Reunion: Bonds Of Fate And Love

Vanessa As the city's neon lights gave way to the rustic charm of the outskirts, the memories flooded back. The taxi smoothly navigated the winding roads, bringing me closer to a place I once called home. It’s been six long years since I detached myself from my pack, the Blue Shadow Moon Pack. The very thought of them filled my heart with mixed emotions. Sent away by the arrogant decision of the alpha’s offspring, I had promised to be back in a year. But pride and a broken heart had other plans. In exile, I found solace in the territory of my uncle’s pack, The Crimson Forest pack. Living there was an enlightening journey. Their training programs were challenging, but with my determination, I stood out among my peers. While they started their training rituals at fourteen, my original pack delayed this until sixteen. The dense woods that shielded our pack from the outside world appeared on the horizon. My senses heightened. I could almost feel the watchful eyes of the wolves, hidden among the shadows. Returning was not going to be a straightforward affair. At the center of my apprehension was Alexander Morgan, popularly known as Lex. I took particular pleasure in addressing him by his full name, knowing well it grated on his nerves. He and my brother shared a bond, often getting into youthful mischief together. And now, both of them were at the age where the fates might reveal their life partners. I had harbored hope that my own soulmate was waiting among my uncle's clan, but that wasn’t to be. Now, at twenty, the society’s expectations weighed on me, and its hypocritical standards vexed my spirit. Yet, the urge to come back was fueled by familial ties. My ever-naive brother, Tobias, had met his match in Sofia, a mystery girl from outside our pack. Recollections of our younger days and Tobias’s fleeting romances often brought a smirk to my face. Family had always been our anchor, especially after the devastating departure of our mother. Her demise had left an indelible mark on our father, often making me question the essence of love and destiny. The ghost of my younger self, hopelessly infatuated with Alexander, would occasionally revisit me. My digital life remained untouched by his presence, though I felt he tracked me, courtesy of my brother’s careless online breadcrumbs. The majestic packhouse soon loomed ahead, looking as grand as I remembered. A few moments later, the taxi halted in front of my ancestral home. Time seemed to have stood still here, with every brick and flowerbed exuding nostalgia. The lush gardens, lovingly nurtured by my father as a tribute to my mother, seemed to have blossomed even more. With a deep breath, I paid the taxi driver, ensuring my bags were with me. The weight of the impending reunion with my family and pack grew heavier with every step towards the front door. Yara, my inner wolf, always found a way to lighten the mood. Her playful nudges, the ever-optimistic outlook, and her musings about future possibilities often made me chuckle. Even now, as I hesitated at the doorstep, she brought humor to the fore, joking about potential mates or reminiscing about our past adventures. Knocking gently, I waited. When the door finally swung open, the familiar face of my father greeted me, his eyes glistening with unshed tears of joy. His exuberant welcome and the nostalgic aroma of pine from his being enveloped me. The long journey, both physical and emotional, had finally reached its first destination. Returning my gaze to him, I mutter, “I just got in and need a shower to wash away the exhaustion, perhaps even a nap. Three different transports, mind you. One had an inconsolable baby while another bore an insufferable passenger constantly nagging. It’s a wonder Yara didn’t leap out to give him a piece of her mind.” Chuckling, my father says, “Witnessing Yara in action would've been a treat.” I got my wolf, Yara, when I was just ten. A tragic incident took my mother from me, triggering my first shift. Dad was close by, and as Yara stood guard over my mother's lifeless form, he rescued us. Staying in my wolf form for three days, the trauma held me captive. Only my father was privy to Yara's existence then. He arranged for my brother Tobias to be with Alexander and his dad, pretending I was too distressed for visitors. Our pack remained oblivious to my early transformation, a secret dad and I guarded fiercely. The reason? An older boy who transformed early, having also witnessed a traumatic death. His early shift led Alpha Frank to press him into early training. Anticipating a similar fate for me, dad revealed my secret only when the age norms for training changed. I was furious at the discrepancy - girls at sixteen, boys at fourteen. I've always believed women could give men a run for their money in combat. Interrupting my recollection, dad inquires, “Lost in thoughts?” “Just us tonight, right?” I deflect, hoping for affirmation. His affirmative nod doesn’t quite mask a fleeting hesitance. “Indeed, just the family. The rest are away, returning tomorrow.” I scrutinize him. I sense a cover-up. Who else did he invite? Pushing my suspicions aside, I decide to retreat. “I’ll head to my room.” I pick up my bag from the couch. “Remember, dinner in three hours. You'll get to meet Sofia,” he calls out cheerfully. Acknowledging with a nod, I make my way upstairs. As I enter my room, nostalgia engulfs me. The familiar purple hue of the walls, the posters from my teens, everything’s unchanged. Except for the stale air, indicating a sealed room for weeks. Dropping my bag, I rush to the window, letting in the crisp evening breeze. Contemplating my next steps, an idea strikes. A room makeover, perhaps? With three hours to spare, it’ll divert my mind from the impending dinner, and the mystery guest my instincts are wary about.