
"He said something about finding a nomadic pack wolf. His Pack Informant didn't know anything, and so he wanted to see if there was a nomadic pack near us."
The woman glanced out the window to the trees surrounding them. It had been such a long drive, and she just wanted to rest somewhere. This whole trip had better be worth it.
"And do we? I swear if you don't know any, but we drove her anyways-"
The man chuckled, cutting off his wife. "Of course, I know something. I just wanted to check with Rosalia. We decided it would be easier if I brought my files, and we worked together. Besides, this way, you can talk to Liam."
Mavis scoffed and smacked her husband. "You know I don't care for that idiot. I've told you what he did to me when we were children."
"I know, but you'll thank me when we leave Lotta Lunare. Just deal with him for a week at most."
"Fine." She sighed dramatically to bother Attalo. "But if this is all wasted, I don't know how but I'll make you regret it."
Attalo just laughed as he pulled into the clearing. All around them were smaller houses for the pack, and ahead of them was the packhouse. It was a two-level house, large enough for the leaders and their families. That was where they would be meeting and trying to find a home for this poor wolf. And hopefully, it wouldn't take too long; Mavis didn't know how long she could handle her annoying older brother.
Seeing the welcoming party, Mavis straightened, and Attalo stopped the car. The border control walked past to the Alpha that was waiting in the front.
Getting out, the two went to the Alpha, greeting him with a simple bow.
"Attalo, Mavis, my old friends. I can't tell you how glad I am that you were willing to travel down here. It has been too long." Alpha Marcos finished by pulling them into a hug.
He then waved over to the very pregnant human next to him. "Ambra, my Fated, as you probably remember." Behind her were there six children and their Fated Partners. Mavis couldn't believe they were having another child; their oldest was in his mid-twenties!
Mavis and Attalo gave polite greetings to the Alpha and Gamma family before turning to the Beta family. As soon as their attention was on them, the Beta leaped on top of Mavis.
"Mavy-Wavy!"
"Liam."
Her older brother pulled her into a tight hug before giving her a noogie like he was still a child. Mavis then punched him in the stomach and was quickly released.
Now on the ground, Liam groaned and whined while his Fated gladly pulled Mavis into her arms.
"I don't know how you deal with him, Sarah; I almost didn't last the years I had to grow up with him."
"Simple, you let him run around all day, and then when he is tired, that's when you actually talk about serious stuff. And boycotting is very helpful."
The two shared a laugh as Mavis went over to Sarah and her nieces and nephews. It had been so long since Mavis had seen them.
Meanwhile, Attalo greeted Rosalia and her Fated. She was the one that contacted him about a week ago. She had hit a dead end and didn't know if there was a pack further south that Attalo would know. He agreed, willing to do anything for this pup to find a home.
"Thank you for driving up here, Attalo; my records are about the packs in Idaho. I figured you might have more on Montana, and then after that, I was going to contact a pack in Wyoming and Oregon."
"I did find something about a nomadic pack that I wanted to show you. I'm not sure, but it is worth looking into."
With that, the two walked off with boxes full of information.
"Mavis, let me introduce you to the woman taking care of the pup we found." Sarah suddenly changed topics and walked towards the door.
Mavis only nodded as she was pulled along by her sister-in-law. Standing in the back were two women and two men, the woman holding notebooks.
"Theta Marissa and her assistant Teresa." Both women waved as Ally introduced them. "They have been watching the pup and helping her heal. If you have any questions, these are the two to talk to."
"Welcome to Lotta Lunare Mavis; I'm the Theta here." Marissa stepped forward to give Mavis a handshake, and Teresa followed.
"Thank you; I'm glad this pup has-"
"Regina." A man stepped forward and continued as if he hadn't just interrupted Mavis. "We got tired of calling her 'the pup,' so we named her Regina Luce."
"You do know we will be sending her home; wouldn't it just confuse the pup?"
Mavis understood their wolves wanting to care for the pup, but logically this pack couldn't keep the pup. She had a family somewhere, and that's why Mavis and Attalo drove down here.
Teresa suddenly stood hands on hips with a determined face. "Who are you to come here and tell us how to raise Regina? You are just here to help her leave us."
With that, she turned and walked into the house, leaving everyone else stunned.
"I'm sorry about her; she has gotten a little attached to Regina. I'll go talk to her." Marissa hurried to say before running after Teresa. The two men waved and also left, leaving Sarah and Mavis in awkward silence.
"Well, how about I take you up to my office. Sarah can go check on Marissa and Teresa." Alpha Marcos suggested, trying to save the mood.
Everyone then filed into the packhouse and up the stairs to the Alpha's side of the house. They entered his office where Rosalia and Attalo already had maps and books out and everywhere.
"Good, you guys are here. Rosalia and I have an idea."
Alpha Marcos, Beta Liam, Gamma Ally, and Mavis all circled the table to see what the two were discussing. Pages covered the table with sporadic pictures of wolves and packs.
"The Gratis Pack." Rosalia pointed to some pictures off to the side. "They surfaced about ten years ago. They travel across Canada's southern edge and some parts of the U.S. They typically dip down into Montana and Idaho because of the resources found."
"The thing is," Attalo continued. "We haven't heard from them in years. They have to check in with packs to be on pack lands, but no one in Montana has gotten a report from them in five years now. We have no idea where this pack could be or if they are even still alive."
"Which makes our job harder."
"Alpha is right, we can't track them down, and the last records we have are five years old." Rosalia filled through the papers, showing old pictures with limited descriptions.
"The last record we have there were eight adults and five children. Three of those children were girls, so she could be one of those kids. That could be a possibility."
Attalo finished, and the group went silent. Five years was a long time, and Gratis could have lost or gained members at any time. Sure, Regina could be a member, but she could also belong to another pack. No one knew how long she had been running or from where. The possibilities were endless.
"Have you gotten any closer to getting the pup to shift? We would know more once she can talk to us."
"She has no idea how to shift Mavis, that's why I had Rosalia looking for roaming packs." They all turned to Teresa in the doorway with Marissa standing behind her. "Nomadic packs are typically in wolf form and stay that way. That would explain why she has no idea what shifting even is."
Then there was a thud at the door. Everyone shared a confused look while a strange excitement started to build in Mavis and Attalo's chests. Since Marissa was by the door, she opened it to see a shy little pup that had just run into the door.
Mavis felt a tugging in her chest as she looked at the small wolf. Gray fur and bright green eyes, a beautiful pup. Mavis just wanted to hold the wolf close to her chest; why would she want that? Even more surprising, Mavis felt her wolf come closer to the surface to say words that shook the woman's core.
'Mavis, that's my pup.'
Comments (1)
See all