The North Star Chronicles

Chapter 7

Gale

The pack link buzzed with questions as we walked towards the pack house.

"Was she the reason for the explosion? We could see it from the island! Who is she? Where did she come from? Is she dangerous? Is she a loose cannon?"

Andy huddled close to his side, welcoming the embrace of his strong arms holding her up as they walked. He stole glances as often as he could without strumbling over his own feet. As they walked through the darkness, she began to grow stronger, though she still clung to his side. He looked to the stars, and finally understood as he watched the nearly imperceptible flow of power trickle into her from the stars above them. She was healing herself and she wasn't even conscious of it. He shook his head in disbelief.

She turned her head, instantly self conscious in result of his gesture. "What is it?"

"You're incredible and you don't even know it." he answered.

She raised a brow speculatively but he left it at that.

They walked in silence for several paces. "Polaris spoke to me. She told me that to end The Barren Times, we need to complete our bond."

Kaito leaped up eagerly, attempting to burst forward to shift.

Gale nearly fell over and steadied himself, coughing in attempt to hide his embarassment.

"Are you okay?" her face riddled with concern.

"We're fine. Kaito is just being ridiculous."

"I feel horrible, I hadn't even asked about your wolf. You'll have to forgive me, I'm behind on my studies by about a decade. Kaito- Kaito the legendary?" her eyes widened.

He laughed. "I mean, no offense to him but its not nearly as impressive now that I've met you."

Kaito snarled in response, puffing out his chest and attempting to look regal in Gale's mind. "We are as impressive as they come," he retorted on Gale's mind link.

"Of course it's impressive!" Andy reassured him. "So strong and courageous." she crooned, stroking Kaito's ego successfully.

Kaito roared triumpantly, once more attempting to shift and claim his mate.

"Woah, hey now." Gale stammered audibly.

Andy blushed. "He's ready to get down to business I guess." she laughed.

Gale's blush was visible even in the dark. "You have no idea." he answered, nearly breathless from the restraint he was using to contain his beast. He was shocked at her teasing, and how easily it was to get comfortable with her. "But, I would like to add, he is just an animal with a one track mine, and though I can appreciate his enthusiasm, I would like to think that I'm slightly more civilized, and can operate with some constraint."

"If it makes you feel any better, Polaris doesn't have much restraint either."

A smile spread across his face. "How so?"

"Well," Andy continued, attempting to articulate through the awkwardness of translating her wolf's actions within her mind. "Though she thinks she's playing hard to get, it's pretty clear that she's got eyes for Kaito."

"Stop." Gale pleads in a choked embarassed yelp. He stammered, very visibly shaken as he fought to keep his beast at bay. "You keep teasing him like that and you very well might meet him."

Her smile could shatter him, he was sure of it. He was melting in her hands and he was certain he'd do whatever it takes to keep her.

Andy

Watching him stammer over his words as he spoke about Kaito was adorable. Polaris licked her fur, nearly cat like in a way that screamed holier than thou. I could clearly see through her act, and knew her standoffishness was her way of being a tease.

I did my best to steal small glances without being noticed so I could imprint his face in my mind. He was beautiful and powerful. It was evident that all of the teachings growing up were true. A wolf only bonded with a soul of matched power. Kaito was one six legendary wolves. Polaris was another.

"That's the pack house." Gale motioned to the house coming into view in the distance. The dozen wolves that had circled us had remained at a distance, each time I'd attempted to meet their eyes, they averted their gaze.

As we drew closer, making our way up the driveway and to the porch, more of the wolves pulled out from the protective circle to disappear into the darkness. In human form, I was chest to chest to the smallest wolf that had served to protect us on our walk. As she circled to pull away, I reached for her, placing a gentle hand on the side of her muzzle. "Thank you." I said aloud. Though this pack felt like mine in my heart, I wouldn't hear her voice on the pack link until I was made Luna at a Lunar Ceremony. I placed my forehead against hers. She growled, a soft rumble of approval before turning away to resume her patrol.

The house was all windows, it was as if looking into a dollhouse though a majority of the rooms had the curtains drawn. Black steel and dark, rich colored woods framed the windows and exterior of the home. My pack house as a child had been grand, but this new industrial elegance was a stark contrast to what I'd grown up with between my childhood pack house and Proctor's.

