It had been less than a week, and Regina had successfully not left the apartment, not even once. She would sleep in past Mavis and Atta and then fall asleep right after dinner. Of course, she wasn't really sleeping, but the adults bought it. Mavis worked in the nursery while Atta spends the whole day looking at pack records and talking to other Pack Informers. That meant no one was home and no one was forcing Regina to meet the pack.
That left Regina sitting on the couch, looking at a picture book. She didn't know all the words, but she knew enough to understand the pictures. Mavis said they were good 'building blocks.'
That's when the door unlocked, and both Mavis and Atta were still at work.
Regina didn't even notice that she had shifted. One moment, life was good, and the next, she was the protector of the den. She was silent as she crawled off the couch, right in front of the main door.
"Mom said we just need to hit Mavis. After that, we should be-"
The door opened, and as soon as she could see the first intruder, Regina lunged.
The target let out a scream, and someone else started crying. Regina focused on the human underneath her.
It was a girl. Her skin was much darker than anyone Regina had met. Her hair was black, long, and it seemed to be twisted somehow. There were beads also braided in the hair. Regina had never seen anyone like this girl.
"Hey! Leave her alone."
Regina was then knocked over by being hit by, something. She rolled and looked over to see another woman leaning over the girl. Her skin was even darker than the other girl. Her hair was also braided, but hers were larger with colored beads like the other girl. In her hands was a box, and there was a crying child at the woman's feet.
Seeing that the younger girl was safe, the woman put the box down and picked up the crying child. She bounced him and shushed him while the girl got up from the floor.
"Hey, Kalu? Wasn't Mavis's house supposed to be empty? Her baby died a while ago, and this wolf is much older than a baby."
These people were pack members that somehow knew Mavis. They also knew the password; maybe that meant they were safe?
'Speranza, ask Mavis about two girls with very dark skin.'
While her wolf went to talk to Mavis, Regina got up from the floor and back into her protective stance. Until she got word from Mavis, she wasn't going to leave her den.
"I've never seen this wolf; let's just close the door and go back to mom. Jonah needs a nap anyways."
So, the two girls creep out of her den, and the door closed. Just to make sure, Regina stayed in wolf form and watched the door.
****
'Someone entered the house, two girls with dark skin and a baby.'
Mavis looked over at Mable and noticed Kalu and Aisha were gone. She scanned the crowd of small children that were finally calming down, and Jonah was also missing. They had probably gone up for some strange reason and freaked out Luce.
Tucking the blanket around Ethan, Mavis got up to where Mable sat.
"Have you gotten anything from the girls? Something about a wolf in my house."
The woman turned with eyebrows furrowed. "Yes, they just asked about a wolf. What's that all about?"
"That is my daughter." Mavis let out a sigh and contacted Regina.
'Don't worry about them; they are safe and allowed into the house.'
'Too late.'
So, Regina had already scared them off. What a great way to make friends in the pack.
Minutes later, Kalu and Aisha returned with a sleeping Jonah. Kalu went over to the beds to lay him down while Aisha came towards her mom and Mavis.
"Hey, mom." She greeted Mable with a kiss. "Mavis, did you know there-"
"There is a wolf in my house, yes. That is actually my daughter."
Light shone in Aisha's eyes, and she hopped up and down. "Really! What age is she, what does she like to do, has she made any friends yet, what's her name!" She fired off, and Mavis smiled; she was always so energetic.
"We think sixteen or seventeen, I'm not sure, not she has not, Regina Luce. There, all your questions are answered."
Aisha seemed to bounce even more, and her smile got broader. "Can I meet her! I bet if you came with me, she would let us in without tackling me."
Of course, Luce tackled anyone entering the house.
"You know I'm working, Ai, I can't leave your mom with a bunch of kids five and younger. There's a reason why there are several nurses."
"Then call someone else to help. I really wanna meet Regina!"
Mavis ignored Aisha's puppy eyes and turned to Mable. The woman was smiling and reassured Mavis.
"Don't worry, I raised four kids; I can handle them with Kalu helping me. At least like this, Ai will make friends."
Aisha was out the door before her mom even finished.
****
"Regina Luce, stop growling."
Mavis put her head in her hands when Regina didn't stop. Since they had arrived, she had been staring Aisha down and growling. The poor girl couldn't even get close without risking her hand getting bitten off.
