The pack slept. It was eerily quiet across the pack lands. The witches had cast a protection spell that hid the lands and protected the pack while their evolution took place. Anyone who would stumble onto the land or be out looking for them would become confused and turn around. If that did not work, the gods would help the intruder move on in other ways. Everyone worked in shifts to protect these wolves and the process they endured in their sleep. Bob was walking through the gardens; they reminded him of his mother's garden when he was a little boy. His mother could grow anything, and she grew the most beautiful flowers. But her beauty outshined anything she could produce. It was his mother's beauty that drew the one that killed her and created him. Shaking his head, he let go of the memory as quickly as it entered his mind. That was for another day, not for a day like this. Where the peace intermixed with the magic of Mother Earth and her creations. Walking along the paths that intertwined with the pack lands, he noticed the half-finished structures and the half-tilled farmland. He made a mental note to discuss with the others a plan to finish the work the wolves had begun. They would still need buildings, food, and everything else necessary to support them.
Gaia kept speaking of all those sleeping and going through this change and was carefully watched for anything that would signal their bodies were not adapting to whatever was happening inside them. A little further along the path leading into the woods, Bob saw Hyperion headed toward him. Hyperion was a colossal god. He was almost as tall as some of the young trees in the forest. His arms and leg muscles were as vast and round as a young tree's trunk. He could make himself what he referred to as wolfling size when needed. He was a very magnetic and good-looking man. He had wavy dark hair that was tied back most of the time. Dark purple eyes and lips that looked to belong on a woman. He was just too pretty for his own good. Luckily, he was mated to Theia, who was even better-looking than him. His mate's looks were a combination of his twin daughter's features. When the girls were together, which was almost always, they were Yeng and Yang, dark and light. One twin was the mother's dark side in looks, and the other was the mother's light side. It was an incredible sight to see. Especially when the mother and both daughters were together, and you could see her combined look of separation from each girl.
The dark daughter is the one that Bob felt drawn to. She was not evil and did not have a dark soul. She was the dark daughter because she had black hair, Dark purple eyes, and sunkissed skin. Her twin had the same facial features, but her hair was white as snow, and her skin was porcelain. He had the same dark purple eyes and shared the same small stature. They both had sweet dispositions; however, Bob noticed they did not know how to behave socially. Bob had heard parts of their story, and from what he heard, both girls had suffered severe trauma. The dark one seemed to have recently dealt with another about of trauma. Yet there was something about her that drew other trauma victims to her. She was balm for one soul. She emitted an aura of warmth and empathy that wrapped around you and made you feel safe and loved. Bob did not think she realized what she was doing. He had heard that both twins could be immature and bratty, especially when defending one another. He had not witnessed any of that but knew from his long existence that most did not understand trauma behavior or the need for siblings to protect and defend each other. As Hyperion came closer, Bob saw the worry in his eyes.
"The pack lands are quiet, as are the packhouses. I still fear an enemy will break through the spell and invade while they are at their most defenseless." Hyperion confided.
Bob bared his neck, showing the god respect like he witnessed the wolves do with their alphas and lunas. He reminded Hyperion, "They are not defenseless. They have us and those who watch over them."
The god stared at the vampire momentarily before acknowledging, "You are right; they have us and the others. I think starting tomorrow, we should split into four groups. One group will watch over the sleeping wolves, the second will patrol the lands, the third will work on the interrupted rebuilding, and the fourth will sleep. We will rotate each evening and morning so no one gets too lax in their actions."
Bob nodded his agreement and asked, "Will you inform the others, or would you like me to announce the afternoon meeting?"
Hyperion said, "It's already done."
"Sir, when the Alpha Luna awakens, she will form a blood bond with me and say I may communicate as you all do?" Bob asked carefully.
Smiling, Hyperion answered, " I forgot you cannot communicate like that unless you exchange blood with someone. I do not see why she would not do so. She has done it many times for others. If she had known you could not communicate with everyone using a bond, she would have offered to do a blood bond with you."
Bob had heard how Alpha Luna's throat was damaged during a fight with an Alpha when she was younger. He did not know the whole story and was uncomfortable asking about it. He had heard that both goddesses had horrible scarring on their bodies. The Alpha Luna had terrible scars on her face, but she was still beautiful, and her mate saw only her beauty. Bob hoped that is what it would be like for him and his mate. He did not want to dwell on that for now. He was afraid something would go wrong and would not get his dream. What if the one that made him found him? He would take him from here and make him pay for what he had done to avenge his mother.
'Hyperion, how long do you think the wolves will sleep?" Bob inquired.
"Mother says for as long as they need. Whatever that means. Are you that anxious to have my daughter hounding you to change your name to something more sinister than Bob?" The god teased.
Bob chuckled, "The funny thing is that if Luna Katia asked me my full name, she might find it more to her liking."
"Why have you not simply to her?" Her father wanted to know.
"Because I enjoy her happiness when she pesters me about my name and how drool it is for a vampire," Bob confessed. He continued, "I know many get irritated by the twin's childish ways, but I understand the reason behind the behaviors."
"Bob, you fit perfectly with this pack and a good Beta. If your maker does ever find you, we will all be here to take care of him." Hyperion reassured him. "Now, my young vamp, I am starved. Let's see what has been prepared for lunch."
"I'm not a Beta, sir." Bob reminded the god. He was confused when the hierarchy talk occurred a few nights ago.
Smacking Bob on the back, the god laughed, "Whoops, I guess I let the cat out of the bag. Do me a favor and act surprised when they tell you." Hyperion whispered the last part. Bob understood why when he saw Theia, his mate, walking toward them.
"All is well, my husband?" She questioned while giving him a kiss and hug. Theia turned to Bob next and hugged him also.
"All is quiet, my love. And how are all of our sleeping beauties?" Hyperion inquired.
Leading them to a seat at the outdoor table, she told them, "They all sleep. No one has had any adverse reactions to whatever mother is doing to them."
Bob still thought it strange to hear them both call Gaia mother since they were mates. Alpha Nathan explained that the gods' ways were much different. Cronos sat beside Theia, asking, "How long will they be like this?"
Gaia appeared across from them, "They will be like this until all that needs to be done is done. Fulfilling a prophecy takes time, and it cannot be rushed."
'You have done this before, mother?" Cronos asked sarcastically.
"What does it matter if I have or not?" She glared at her eldest son.
"It would help to know that you know what you are doing. Remember, not only these wolves, who are near and dear to the twins, but they and their cousins are part of what is happening," he told his mother.
"I know my granddaughters and my grandson, not to mention my great-grandson, sleep and are defenseless. This must happen to save Selene and Katia's creatures they love so much. These wolves are their family and are now more a part of this world than ours. Neither will forget their goddess duties, but they will be here more than in the other realm. It is right and after what they have given up and been through. They deserve this happiness and to continue to create life." She scolded her son.
Hyperion spoke next, "Mother, we know you love them. We are worried for our children, though. We do not know what they are going through. Can they feel anything? Are they in darkness?"
Sighing, Gaia explained, "They have no idea they are sleeping. They all think they are living their lives. In their minds, they are going about their daily routines. When and if the need arises, I will push them into a dreamless sleep until the evolution is complete."
Crius, who had joined them a few moments ago, interrupted her explanation: "I have just left the observation room, and they all seem peaceful. The mated ones are holding onto each other now, but I don't think it is more than their need for touch."
Gaia clapped her hands and instructed, "Now it is time for the rotation and shift change. We go about keeping them safe and moving their plans forward. They sleep."