Rose Wolf Petals

Welcome home

Once we arrived, everyone was unloading and being treated by the rest of the pack. Josh got out to help Lorena and carried Evelyn bridal style to our home. Lorena followed Josh, pausing she looked back at me, “You coming my dear?” She called out to me.

“Yes hun, just need to settle a few things,” I replied. Looking around at my pack, I could see the pain. ‘Tonight is going to be rough. Followed by more to come. Recovering mentally is going to be a process,’ I conversed with Eli. 

‘Yes, but they will recover and so shall we,’ Eli replied

“Cindy. Alan. Tomorrow I want you and your mental health staff to run evaluations on th pack warriors that went to aid the Crescent Cliff Pack,” I mind-linked with two retired senior warriors. When they began to feel the wear and tear of the warrior lifestyle they retired to the mental health profession to help their pack in a different way. It was a smart move and they are the greatest at what they do. They have a full understanding of what the warriors go through. This allows them insight on how to best help the warriors.

“Understood, everyone is already on standby for those who need us,” they replied in unison through mindlink. 

I caught up to my mate and Josh as they reached the door. She was holding her keys about to unlock the door when it swung open. There stood Elder Edgar, his usually immaculate brushed back silver hair was disheveled. His blue eyes were strained and showed signs of weeping. His usual formal business attire was replaced with dark jeans, a sweater, and boots. The energy he gave off was that of a man who just ran a marathon while being chased by a bolder.

Suddenly a elderly feminine voice came from behind Edgar, “let them in Edgar.”

He stepped aside and Elder Josephine greeted. Her jet black hair pulled back. Her concerned expression with carried with an air of properness. Her clothes reflected her straight forward personality mixed with the fashion of a high powered business CEO. She saw Josh carrying Evelyn. “Luna Lorena lets tend to the girl,” she ushered. Lorena led them upstairs.

“She is the only survivor, isn’t she?” Edgar asked me as he sank down in the foyer chair. Misery and despair gracing his features.

“Yes… Lets move to my office. If there was ever a time for a glass of single malt brandy, tonight is the night,” I spoke as I led the elder to my office. We sat and drank in silence for a few minutes. Letting the brandy shore up our systems to discuss the evening. Josh entered the office with hot tea in hand. 

“Evelyn is with Elder Josephine and mom. They are cleaning her up. She is going to be staying in the guest room next to mine so I can keep an ear out for her if she calls out when she wakes,” he casually informs us.

Edgar and I shared a perplexed look. ‘Why is he so focused on staying so close to her?’ Eli questioned. ‘I have no idea,’ I replied.

Moment of silence passed. Then Josh and I relayed the events that transpired. I left out most of the fine details. I wanted to speak with the elders in private regarding the finer details. He’s not ready for the full responsibilities of that come with being an Alfa just yet.

“I am headed to bed… I need to sleep this night off,” he said as he finished his tea. He left quietly closing the door behind him softly. No sooner had he closed the door Lorena and Elder Josephine entered the room.

“You better have two more glasses poured in 10 seconds,” Elder Josephine stated as she sat next to Elder Edgar on the opposing couch.  I got up and served the ladies their drinks and sat next to Lorena. 

“How is she?” Elder Edgar asked.

“She is cleaned up and resting in the guest room,” Lorena replied.

“She is an unique one. She is what Alfa Norris thought she is,” Elder Josephine added.

“This is concerning. She needs to be prepared and trained,” Elder Edgar stated with much frustration.

Bewilderment passed back and forth between Lorena and I. “What is she?” Lorena was the first to speak.

“She isn’t a normal wolf. She was born from an Omega family but she, herself, is an Alfa…. It’s a rare occurrence but not unheard of. With Josephine's special abilities to confirm our speculations. It’s clear she is a rare Rose Wolf.” Elder Edgar informed us.

Elder Josephine has the ability to see or rather sense the state of the wolves that reside within. She is key in selecting which Alfas are able to start a new pack and which are able to inherit their packs from their parents when two Alfas are born into the same pack.

“What is a Rose Wolf?” I inquired. Hopeful for some enlightenment on the young girl sleeping in the guest room.

“We only have a few recorded Rose Wolves in the past. They, on average, are smaller than most wolves, all are born Alfas, and they have special abilities. The abilities they possess aren’t consistent. All of them have shifted early and due to tragedy. Some consider their birth bad omens, however, later on they give rise to some of the strongest packs. That is all we know about them. Only time will tell us what Evelyn’s abilities will be,” Elder Josephine answered. 

“That would explain a few things. I didn’t tell you every detail when Josh was present. You can understand why. She was able to speak in her wolf form,” I told the two elders. Shocked looks appeared on everyone’s faces as I told them.

“Malikai. Lorena. Can we ask you a favor?… a big one,” Elder Edgar asked. “Will you take in Evelyn and care for her?... Help us train her for her role in the world, as well as, help her recover from this tragedy?” 

“Yes, of course,” we replied together. “We’ll take good care of her and make sure will be ready for whatever comes her way, as well as being an Alfa,” Lorena reassured the two elders. 

Josephine and Edgar sighed in relief. “Of course your pack might not know how to respond to the fine details regarding young Evelyn. I advise not telling them most. We will help with her training and honing her abilities as they develop,” Elder Edgar advised. 

“Understood elder, it would be hard to accept her being born an Alfa in an Omega family, much less an extremely rare Alfa at that. She shatters the higherache that they have known most of their lives and some don’t adapt quickly to those kinds of changes.” I responded. “We’ll have to adjust a new roll in the pack for her. Luckily most of the pack doesn’t know much about her,” Lorena added.

‘Malikai, she will be a target of much aggression that results from confusion.  As much as we can protect her she can’t be with us twenty four seven. She will need some form of balance or a safe space,’ Eli interjected. 

‘I know but we will do the best we can. She is part of our pack now,’ I responded.

‘Good, my thoughts exactly. We can’t have doubts when taking in someone like her,’ he proudly stated.

“I know she will be taken good care of with the two of you,” Elder Edgar said relieved. “Josephine let us head out.”

“Yes, if I may, can I return tomorrow to check on the girl?” Josephine asked.

“Of course, what time can we expect you?” Lorena smiled softly.

“2PM,” Josephine answered.

“Both of you be safe,” the elders said sincerely and with hope for the future as they left.

“Goddess have mercy,” I breathed out. Our minds, bodies, and souls are exhausted. Lorena and I settled in as much as we could. The events playing repeat in our minds and swirling with what we just learned. Exhaustion forcing us into a restless sleep.