My Lost Wolf

Chapter 8: Starting Over

Odessa smiled up at the little store in front of her, Celtic Knot Studios and Gallery. It was sometimes hard for her to believe that it had been a little more then three years since she had been back to Moonstone Hollow, Virginia. She was finally back home.

Her twin, ten year old sisters Lumi and Elsa had been over the moon that she was moving back home. They had almost been as excited as Ethan.

Odessa grinned as she thought of her big brother Ethan. Not only had he taken over as Beta of the pack for their father. He and Wren had two sons, 5 yr old Alex, who had Ethan's blonde hair and Wren's light brown eyes. Then there was two year old, Conroy who look just like Ethan blonde hair and one blue and one brown eye.

Earlier, this morning on her way into town. Ethan had called to tell her that Wren was expecting. Wren was praying for a girl this time. Odessa had just smiled telling her brother that she would make something special for the baby.

Wren had already scheduled a photo session with Odessa for the boys.

She had found herself extremely busy after opening her Studio. Not only did she do photography, she sold her paintings here.

Walking over to a sunflower field painting that had a sold sticker on the frame. She plucked it of the wall and walked to the counter and started gently wrapping it in brown paper. The bell on the door chimed as someone walked in Odessa turned to see Mrs. Angelo and her granddaughter Allie with her.

"Good morning, Odessa are the photos ready. What about the painting I picked out. I just love the Ocean." Mrs. Angelo asked.

"Yes and since you purchased one of my signed paintings your photos are half off this time. Do you need help getting it to your car?" Odessa asked Mrs. Angelo.

"No thank you dear, Gregory is out in the car. He can help me get it in the trunk." Mrs. Angelo said as she smiled at Odessa.

Waving good-bye Odessa made her way to the dark room to check on some photos she had taken that weren't digital.

The photos were coming along and would be done setting up soon. After closing and locking the door to the dark room. Odessa made her way to snag two of her finished painting to be hung up for sale.

"Ok who are the lucky painting today?" She decided on a autumn themed painting with a fall harvest and leaves falling first. Her second choice was one of a crane standing in water showing off to its mate.

Walking back out, she hung the crane painting on the empty spot on the wall. Taking the harvest one to be displayed in a special case in window. Once that was done, she moved a few others around so they would get noticed more. That was when the bell on the door chimed as someone walked in.

"Be with you in a second." Odessa called out to whoever had just came into her store.

As she made her way to the front of the store, a huge smile found its way on her lips as she saw who it was.

"Kayley! What are you doing here?" Odessa exclaimed as she took in her best friend.

"I was sure, you would still be in Crow Valley, with Cordell and his Ravenstone pack?" Odessa said to he best friend.

Kayley had found her mate when she turned eighteen. Cordell Fay was the future Alpha to the Ravenstone pack that hailed from the borders of West Virginia.

Odessa raised an eyebrow at Kayley as she waved her hand at her.

"Oh, he's at the pack house discussing things with my dad. He is nervous about his own ceremony coming up that he wanted to bend our Alpha's ear." Kayley said with a smile on her face.

She then started to walk around Odessa's store.

"This is so amazing!" Kayley exclaimed indicating all the painting and photos that were around us. I knew you were talented I just never realized how talented."

Glancing once more at a few of the painting and photos.

"I am so bringing Cordell here later and we are buying a few for our pack house. I've been wanting to have a few things to remind me of home and your mountain and sunset and sunrise painting and photos are just the thing I think. She gushed at Odessa.

Kayley think took notice of a few of Odessa's photos of a few of the packs new pups. The thing that grabbed her attention was a painting Odessa had done of a pair of twins. Each one was gently gripping the fingers of their mother and father.

"Odessa, who's pups are these? I don't know anyone here having twin pups." Kayley questioned out of curiosity.

Odessa just shook her head.

"Nobody's it was just something, that came to me a few weeks ago so I painted it. Odessa said shrugging her shoulders.

Odessa continued to watch Kayley as she walked around the store before speaking.

"What gives Kayley, there's more that your not telling me. So spill already would you." Odessa said firmly.

"Well I-I mean that is Cordell and I are expecting our first child." Kayley half managed to stammer out.

Odessa's blue eyes got wide and a huge smile formed on her lips as she moved to hug Kayley.

" Oh goddess, that's wonderful!"

Kayley frowned as she looked at Odessa.

"I was afraid to tell you. I had always dreamed of us being pregnant together and our kids being fast friends. But.." She trailed off last sentence.

Odessa waved a hand at her.

"Don't worry about it. It's not a big deal."

Kayley then produced an envelope from her bag. "Then there is this." The Alpha and your dad told me to make sure you read it."

Odessa reached out and took the silver envelope from Kayley's hand. Tearing open the top she pulled the card out from inside.

Dear,

Honored pack member,

Your attendance is expected at the ceremony of the Alpha as Alpha Ripley relinquishes his title as Alpha of the pack to his heir Holden Joshua Silverlight II. ALL wolves and she-wolves are to attend. The ceremony will take in two days. When the Crescent Moon rises. Please dress according to tradition.

With much respect,

Alpha Ripley & Luna Lara,

Beta Cliff & Beta Edith

Beta Ethan & Beta Wren

Odessa let out a breath as she sat the letter down on the counter.

"I'm guessing the other thing you wanted to tell me was, that Holden is coming home. It's been three years, and you thought I'd be upset to know he's coming back. It's not going to upset me. I was a young she-wolf with a crush those days are over. I'm sure he'll be to busy with his mate and the packs future Luna to even remember me." Odessa said trying not to make a big deal of it.

"Actually...Holden still hasn't found his fated mate yet. But with our father's health not being the same after that rouge attack three months ago. He has no choice but to abdicate his position and title. Hopefully once he is the One Alpha he will find his mate." Kayley said in one big rush of words.

As Odessa took in Kayley's words she felt her chest tighten a little. Why was she even getting upset. He had stopped checking in on her after a year and a half. Taking in a breath Odessa smiled as she turned back to her best friend.

"Well it looks like I'm going to need a dress. As the Alpha and Beta have pretty much just told me that I have to go so. She then pulled a gold card out of the silver envelope.

"My Dad sent his card." Odessa said holding it up for Kayley to see.