The Lost Wolf

The Return Journey Home.

The return journey home was less desperate than when we set out from home earlier. All the tension we experienced had already eased off. After all, we had accomplished our mission and there was no more anxiety. As Aunty Debbie steadied her hands on the steering and continued driving, i could observe a glimmer of satisfaction in het eyes and a slight grin on her lips. Of course, we drove back through the same route through which we came in. As we moved, i pressed my nose on the glass to try capture more of the sights and sounds of the pack community that i couldn’t  take when we came in and even when we took a run. I was now able to notice the well arranged rows of Wolves apartments in the very large community. There are different sizes of buildings. I saw mostly, four three, two and one bedroom apartments, apparently occupied according to the size of the families occupying them. The estate itself is arranged in a triangular fashion with the residence of the Alpha, a one storey building located almost in the middle. Not too far away is the bungalow belonging to the Beta, which i presume to be a four bedroom apartment. In close proximity to the residences of these two top wolves is the Pack house, which serves as a kind of meeting place for wolves and also contain offices for the Alpha, Beta and other high ranking wolves.

As we moved along, my aunty noticed me peering outside with more than a passing interest. “Trying to get familiar with your future abode as much as possible?” she asked, turning her face sideways to look at me and then quickly shifting her gaze back to concentrate on her driving. “Yep, Aunty, i need to take in as much of the environment as possible, more so that our major aim has been accomplished and our anxiety has eased off.” I replied. “You are correct, Naomi,” She agreed, shaking her head. I yawned, stretched my two legs forward and turned my neck left and right about two times. Soon, we arrived at the Pack gate. The two wolves who had earlier welcomed us into the community sprang up as soon as our car screeched to a halt. “you are welcome, ma’am,” said one of them who appeared to be the more friendly one. He was grinning as he came close to the car to greet us. He leaned on the top of the car with his two hands and brought down his head to speak directly to Aunt Debbie at the driver’s side. “I am glad at the reception you got from the Alpha and the rest of the pack members. We could see that you are very pleased with the welcome ceremony. We watched everything that happened right from our duty post here,” he said. I watched Aunty Debbie, stiffen a bit on her seat, with her face a bit furrowed. “How did you get to see everything that happened over there in the compound when you didn’t leave here for a moment?” she asked. He flashed a smile and used his right hand to wipe his face. He then motioned to the gate house with his hand. “We have a giant television set right in there with which we monitor everything that happens within the Pack community. Yes, everything that happens no matter which guards are on duty is being strictly monitored. If there is an emergency where the guards within the compound cannot cope, then one of us might quickly dash in to render the necessary help. There is talk by the Alpha to increase the number of us manning this place at any given time. Of course, we run shifts, and very soon, other wolves would come and relieve us,” he answered. “That’s a wonderful arrangement, i’m impressed,” Aunty Debbie complimented. As the young wolf continued chatting with Aunty Debbie, the other chap came over to my side of the car.

“Hello, Naomi,” he said, "Once more, i want to say you’re very welcome to the Pack. I don’t need to tell you my name as you know it already. Your wolf has already told you the same way my wolf told me yours. Myself and Rob saw the rousing welcome the Alpha and the other wolves gave you and we were very delighted. I am also well aware of what you and the Alpha discussed about your coming back here quickly to occupy the apartment that would be set aside for you. I mind-linked the Alpha when he was talking to you and got all the details. I will also support Alpha Jones in urging you to expedite action in getting your boss to transfer you to your office here in Tacoma so you could live with us in the Pack community. And when you do come back, please put me in mind because You are beautiful and i want to be with you.” My face furrowed at his last sentence. What did he mean  asking me to put him in mind? Also, i did not immediately comprehend the meaning of ‘i want to be with you’. I was shocked but i struggled not to show it. My wolf was already telling me to take things easy. A part of me wanted to put him in his place and the other part wanted me to obey my Wolf and be very courteous with him. I had firmly resolved to put aside all romantic liaisons, at least for now. My focus now would be on the very important task ahead of me, which is reorganizing the fighting capacities of the Wolves through proper training. I had mind-linked the Alpha on the position of Delta and he has agreed to offer me the position. So, romance is definitely out of it for me at this time. There was also the pending issue of how to put an end to my relationship with Richard. Yes, how to tell him that we are over. I finally resolved to be courteous with him it wouldn’t be nice staring down a member of my Pack on the very same day i got re-united with the pack.

“Phillip, thank you very much for your observations and very good wishes. Just as you obseve, i would come back soon enough to occupy my apartment in this community. By that time, i would have every wolf in mind because the position i would occupy would demand service to every member of the Pack, not just you. Every Wolf here would be my responsibility to take care of. So, romance between me and you would not arise. On the mate issue, i believe it would happen at its own time. So I’m not searching for a mate at this time. When i get to the river, i will cross it,” i told him courteously but frankly. He nodded his head reluctantly in response. I could see disappointment and a little tinge of sadness on his face as he turned and walked back slowly to the gate house. By the time i turned my face to look at Aunty Debbie, the other wolf, Rob Andrews had already finished chatting with her and had left to take his seat at the gate house entrance. I was convinced she heard some of our discussion.

After all said and done, they waved their goodbyes and we responded. Aunty Debbie then restarted the car and we made our way out of the Shiny Ivory Pack compound. We had joined the highway at an intersection and Aunty Debbie was driving fast enough to beat time, considering the fact that i would return to Seattle tonight, and slowly enough for us to catch a good enough glimpse of people and events as they passed us by. We both remained silent for a while until i broke the ice. “What is your impression of Alpha jones, Aunty,” I asked. She kept silent for a while as if she was thinking of what to say. “Well, Naomi,” she answered, “I see him as a highly respectful and  intelligent young man or Wolf, so to speak. I also saw in him a very understanding and considerate individual. How do you rate him?” she asked. “Well Aunty, i also saw all the things you saw about him. I would also add he loves to carry everyone along which is a good leadership quality.” She nodded her head in agreement. “And what do you think of the way he received us?” She asked, giving me a very quick glance before shifting her face back to concentrate on her driving. “The reception was excellent, Aunty. That is why i said earlier that his organizational ability is very high. The way he quickly mobilized all the Wolves within just some minutes really surprised me. I think he truly deserves the position of Alpha.” Aunty Debbie sighed briefly and nodded her head in perfect agreement. “we will talk more about what happened over there when we get home,” She concluded as we rounded off the discussion temporarily. After a few more minutes on the highway, we arrived at the neighborhood parking garage. Auntie Debbie parked the car securely and we moved into the house.