Among The Wolves

Fitting

Seeing Ty'Bin leave brought about a sense of doom I've never experienced before. Once he was gone from my sight, I clutched my chest as my heart pounded painfully in protest. A minor buzz picked up in my veins, and my hands began shaking. Suddenly, things seemed horrifying, and I was terribly alone. As if I had been locked in a forgien cell all over again.

What is going on? My hand instinctively went over my beating heart. I have felt completely normal until now. Perhaps I am more changed than I realize? Why else are these emotions present? It has only been two days since my last shift, I really should not be experiencing this kind of buzzing yet. I moved my hand to the nape of my neck where the flesh was still quite tender. Did the marking do something that dramatic to me?

“Mommy?” A little hand touched mine, I turned to see Duo’Lae.

At first, I could not  speak, but I fought to form the words, “Yea, sweetie?”

“Are you okay? You look sad.”

Struggling to breathe in calmly, I knelt down and gave her a hug. “I think that I am just a bit sad to see your daddy go.”

“Well, don't worry. He goes on trips like this a lot. It is part of his duty in the pack. He will be back soon. He always comes back.”

I gave Duo’Lae a hug. “Thank you for encouraging me. What would I do without you?”

Duo’Lae smiled a toothy grin. “You would be sad all the time.”

I let out a dry chuckle, “Perhaps, now let's go back to the garden and see if they will let us help.”

Duo’Lae ran back, and I got back up. The pain was still present, if not more intense. I wiped my suddenly sweaty hands on my shirt and stumbled forward. Resisting the urge to run to the room and hide so I could get some relief. I wanted to see if hiding under the covers of the bed would make me feel safer, less like doomsday was upon me. Yet, I knew it would not help a bit.

Grateful for the girls being a good diraction I went about the day, even when I peered over my shoulders every few minutes.

At dinnertime, the tremors were worse. I had to set down my fork, my shaking had the utensil clanking loudly against the glassware. It would not have mattered as my lack of appetite would not have allowed me to eat much. I placed my clammy hands between my knees and just watched the girls jabber about why there was applesauce, tomato sauce, and blueberry sauce but not banana sauce.

I looked around the room at the many people eating and jabbering. Even though I felt so afraid, everyone seemed nonchalant. I rubbed my arms and thought of other things. There were still so many wolfbloods that I had to get to know. Most likely, there were still many positions that I had to understand. I know most Omegas did the recreational duties such as gardening, animal care, laundry, sewing, even setting up trades with other packs. Omicrons were a sort of messenger, and-

“May we sit with you?”

I turned my head and spotted Ty'Mee and her mom standing there.

I offered a small smile while gesturing to the available seats. “Please do.”

The two she-wolves sat across from us.
The grandma leaned toward me, she had grey hair but with the exception of looking more mature she and Ty'Mee were practically copies of each other, Rounded face partiality monolid eyes. Lips that naturally curved upwards. Although different from Ty'Mee, this woman did not give off a bubbly friendliness. It felt more to that of a wise owl, a gentle calmness. “I'm afraid that I have neglected a proper acquaintance until now. My name is Sho'Jy, Ty'Bin and Ty'Mee's mother."

This warmed my heart with hope. I had always assumed she wanted nothing to do with me. “I cannot tell you how happy I am to be able to meet you formally. I think you already know my name, but I am Vae'Lee.” I hesitated but continued, “I hope that I can learn to be a proper daughter-in-law.”