The Witch and the Wolf

The Reunion

As the sun set, bathing the old barn in warm, golden light, the members of the Moondance Pack assembled around the crackling bonfire. Gabriel and Lila bustled about, double-checking every detail of the festively decorated space, their faces glowing with pride and anticipation for the celebration they had meticulously planned. The air was buzzing with animated conversation and shared merriment.

“Do you think everyone will have fun tonight, my love?” Lila asked Gabriel, snaking her arms around his waist and cuddling into his chest.

“They always love a good bonfire and food. You know that, my pretty one.” Gabriel’s voice softened, a rare, tender smile touching his lips. “It’s good to have him back. The pack hasn’t been the same without him.”

He looked around as the pack members arrived and warmly greeted each other. With Victor gone, his pack had united, growing closer to the Blood Moon Pack strengthening their presence in Northern Ontario.

“Has our guest of honor arrived yet?” Matthew inquired, walking up to Lila and Gabriel, with Marisol in his arms and Isabella by his side.

As he said that, they saw Thomas heading toward them.

Gabriel’s beard, partially hiding his face, called out to Thomas across the fire. “You’ve been away too long, Thomas! You look soft!” His laughter echoed, mingling with the crackle of the fire and making the pack members chuckle. “Thomas strode forward, leaner and yet more robust than before. His smile was broad, reaching his eyes, which sparkled with an unspoken gratitude.

“Want to test that on the training grounds, Alpha?” Thomas shouted in reply.

As Thomas approached the group, he replied, “I’ve missed you too, my friend!”. Then, when he got closer, he added, “I’ve missed the pack, Gabriel, more than I could have ever imagined.”

The night echoed with the melodic blend of laughter and tales, old memories coming alive under the silver moonlight. The Moondance Pack reveled in the joy of the moment. The pack’s excitement was palpable, their warm smiles and hearty pats on the back greeting Thomas. Amidst the joy, Eliza stood apart, her arms crossed, her gaze flickering between warmth and wariness.

Gloria animatedly chatted with Markus. “Remember when Thomas fell into the creek while trying to impress one of his many fans?” She asked, chuckling at the memory.

Markus joined in, his hearty laughter adding to the infectious humor. “And instead, he impressed a family of ducks!”

Isabella and Matthew were seated nearby. They overheard the tale and broke into uncontrollable laughter. The story rekindled fond memories. “He was quacking for a week!” Matthew added, wiping away a tear of joy.

Eliza listened intently from a distance. One part of her wanted to know more about him. Eliza bit her lip, her brow furrowed as she watched Thomas mingle. The question of why he left without a goodbye gnawed at her, an itch she couldn’t scratch. A small part of her reveled to melt into his arms, but that part wasn’t stronger than the part that feared the bond and hated him for his indiscretion.

The stories Eliza heard indicated Thomas being a Casanova with the ladies. She didn’t forget his transgression the night he left Lila unconscious in the forest after her premonition. She remembered the physical pain it caused her. She felt as if part of her soul had been torn and shredded. He broke her heart. Did he even realize or acknowledge it? She wanted to hate him for the pain he caused her, but it wasn’t as easy as that.

Gabriel’s sharp whistle cut through the chatter, drawing all eyes to him. His stance was commanding, his eyes twinkling with an unspoken message of unity.

“Hey there, thank you all for coming out tonight. We’re happy that you are here to welcome Thomas back.”

Thomas addressed the pack with a proud and warm howl, his voice resonating through the woods. “My dear friends, thank you for being here. It warms my heart to see all of you.”

The other pack members responded with enthusiastic cheers. They had missed their Gamma, and his return was a cause for grand celebration.

At that moment, Thomas saw William and Doc walking towards him.

Thomas smirked. “Happy you could join us, Alpha William.”

Gabriel stepped forward, his eyes gleaming with wisdom. “Tonight is a testament to our Pack’s strength, ability to heal, and power to embrace change. It is also a show of our strengthening alliance with The Blood Moon Pack. Thanks for coming, William. Though I’m not thrilled about you taking our Doctor.”

As the pack members nodded in agreement, the party continued. Small groups were forming. Laughter echoed through the woods, blending harmoniously with the soothing sounds of the night. It was a true celebration of life and the bonds they shared.

Lila walked up to Doc, “Aunty… is it true? You are mated to William? And you marked each other?”

