Forest Pack Community Book One

chapter 3

Once everyone was in the room, they spread out along one wall. At the end of the bed. Being sure not to surround her so that she didn’t get scared. Felicia looked at them wide-eyed. She spoke to Ruth while staring at the people in front of her. Ruth, who are they? One of them kind of looks like my mommy!”

Mick just smiled and thought, “What a smart little girl.’ Ruth responded, “These people are your family.” As she pointed to each person, she introduced them. Your Aunt Joy and Uncle Mick. These two are close like family, much like Nancy and I are. Their names are Ben and Lissa.”

Ben smiled and said, “You can call us aunt and uncle, too, if you want. Your uncle and I are like brothers.”

Mick choked out, “Felicia, honey, we’re here to take you home with us to live. I’m your mommy’s brother. Your dad, Uncle Ben, and I grew up together and were best friends.

“What about my mommy and daddy?” Felicia asked tentatively.

“What do you mean, sweetheart?” asked Nancy.

“Well, I know they died. But I never got to say goodbye. Can I see them before we leave?”

“Oh, honey!” Joy said, going to her side. “They told us they are in a special room in the hospital that keeps them safe. We brought special boxes to bring them back in, so we can all say goodbye and have a special little party for them. Ok?”

“Ok. I believe that’s a good idea. Can we go now? I want to go home.” Felicia said quietly.

“Of course we can, sweetheart,” Lissa said with a smile. Then Ben went out and signed all the paperwork while they got her a new dress from the clothes they kept for those who needed them.

By the time she was dressed and ready, Ben had all the paperwork signed and ready to go. He mind-linked the warriors and told them to meet them out front. The plan was to let the suburban go first, following, while giving the couple more importance. Thanking the goddess that the family had come home. But also asking that she help Felicia and Azella to heal and reunite soon. All four of them knew that without your wolf, you were only half a person. Your wolf completed you.

When they got to the gate, the street to the pack house was lined with werewolves and warriors. The Gamma was on one side of the open gate, and the Delta was on the other side of the gate, standing at attention. Everyone else in Forestville was lined up down the street. Marking the path to the pack house. As the cars entered and passed the people, everyone bowed their heads in respect.

Felicia asked in awe, “Why are they doing that?”

Lissa turned in her seat and said, “They are showing respect to your mommy and daddy. They, too, were very loved. They are also welcoming you home again. Felicia, everyone missed you.”

“Even the mean kids?” Felicia asked.

Joy was shocked and asked, “What mean kids, honey?”

“There are always mean kids. Some of the other kids in the hospital used to tease me about screaming at night. Calling me mean names like Terror Kid, or they’d scream NO! Noo, in my face and start laughing.”

Mick said he had anger in his eyes and had to fight his wolf back and said, “Felicia, sweetheart, that is not your fault. I hope you understand that. They are mean and cruel and don’t know your story or what you’ve been through. No one has the right to laugh or call you cruel names. Your momma was the sweetest woman I knew, and I’m not saying that just because she was my big sister. Everyone felt her kind heart, no matter who they were. Your dad kept getting jealous when any male would thank her for whatever she had helped them with, no matter how small. She likes to help everyone.”

Ben cut in, “Yes, your mom was seriously thinking about studying to become the pack doctor. She had only said something to my dad and me, because she hadn’t decided yet.”

“Really?” Felicia asked.

“Yes, she had a sense of when and what might be wrong. It was like an extra sense. Like a sixth sense, besides her wolf sense.”

“Does that mean I have a wolf too?”

The adults all glanced at each other. Joy spoke first. “You do, honey, but she’s asleep. Mourning for your parents just like you are.”

“I think I heard her before the blackness came,” Felicia said quietly. This time, everyone looked at her. “What do you mean, Felicia?” asked Lissa.

Felicia answered, “Well, before the blackness came, I heard a voice say, ‘You will be ok.’ I thought I was hearing things and wasn’t sure what was going on. I just knew my parents were being bounced around, going back and forth and side to side. We were all screaming. Someone kept saying no, no. no. But the other voice, the one in my head, disappeared. She hasn’t been back.” Felicia looked down at her lap after she was done speaking, because this was the first time she had even talked about that night.

Joy's mind linked to the other adults. ‘Azella did speak to her. I don’t think she’s gone. But the blackness? I think she may have blacked out. I wonder how much of being a wolf she remembers?’ ‘We will find out together and help her. Don’t worry, as Azella said, she will be ok.’

Joy put an arm around Felicia and said to her, “Thank you for telling us that, Felicia. That was very brave of you, my dear. Aunt Lissa and I will help you in any way we can. I have a couple of ideas that may help bring you some peace. But we don’t have to worry about that till after the special ceremony for your parents, and we say our goodbyes.”

“Goodbyes?” Felicia asked. By this time, they had pulled up to the pack house, and everyone was waiting for them to get out. “Yes. But it will be beautiful and peaceful. You’ll see. Your parents were important in the pack. They were from a Beta family. Your mom was just as smart and strong as your Uncle Mick. But Uncle Ben chose him because they were close friends. Your mom’s interests were in healing and helping people. Many thought she would be the next Luna. But when Uncle Ben turned nineteen and Aunt Lissa turned eighteen, they found out they were each other’s true mates. Your mom knew that he wasn’t her mate. She was older than him. But your dad came along with another Alpha, and that’s when they found each other. So, he stayed and pledged to this pack to be with his mate. They loved each other so much that everyone could see it.” Joy finished.

Ben quietly said, “They are waiting for us. We should get out. Are you ready, Felicia? If you’re not, that’s ok too. You have been very, very brave through all of this. Plus, we are all right here with you. You are not alone.”

Felicia took a deep breath and looked around. Everyone stood with their heads bowed in honor of the dead, waiting in silence for the moment the doors would open. Knowing there was a little girl who could be frightened and overwhelmed, the moment carried added weight. But because she was her parents’ daughter, she had an inner strength no one knew was there. As she let out the breath she didn’t know she was holding, she said, “Yes. I am. I want to walk in front of my parents and lead them home. It’s my job as their daughter. I want to try and be strong for them.”