Finding Selene

Chapter Two: 13 Years Prior To Present Day

“Mama, where are we going first?” Selene asked her mother from the back seat.

Elianna chuckled, “Baby girl, we’ve gone over the itinerary. First, we are going to attend the Nashville Zoo, I do not much care for keeping animals in cages but it’s a good opportunity for you to see animals up close that you would never have seen otherwise. Next is the Kentucky amusement park in Bowling Green. Did you know they have one of the largest wooden roller coasters in the United States? It’s supposed to be extra fun.”

“I’ve never been on a rollercoaster, have I, mama?” Selene didn’t think she had been on a rollercoaster before but then she thought it might have happened when she was too little to remember.

“No, my love. You haven’t ever been on a rollercoaster. Neither have I for that matter but I’ve seen lots of pictures of them and heard they are super fun, albeit sometimes scary…. but in a safe way, I think. It’s not very often those with a wolf can do things like ride roller coasters.”

“Why, mama?”

“Well, hun, the adrenalin rush that comes with doing super exciting things like that can force a shift because of our fight or flight instinct.” This was Daniel that chimed in and chuckled before adding, “Could you imagine the faces of a bunch of humans who saw one of us transform?” This question caused a silence throughout the vehicle before a laugh erupted from the three as they each imagined a face of surprised horror from any human that might see them shift.

“Mama, can I use your cell phone? I want to message Apollo and see if he finds Daddies question funny too.”

“Of course, baby,” Elianna chuckled as she handed her cell phone back to her daughter. Looking back, she took a moment to take in the image of her precious baby girl. Her dark, unruly curls the color of dark chocolate and skin a beautiful light caramel color from being in the sun all day everyday. She was beautiful at five years old, and as she sent a voice message to her best friend her hazel-brown eyes sparkled with true carefree happiness and were complimented by the rosiness in her cheeks. Even giggling as hard as she was didn’t take away from how large her doe eyes were. Elianna thought for the millionth time since she found out she was pregnant how lucky she is. Her life was filled with so much love and light, she truly was a lucky woman. She chuckled as she listened to the voice messages between Apollo and Selene.

Selene: Apollo! Daddy was talking about a-dren-o-lyn and roller coasters and said couldn’t you imagine humans faces to see one of us turn suddenly!? *giggles* Well? Could you imagine?! *Uncontrollable giggles*

Apollo: *laughter* That would be aa sight! They would look like this…

The phone dinged with a text from Apollo “0.0”

*Uncontrollable laughter* Yes! That’s exactly what I saw in my head.

As Selene’s laughter died down, a loud, heavy yawn formed on her lips. Drawing her parents’ attention, once again, to the back seat.

“Darling, why don’t you lean your head against the side of your seat and rest. I know you haven’t been sleeping well.” Daniel smiled at her through the rearview mirror and saw her eyes already drooping. Glancing at the time clock in the dash he realized it was no wonder she was sleeping; they’d been on the road for four hours already. It was about time to stop somewhere for lunch, fill up the tank and stretch their legs, “It would be only so you won’t miss anything, but you can rest your eyes while we look for somewhere to stop.”

“Yes, daddy. That sounds- “Selene stopped mid-sentence to yawn again, “good. I’m just going to tell Apollo.”

Selene: Appy, I’m sleepy. I’m going to rest my eyes- as daddy said.

Apollo: Okay, Moon, sleep well, talk to you soon. Don’t forget to send pictures.

Elianna and Daniel chuckled as the children used their nicknames for each other. Selene had started calling Apollo “Appy” before she was even a year old because she couldn’t fully pronounce Apollo at first. Where as, Apollo called Selene “Moon” because she was named after the Greek titan Goddess of the moon. Reaching back for her phone Elianna looked back and laughed before nudging her husband. Looking in the rear-view mirror he saw that Selene had fallen asleep, still holding the phone in her little hand. Elianna turned so she could slide the phone out of Selene’s hand before putting it in her lap and gazing out of the window at the sights that were passing them by. Hypnotized by the trees and businesses that surged past, her eyelids slowly closed as she relaxed into the movement of the vehicle feeling safe with her husband driving, fully writing off the knots she’d been feeling in her stomach.

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Selene woke with a start, realizing the vehicle was no longer moving. The sun battled against the visor that shielded her face from the rays coming through the window and there were small speckles of sweat beading on her face where it had rested against her chair. She yawned and rubbed her eyes with her little fists before looking around. Her mother and father sat in the front seat chatting quietly amongst themselves, in the hopes of letting her sleep as long as possible. Selene smiled quietly watching them, her parents genuinely loved each other, and it showed. Her mother beamed at her father and suddenly he leaned in and kissed her softly on the lips, making her mother lean towards him. This made Selene giggle, seeing her parents so happy made her incredibly happy. She could tell sometimes at home that her parents were super stressed. They were particularly important people though, and lots of people relied on them. Especially the Alpha and Luna.

“Hey, hun, you’re awake. Did you sleep well?” Selene’s dad asked her, hoping that she had gotten some type of decent sleep. From the sight of the drool crusted on the corner of her mouth and the red imprint where her face had been against the seat- it definitely seemed like she got into a deep sleep.

“Yes, Daddy. I feel wide awake now. Can I unbuckle though? I REEEAAALLLYYY need to stretch.” Selene pulled against her harness that was keeping her firmly back against her seat.

“Yes, my love, you can unbuckle. It’s time for us all to stretch and go in to get something to eat. Do you need help?””

“No, Daddy, I got it. Thank you though!” Selene fumbled excitedly with the button for the harness that held connected the two prongs to the seat, then undid the harness strap across her chest before sitting forward, raising her hands above her head, grabbing one wrist and arched her back forward while pushing her arms back. As she did this, she let out a long silent yawn that ended in a sigh of contentment. Just as she was done stretching her mother had finished her own stretch and opened the car door for Selene so she could climb out of the vehicle and grab her mother and father’s hands. Looking around she saw a yellow sign that read “Waffle House” in black letters. Excitedly she looked around then ran across the parking space and posed to the side of the sign with her fingers curled and thumbs straight out in the shape of a heart in the middle of her chest. “Mommy, take a picture, please! I want to send it to Apollo!”

Her mother chuckled as she pulled out her phone and did as request. Simultaneously sending it to Apollo since she was sure he would be as eager to receive it as Selene was to send it.

“I did but stay there I want to get one of your father and I with you as well!” Elianna looked over at Daniel and at his nod they both jogged over to join Selene beside the sign.

Elianna held her phone out with her right arm as Daniel picked up Selene and situated her on his right side so that the little family would be centered in the photo, against the sign. After the picture had captured the family’s first vacation stop Elianna held out her hand to her husband for her phone so she could see the picture. Instead of dropping her phone into her hand he grabbed it and pulled her off her feet into his arms. He leaned her back and kissed her while taking a picture of them that also captured their daughters giggling face in the background. Straightening up breathlessly Elianna blushed and grabbed her phone from her husband. She giggled and sent the family picture to Christine with an accompanying message that everything is well.

Daniel chuckled and held his hands out to both his daughter and his wife, who each took the offered hand before the three headed into the diner.