Stranger Yet

Chapter 19: It Isn't Always Instantaneous

Ayra sat in the overly plush accent chair beside the Luna of the Long Tail pack, staring down into the tan coffee she had been given. They had moved into the Presiding Luna's tea room to escape the stares of the other pack members. The Luna, who insisted Ayra should call her Marie, and drop formalities entirely (an exercise Marie described as a form of preparation for the rest of the pack, since her title would be stripped as soon Tiernan found his own Luna) was working hard to get to know Ayra.

"It's been so long, dear. Your mother and I had been so close. The day this pack lost her and the rest of your family was one of the worst days of my life... I had hoped, and so had your mother, that you and Meredith, bless her soul, would've grown up knowing me as your Auntie... But those days have long passed, haven't they? Well, I'm just so grateful to have you here. Grateful to have this opportunity to get to know you as the young woman you've become!" Luna Marie patted the hand Ayra had rested on the armrest.

Ayra smiled at the woman. She was a pleasant and warm sort of person, and no matter how uncomfortable it was to have someone she didn't remember tell her about the mother she also didn't remember, Ayra was grateful for the warmth, as well as the information. She was grateful to be absolutely certain of her own identity.  She was eager to hear more about her life before, even if it was uncomfortable, and she was glad to not be under the gazes of the others while she talked with Marie.

"So, this must all be a little overwhelming for you, isn't it?" Marie smiled apologetically at Ayra, while Ayra shook her head.

"No. I feel relieved, honestly."

Marie cocked her head at Ayra, expecting Ayra to explain.

"I've always wanted to know more about my blood relatives and the sort of lives they lead, and what lead to me being adopted by the family I have now. I'm relieved to finally have answers- sure answers."

"Yes, I imagine it would be a relief... Well, I'm more than happy to answer any questions you might have for me."

Ayra thought for a moment. She had had so many questions up until then, when she could finally get answers, and then, it was as though all of them had melted away. She wracked her brain. "Well... I would like to know my mother's name- I just cant remember... And I've also been wondering what kind of person she was."

Marie smiled sadly at Ayra. "Your mother's name was Clarissa and she was a brilliant woman. She had spunk- a fire raged inside of her unlike any I'd ever seen. So much passion... And love for you girls. Vince and you girls were her everything. She left her Coven for your father when she was only 18. It had shocked all of the members in her Coven, especially her mother. She'd avoided her werewolf side, refusing even to shift more than was absolutely necessary, up until she met him. She was a hybrid, and would've been raised in her father's pack, had he not died. You're grandmother, distraught and pregnant, ran to the only place she felt fully at home when he did pass, and your mother was born outside of the knowledge of his pack. But when Clari found your dad, she followed him here. It wasn't an easy decision... To leave the only home she'd ever known. But after she made the decision, she was all in." Marie's smiled broadened, and her eyes glazed over as she remembered her friend.

"Coven? Hybrid?"

"Ah, yes. I keep forgetting that you've been raised by humans. Sorry dear. You're mother was a witch. She was born into magick, and she lived her life full to the brim with it. She was also one of our kind. A hybrid- a mix of rich, raw magick, and the ability to shapeshift into a wolf. It happens from time to time, but it isn't particularly common."

"Oh, I see." Ayra couldn't think of anything else to say to that, and after a moment, Marie continued.

"You're mother was such a kind soul. I can't remember a time when Clari wasn't willing to help. If someone in the pack was in need, she was right there. When Vince and Clari decided to leave the pack house to live on their own, separate from the rest of us, we were all shocked. They were such an integral part of the pack house. I'm still not sure why they chose that path. But I suppose it doesn't really matter much now, does it? Sorry for rambling. I'm just so glad to get to talk about this all with you. Out of curiosity, have you displayed any signs of magic?" Ayra's brows furrowed and she shook her head. "Oh, well! No worries, dear- not all genes and gifts are passed along and that's not always a bad thing. So, Is there anything else you'd like to know, Heart?"