Doc couldn’t help but laugh.

“Yes, in short,” Doc blushed. “My pure blood and us accepting each other as mates helped him heal faster,” she added, blushing again.

“We haven’t seen you two for the past two days,” Lila said, wiggling her eyebrows.

“Luna,” Doc said, a bit shocked. “Remember, I’m your aunt.” She smiled warmly.

“William took the time needed to heal, and we took the time to get to know each other.”

William was behind her, snaking his arms around her waist and nuzzling her hair.

Lila beamed, her eyes dancing with uncontained joy. “This is wonderful for both of us,” she said, her voice bubbling excitedly.

“Whatever do you mean?” Doc asked with curiosity.

“Oh, that’s true. You wouldn’t know about this. There is an upcoming Luna convention in Toronto. Now that you are Luna of The Blood Moon Pack, you should attend.” Lila was almost jumping for joy.

Suddenly, Doc felt overwhelmed by the speed at which things were happening. Doc’s breath hitched, a flood of memories washing over her. She closed her eyes momentarily, steadying herself against the tide of her past.

“A Luna convention? Me? I’m just getting used to this new role, and now it’s a convention? How will I ever be ready?”

Feeling his mate’s reaction to their bond, William put his hand on the bottom of her back to offer a reassuring touch. “With what I know of you, you were born ready, pumpkin.” He sealed his faith in her with a soft kiss on her shoulder.

#

Isabella held her baby by the bonfire while chatting with Matthew and Charles.

“You’re smitten,” laughed Matthew, watching Charles gaze at Marisol. “I shouldn’t have worried. She’s just six months and has you wrapped around her finger.” Matthew laughed, and Isabella shoved him.

Charles, Marisol’s destined mate, happily played the role she needed, melting with every smile she gave. For now, he was happy to be wrapped around her little finger and melt with each smile she gave him.

Eliza lingered at the crowd’s edge, her eyes occasionally darting toward Thomas, gazing at Charles, Marisol, Isabella, and Matthew.

Being around many destined mates and happy couples had been exceptionally challenging. She yearned for a deeper connection yet felt torn inside. Could he change? Could shechange? Did she want to?

Her yearning for a deeper connection tugged at her heart, but she couldn’t help but feel an inner conflict.

Seeing her sitting alone, Gabriel approached her with a warm smile. “Eliza, you seem distant tonight. Is everything alright?”

Eliza raised her head, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears yet firm, like steel beneath the surface, reflecting her inner turmoil and resolve. “I’m just figuring out where I fit in. I’ve always felt like an outsider, as if I’m missing something about my past.”

Gabriel nodded, understanding her struggle. “I’m sorry you feel this way, and I imagine Thomas returning doesn’t help with those feelings.” He sat down. “Do you want to talk about it? I swear he’s a good guy. I’m not sure what’s going on, but if you can find it in your heart, at least hear him out…” Gabriel trailed off.

Eliza’s gaze softened, appreciating Gabriel’s comforting words. “Thank you, Gabriel. I want to belong here. I want to continue working with Lila. Though… I’m not sure that Thomas and I will ever amount to anything.”

Gabriel gazed at her with wisdom in his eyes. “Often, Eliza, we find answers within ourselves. It’s a tough journey to self-discovery, but Lila and I are here to support you.”

Eliza nodded, feeling reassured by his words. “Thank you, Alpha. I’ll continue searching for my place within the pack, and perhaps, one day, all will fall into place.”

A tranquil silence enveloped Eliza and Gabriel, their eyes lost in the dance of the flames, reflecting a shared understanding and unspoken thoughts.

As the night drew close, the pack members retreated to their houses, carrying memories of the reunion and their newfound connections. Eliza looked at the stars, pondering her place in the pack, but hope flickered in her heart this time. The Pack was not just a group of wolves. It was a family, a place for answers and belonging.

Unknown to them, a woman lurked in the shadows. She had the most to gain and the most to lose from Thomas’ return. In the flickering shadows, a figure watched, her eyes narrow and calculating. The merrymakers, lost in their joy, remained oblivious to the storm brewing in her gaze.

She had been observing the group and their interactions. She watched how Thomas and Eliza avoided each other like a synchronized ballet. She was happy about the distance between them. Yet she felt electricity between the pair, even from her distance.