Blood Floweret

« Chapter Thirty-Three »

Eventually, everyone settled down. 

She followed people back into the Alpha's house and her eyes were constantly scanning for Cassius. She wondered where he had gone and what he was up to with Reeve. Quite possibly, they were chasing each other through the woods. She settled down in the living room with some of the other women and the children. 

Andy instantly ran over and cuddled against her side when she sat down in one of the armchairs. She chuckled, the chair was hardly big enough for the two of them, but she tucked an arm around him so he didn't fall. 

"How do you like everyone?" She asked. 

Andy yawned, "They're nice." 

She chuckled, "It's been quite a day, huh?" Andy nodded against her and she looked out the window, it was only just noon or after. 

There was a flurry of conversations happening all through-out the house and she couldn't focus on a single one, so she just enjoyed the murmur of voices that merged into one giant feeling. After some time, Reeve appeared in the doorway. She was expecting Cassius to turn up but she figured when she heard slamming doors that he was already preoccupied. 

"Would you like to go on a run?" Reeve asked. 

She thought about it and then nodded, "Yeah, that would be wonderful!" She gently stood up with Andy in her arms and Tina rushed over to take him, she smiled at Tina, "Thank you." 

Tina smiled back, "No problem." Andy was out cold, exhausted already, and she gently kissed his forehead before heading out the back door with Reeve. 

She watched in awe as Reeve shifted into an incredibly athletic, sleek wolf. She admired the gleaming silver fur and accenting shadows that decorated Reeve's fur. She was shaken from her thoughts when Reeve yipped and then she shifted as well. Her wolf was not the sleekest but they carried their own beauty. 

Reeve nodded, warmth in her eyes, and then they took off. She had no idea where they were going but the idea of running with the First Alpha Female was positively exhilarating. She never would have dreamed of being able to do this. It would have been a ridiculous thought only weeks ago. She had come so far and she had met so many amazing people. She really couldn't explain it all, she just felt it all within her heart. 

She kept pace with Reeve as they flew through the forest, dodging tree trunks and soaring over debris scattered across the forest floor. She pushed herself, adrenaline flooding her entire body, and Reeve gave her a wolfish grin--almost in admiration. She didn't realize that not many wolves could keep pace with Reeve. 

Eventually, when their sides were heaving, they slowed to a gentle lope and Reeve took the lead. She followed without a second thought. They descended down a little slope and she could hear the gentle rush of water from a river. Reeve slowed as they approached the bank and then they stopped, side by side. 

She looked at the tombstones that rested beneath the giant oak tree. She remembered Cassius telling her of this place and that Reeve visited it every year around the same time to pay her respects. She tilted her head towards Reeve and Reeve was looking at the tombstones with an unreadable expression. 

Then, Reeve was shifting. She didn't mind the nakedness, it was part of their culture, and she shifted as well. For a moment, neither of them said anything, and then Reeve moved to the first tombstone. 

"These are my fallen brothers," Reeve explained, "They fought bravely in the war and they died for a greater purpose. We are building the home they always wanted." 

She listened with all her heart as Reeve explained the backstory of Aloysius and Radburn. She learned each of their names and the roles they played in Reeve's life. Her heart ached for Leon. She wished Leo and Leon had been able to meet, that would have been legendary, but she didn't dwell on the past. All things happen for a reason.