Still, Aisha didn't complain. She was just sitting in front of Regina with an always present smile.
"Hey Mavis, can I talk to her alone?"
Yeah, and risk her best friend's daughter getting attacked again.
"I think it's best if I say."
"Regina is protecting you, not herself. She put herself in front of you the moment you sat down and doesn't move. If she were protecting herself, she would have gone into the corner."
Mavis looked down at Regina, who seemed just as surprised.
"If you aren't here, maybe she can relax. In the end, I may have to sit in the hall; this is her territory that I'm intruding."
And so, Mavis left, praying that her daughter stayed civil.
****
Regina didn't know what to think about this, Aisha. She was very pretty, dark skin, black hair, and bright brown eyes. But she was still a stranger that was in her den.
"You're scared, aren't you."
A stranger that knew her very well, apparently.
The girl let out a laugh as she leaned back on her hands.
"No one looks out for the girl that is smiling and laughing. They don't think about how closely she watches you or what she is hiding. I got really good at reading people."
"And I know that you are scared, yet curious. Let me guess; I'm your first black person."
What a strange name for a people; it was probably for the dark skin tone. Still, it wasn't really black, just darker than everyone else. The other girl was much darker anyway.
"Yeah, I get that a lot. There isn't a lot of people like us here in Montana. We're the only family in the pack so that kinda sets me apart."
The girl smiled like that was a good thing, but it didn't reach her eyes.
The weird thing was that Regina didn't feel threatened by her. Aisha had energy and a thoughtful mind, but she didn't seem the type to kill you without reason. She actually seemed hurt herself.
'Everyone carries scars, that is one universal thing. Some carry them on their bodies while others keep them in their minds. Whether people can see them or not, the meaning doesn't change.' Mavis's words came back to Regina, and she looked at the girl closer.
Regina then crawled closer to Aisha, paw by paw, until she was right next to the girl. She got a smile from Aisha, followed by gentle pets on her head.
"I'm eighteen; Mavis thinks a year older than you. That means I can meet my Fated now. I don't know if I want to, though."
Regina had no idea what a Fated was but didn't move from the soft hand.
"My dad lost his first Fated, Kalu, and Barasa's mom. She was black like dad, so that's why Kalu and Barasa are darker. Then my dad met Mable four years later. They married, and you get me and my brother Aken. We don't look like our siblings, Aken less so. He looks more like Mable with lighter skin and less curly hair."
"But I've never been treated the same as the other kids in the pack. Half of my family is born from another woman, and we are the only black family in the pack. Kalu and Barasa had it worse, but I didn't make a lot of friends. They see my skin and hair first and end up never talking to me. What if my Fated is like that?"
Regina didn't, couldn't say anything. Instead, she nuzzled the young woman's leg and tried to smile.
Aisha laughed in return. "You do know wolves don't smile very well; it looks like you just threatened me."
She then stood up, laughing once more as Regina tumbled to the floor. She reached her arms up and out before sighing.
"As much as I love talking, you and I have work to do."
Work? She wasn't told she was supposed to do anything.
"Kalu totally ruined the decorations with that hit earlier, but I bet I can still get some chocolate and bath bombs. With a dinner all made and set, Mother's Day will be complete."
Mother's Day?
Without even thinking, Regina shifted. Aisha turned at that moment and let out a shriek seeing a naked girl.
"Oh my gosh! Cover yourself when you shift! I need to wash my eyes with bleach!"
Regina just tilted her head; she didn't see what was wrong. Now she could write to Aisha.
'And when you shift between forms, your clothing rips off. Make sure to cover up with a blanket of more clothing.'
So that's what Mavis meant. Regina just walked back to her room to put on more of Atta's clothes. She would apologize for ripping them later.
Regina returned to the living room to find Aisha, still covering her eyes. She went up to the girl and tapped her shoulder, not sure what else to do.
"Regina, did you get dressed?"
She nodded.
"Regina?"
She hummed, not sure what Aisha was asking about now.
"Well, are you covered up?"
Regina nodded once again.
"I'm taking the risk, and if I see itty bitty- Good, you got dressed."
Regina smiled; she kind of liked Aisha.
"Now, let's go get this house ready!"
