I was suddenly hoisted into the air, a startled squeal escaping my lips as I was lifted onto the broad shoulders of two warriors. A rush of laughter bubbled out of me as I recognized them, their grins full of mischief and excitement. The crowd around us cheered, their energy infectious, and instead of resisting, I simply gave in to my fate, soaking up the attention.
The warriors carried me through the throng of dancing pack members, their steps sure and steady as they made their way toward the center of the makeshift dance floor. The pulsing beat of the music returned, filling the night air, and all around us, people started moving to the rhythm, swaying and jumping with wild abandon.
The warriors didn’t stop moving either. Instead, they spun me slowly, making me shift slightly on their
