Those In The Forest

Part 67: Celia

The vibes today were a little strange. While all the packs acted normal and accordingly, I could not shake the feeling that today was just an off day. I've only ever felt like this once during a full moon, and it was both the worst and best day of my life. Well, I should probably say days.

          Karina shot me a smile. She was having a conversation with the Elders of the Galen pack about Reagan. Everyone here seemed to really like her. Her being human didn't seem to bother them. The only thing that did bother them was the fact that my Runts were in an unusual mating.

          "Where is Reagan? She's been gone much longer than the first time she went to the bathroom." Karina asked through our bond.

          Frowning, I carefully glanced around the sea of werewolves conversing among themselves. Karina was right. She should be back by now.

          Quickly, I looked at my Runts, who were worriedly looking around.

          Fuck! They must realize it's been too long, too. Karina and I need to act quickly before they make a scene.

          Lennox and Avah were at the food tables, peering over at me, when they realized something was off with the Runts.

          Karina dismissed herself from her conversation with the Galen Elders and approached me. "I'll go and have a look. Stay he-" Karina stared through our bond but was cut short.

          My Runts, Lennox and Avah rushed over to us. The Runts had panicked looks on their faces. "Reagan isn't back yet!" Hazel whispered harshly to us.

          They were panting.

          That's not good.

          Karina held her hand out. "We know. I'm going to have a look. See what's going on." my mate tried to de-escalate the situation. "Stay here. And stay calm. You getting worked up could spook the other packs and create an entire mess that we Elders and Alphas really don't want to deal with. Do you understand?"

          Karina raised a brow at them, awaiting their response. Her sternness always made our Runts stay in place, even when they wanted to rebel.

          They all swallowed and looked between her and me. I could see in their eyes that they wanted to go against what she said, but they knew she was right.

          "Do you understand?" I reiterated the question.

          Snuffing, they all gave us a stiff nod.

          Karina nodded back. "Good. I'll be back." Karina leaned down and kissed the top of my head. "I'll inform you on what I see through the bond," she said softly just for me. Giving a knowing look at our Alphas, she walked off.

          We all watched as she walked away toward the direction Reagan went off to.

          The runts looked after her, their ears twitching, no doubt listening out for her. "She isn't responding to us," Rose said finally.

          Her mates looked at her like she had said something she wasn't supposed to. Glaring at them, I grit my teeth.

          Avah frowned. "What do you mean?"

           Ivy closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "That's why we rushed over here. We called out to her through the bond a minute ago, and she didn't respond. We figured she was just playing some game with us like usual like she wanted us to come after her, but she usually laughed through the bond if that was the case. There's nothing, though, just...silence." Ivy gulped.