Bones and Arrows

Chapter One

   Their stares Pierce holes into my skin. This has been my life since I was young. Pack members stared at me for various reasons, never one to justify the frequency of it. Most of the time I feel like an animal in a zoo exhibit. I mean, come on, most of these people have known me for my whole life and they still judge me and treat me like an extraterrestrial. Momma says it's because people can be ignorant and rude. She says that nothing is wrong with me and I need to ignore them. My Papa says to yell or make faces so they leave me alone, but he laughs after so I think that's a joke. I honestly have no clue, but I don't just in case.

   Entering the town square is always anxiety-inducing, but I need more journals and paint. I asked Momma and Pollux to come in my place, but they said I needed to face the world head-on. They won't always be able to be there to take me places, so I need to learn. A man glances at me warily as he passes me. You have a couple of meltdowns in the craft store and now you're a hazard. As I walk through the threshold of Andy's Craft Emporium, I make my way to the paint section hastily. I need to make this a quick trip so I can go home and help Papa with the garden. It's my favorite chore, Papa taught me how to grow plants as a child and now it's a chore we tandem. That's our bonding time, we talk about a lot during that time.

"Lotus, long time no see! How's your Momma?" I turn to see Mrs. Rivers smiling at me. She's an elder lady who lives on the land across from our farm. She lives there with her husband, and she and Momma have been friends since Momma was a child.

"Hi! She is well, she's prepping for the flower shop's restock this week." I respond. Mrs. and Mr. Rivers have always been nice to me. I remember she baked cupcakes with me one Saturday when I was in High School. We had hoped people would be interested in being friends with me, but all they wanted were the cupcakes. Either way, she has always been the grandmother I don't have on my Momma's side. Momma's mom, Nana, died of heartbreak when my Pop Pop died. I was two at the time, so I don't remember much of them.

"Awe, that sounds wonderful, you tell her I said to ask for help if she needs it. I get bored in that house with William all day." She chuckles. I laugh softly and nod before continuing my mission.

I am in and out within twenty minutes, just under my goal. Putting my bag down, I shift into my wolf and pick the bags up with my mouth. I prefer to travel this way because it's super convenient. I honestly say in my wolf form for most of the day unless there's a reason I can't.

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"Lolo, are you home?" Papa calls out as I close the front door. I kick off my Converse and put my jacket away before shouting back.

"Oh baby, how was it? Did you get all your paints? Did I give you enough?" he fusses as he walks over to me from the kitchen.

"Yes Papa, it was fine. I saw Mrs. Rivers at the craft store. She asked about momma." I hug him and he returns the embrace, rubbing my back. I sigh and snuggle closer.

My parents have always been amazing. Throughout my life, they have always had my back and protected me while encouraging me to expand my horizons. I feel incredibly grateful to have them.

"Is she well? After chores, we'll pop over there and bring some fresh fruit and veggies from the garden."

He then leads me to the garden and we get started with the flowers first. They are our money crop. The busy season is right around the corner and we have to be ready for the restock of all of our top sellers.

"So the Mating Gala is coming up, Lolo. Your momma wanted to say something but I thought it best to speak about it while doing your favorite chore. You're twenty-one, and this is the first of your lifetime that you're allowed to participate. How do you feel?" he relays this information in a calculated manner. Like how you would coax a scared animal out of its hiding spot. He knows I font like crowds or new people.

The Mating Gala is where you go to find your mate. The main building is neutralized so you can't smell your mate until the chase. The chase is when we all congregate outside near the forest. One-half of the mates run and hide.

They give you ten minutes and no one is allowed to shift. Human side only. Then the other half seeks their mate out purely through scent and tracking instinct. It's a primal ritual dating back to our origin.

Children are not allowed. Eighteen and up are the only ones you get in the land. You can take friends and family. It also serves as a networking and family reunion event. I have never wanted to go.

"I don't know Papa. What if they make fun of me or my mate doesn't want me? I doubt the Moon Goddess would give someone a mate like me." I pull a weed out of the planter and Papa rubs my back.

"Anyone would be lucky to have you as a mate Lotus. You are loving, funny, creative, nurturing, brave, and so much more. The Moon Goddess would only give you a mate that is worthy my darling girl." he takes the small shovel from me and places it on the dirt before embracing me.

"You have to say that, you're my dad."

"Nope, I'd tell you if you weren't the best you could be and I'd help you become it." he kisses my forehead and squeezes me.

"Can my friends come over tomorrow? After classes?" Lola, Titus, Oscar, and Jolie are the friends I met when my art course started. 

When everyone shut me out, they welcomed me into their group with open arms. They researched and accommodated me where I needed it. They got to know me and love me for me.

"Yes, but they must stay for dinner. Momma is making your favorite. Honey glazed Samon linguine alfredo with chocolate mousse cake for dessert." Momma and Papa are very into hosting people. Momma loves cooking for others and Papa is very into having dinner parties. She cooks and he decorates.

"Awesome, I mentioned it last week but didn't know she was listening." he frowns in confusion.

"Why did you think she wasn't listening Lolo?"

"She was cooking and watching YouTube." I shrug.

"My darling girl, we are always listening to our pups. One day you'll understand what that means, but wolves are always listening for their pups. Your momma's wolf is always fussing about the five of you." he smiles fondly while mentioning her.

Papa and Momma have told so many stories about when they were younger. Running and playing. Spending nights in the woods in wolf form. Letting their wolves take over and watching them bond. It was always so enchanting to hear them and I would go to sleep praying to the Moon goddess for a mate like that.

"My love, my darling girl, dinner is on the table!" momma hollers from the back door.

"Let's hurry before your brothers eat everything." he stands and wipes his hands with a towel. We race into the kitchen from the back door and sit in our spots. 

"Lotus, how were the shops? Did you get everything you need?" momma squeezes my hand and smiles softly. I'm starting a new project for the pack's gallery. I have an idea of what I want, I just don't know how to go about it.

"Yup, Mrs. Rivers asked about you. Papa and I are going over after dinner to bring them food." she runs a hand through my hair and kisses my cheek.

"I'll come with you. After that, it's time to sleep. We have a busy day tomorrow. Are you staying on campus after classes or am I picking you up at three?"

"I'm going to the library after classes with the girls and then the fair with everyone. I'll be home by eleven because I'm having dinner there." The Seasonal fairs are my favorite part of our pack. We have a fair to welcome in each season. I'm going to the Spring Fair.

"That'll be fun! Wear running shoes so your feet won't hurt." Papa advises. The rest of dinner passes with comfortable silence and the sound of clanking cutlery.
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"Thank you for the food my darlings. You've made a couple of old farts very happy." Mr. Rivers chuckles as Mrs. Rivers slaps him on the chest lightly.

"I am not old. Don't mind him, he's delirious from his medication."

"I am not delirious. I'm just kidding baby, you age like fine wine." he kisses her temple. They've been married for 50 years. Seeing so many mates work out makes me hopeful about my first gala. I don't want to go, but my curiosity is vesting down my stubborn nature.