I Am the Alpha and the Omega

Farewell....

That morning the family gathered early to join Arron and Ariadne for their first run together as mated wolves. Before dawn, the adults in the families and the main leaders in the pack gathered at the edge of the woods and waited for the couple to shift. Ariadne and Arron went behind a tree and undressed themselves and tied their clothes in a bundle. There followed the cracking of bones and the two wolves stepped out. Albus was a large, midnight blue wolf as he was of royal lineage. His blue eyes glistened as he admired his mate. Aurora, in contrast, was a bluish grey wolf and though smaller than Albus, Aurora was considerably large for a female wolf due to her Alpha blood. Everyone else shifted in turn and howled greeting the couple. Moments later they took off into the woods.

The woods led across the parklands to the estuary where the Ionides emptied into the sea. It was situated in what was originally Alverii pack lands but since the unification it was all one. The Alpha had made this journey countless times with his family but this would be the first time where Ariadne and her mate would lead the pack. The journey would be a couple of hours, to bring them to the coast in time to see the sunrise. Ariadne would soak in the energies of the sea and then they would return to the pack for a farewell wedding brunch before the Ariadne and Arron would depart.

While the run was in progress, like every other day, Kiona had her training with Esme. So far, Esme had been able to cover the basic elementals training about the three elements. Kiona, as she matures, may feel an affinity to one particular slightly more than the others and depending on her gift and strength, she would be able to wield it. Elementalists don't usually mature until the age of 12 so Kiona had a way to go but to help her prepare she should keep up her physical training regime and Esme gave her a spell book with some basic spells that any Elementalist can use. Esme had already started this training with Benjy and Bryan and encouraged Kiona to practice with her brothers. Benjy had already identified his affinity lay with the earth element, Bryan would find out in a few months time and both had regular training sessions to enhance and grow their powers. While none of her elder siblings appeared to have the gift of visions like their mother, it was possible Kiona may have this ability. It was only a matter of time when she would find out.

The homework Esme had set for today was to practice her spells with her brothers and to read a few chapters from the Elementalist Guide that Esme handed her. Kiona skipped off happily to shower and get ready for the wedding brunch of the year!

After the families returned from the run, everyone freshened up and rushed downstairs for the brunch. Freya ensured that all of Ariadne's favourite foods would be prepared. The brunch consisted of waffles topped with fruit and chocolate, there were sweet and savoury filled croissants, scrambled eggs, chilli baked beans, sausages and hash browns all served with iced tea.

"It has been ages since Mama made us waffles," groaned Bryan in delight as he savoured very bite.

"Quite so little one, I must share this recipe with the cooks at the palace," remarked King Rupert, as he saw his sons and daughter enjoying this new delicacy.

"Oh Mama you have gone to so much trouble with this brunch, I love everything on the menu I don't know where to begin!" exclaimed Ariadne.

"Hao a offal!" Benjy shouted.

"Eh?" Ariadne replied.

"HAO A OFFAL!" he shouted again, louder.

"Benjamin Berkeley Wynchwood!! What have I said about speaking with your mouth full?" reprimanded Freya.

Benjy looked a little downcast and began chewing furiously, while all the other children laughed at him because it all looked rather comical.

"Have a waffle Ari," Benjy clarified, once he had finished his mouthful of waffle.

Ariadne giggled and ruffled his hair playfully.

"Right you are Benjy!" she replied, taking his advice.

Brunch became a morning long affair having finished a little after noon. Although everyone was blissfully happy with a full belly, it had come to the part that the Wynchwood-Alverii have been dreading. While a lot of Ariadne's belongings had been sent on ahead, she had a couple of bags to take on her flight to her new home. The Royals who were journeying back the same day had agreed to take them part of the way and some of Arron's family along while others were journeying back to various parts of the world they travelled from. It was an altogether sad affair as it usually is with farewells.

Ariadne hugged her mother and father trying her hardest not to cry, making promises to visit soon. Her younger siblings hugged her tightly and refused to let go. Eventually Freya and Felix had to extricate them as they could see Ariadne was on the verge of unravelling.

"You all must come and visit me too," Ariadne said hopefully, thinking that between them visiting each other it would fill some of the void. "Kio, remember I'm just a call or a message away." she added realising that mind-linking might not work as she is leaving the pack and can only communicate with them when she is within a certain radius. It would be Arron's pack with whom she would form links with now.

Arron also hugged his new parents and explained how lucky he was to have gained another family. His parents Pierce and Penny also agreed and emphasised that Felix and Freya should visit them in Persemnia. As everyone finished their goodbyes, Felix stepped forward to make an announcement.

"I would like to thank each and everyone of you for attending this auspicious occasion and making it special. Thank you King Rupert for gracing our pack with your presence and for conducting the ceremonies. We are forever indebted and honoured. You are all always welcome in this pack, so please do visit. Rather than thinking I have lost a daughter, I feel I have gained a son. Rather than losing a piece of my heart, my heart has grown to accommodate new family members. Rather than contemplate the cost of this wedding, I am going to think about all the savings I'll make since Ari is going to be spending Arron's money now!"

Everyone awed and laughed at this, a few of them continued teasing Ariadne.

"A daughter's prerogative and now a wife's!" she shouted cheekily in reply, which caused another wave of laughter and a comical gulp from Arron.

"Ari, Arron and family, remember we are always here for you here," Freya said pressing her hand against her heart. "If you cannot ask us, remember the Moon Goddess blessed you both with each other, the answer always lies with one of you; search deep within." Alpha Felix and Luna Freya bowed to the King and Queen.

On that cryptic note, the guests all bowed to the Alpha and Luna thinking them for their hospitality. Once all the bags were loaded up into the cars, and all things said and done, the convoy of cars slowly left the driveway and made their way to the airfield, to the port or by road to their final destinations. All the family members stood there in silence for a few moments and then went into the pack house to talk about the week's events. Freya and Felix's families from outside the pack were sticking around for another week or so before they also would leave. It made sense to make the most of the time they had together.

Freya mind-linked Esme that she would like to have a chat with her that very same evening to understand the situation and how Kiona was progressing. Once she had an idea of the situation, she would speak to Felix she thought; he would know what to do. Even he had been quite occupied with the recent problems that the rogues were creating. It was consuming all his time outside of the wedding and family duties.

Time was of the essence, with her daughter married now, she could now focus on her pack that clearly needed her.