~HARPER~
The first thing that hit my senses was the rich scent of pumpkin spice.
The familiar aroma wrapped around me and made me mentally smile. My mind was still in a state of fog, but I was in no rush to wake up. I wanted to reminisce in the peacefulness that flowed through me.
I felt whole… complete… fulfilled.
In the span of my entire life, this tranquil moment in time was the best I’d ever felt. I was pain free and my body was warm, almost like I was snuggled next to a heated blanket. When my ears began to tune into my environment, I could hear two sounds: a quiet noise that reminded me of a sleeping wolf, and soothing purrs.
The low wolf sound didn't disturb me. In fact, it only added to the harmonious atmosphere I was waking up to. As the minutes ticked by, other sounds trickled in: a clock ticking, a machine buzzing lightly, the drip-drop of a tap that was slowly leaking, and if I concentrated enough, I could hear the sounds of the outdoors.
With the cricket chirps and the light buzzing of insects, I gathered that night must have fallen.
Or that's what my instincts concluded
"Harper."
If I had enough strength to smile, I would have, but my internal joy that spread through me was enough to reach my wolf.
Reika.
"We're alive! I don't know how though..."
Taking a moment, I focused on the space in my mind where Reika was located.
It took a bit of concentration, but her image materialized. Her white fur coat was as beautiful as ever, almost shimmering with light. Her teal eyes were stunning, like actual gemstones, glowing brightly from time to time.
She looked a lot bigger than before, almost reminding me of Carter's height.
Carter… Ian… the pack?! What happened?
"I'm not sure. Memory is foggy. I felt the Moon. She spoke to us… or someone. Her voice is lovely. We heard it."
Reika’s mention of the Moon brought a hint of memory, like a sympathetic but bitter sound.
I wonder if she's mad at us?
"If she was mad, would we be breathing?"
Probably not.
The Moon could have felt pity for us and spared us? I won’t know until I wake up, but am I ready to face what is to come?
Reika?
"Yes, Harper?"
Is it…weird for me to be scared?
"No, but why are you afraid? I feel your fear. Nothing to be worried about. I'm here."
I know…I'm just scared that now that we're really a wolf shifter, what if we don't fit in? What if we're too different or deemed weird to our own kind? We never fit in as humans, which now that I even mentioned it, makes sense, but…I'm worried that we won't fit in as a wolf shifter either. We won't belong.
Reika was quiet, absorbing my words as she sat back. Looking to the sky, she seemed deep in thought, but her head lowered as if I stood before her and our eyes locked onto one another.
"We don't need to belong," Reika replied with certainty. "I don't think we ever wanted to be like everyone else. Being different means we're unique. A quality many aren't given the privilege to experience. We never fit in with humans because we aren’t human to begin with. But even if we didn't fit in, we had our pack. They loved us and cared for us. It didn't matter that we couldn't shift or run the same pace as them. They accepted us just fine, even with the knowledge and understanding that we were just human. We don't need to fit into whatever society we wake up to. I think as long as our pack is behind us, we can keep living our life the way we always have. There will be challenges…I think, but that's normal in any aspect of life. I'm a bit frightened too, but change is always scary. We've tackled many situations revolving around change, and though it was scary for both of us, we always pulled through and enjoyed the final result. I think we'll be okay, and if nothing else, we have each other."
I mentally smiled back at her, hoping she could see the pride shown through the mental image of myself that faced her.
Her words of wisdom surprised me but made it evident that she'd grown tremendously without me even realizing it.
We were in this together, no matter what went down, and the comfort that that thought brought helped to boost my confidence.
Wow, Reika. I'm proud of you. You've grown so much.
"Oh, please. You sound like one of those proud mothers from drama shows. Don't try to claim the credit either. Those were my words of wisdom."
If I could laugh, I totally would right now. At least I knew the savage part of Reika was still present.
"I think we're going to be very strong, Harper," Reika mused, walking up to where I stood amongst the darkness that surrounded us.
She lowered her head to press it against mine, and I needed to angle my head up slightly to enjoy the warmth her soft fur delivered.
Really? I thought we were pretty badass before.
"There's my Harper," Reika said approvingly, and my smile widened. "We'll be more badass than before. I also sense strong magic in you."
Magic? Like how Ian can use magic? I clarified.
"Yes, but stronger."
Interesting… I guess we'll find out when we wake up.
"I want to see Carter."
Her statement reminded me of the dream I'd had. When I allowed myself to think about it, my mind told me it wasn't a dream but a memory.
It was the full version of the snippet I'd had when I'd pressed my hand against those symbolic rocks. I didn't remember everything, but I knew enough to determine that Carter and I had known each other long before I'd ever been with my "family."
He was a part of the life I'd lived before something had happened to lead me to my temporary family, and later guide me back to Sacred Moon Shelter for Endangered Wolves. A place I had previously gone to with my real family.
The recollection of those simple childhood memories, the nightly runs to our favorite place in the forest that led to the rows of pink roses tugged at my heart, making me yearn for Carter's presence.
It didn't replace the love I had for Ian, and even when I woke up, I would strive to make that known as soon as I got the chance. For now, my heart begged for its mate, the one I'd always belonged to.
The only thing that left me curious was why I didn't have a mate tattoo as I did with Ian.
Claiming mark? Tattoo? Whatever it was referred to.
I want to see Carter too, Reika. I think we'll be learning a lot the moment we wake up.
"I guess… but I'm hungry… and want a pumpkin spice latte."
Your addiction hasn't left you.
"We're BOTH addicted to pumpkin spice. It's nice. Maybe add some cinnamon in it."
Leaning back, I looked into her teal eyes that twinkled with mischief, my mind already putting together her little hints.
Why do I have a feeling you're promoting something?
"Promoting pumpkin spice and cinnamon sandwiches for breakfast. Wake up, I'm hungry." She nudged me with her nose.
Hungry for something more than just food.
She howled lightly at my teasing reply, and I couldn't be more glad to have her as my wolf.
Before I turned around to focus on waking up, I reached out to Reika again.
Can I at least give you a hug while I can?
Reika lowered her head once more, and I wrapped my arms around her neck before hugging her tightly.
"You can always come back if you concentrate hard enough," Reika noted.
That would be swell… but let me hug you for a bit longer.
Reika didn't seem to mind, sitting down on all fours so she'd be a little shorter than me. "Are you gonna get all sappy on me? If so, I don't want it."
I was going to say how thankful I was to the Moon for giving me the best, most badass wolf ever created, but seeing as that's all sappy, I'll keep my thoughts to myself.
Reika pulled back and nudged my cheek with her nose. "I take it back, say it."
You sure love when I praise you. Reaching out to place my hand against the side of her furry cheek, I grinned as my eyes softened in admiration. Thank you, Reika. For everything. When I'm in doubt, I can rely on you to have my back and bring me back to my senses. I don't know what's up on the surface, and I may continue to have doubts and fears, but we'll get through them together. I know we will. Thank you for sticking by me when we were categorized as human. Please stick with me as we enter this new world as a wolf shifter.
"I will. We'll grow and conquer whatever comes our way. We'll make the Moon proud of us and enjoy a new life knowing who we really are."
We stared at one another, and a flicker of confidence and understanding flowed through Reika's eyes; I was certain mine reflected the same.
Together, we'd do miraculous things, and I knew we wouldn't be alone.
My pack would be waiting for me to wake up, and it was time for me to embrace who we were and find answers to the mystery of why we'd only now been reintroduced to the life we'd once lived, loved, and cherished.
It was time for us to awaken from our slumber, and face the reality destined for us on the other side.