Winterlust (COMPLETE)

Dinner and a Run

Violet

As Travis leads her into the dining hall, Violet’s knees feel weak. Everyone is looking at them with curiosity, some surely with jealousy. Their families and ranked members are at the head table, waiting for them. Violet is relieved to see friendly faces.

At the table are Owen and Janie, Muriel and Evelyn, Wanda and PJ, Nick and Marie, and… Peter and Lindsey! Peter and Lindsey! Violet smiles ear to ear, “Peter! You’re here!”, she exclaims. “Yep! Doc cleared me for dinner as long as I take it easy”, he smiles. Travis must be overjoyed.

Travis pulls out Violet’s chair for her and she takes her seat next to his, facing the rest of the hall. This is so intimidating. The whole table is smiling at her, her mother pats Violet’s hand, Marie winks at her. I can do this.

Travis remains standing as he looks over the room. After a moment, he clears his throat and everyone in the room snaps to attention. “Crimson Moon pack, I’d like to welcome everyone this evening to a very special dinner announcement. At 23 years old. I wondered if she would ever appear. And just like her little firecracker personality, my mate appeared with a bang. Please give the warmest welcome to my mate and your future Luna, Miss Violet Morrison!”, Travis announces and turns to Violet to lead the applause. Violet’s cheeks grow hot and she slowly stands with wobbly knees. Sensing her discomfort, Travis wraps his arm around her waist and pulls her close. With his other hand, he takes her free hand and kisses the top.

The applause is roaring in her ears and looking out over the crowd, she sees so many smiling faces standing and clapping. Except one. Vanessa is still seated, shooting daggers at Violet with her eyes. Travis scrunches her up into a side hug and kisses the top of her head. Despite the intimidation she feels, she is awash with warmth and security at his touch. My mate.

Travis waves his hand over the room and the applause quiets down as everyone takes their seats. “I will be throwing Violet a birthday party in a few days’ time that we will combine with her Luna ceremony. Details will be posted in the next day or two”, he tells the room. Violet looks up at him with surprise, she had no idea there was a plan in motion. Not with all the uncertainties swirling around. Brave man. “Now, let’s eat and drink, and then we will run!”, he cheers. The room erupts in more cheers and some raised glasses.

Janie

Janie chose a seat close to Violet. She practically stalked this girl and still hasn’t had the opportunity to get to know her. Violet is an absolutely radiant young woman and little does she know, she already has Travis wrapped around her little finger. Janie is awed by how brave this tiny girl is, and she wants to express her support to Violet.

Janie, Violet and Lindsey spend much of the dinner chatting and laughing as they get to know each other. Janie can tell that this is the start of a beautiful friendship between them, and she gets more and more excited about what the future holds. Oh Goddess, please help Violet through this battle. Travis needs her.

After dinner and many toasts, the pack heads out into the clearing for the celebratory pack run. Janie is taken aback that Violet agreed to shift first with Travis to lead the run. Wow, she is so full of surprises. When Violet shifts into Ellie, Janie can’t believe how beautiful Ellie is. She’s the most lovely colour of chocolate brown with piercing brown eyes that have a gold ring in the centre. What’s most interesting in the the white halo on the top of Ellie’s head, almost like a crown. Fitting.

Shadow and Ellie howl together and take off running into the woods. The entire pack howls in response, and the sound is almost deafening. Everyone begins to follow and the sound of about 1600 paws on the ground is thunderous. As is tradition, Hank and Elvira take the rear of the pack. Running through the woods, Elvira is energized. “Do you feel the power of having our Luna, too?”, she links Hank. “I definitely feel it”, Hank agrees.

As they run, Elvira spots a smaller light brown she-wolf veer off from the pack. Giving Hank a look, Elvira hangs back a bit to keep an eye on the she-wolf. Following the she-wolf at a safe distance, Elvira senses they are coming close to the border of their pack property. All of a sudden, Elvira smells the distinct stench of a rogue wolf and she freezes. She’s about to link Hank for backup, but the she-wolf she’s following doesn’t seem to be alarmed so she waits. Sure enough, the she-wolf puts her head down in a submissive position just outside the property line. The rogue sniffs her and then they nuzzle their heads together. What the…

“Hank, you’d better get over here”, Elvira links. When Hank appears and sees the two wolves before him, he knows straight away who it is. “That’s Vanessa”, he states positively. When the two wolves begin mating, Elvira and Hank take their leave to rejoin the pack run. “Let’s keep this between us until we can find out more”, Hank links her, “Trav has enough on his plate”,

Evelyn

Evelyn isn’t sure if her wolf Raven will ever reappear after being suppressed so long, so she takes the opportunity to sit with Lindsey on the steps as they await the return of the pack. The women admire the beauty that is Violet’s wolf, Ellie. She’s positively stunning, and with a crown-shaped marking on her head. Evelyn couldn’t be more proud of Violet for taking this whole week in stride. There’s a tiny nagging voice in the back of her mind that still makes Evelyn uneasy about the coming battle with her ex-husband, however.

Lindsey is an absolute sweetheart and she asks Lindsey about her pregnancy. Lindsey’s loyalty to Travis is admirable and she sees that the loyalty now extends to Violet. Evelyn’s heart sings with joy as they chat animatedly. When the pack returns, they stand and wave with excitement. They spend the next hour meeting the pack, shaking hands and making small talk. Everyone seems very warm and sincere.

As the last of the pack members trickle back into the packhouse. Evelyn is filled with dread when she sees Elder Davis approach Travis and Violet. Evelyn rushes over and wraps her daughter in a giant hug as tears slip down her cheeks. “You can do this”, she whispers into Violet’s ear.