Wolves of the Falling Stars Book 4: The Return

Chapter 38

Golden Flower thought it would have been a beautiful evening if it were not for the fact that tensions were high among the pack. Looking up at the sky, Golden Flower saw that the moon was nearly fully rounded. If Flint kept his word, that meant the battle would be occurring any day.

"Don't worry," someone said next to Golden Flower. She glanced to her side, seeing her mother walking up towards her. "This is an evening of celebration. Today you get to become a full member of the pack."

Golden Flower smiled weakly. "Thanks." She wished she could be more enthusiastic. This had been her dream come true, and yet, she couldn't help but wonder if she'd live to see a few more days beyond this evening.

"Your brothers are jealous that they still have more training to go," her mother explained.

"I'm not particularly happy about the reason I'm becoming an official member before them," Golden Flower admitted. Though she and her mother had had this discussion before, sometimes, especially on nights like these, Golden Flower was still filled with immense guilt for abandoning her family.

"It's all in the past. We're reunited now. Now go on," she said, nudging Golden Flower forward with her snout, even though Golden Flower far outsized her mother at this point. "Everyone's waiting for you."

Golden Flower met the alphas on the large boulder near the edge of the dens. They greeted their granddaughter happily, a sight Golden Flower wouldn't have expected only a little while ago. As the wolves gathered below, Golden Flower sought familiar faces. Her parents, her brothers, Copper Rock, and Stormy Sky, whose punishment had ended a few days earlier.

"Today, we celebrate Golden Flower as an official member of the Pack of the Falling Stars," Raven's Wing announced.

"She has proven herself worthy as a strong and capable member of this pack," Maple Leaf continued.

From there, Golden Flower took a few oaths to protect the pack and listened as howls rang into the night sky. For a moment, her worries disappeared, and she felt filled with joy. She was even happier to see her parents smiling up at her, as she had never imagined them being present for this moment. She only hoped that soon, with the help of Copper Rock, Feather Wings, and the others, there might be no more biases in the pack.

As the howls quieted down, the alphas continued to speak.

"This is a good moment to remind everyone that we must be hypervigilant. The battle could occur at any time now. We'll be sending out extra patrols around the forest for any signs of them," Maple Leaf explained.

With those words, the ceremony ended, and the crowds began to disperse. Golden Flower met her parents and brothers first, where her mother and father showered her in affectionate licks and nuzzles.

"We're so proud of you," her father said.

Golden Flower smiled up at him and her mother. "Thanks. I love you both."

"You'll have to teach us how to become official members faster," Black Berry said.

Golden Flower giggled. "I'll try my best, but I doubt you two will be as skilled as me," she teased.

"Sorry to interrupt," Copper Rock said, pushing his way into their circle.

"Thank you so much for teaching her," Hazel Branch said to her brother. "I really owe a lot to you. You kept her safe."

"Yes, thanks so much," Golden Flower said. "Your teachings won't go to waste, I promise."

"I'm not worried," Copper Rock said. 

As Copper Rock and Hazel Branch continued to chat, Golden Flower quietly dispersed from her family when she noticed Stormy Sky standing in the distance, awkwardly lingering.