The Twisted Links

Chapter 67

CHAPTER 67

Cub Creek Territory...

Asya sat in the armory checking and sharpening all the blades. She and Jackson had just finished setting traps for the enemy. It would take time for their comrades to cut them out and thus decrease their numbers and speed of attack allowing the pack time to pick them out. The Alphas sincerely hoped that it wouldn't come to a fight and that they would send someone in a more diplomatic manner allowing Tracy and Jonathan, Aurora's parents, time to return home.

No one held their breath and prepared themselves for a battle. Layla, her fox, suddenly started howling in a manner that Asya had never heard. It didn't sound alarming or as if she were in pain. Instead, it almost sounded like a song.

"Layla?" Asya called mentally but her fox didn't answer but continued to sing in solitude. Then Asya heard it there was an answering call followed by another just as magnificent. A multitude of quieter yet powerful howls joined in the song. She felt her fox smile.

"Layla? What's going on?" Asya tried again.

"The curse is been broken and though we've lost our memories, we're creating a new song and new memories. Old spirits are waiting to connect to the new generation. Children under the age of five are gaining their foxes. When they get older, they will find us."

"But what can we teach them?" Asya asked the weight of future expectations and past trauma combined with the lonely longing for her lost mate. "We can't even help ourselves."

"Do you remember, before we were taken, why you wanted to be a trainer?"

"I wanted to help. I saw ways to help others improve. I was a bit arrogant and thought that in some way I knew more than Carla or Jackson."

"Why?"

"Because Jackson and Carla were amazingly strong wolves. But they would never truly understand what it meant to be weak. I did and I learned to best way to find our strengths."

Layla nodded in Asya's mind. "Jackson may have given you a title but it didn't change who you already were. Though you've declined taking up the position since your return, you've still taken on the role. Your traps and tactics helped the others take down a demon warrior and that in itself is impressive. Don't worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow already has its own worries. Live for today and every day that follows."

Asya took a deep breath and allowed the tension to subside. A thought niggled in her brain. "Hey Layla when to the foxes answered why were there-"

The door to the armory opened and Laken Harrison walked in. He had just arrived at Cub Creek where preparations were in full swing. It was a mess when he left LaRosse. Gideon and Hezekiah were more than a little freaked out when they found out that their Beloveds were in danger. That problem was made worst by the realization that, like Jonathan or Tracy, neither could leave their current mission without suspicion and endangering the lives of everyone else. He understood that feeling all too well and the pain of losing one's Eternal One was crippling. Though his sanity and heart were mended by his two lovers and his daughter, losing Marta still left a hole that no other person could fill. A part of him will always be missing. "Hey Asya. I'm here to help you with the weapons."

"Sure, I was getting ready to check the bows and quivers next."

The two worked side by side to finish. It was late before the pair finally went to bed. Right before her head hit the pillow, Asya realized that she had never gotten an answer to her question from her fox. She was asleep before the pillow had a chance to be fully indented under the weight of her head.