My mood soured, which made laundry feel like an egregious chore. I tossed my wet clothes in the dryer and carried them back to my room once they were done. While folding my clothes on my bed, a heavy feeling settled in the pit of my stomach from how I reacted to Artemis. I didn’t mean to respond so strongly like that. Regretfully, I opened our mind-link, connecting with my beloved wolf.
“Hey, Artemis*? “I’m sorry for yelling at you like that. I’m not angry with you and if I made you feel that way, I’m sorry”.”
*You don’t need to apologize, Kiya**. **I was never angry, but concerned**. **I guess you can say I was also scared of our peace being interrupted**, **I tried to make sense of what happened, and I frustrated you**.”
***Still, I’m sorry*. *It’s just a lot to think about, you know*?”
**Yeah, I do*.”
My phone buzzing on my vanity table pulled me out of my thoughts, demanding my attention. I set my shirt down and walked over to pick it up. It was a text message. When I saw who it was from the preview, my heart rate picked up as I had run a marathon.
Neron.
It was the first text he sent me in the past few months. Life had sucked us into our journeys that so much time would pass without us talking to one another. My heart continued to race as my thumb lingered over the text preview, curious to know what he had sent me. Should I open it or not? Why the hell was I so nervous? He’s a friend I missed talking to, and this was a good chance to start up again.
Hell, Nuria blows up my phone every chance she gets. At least her brother was calmer.
Reeling in some courage. I pressed the preview and read what he had sent. I couldn’t stop the smile forming on my face.
**NERON**: *Congrats on finishing your job with your students*! *I hope life has been treating you well since then*. *How is Artemis*?”
I shouldn’t be too damn eager to text back, but my fingers had a mind of their own.
**ME**: **Thank you, Neron*. *I appreciate the congrats and Artemis is doing great*! *I’m preparing to move back home in a few days*. *How is Onyx*?”
**NERON**: *Onyx-ing”.
Artemis let out a bark of laughter at the response and I couldn’t help but smile. She never voiced it because she wanted to keep a strong face, but I knew deep down she missed Onyx a lot. Onyx and she couldn’t be any more different from one another, but somehow, they meshed well together. I felt like the bad guy for robbing her of that experience because of my problems; always waiting for me to get my act together.
They’ll meet again. I know they will. I just wasn’t sure when or if I’m ready to head to Onyx Moon yet.
Neron and I continued texting, talking about what our plans were for the following week, our families, and more. I’d forgotten about the laundry and the time that flew by in the blink of an eye because when I came to, albeit from Ebony pawing at my ankle, it was late afternoon.
Crazy.
Ebony meowed, curling her tail around my foot as her way to tell me she was hungry. The most vocal out of my cats. I laughed and rubbed her head. I sent Neron a quick text, telling him I had to go, and went to feed my cats.
I’ll just finish packing tomorrow.
Bags? Packed.
Cats? Secured.
Gas tank? Full.
Time for me to head home!
I bid Elena and Luiz farewell and set off on the road back to Garnet Moon. Scrolling my window down, the wind danced wildly with my curls as I blasted ‘Whatever it Takes’ by Imagine Dragons on the radio. Every building I passed melted into a blur of browns and whites, and every person the same. So many great memories happened in San Jose, and my heart missed the nostalgia of my college campus. I loved college, but I loved graduating more. Life waited for no one. I glanced at the rearview mirror now and then to check on Ebony and Ivory in their harnesses.
Just like the angels they were, they sat and groomed themselves in their cat beds.
Before long, I made it onto the main road. The aroma of the redwood trees tickled my nostrils, the scent of my hearth. My car entered a sea of pale reds blooming under the blistering sun. bathing the forest floor with lights unmatched to flames. I loved it. I felt Artemis growing antsy for a much-needed run on the territory, and I couldn’t wait for her to stretch her legs out once again.
Fifteen minutes later, I rolled into the familiar land, bombarded with the echoes of children playing and warriors training. I grinned; nothing had changed. Parking my car in the garage. I stepped out into the diesel-fuel-scented heat when I was accosted by a smaller, yet strong body. A tuff of auburn hair greeted my eyes, but the head lifted to reveal a bright set of hazels and a brighter grin.
