The Druids and Mages had finally left. That was the last of the re-enforcements to leave. All that was left were the members of the Black River Pack. Even the smaller packs had left for their homes.
Now they were scrambling to put everything back where it had been. Find ways to fill the gaps of the dead respectfully and get back to the everyday. But of course, it wasn’t so easy. Time had crept up on everyone and
Aricka and the Hell Hounds quickly shifted forms. One of the many reasons shifters preferred to run on private land was, yes, less chance of being shot. But another one was the weird shit that shifters did because they had to think ahead of time, like clothing. Especially in winter, in case they have to shift to their human form. Oh, some didn’t care too much for a short time, but they are usually younger, drunk or both. They carried small bags either in their mouths or around their necks. Aricka hadn&rs
It was almost dinnertime, and Hilda had told Juliette that everyone was expected in the Dining Hall. There were going to be announcements about the Yule Traditional Celebrations and how they would be managed this year. Because of the war and the extra people arriving to celebrate. The traditional preparations would have to be altered, as there just wasn’t time to get it all done. Juliette had been quickly corrected about using the term Christmas, as that wasn’t what the pack celebrated.
Everyone had gathered within the Dining Room. It was full, warm and loud with a cheerful buzz of friends and family. Jeff and Jules now sat to the left of Gregory and Aricka. Gregory’s parents were on Aricka’s right. The pups were circling their own table, with Evan playing host and imitating Gregory’s actions. Music played for a bit before people settled down enough for the festivities would start. Jules didn’t know what those were in precise detail. So she watched those around her for some hint or detail to help her understand what was coming.&
Evan was now settled in his bed for the night, and it was way past his regular bedtime. They were celebrating their victories, prosperity and charity. Mates were the highest sign of prosperity and hope. A light into the future of the pack’s fortunes looking bright. A sister pack was a sign of the present fortunes and future ones. The pack recognized the efforts of their leadership and their own work as a group and family. They had mourned and overcome the loss incurred by the war. Others had stepped forwards to take the place of those lost, but hone
Evan Wolversen ran through the Packhouse of the Black River Pack. Life was settling down after all the fighting and, of course, his birthday. Now there was a lot of excitement buzzing about as everyone started getting ready for Yule’s first day. He’d been learning all about Yuletide; it’s crazy long celebrations. Who would have thought of Christmas celebrated from December twenty-first to the New Year? It was one party that lasted the whole time. His pup grouping was getting together to finish making yule presents for everyone. It seemed to like a lot of work. But everyone got a present every day of Yule. Little things like cards, ornaments, food, and toys.He would see his great grandparents soon when they came to feast with them—an actual feast. The kitchens already smelt of roast turkey and pork. Sweet smells of fruits and nuts. Hilda had been baking for weeks for the whole of
The buzz of excitement was a physical thing that anyone could taste when they entered the Black River Packhouse. People twenty-first, the first day of Yule. People were arriving any minute, and decorating had started. Finishing touches were being put on last-minute foods for the feast. Others were hauling in decorations from deliveries or from the land itself. A tree sat in the Ballroom with boxes of decorations from years past nearby. A table sat beside it with new ornaments the pups of the pack had made earlier in the month. Once the tree’s decorated, beneath the tree would go the Yule presents for tonight. There was a contingent of Druids coming tonight, and they were the holy people of the Supernatural world. Druids worked with the magic found within the natural world. These people were Aricka’s family, most of which
Everyone seemed to have fun as people flitted in and out of the Ballroom, hanging ornaments on the tree, listening to seasonal music, and enjoying a cup of something warm. The wall of windowed doors displayed a surprise snowfall, to everyone’s delight. Though Frederick wasn’t sure why, but Gregory kept looking outside or at his cellphone with a concerned look on his face. Gregory kept his focus and really took on entertaining the pups and other young around the tree. Aricka was never far away, but Frederick noticed Aricka avoided the mulled cider. Gregory would not allow her to pick up a pup to help them get an ornament on the tree up high. It led Frederick to speculate why would the Alpha of the Black River Pack so overly protective of his mate. Who came that was late?&n
Richard had settled into a seat with his left leg outstretched painfully before him. It was getting better, but by the end of the day, it still ached. He’d kept his head down after his apology, hoping and wanting people to forget his embarrassing apology. Next, he knew a hand was lifting his leg, and a small footstool slid under it. He looked up and realized his mother had done this. So he gave her an appreciative smile. “Thanks, Mom.” Aricka’s relatives were pretending not to watch what was happening, but they were failing miserably. “Well, I guess this is the last night we’ll be calling you Richard. In the morning, it’s going to be Maximillion Wolversen.” Gregory was joking when he informed everyone in the room.