Over the next few weeks, preparations for a human Thanksgiving holiday were away. The kitchen was a non-stop activity of baking and prepping for the big meal. The entire haunted territory had been transformed into a harvest field with haystacks, dried cornstalks, pumpkins, squash, dried corn, and beautiful fall mums of all colors.
The houses, buildings, and the pack house were decorated with scarecrows, corn stalks, and mums. Katia, Dalia, Selene, and Theia oversaw everything. Much of Nathan’s time was monopolized by Katia’s father. He wanted to make sure Nathan understood the meaning of having a goddess for a mate. The dangers that accompany the gift of his daughter as Nathan’s mate. Hyperion also was helping Nathan to understand the level of gods and titans. Hyperion explains that his father, mother, and their cronies are primordial gods and the life giver to Hyperion, Theia and ten other elder titans. There are lower-level titans also. The titan Cronus is father to Zeus, with his mother being Rhea. Zeus and his father do not get along, but for now the common enemy is Uranus.
Nathan shakes his head and says, “I thought we had issues here in our realm. Wow! How do you even keep track of who is what and who is related to who in your world?”
Hyperion just grunts, “Our lines and intermingling are very convoluted, and I believe that is why Zeus loves humans so much. I think he sees a way to bring new blood to our kind. Theia and I believe that is why he gifted our daughters with the chance to live in the earth realm like normal werewolves. He is possibly forcing the gods to see they need to evolve. I don’t know though; I think we are a dying breed, especially the titans.”
Theia added harshly, “War, it is all we do. Fight with one another to prove who is strongest and can rule better. I understand why children of the gods would rather live here in this realm. They can be what they should have been. Themselves. They can be children, they can experience real emotions, and do not have to fear your mate will eat your children like Zeus’ father.”
Nathan saw his opening and took it by asking, “Why do all of you seem to behave like children here? Katia acts like an elementary-school aged child a lot and then suddenly is in goddess mode and making mature decisions. How do I deal with that and the effects of everything she has been through? Not just this life, but all the lives and deaths she remembers?”
Hyperion and Theia both sigh as the mother answers, “Son in law, you just let them be them. They will always be child like here. It is what draws those that bond with them. The innocence they did not lose, although they should have, after all, they have suffered.”
Hyperion spoke quietly, “Believe me boy, if Katia lost her innocence, you would not want to deal with what would be left behind. My mother is proof of that.”
He continues telling Nathan to just let Katia live. Let her have true experiences, she will make your life so much better in the long run. "Although I fuss and grumble at Theia for still acting like a child when we visit here, I am glad about it though. She carries it back to our realm, and it keeps us young.”
“I wouldn’t change my little mate for anything. She has brought so much joy and happiness to this pack in such a short time. I just wanted to understand her better by knowing more about her heritage and what her life was like living in the god realm.” Stated Nathan.
The three were called to help move tables around the fires for warmth during the feast. As they were setting up chairs and benches, Nathan heard one of the children ask if this was the meal that the grinch ate when his heart grew back. Katia’s response was just as enthusiastic as the child’s question, “Oh no! That was the Who’s Christmas Feast. Although I guess our feast is a lot like the Who’s holiday feast.”
Dalia joined in, “Yeah, except instead of Who’s we are werewolves. We must make up a different song.” She started humming the who's song while the little ones sang the grinch song. Once again, everyone was in high spirits. The woman leading the way. Hyperion gave a great laugh and smacked his son-in-law on the back saying, “See what I mean my boy?” No matter what, the women from my realm will always act as children when allowed. It is because in our realm there is so much fighting among all the entities that no one has time to just live life and have fun. Just look at my girls, barely young goddesses, and they have their own species to look after and guide. Plus, they have been fighting for their lives since birth against their own grandfather.”