“Tia! You’re back!”
“Nice to see you too, Ximey.” I giggled, squeezing her in a hug. Ximena had grown into a formidable five-year-old, and from her tight squeezes around my waist, her Alpha strength was coming in rather too quickly. A smaller body followed behind her, a beautiful boy with cute cheeks and curly brown hair clouding his equally brown eyes. He giggled and latched himself onto my other leg, rubbing his face into my skin. “Ah, and you too, Alessandro!”
Home sweet home.
A couple of Omegas met me outside and offered to take my suitcases and my cats inside the pack house, considering the children refused to leave my side. Walking out with my niece and nephew on either side of me, we ambled to the front entrance, passing by the training grounds. If Ximena and Alessandro were here, that meant their parents wouldn’t be too far behind. Alessandro scurried on ahead with Ximena groaning.
“He is always running off somewhere.” She rolled her eyes. “Mama and Papa should be here soon. Do you want me to get them?”
“You can if you want to. Do you know where your *Abuela* and *Abuelo* are?”
“Over there!” Ximena pointed in the distance where Mom and Dad strolled, connected by their hands, before running behind her little brother. Excitement filled me like adrenaline as I prepared to run toward them, but a pair of strong hands snatched and lifted me in the air.
“Little Bit has arrived!” Jackie shouted with a laugh, lowering me to squeeze me into a tighter hug than Ximena could muster. Laughing, I reciprocated her affection, resting my head on her shoulder despite her sweat clinging onto me. “How was the trip?”
“It was good. Now, let me go-you’re all sweaty.” I said, separating from the hug. “Where’s Abigail and Aisha?”
“Abi took her little cousin shopping for new clothes, so they’ll be back in a few hours. Aisha would be so happy that you’re here.”
“You didn’t tell her I was coming?” I asked, arching an eyebrow. My best friend shined a sheepish smile and rubbed the back of her neck, avoiding my gaze.
“Surprise?”
“*Mija*!” I turned around to see my parents strolling up to me with smiles on their faces. Unprovoked, I leaped in and hugged them both, filling my nose with their sweet scents of pumpkin and peaches. “Are you settled in yet?” Mom asked me.
“My stuff was just taken to my room, so almost.”
Jackie scoffed behind me. “Wow. I see how it is, Kiya.”
“Wha?”
“As soon as Lyra and Nikolai come around, I’m left in the dust!” She replied with enough dramatics to make theater kids jealous. I turned to see her mocking hurt with a hand on her forehead. “Woe is me! Whatever shall I do?”
“Get your butt back into training.” Dad responded, crossing his arms. “I don’t think it is your break time, young lady.”
“I schedule my own breaks.” Jackie retorted with a bout of confidence. However, one look from Dad stripped and burned her confidence to ash. Her face fell, and she immediately scampered back to the training grounds, knocking one of the male trainees on his ass.
“You didn’t have to do that, Dad.” I laughed.
“That woman has been slacking.” He rolled his eyes in amusement. “But, being freshly married will do that to you.” Lyra nudged him on the shoulder, enticing a fit of laughter from him. Jackie and Abi got married a year ago and have been growing stronger ever since. It was also around the same time Abigail’s little cousin, Aisha, moved in with them.
I couldn’t believe how much had changed over the three years with my little gang of friends. Children were coming in from all angles, and their relationships were stronger than ever.
Life truly waited for no one.
Ximena ran over and tugged on my leg, pulling my attention from my parents. “Mama and Papa want to see you, *Tia*!”
“Oh, do they?” I smiled down at my niece before looking back at my parents. “Want to come with?”
“We will. We have some things to talk to that young man about, especially with the upcoming Alpha Gathering.” Mom mentioned, her voice lowering an octave. I raised an eyebrow in curiosity as to what the subject matter was, but I was sure it was Alpha business. It didn’t involve me.
But, Ximena, restless as she was, tugged me toward the pack house entrance.
It felt good to be back home.