Aisha let out a cheer and went to the door. She opened it and went to leave before noticing Regina still in the center of the room.
"Come on, before Mother's Day ends."
She still didn't move.
Slowly, Aisha closed the door and approached Regina. "Do you know what Mother's Day is?" Regina shook her head, and Aisha let out the biggest gasp Regina had ever heard.
"How do you not know Mother's Day? I mean, we celebrate it every year on the second Sunday of May. Did you just not do it with your mom? Well, Mavis said you were her daughter, but I know I haven't seen you, so does that mean she adopted you, and if that's the case, didn't you do something for your other mom? I mean, who doesn't do anything on Mother's Day?"
Mother's Day, a day for moms. Regina turned her eyes to the ground, unable to face Aisha.
The truth was, she hadn't done anything for Mother's Day. She hadn't even known the day existed. What if she had already skipped Father's Day or give a gift day? Did Mavis and Atta think she forgot?
"Hey, Regina? You okay?" The girl shook her head and wiped at her eyes. What was she supposed to do now!
Aisha stepped forward; arms open, but Regina stepped back. She didn't like hugs or touching people. Aisha dropped her arms, and the mood dropped with them.
"I'm sorry, I had no idea you didn't know about Mother's Day. I assumed and made a mess of things."
Neither spoke as Regina silently cried. Aisha had no idea what to say; how could someone not know Mother's Day? Someone that either didn't have a mom or lived in such a way they didn't celebrate those holidays. Both were sad, and Aisha didn't know how to handle sad people.
"How about you and I make this Mavis's best Mother's Day. Do you think that would work?"
Make up for all the days Regina hadn't done for Mavis and Atta. That could work.
Regina wiped her tears away and looked up at Aisha. The girl smiled back and let out yet another cheer.
"Then let's make today the best day ever!"
Regina really had no idea what was going on, but she raised her hand like Aisha did.
"Now, I'm going to guess you can't cook and don't like to talk?" Aisha got a nod and continued. "Then I'll have to get Atta to help out; Kalu is busy at the moment. If we get him to cook, we can get working on..."
And so the two started to make the best Mother's Day ever. Regina followed Aisha like a lost dog, which she pretty much was. Aisha found Atta first, explained what was going on, and the man happily went back home to the kitchen.
The two then continued running around the packhouse. Regina stuck to Aisha's side; there were so many strangers all looking at her. Aisha just bounced along and hummed a sweet song.
As dinner time was approaching, the two got back to the house out of breath, but mission accomplished.
"High Five me!"
Regina watched as Aisha swung her hand in the air. In response, she poked Aisha's hand.
Silence filled the room for a solid five seconds before Aisha fell to the floor, clutching her stomach.
"Your face! I can't...you just...oh my gosh...Priceless! Now I gotta pee!"
Aisha then jumped up and ran away, leaving Regina still horribly confused.
When Aisha returned, she instructed Regina on how to set the remaining things up, and then, just as the door handle moved, the two fell to the couch.
"Sorry about that, girls, I was just going to check on Mable when Kalu said she needed me. It was strange though; there wasn't much for me...to...do."
Mavis's sentence slowed as she looked around her house. First of all, it was clean, something that didn't happen too often. Then she smelled dinner cooking in the kitchen, Atta cooked. Finally, she noticed the smiling teenagers and the basket in front of them.
"And what did you two do today?"
"Well, I taught Regina about the holidays, and we decided to help you celebrate Mother's Day." Aisha motioned for Regina, who shyly pushed the bag closer to Mavis.
Mavis let out a chuckle and sat next to the girls on the couch.
"We got you chocolate, because who doesn't like chocolate. Then we picked out some bath bombs. These help with sore muscles and just relaxing you. Regina and I found this card; I even got her to sign it. She really didn't want to, but I think it still looks great. Then there's popcorn, some other treats and cute stuff like that. And we got Atta to make you dinner, and the rest of the evening is yours!"
Mavis was crying before Aisha even finished. She pulled Regina into a hug, and both stayed for a while.
"Thank you; this is all amazing, Luce."
'Thank you for bringing me home and giving me a new life. This is the least Aisha and I could do.'
Mavis then looked up and gave a teary smile to the other teen.
"I can't thank you enough. I've never had a Mother's Day like this in my whole life."
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