The pack waited for the alphas and lunas to react to the new pack name. Katia was the first to react. She jumped to her feet and made her way to Vine. Once she was before him, Katia took his hand and reassured him, "Vine, you did well speaking for your pack. You will be a wonderful leader when you are older. As for the new pack name... I love it!" Katia returned to Nathan's side, and the rest of the council stood next to her.
"Everyone needs to grab a glass filled with champagne except the children. Please make sure they have grape juice. I would like not to be known as the alpha who gave alcohol to the children of his pack," Nathan said. While waiting for everyone to have a glass, Mark addressed the teens, "To our teenage community, no sneaking a sip of champagne when the adults aren't paying attention." Groans came from a group of teens playing a card game at a table.
When Nathan was sure everyone had a drink, he raised his to the pack, and they followed suit, raising theirs to the council. Talon tugged at Mark's hand and pointed to a toddler raising his sippy cup. The two other couples saw the pup and smiled. It was the most adorable and reassuring thing to see. A toddler showing solidarity with her pack before she even knows what it is lets them know they are on the right path. Clearing his throat, Nathan's voice booms across the gathering, "A toast to the Night Whispers pack. May we bring a safe haven to all in need." Everyone downed their drink, including the she-pup. She was adorable, clapping her hands and trying to howl with her pack.
Lorn's parents had come through the group and were standing next to the pup; she did not seem to have anyone looking after her. Mama asked the little one where her parents were, and the pup began to cry. Lorn's mom picked the girl up while Yanylla rubbed the child's back, using her magic to calm her. A young girl with pink hair and big brown eyes came running over to them. "I'm sorry, Luna. I had to go to the bathroom, and my sister ran out the door. She is fascinated by the big fire."
"Where are your parents, young wolf?" Yanylla asked.
The girl lowered her head, but not before the two women could see the tears that came to her eyes. She whispered as her chin quivered, "They were killed by rogues when Kayla was six months old, ma'am."
Shocked by the girl's answer, Mama asked, " How old are you, sweetie, and what is your name?"
"I am 15, and my name is Karla, ma'am." The pink-haired teenager answered with a tear running down her cheek.
Karla quietly asked while she stood shivering from fear. "Mama and Miss Fairy, will you take Kayla away from me now?"
Yanylla understood the girl's fear. She had lost her parents and was terrified someone would take the pup from her. She had survived a year and a half with her baby sister to care for. What an amazing young girl. The little one had quieted in Mina's arms, so she rubbed Karla's back and let her magic calm the girl. She and Mina went back and forth with what they wanted to do. "Do you think Cade will be okay with the idea?" Yanylla asked her friend. She continued, "I don't want to split them apart, but I would very much like to be their new mother, and we could live with you. You could help raise them, too."
Cade walked to stand behind Mina and stroked the little girl's head. She had laid her head on Mina's shoulder and was falling asleep. Karla noticed and quickly started to reach for her sister. Mina immediately handed the pup to her big sister and smiled, "Karla, would you and Kayla like to have a sleepover at our place tonight?"
The young girl's eyes were as big as saucers, and she looked like she thought she was hearing things. Cade said, "Sweet Karla, we know you can care for your sister, but who cares for you? We have an extra room, and you two young ladies can sleep there tonight."
Karla didn't know what to think, but she really would like some help from Kayla regarding a change. She was so tired and needed sleep badly, but when Kayla slept, she could clean, do laundry, make the meals for the next day, and practice her warrior training. Shyly, she asked them, "We can leave whenever we want?"
Mina answered, "Of course sweety. We would never make you two stay if you were unhappy or felt some other way."
Karla gave them a small smile and agreed to stay the night. She followed the three grown-ups to the pack house and up to the beta floor. Were they beta wolves? Wow, they wanted her and Kayla to stay the night with them. Holy goddess, their suite was huge. There were six bedrooms, a family area, a full kitchen, and two bathrooms. The rooms were all done in a mint green, rose, and black accent theme. The furniture was a mixture of wolf and fey decorations. Karla couldn't help but stare when she saw that each room had a small bathroom with a sink, toilet, and tub/shower combination. Kayla fell asleep on her shoulder, hoping they would tell her where to lie down soon. The little stinker was getting heavy.
Yanylla could see the distress in the young girl's eyes and felt for her. The poor thing was trying so hard to be strong for her little sister, she was exhausted and needed to be a kid herself and have fun. Why don't we show you where you will sleep, and you can lay the pup down? Karla nodded her head and followed behind the fey. They took her to a gigantic bedroom with the most beautiful shade of purple she had ever seen. The walls looked like a forest in the darkest part. It was very calming and welcoming.
Mina informed them that Yanylla and her magic had ensured that everything they needed was in this room or bathroom. Cade whispered so he wouldn't wake the younger girl, "Why don't you take a nap, and when you wake, we can discuss things further. Sound good?"
Karla nodded her head and climbed into the bed. She sat on the side, removed her shoes, and laid down. She was asleep immediately. Yanylla whispered, "Poor girl. She has been so strong all by herself while caring for an infant and then a toddler. Not many young ones could do what this one has for a year and a half."
They went to the family area after Mina had tucked them both in. Cade had linked Lorn to tell him it looked as if he was getting two more sisters. His son just laughed and said he had figured that was the case when he had seen the faces of his mother and Yanylla as they took the two girls to the packhouse. He then asked if they could eventually find a brother for him, to which his father replied, "Be careful what you ask for."
Lorn was still sitting with some of the pack, his fellow alphas, and lunas. He told them about what was happening with his parents and the children. Katia was unsurprised, and the others wanted to know what he thought Lorna would say. Lorn was conversing with his sister, the angel, and she was ecstatic for their mother. She knew that she could not spend much time with her mother because she was an angel, and they had their assignments. They sat for a bit, listening to the different stories going on. Finally, Nathan and Katia announced it was time for the younger wolves to go home, and the rest of the evening was spent writing the pack's laws and history.
As the night went on, the alphas, lunas, and pack members seemed tired. They were all yawning and having trouble keeping themselves awake. The meeting ended, and everyone headed back to their living spaces to ride out whatever this was. Nathan barely made it to the cabin and into their room. He had laid Katia down and covered her up, already sleeping. Nathan collapsed next to his mate, and while pulling her against his chest, he fell asleep. Mark, Talon, Lorn, and Selene all had the same thing happen to them. The three alphas and their lunas were moved to the same room as the two pups. It was easier to keep track of all of them. Gaia was standing in the room watching her granddaughters, mates, and friends; she knew these three couples could lead a new generation and species of wolves. It was time she had conversations with certain supernaturals that were not part of the wolf population. She was curious to hear the answers to the questions she had. Uranus, you were such a fool. Not once did you see worth in anyone but yourself. Look how that ended for you. I am glad you cannot hurt anyone else. However, I can feel you everywhere and wonder if you could have been saved if I had more time. I doubt it, but we will never know. This world and others will flourish without you, so be safe for a change.
Gaia pushed everyone to fall into a deep sleep and ensured the alphas were as deep asleep as anyone could be. As she let herself out the door, she turned the key to the lock from the outside, and the goddess felt what had just been seen. She was monitoring every wolf she knew of.
Gaia was in the common room. She had made herself some coffee and was waiting for her first appointment. She felt this would be disgusting and wished not everything was bad in this world. Now, everyone was asleep. It is time for the fun to begin.