Sometime during the conversation with his father-in-law, Nathan was lead to change into a suit and the women had changed into gowns. Katia insisted on everyone getting dressed up for the Snow Moon and Moon Touched packs first Thanksgiving meal. Each woman was wearing a gown that matched their personalities. Theia was wearing a gown that was made of the finest shimmering gold material. It sparkled and flowed around her, hugging her form. She still had the body of a young woman. She was tall, unlike her daughters, willowy with perky rounded breasts that resembled small melons. Her waist was that of a woman who had children rounded and soft but enticing. She had the greenest eyes Nathan had ever seen. It made Nathan wonder what Katia would liken them to. Next, Selene wore the same type of gown but hers was a shimmering silver resembling the moon. As with her mother, Selene’s gown showed her body to its best advantage. It made Nathan realize whoever Katia mates her sister to, he would be a lucky man. Nathan noticed Kelp ushering Dalia into his embrace and looking like he wanted to kill anyone, glancing Dalia’s way. Realizing why Nathan groaned. They had transformed his baby sister into a goddess in her own right. Her pale blond hair shimmered like the sun and her bright yellow dress was made of the same stuff the other women’s dresses were made of. Her tall thin frame moved gracefully next to her mate. She really did remind Nathan of the sun. Their parents would be so proud of the sweet, loving, and crazy woman she had become. Chuckling, Nathan linked Kelp, “There will be no living with your goddess now, Kelp. She will remind you every day that she is a goddess because those three standing there beaming at her deemed it.”
Kelp shook his head and smiled, “I can live with it if Dalia is happy. She was already my goddess. I think you need to pay attention to your own goddess and the wolves circling her in that dress she is wearing.”
Looking at where Selene, Theia, and Katia were standing next to the table and the young warriors staring at his mate with stars in their eyes, Nathan growled. Walking over to her, he removed his suit jacket and put it around Katia’s shimmering green dress. He knew immediately she was the forest the wolves ran free in. It was who she was. She was the forest and freedom. She was the mystery of what was hidden in the shadows of the lush greenery and trees. Her shining black hair and dark purple eyes were the darkness that hid the wolf when needed. Most of all, she was his, and he would love her for eternity. Nathan promised himself he would do as her parents advised and let her be herself and live. If he had his way, he would do the same for her sister Selene, until her mate is found, and then he would ensure that her mate did the same for her.
He noticed Katia staring at him and asked, “Like what you see mate?”
She whispered in the voice that just sounded sweet to him, “You are as magnificent as my father. Muscles all bulging in that shirt. It is a wonder the buttons are not popping. They are so tight across your pecks. I do believe, mate, it is indecent for a male to wear pants that are so tight you can see how round his butt cheeks are.” She laughed at his blush and stood on toes waiting for him to lean down, so she could kiss him.
After doing so, Nathan scooped her up and said, “Careful little one, or you will be my Thanksgiving meal, and you will miss out on this wonderful celebration you ladies have planned.”
Leaning against his chest as he carried her to a chair at the table and sat down, she whispered to him, “Oh my dear mate, I plan on being your dessert.”
Nathan wished the meal was over before it even began. He ended up happy he didn’t skip the dinner and just carried Katia up to their room. The food was the best he had yet. The woman and Maria, the kitchen mother, out did themselves. There was turkey, duck, chicken, pheasant, beef roast, pork roast, mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, sweet potatoes, any vegetable you could think of, stuffing of several kinds, cranberries and the sauce, gravies, and Nathan didn’t even want to think of all the different desserts. The two packs would eat off the leftovers for weeks. He was curious to see how many different recipes Maria invented to use up all the leftovers.
The adults laughed, joked, played games, and even danced once the music began. Dalia had arranged carriage rides around the forest perimeters. Kane and Kelp made sure extra warriors were on guard duty for this activity. The children loved the carriage rides. Katia also arranged pony rides for the children along with the regular games.
Katia and Aza could not have been happier. They were finally allowed to find out what it was like to be normal. “Oh girly, look at us. We are gorgeous goddesses.” Aza said, making Katia laugh because she was prancing around in her head swinging her hips back and forth like the sexy wolfie she knew she was.
“Wolfie, do you think maybe grandfather has given up?” Katia questioned.
“No, my sweet girl, he hasn’t. He just can’t find us right now, so we have a reprieve from all the meanest that is him.” Her wolf replied.
“Oh well. I had hoped that was not the case,” Katia responded.
“Don’t worry girly. We will win this time. I just know it." Aza replied, and then she started panting after Kalen, Nathan’s wolf, and her mate. “Hey girlie, I say it is time to ambush our mates and give them dessert.”
Smiling Katia said, “I agree.”
To which Aza challenged, “Last one to their mate is a wet dog!”
Katia cracked up saying, “You crazy mongrel, we are one and the same, so how can one of us end up being a wet dog?” Then she took off running toward Nathan, who turned just in time to catch her in his arms. Katia was whispering in his ear as he spun and headed inside.