The Omega Queen

Seventeen

Rinsing their mugs and leaving them in the sink, they headed out. There was a chill in the air, making Erin pull her cardigan tightly around her. Cahira didn’t seem to notice the temperature at all. She glanced at Erin and frowned.

“Oh dear, are you cold? I’m sorry, I didn’t think to ask.”

Erin shook her head, trying to put her at ease. She hadn’t thought about requesting warmer clothes.

“Sweetie, please tell me anytime you need something,” Cahira gently admonished. “All right?”

Erin nodded.

“We’re almost to the packhouse, let’s hurry.”

They picked up their pace as they reached the paved walkway that brought them into the small village of shops and homes clustered around the packhouse for the convenience of the guests the pack hosted as well as its members. The storefronts intrigued Erin, but they hurried inside to get out of the chilly air.

Erin stared at the rustic interior of exposed wood. It seemed very grand, but also quite homey. It was also on the chilly side, but certainly warmer than outside. Cahira touched her elbow to gain her attention and led the way to the large banquet hall.

Its size was truly impressive and brought back memories from her own pack. They didn’t have a packhouse, but they did have a large community center where the pack could gather for meals, celebrations and announcements. There were still several pack members lingering over their meal. Several nodded to Cahira as they walked past and gave Erin curious stares. No doubt, they wondered why a member of the Wolf Nation was following their Luna around.

Cahira seemed oblivious to the extra attention. Erin tried to ignore it as well, hoping she looked as if she belonged there. This was her pack now, and she didn’t want to start off on the wrong foot.

They moved to the breakfast buffet. Erin looked over the various offerings: scrambled eggs, pancakes, bacon, sausage, assorted fruits and yogurt. There was even a waffle-press. The buffet was near a counter where they could order an omelet to their specifications from the kitchen. She didn’t need anything that grand and was content with the rest of the offerings.

Erin loaded her plate with scrambled eggs, sausage and a container of yogurt. She wasn’t a huge eater in the mornings, but she didn’t want to appear rude considering how much food had been prepared. They sat at a quiet table, allowing Erin to continue to study her surroundings. The other wolves continued to stare at her. She knew they didn’t mean to, but the attention made her anxious.

Cahira seemed to realize Erin’s growing discomfort and suddenly spoke up, “Oh, you were going to teach me more ASL. Let’s start with breakfast, shall we?”

Erin grinned and nodded.

“How about eggs?”

Erin set down her fork and extended her pointer and middle fingers on each hand. She brought her dominant hand down on the other in a chopping motion. Cahira mirrored the motion with a satisfied smile.

“Okay, how about bacon?”

* * *

For the next forty minutes, Erin taught Cahira several signs. After a few minutes, she noticed the other pack members copying the motions as well. It seemed her new pack was also eager to learn, or perhaps just curious about her growing oddity. Once their meal was done, Erin followed Cahira around as she checked on the pack.

Their first stop was the kitchen to see if the kitchen staff and servers needed new equipment and supplies. The omega in charge turned out to be an older, friendly female. Compared to Cahira, who was on the tall and thin side, the omega was shorter and more voluptuous.

That was something Erin had noticed in her own pack as well. Higher-ranked wolves tended to be more fit and muscular than lower ranks, although the difference was much less extreme than it was with European packs. Perhaps it stemmed from the fact that Wolf Nation packs didn’t have ranks the way European wolves understood them.

There were Alphas and Lunas, of course. Below them was the Head Warrior. Erin supposed that was something like the Beta. Wolf Nations packs tended to live much more communally with everyone pitching in rather than separating tasks by rank. Clearly, there was plenty for her to learn.

The omegas working in the kitchen were kind and showed the same interest in learning ASL as their luna. Erin named at least half the kitchen before Cahira finally interrupted and excused them. Accepting the order sheets for next week’s supplies, as well as one for new kitchen implements, Cahira led her to a small storeroom where there were wardrobes filled with coats and other clothing.

“This is a sort of donation area,” Cahira explained. “Any clothing in good condition pack members don’t want they leave here for anyone to claim. Let’s find you a good coat, shall we?”

Erin nodded. It didn’t take long to find a light, canvas jacket that fit over her cardigan. Then they headed back outside. The jacket made her much more comfortable as they walked along the paved path to the pack hospital. She was still glad to get back inside.

Her nose wrinkled at the smell of disinfectants as they made their way to the front desk. It was certainly much more modern than Erin had expected. She wondered if that meant they used modern medicine as well. That would certainly be interesting.

Her own pack had been located far from any city. They had learned to be self-sufficient, only traveling to the nearest town for supplies once a month. Because of that, their healers largely relied on herbal medicine and traditional healing.

“Oh, Luna!” the receptionist greeted. “How are you today?”

“Just fine,” Cahira replied. “This is Erin. She just arrived.”

“Oh…hello,” the receptionist hesitated a moment before greeting her. “I’m Janet.”

Erin smiled and waved.

The gesture confused the other she-wolf, who looked to Cahira for an explanation.

“I’m afraid Erin can’t speak, so she uses sign language,” Cahira said.

“Oh, that’s too bad,” Janet frowned. “Has it been that way since birth?”

Erin shook her head.

“So, was it due to an injury?”

Erin nodded.

“Has it been like this for a while?”

Erin nodded, holding up both hands with her fingers spread wide.

“Ten weeks?” she guessed.

Erin shook her head. She held out her left arm and ran the fingers of her right hand up it. Janet frowned before her eyes lit up with understanding.

“Longer? Then months?”

Erin repeated the sign.

“Years? Ten years?”

Erin nodded.

“Oh my, that’s—that’s awful. Did you want to see the doctor about finding the cause?” Janet asked.

Erin shook her head. Unfortunately, no medical opinion would be able to help her. Her wolf assured her that their condition could not be reversed.

“Are you sure, dear?” Cahira asked. “Kaison and Meredith are both accomplished doctors in their fields. They may have an idea how to help you.”

Erin shook her head again. She wished it was that simple. Eir whimpered but otherwise remained quiet.

“Well, all right,” Cahira let the matter go, though she was anxious about the circumstances that robbed Erin of her voice. “We actually came here to make my usual rounds.”

“Oh? Of course. Mia had her pup last night. I’m sure she would love a visit from our Luna.”

“Yes! That would be delightful,” Cahira brightened. “I love little ones, don’t you, Erin?”

She smiled. Yes, she had always loved little ones. Eir perked up, wagging her tail. Her wolf loved pups just as much.