We walked into a grand entrance hall, the entire main floor sprawling before us. I stared on in wonder.

Gale cleared his throat. "The um- alpha quarters are upstairs, left wing. Offices are upstairs straight again, while family quarters are the right wing up there. We've got the main living room right there, which is usually where the boys hang out" he gestured with his hand to the seating area made up of multiple leather couches and a huge television on a black steel stand. "Kitchen is over here." he pointed off to the left, just past grand industrial columbs forged of thick black steel and rich wooden inlays. The kitchen had sprawling concrete countertops and the same dark stained wood was used for the cabinetry. "Let's see, what else..." he thought for a moment. "Gym is downstairs just past the kitchen, the Beta and Gamme quarters are just past the living room down that hallway." I followed the direction of his hand. The back hall was dimly lit by wall sconces that cast their warm glow down the hall and throughout the rest of the house. "There's a heated pool out back, but that's pretty much it." Gale rubbed his hands against his jeans. "I want you to have time to explore, and I hope I'm not throwing too much on you at once, but you have a few pack members that- are going to stay calm-" he interjected, his voice thick with annoyance that was no doubt directed to those that he was speaking to on the pack link. "but they would really like to meet you if that's okay."

A smile spread across my face. "Of course," I nodded. "I'd love to meet them."

He rolled his eyes with a sigh, once more directed to the pack link. "You heard her. You can come out now."

At that moment, a raucous clatter reverberated through the house. It sounded as if a herd of elephants was making its way down the hallway and I was certain I was about to be greated by dozens of pack members. When they rounded the corner, there were only four of them. Two men grappling to make out of the hallway first, followed by two woman walking cooly behind them, seemingly just as annoyed with the childish antics as Gale was.

The wrestling continued within inches of where Gale and I stood. Gale pinched the bridge of his nose in annoyance. "You guys call this playing it cool? What part of any of this is playing it cool?" he glowered. "This, is Andy." he introduced me, giving my left hand a squeeze.

The boys both stuck out their hands at the same time, and then jokingly began swatting away the others' hand.

A slender olive skinned burnette side stepped the chaos and interjected her own greeting with the offer of her hand. "I'm Fauna, Titus's mate. It's an honor to meet you." she said warmly. I shook her hand, thankful for the sincerity in her voice. She elbowed Titus upon her passing to stand behind him once more.

Titus feigned sadness and raised his hand to point at himself. "Titus." he offered his hand and I took it carefully, giving Gale's hand a squeeze at my side to reassure Kaito that there would be no trespasses against him. Gale let out his breath, inaudible to those standing just across from us, the relief tangible on our bond thread.

The other slapped Titus away before introducing himself. "I'm Rory, the Gamma. And this is Artis, my mate." He shook my hand and Artis offered me a gentle wave in acknowledgement before offering her hand.

"I'm thankful our Alpha has finally found you. We're honored to meet you and welcome you to the pack."

Joking and wrestling aside, Gale seemed to be somewhat pleased with his pack mates. "That's the main crew, I know, they're not much," he teased. "But they do alright." The boys rolled their eyes before turning away. Fauna and Artis lingered for a few moments more.

Fauna spoke. "We obviously don't know much about you, but from what Titus and Rory heard earlier today when Gale found you, you don't have much. We know you'll want time with Gale, but please know that you're welcome to any of our things until you're able to make it to town. We can make a trip of it, when you're both comfortable, to get to know each other better." Artis nodded beside her in agreement.

"I'd like that." I smiled warmly. The girls left to join their mates, leaving Gale and I standing alone at the entrance.

We stood in silence for several moments before Gale spoke. "So, the guys got the family suite ready for you if you'd like to sleep there. Though you're more than welcome to the Alpha suite and I could sleep in the family wing," he stumbled awkwardly over his words. "Though honestly, regardless of where you sleep, Kaito is kind of adamant of at least sleeping by the door, and I'm not sure if I'm strong enough to be that far from you either at this moment." he rambled nervously.

I reached up to lay a hand on his cheek and felt the electricity surge through our bond. His eyes lowered to mine, his hand instictively raising to caress the back of my arm. "If Kaito can be good, I'd like to stay in the Alpha suite with you if you don't mind. I think Polaris would appreciate the proximity, and so would I."

"I'll keep him on a tight leash." he teased, pulling me through the house and up the stairs.