I’m numb as we drive to the airport. The pain in my chest has lessened to a dull ache. I hope it means he’s healing and not just because I’m further away from him. He will heal. If I tell myself that enough, eventually I’ll believe it.
I ask mum where it is we’re headed and she smiles and says home. Once we get to the airport it all becomes clear. America. We’re going to Yellowstone. I’m going to meet my dad for the first time.
Our flight leaves in a couple of hours. Whilst we wait I clean myself up as best I can in the toilets and we grab some food.
Once we’re on the plane, nervous excitement fills me. Even though my mum and I are both exhausted, we find it hard to sleep. After everything we’ve been through it all seems to be OK. It’s over and I have a Dad now. I probably won’t eversee Alistair again, which is probably for the best. I hope I’ll see Cassey again though. No, I will. I didn’t even get to say goodbye to her. My whole life is so different now and it’s only going to get better. It’s not just my Mum and me now. We will have my Dad and his pack. Werewolves. It’s crazy just thinking about it. I have no idea what to think any more. Fiction is reality and non-fiction is a cover up of the truth. It’s all backwards, but I love it!
As we try to relax on the plane, my mum and I pass the time by chatting mostly about dad and the pack. I learn that over half the pack was killed in the battle 18 years ago and the rest were captured, along with my Dad. His best friend Seth was killed trying to get my mum to safety. His son Lukas Demetriou has many of his father’s strengths and qualities. He’s the most likely to take his fathers’ place as my Dads Beta.
Mum talks about Lukas quite a bit and it’s clear that she has a huge amount of respect for him. She emphasises on his good qualities a lot. Like how brave, trustworthy and caring he is. I guess she’s learnt all this from my dad. She says he’s the one that’s going to help me get settled, so I guess I’m going to be spending a lot of time with him.
She also tells me that honour and loyalty are what the pack is based upon. They are a tight unit like family and support and protect each other the best they can. Werewolves and Nymphs have lived together since they were created by Gaia and Zeus. There’re barely any Nymphs left, compared to Werewolves. They out number us 20 to 1 since Hades pushed Nymphs to near extinction. That has only made werewolves hate Vampires more, as nearly all Werewolves take Nymphs as their mates. The vast majority of them being Moira.
Sounds to me like werewolves need to up their game. Considering their meant to be our protectors and we’re the ones that have saved them. I can’t deny that I’m nervous about meeting them. Mum makes it sound like they’re my long-lostfamily. I guess that’s true. It’s just hard to go from it being my mum and me too eight of us. I promise myself to face this with an open, positive mind.
After a couple of hours chatting, I feel myself begin to doze. I can finally close my eyes without the worry of something bad happening. We’re on a plane full of people, thousands of feet in the air. No Vampires. No Alistair. Everything is OK now. I can relax. I close my eyes and see grey eyes in my mind.
I’m jolted by an excruciating pain in my chest. I can’t breathe. I clutch my chest as I gasp and groan. My mum is instantly awake and she’s trying to calm me.
“Krista, calm down. Nothing’s wrong. Just take a deep breath.” Her voice is soothing and it helps me calm down. I force myself to take a deep breath and I feel my lungs fill with oxygen. I let it out slowly and as I do the pain in my chest lessens. I look around and the lights are dimmed as it's nighttime. I see Loads of people staring at me. Some in concern, others in annoyance. An air hostess comes over looking worried. “Is everything OK? Would you like some water?” She says in a half whisper.
“No, thank you. I’m fine. Sorry.” My voice is scratchy.
She nods and walks back up the aisle. Everyone else goes back to their conversations, laptops and naps.
I take a moment then turn to my mum. “That was the bond. Wasn’t it?” I whisper.
“I think so. Your connection is growing.” She says sombrely.
“I don’t want a connection to him. I’m not ready to have my future planned out for me.” I mutter.
“I know.” She squeezes my hand. “I don’t know how this will work out. Nymphs have only ever bonded werewolves.”
“Well, I won’t ever see him again. I’ve just got to learn to deal with it and move on with my life.” I force my mind to shutout Alistair’s pain. Instantly, like an elastic band it’s snapped away and my mind is my own again.
Mum takes my hand. “I’ve kept this from your father and the pack for now. With the history between them what it is. I fear what this may mean for the pack and you. They’ve been through so much that they need some simple happiness.”
I can’t help but feel hurt. Like I’m tainted and dirty. Something to be ashamed of. Is that how my mum feels? I look down at the floor to hide the tears forming in my eyes. My mum squeezes my hand and tilts my head up. “Sweetie it’s OK. The pack will love you. You saved them. You are everything I hoped you’ll grow up to be and I love you so much!” She hugs me tightly and kisses my head.
“But if they find out then what? They’ll hate me?” I Sniff.
“It’s a totally new situation. Werewolves don’t do well with change. They’re stubborn with their traditions but no, I don’t think they’ll hate you.”
I sigh and look across my mum out the window feeling alienated. I try to immerse myself in the earth to help centre myself, but it’s faint. I reach, but can’t quite get a solid hold on it. I feel exposed. The sooner we land the better. I check the time on my phone. 4am. Only 4 hours to go. Then I’ll have a pack of werewolves to live with along with this secret. Shouldn’t be awkward at all.
Eventually we land and collect what little luggage we have. We head to the exit and that’s when I see him. Looking exactly how I imagined. Standing tall, broad and proud. His barely shoulder length hair matches the colour of mine. He’s much more well-groomed then how I saw him in Alistair’s memory. Dressed in a smart white shirt and dark blue jeans with brown boots. The crows’ feet in the corners of his eyes grow longer as his grin stretches across his bearded face. His eyes arewelcoming and warm. Full of love, happiness and maybe a bit of disbelief.
He stands there alone. As we get closer the immensity of our excitement is too much to contain. Mum takes my hand as our pace speeds up. We get closer to him and I see tears fill his hazel eyes. His arms open as he runs towards us. We crash together in a tight embrace, sobbing with joy. He smells like a fresh woodland morning with a touch of cologne. He squeezes us tighter as his shoulders shake.
“My girls.” He breathes out. Like all the pressures of the world have been lifted from him.
This is home. This is love. This is everything I’ve ever wanted.
The crying ebbs and we lean away from each other without letting go. He looks at me with so much love and pride that my eyes water again. His smile is infectious as he cups the side of my face.
“My gorgeous, brave daughter. Never in my wildest dreams did I think we would be freed. Let alone you be the one to save us. I’m so proud of you.” He kisses the top of my head then turns to my mum. “Gwen.” He whispers. “My wife, my mate, my heart. Never will I be from your side again.” He kisses her deeply and passionately. It’s an all-consuming kiss from years of accumulated longing and sorrow. After being away from each other for so long. Being able to communicate but knowing they will never be together again.
Two broken halves now whole.
