Wolves of the Falling Stars Book 4: The Return

Chapter 34

Golden Flower sat out in the sunlight with her mother as the sunrise flooded the sky in colors of pink and blue. Her father and brothers were off hunting, though Golden Flower supposed it was just an excuse for them to hang out together now that Black Berry and Rock Path were too busy training to spend much time with their family. It was strange for Golden Flower having them all back again, but she wouldn't trade it for the world.

"Are you okay? You've barely touched your rabbit," Hazel Branch said to her daughter.

"Oh. My stomach feels funny," Golden Flower said. Lately, when she spent time alone with her mother, she felt guilt building inside her. Sometimes she avoided her on purpose, solely because she couldn't stand the feeling. Her mother had already forgiven her, yet she still felt that she could barely look Hazel Branch in the eye.

"You should really eat," Hazel Branch said. 

"I am eating," Golden Flower argued. "Just not right now. You don't need to act so motherly, you know. I took care of myself just fine when you were gone."

She could hear her mother push down a growl. Golden Flower wasn't sure why she was still eager to fight with her mother. She wasn't, really. She just didn't know how else to push her away.

"Are we really going to keep doing this?" Hazel Branch asked.

"Do what?" Golden Flower asked.

"You acting like this. You're not a pup anymore, Golden Flower. You've gotten what you wanted. Why do you still act this way?" Hazel Branch asked.

"It's because I got what I wanted," Golden Flower murmured.

"What do you mean?" 

"Why are you still trying to mother me? I don't deserve it," Golden Flower said, purposely avoiding her mother's gaze.

"What are you talking about?" Hazel Branch asked, her tone becoming more serious.

"I-I hurt you and Dad really bad by faking my death. I don't know how you can forgive me. The guilt was tearing me apart before I came here, but it's even worse now that everyone is back. Why do you keep looking at me like I've done nothing wrong?" Golden Flower asked, tears stinging her eyes.

"Because you haven't done anything wrong," Hazel Branch said. "I'm sorry for bringing you up so strictly. I hope you understand why now."

"I do, but I still didn't deserve to act that way and--"

"Golden Flower, listen. I already have forgiven you. I forgave you as soon as I saw that you were alive when we returned to the pack. You've matured into such a wonderful young wolf. It hurts knowing I wasn't there to watch that transformation, but I still want to be a part of your life, and I hope you'll still want to be a part of the family," Hazel Branch said. "I love you."

Golden Flower was choking down sobs now. Her mother scooted forward and licked the center of her forehead, just as she had done when she was a pup, except Golden Flower was looking down at her mother now. Her mother was so much smaller than the other wolves. She wondered how she had so much bravery being that small.

"I love you too. Thank you," Golden Flower said.

"Now please eat some of that rabbit," said Hazel Branch.

Golden Flower chuckled and began to eat.

...

When she returned to the den, she was thankful to see Strong Boulder and his sister were out training. Mostly everyone was, but Copper Rock had been giving her a day or two off after her family had returned. He wanted her to be able to spend time with her family, and Golden Flower supposed he wanted to catch up with his sister as well. Stormy Sky sat alone inside the den, tossing a pebble against the wall with his paw.

"Hey!" Golden Flower said as she entered.

Stormy Sky jolted. "H-Hi! You're light on your feet."

"I've been told that a lot," she said with a giggle.

"Um, no training today?" Stormy Sky asked.

Golden Flower shook her head. "What about you?"

"No," he said. A pause settled between them.

"Um, how are you liking it here?" Golden Flower asked.

"It's nice. I mean, Strong Boulder drives me insane, but it's nice being able to train for real, and my father is here, and I know that makes my mother happy," he said. "I guess my parents weren't as lucky as yours."

"I guess we're both kind of the result of an illegal love, huh," Golden Flower thought.

"Yeah. I guess so," Stormy Sky thought.

"You shouldn't let Strong Boulder get to you. He has major daddy issues. I'm sure he's just jealous of you," Golden Flower told him.

"Oh. Yeah. I know. He just drives me up a wall. But brothers will fight, I guess," Stormy Sky said.

"Well, maybe not the same way you do. I don't fight with my brothers like that," Golden Flower said with a giggle.

"I heard that he was being rude to you again the other day. That it involved me."

"Oh? You heard about that?" Golden Flower asked.

"Yeah. Snow Fall was talking to me about it. I'm sorry if I did anything to make Strong Boulder upset with you," he said.

"Don't be. He was spewing nonsense," Golden Flower said. "He was upset I was talking to you or something. As if we're not allowed to make friends with each other. It was stupid."

"Yeah. Um, what were you talking to Quiet Ocean about the other day? I was coming back from training and saw you two talking," he said.

"Oh!" She wasn't sure why she hadn't thought of involving Stormy Sky in her plans earlier, but she'd been so busy catching up with family members that she had just never thought of it. "We're, uh, planning a revolution of sorts."

"A revolution?"

"Not really, but we're trying to bring about change in the pack. No more discrimination against dogs, and no more omegas," she said.

"For real? That's a big task," Stormy Sky said.

"Yeah, so that's why the more numbers, the better. Are you in?" she asked.

Stormy Sky barely seemed to hesitate before nodding.

"Good. It's good to know we're growing in number."

"We?"

"Me, Copper Rock, Feather Wings, Quiet Ocean, my family, and now you. The more pack members we can gather, the better chance we have at convincing the alphas to give our idea a chance. Thanks, Stormy Sky."

"No problem. I don't think my mom deserves to be an omega. I'd love to see her live alongside my father," he said.

"I hope that for you too," Golden Flower said. As she smiled at Stormy Sky, she suddenly felt confident about the future. The threat of war was frightening, but if they survived through all this, she had the feeling that there may be real change. She looked forward to when that day would come.