Stronger As One

Home Sweet Home

The drive was long and we frequently switched places driving so the others can get some rest. We took multiple stops for food and to use the restroom but thankfully we were very close to our destination. My eyes scanned the environment as we continued to drive.
Wait.
There's no snow? I leaned my head against the window and watched the green grass and trees quickly pass by. There wasn't a patch of white.
I felt panic slowly rise within and my wolf began pacing. We need our snow.. its winter right now. Why? What!?
I looked up and met Jasons eyes from the rear view mirror. His expression was of concern. I turned my eyes away and focused on the floor of the van. I guess we are heading further south and losing my favorite weather.
You okay? Jasons voice was soft. I met his eyes once more.
There's no snow.
His expression shifted to one of sorrow before his eyes went back to the road. He pulled up his phone and began making a call. Slowly the environment shifted and we were driving past different homes. This must be the already renovated part of the town.
We turned down a road and drove past empty buildings and houses. Some of the homes had people slowly unpacking and bringing in furniture.

"This place was a dead part of the town here, and no one wanted to purchase it or renovate it so we took on the chance. With the new pack members we need a bigger income and having shops like these will allow other folks to come by as well. We will have to be much more careful around here with how we handle things. Thankfully we have trees surrounding us on nearly all sides so we have space for patrolling and being wolves." Jasons voice was relaxed as we drove slowly through the town.

Wolves and humans have never really had any problems anymore since we have become much more prevalent, but we still have to stay cautious in order to ensure the trust never wavers.

We began pulling into a rounded drive way before a massive home. It was two stories through a majority of the place with an occasional third floor room. A large porch wrapped around the front and vanished to the side. Many people were coming in and out of the front double doors carrying boxes and other odds and ends.

"This is the pack house. We had it built overlooking the shops for safety reasons." He parked behind a black sedan. "Let's go see what the plan is before we start unpacking."

Juliet all but bursted out of the car and threw her hands up. "Finally free of that confined metal machine!" I chuckled slightly at her antics.

"It wasn't that bad.." I rolled my eyes.

"Yes it was!" She exclaimed as we began walking up the porch steps.

"So glad you guys have finally arrived!" The luna stood in the doorway with her hands on her hips. She wore a soft smile as she walked toward us.

"Juliet your room is on the second floor, third door to the right. Dustin and Jason, you guys are second floor fourth door to the left. Go ahead and bring in your belongings. We already have this place furnished!" She gave my shoulder a gentle squeeze before heading off to help a neighboring house.

"Well, lets get going then!" Jason said as we all turned back and began grabbing our boxes. I was the first one to enter the new home and see all that it entails. The front door led to a beautiful fayor with a staircase that wrapped up to the second floor. The kitchen was within view and sat toward the left behind the stairs and on the right was the living room. A hall led off to more areas of the home. I ascended the stairs feeling nervous about where we would be staying. Is it going to be a simple bed room..? Do we have a bathroom attached..?

I set the boxes down on the floor before pushing open the door. My breath got caught in my throat as I gazed at what was before me. It looked like a town house. There was a staircase that led up to a second floor, a kitchen to the right when you enter and a living area straight ahead. Glass double doors were open in the back and they led to a balcony overlooking the forest. A soft breeze blew through the room and chilled my skin ever so slightly. I picked up the boxes and set them on the counter before exploring more.

"Not bad, eh?" Jasons voice was slightly strained as he carried in a mound of boxes. He set them near the counter and walked toward me. He draped an arm across my shoulder and scanned the room.

I nodded before pulling away and heading onto the balcony. The tall trees kept many of their leaves, but they still held an orange color. My eyes dropped to the ground, my breathing quickened at the lack of snow beneath us.

My mothers soft voice echoed through the halls of our small Victorian house.

"Oh!! It's snowing!" She ran towards me and scooped me up. She carried me to a window and pointed out side.

I leaned forward and looked at the floating white things. Wait.. Not floating falling.. The small particles landed safely on the ground. I continued to watch as they fell, so fascinated by the Beauty of them. My mother looked at me and smiled.

"It's called snow"

I looked at her when she said the new word... " Sn..snow.." I studdered slightly.

She laughted at my speaking before carrying me out the door and into the cool air. I stared up at the sky as the snow fell on my face. I giggled at the cool feeling. My mother set me down on the ground. I immediatly picked up the snow and held it in my hand. A chill ran up my spine at the touch. I giggled more and watched as the snow slowly turned to water and dripped from my hand.

I picked up more snow only to notice my hands slowly disappear. I looked at my gone hand in horror as a white paw took its place. My mother gasp caused me to snap my head in her direction. Tears filled her eyes as she looked at my changing form. My mouth started to stretch and I looked cross eyed at it. My mother laughed at my weird expression, the tears finally falling.

"Whats wrong mo-" My words where changed with a weird noise. I stood up but I wasnt on two legs.. I was on four. I looked down at myself and saw a white dog body. I stared at my mom in confusion.

"You're a werewolf baby.."

I smiled faintly at the found memory. I had never known of what I truly was until that moment. I was always confused why large dogs would sometimes appear at our home but I never questioned it.

I don't know what I'll do without the snow here.. its something I need. I could manage over summer and spring if I had my time during the winter with the snow... but if it doesn't do that here then I don't know what I'll do.

"It'll be okay." Jason leaned against the railing, his eyes on mine. "We have something in the works for you, curtesy of the Alpha. He has taken a very strong liking to you."

I looked away from him.

"Wanna go for a run?" He asked.

I nodded before heading back inside.

"I have something I want to show you. We can unpack later!"

I followed Jason the stairs and out the back door. The air was warmer than what I was used to and I didn't like it.

We both allowed our wolves to take over in preparation for the run. The damp earth felt weird beneath my paws and I dug at it slightly. I greatly missed the soft snow.

Jason barked toward me for bolting off into the trees, I quickly dug my heels in the ground and jumped forward, following behind. It felt good to stretch out legs after being confined to a car for hours on end. I was slowly beginning to relax as we continued running through the trees. We ran along side each other and enjoyed the silent company.

My ears perked forward as a foreign sound began over the sound of our paws. Rushing water..?

I looked to Jason and cocked my head. He simple barked back and ran faster.

We came into a small clearing with a large pond and a small river trailing out. At the head of the pond was a waterfall.

A waterfall!? My wolf and I both howled out in excitement before diving in.