Pack Meeting

I walk up the stairs of the Omega packhouse quietly, trying to wrap my mind around everything that has happened. I think I am in shock, or perhaps I am dreaming. Everything going on is insane. My Mother is a zombie? Who was that man, Juniper's Brother? Elwood? Why was the Alpha holding her so tightly? How was she healing so fast? 

'Don't forget about the vampire.' Vesper chimes in. 

What is going on? My head is spinning, opening the door to my room and shift, my body again filling with pain as I switch from Vesper to myself. I stand there naked, looking at myself in the mirror. That hurt. 

'I wish I could have gone for a run.' Vesper rumbles, clearly upset. 'I don't like that strange man, Elwood. Something about his wolf made my skin crawl...'

I should shower first, then get dressed. Running around in the woods has made me feel stinky. I grab a towel and a change of clothes and head over to the showers, planning to be quick so Rhory would not have to wait long for me. 

The floor was quiet, were people not here? Was everyone at the pack house? This made me move quicker, not wishing to be alone. Showering didn't take long, and once I felt clean again I dried myself and got dressed, not really worrying about making myself 'pretty'. 

Vesper rumbles, still on alert. 'We should get to Rhory quickly and figure out what is going on.' I agree with her, heading back downstairs and outside to find my friend. 

"Over here, Elesi." I hear his voice, and it causes me to react quickly. My feet move on their own, running towards him. "Woah! Are you okay?" I crash into his chest, trying to relax. I had been brave this whole time, but it was finally taking a toll on me. 

"Elesi? It's okay. Everything is okay." Rhory held me gently, looking down at me with concern. "What happened to you out there? Tell me."

"I ran towards that strange smell instead of going inside to shelter. I had to find it. Vesper was telling me that we needed to." I look at him, sniffling as I try to explain. "When we found the source it was horrible. It was my Mother's corpse...and she was walking around. She chased me." 

Rhory seems to be thinking, his eyes looking out at the woods and becoming lost in his own mind. "Walking dead...that seems similar to what we found." Was there more of those things out there? 

"I somehow escaped, but became a bit lost." I can not mention the Vampire. "Once I was back to a place I knew I smelled Juniper - then saw her. She was so badly hurt and I knew I had to protect her as best as I could until the others came. Before you arrived there was the strange white wolf - her brother. He was upset at first, but then started approaching me in an odd manner. I thought I was going to have to fight him until you showed up." 

"Miro was afraid you were hurt, Elesi." Rhory sighs and runs his hand through his hair. "My wolf, his name is Miro. When he heard you howl...and then saw Vesper." He looks down at him, leaning down to nuzzle me gently. "Why is the life of an Omega so dangerous?" 

"My life isn't normally like this. I am just a boring Omega..." I nuzzle him back. 'Miro.' Vesper hums, thinking of the wolf's name. 'I like his name. Tell him I want to run with him next time!'

"Well whatever is going on, I will protect you." Rhory gives me a soft smile, comforting me. 

"Vesper says she wishes to run with Miro next time. I think she is disappointed that we were both wolves and did not play." I look up at him, giving him a smile back. 

Rhory lets out a series of laughs, clearly finding Vesper's antics entertaining. "Promise."

I go to speak again, but Rhory interrupts me. "We need to head to the pack house for now. Alpha and Luna are going to make an announcement." I nod, grabbing his hand lightly and walk with him towards the pack house. 

"Is it about the attack? Were we attacked?" I ask curiously, not really knowing what happened while I was in the woods myself. I have clearly missed something. 

"There was an attack of sorts, but it is unclear who was attacking us. As you saw, some zombies were wandering the woods and there was a break in the barrier protecting the territory. Someone used magic to weaken it and get inside." Again magic is brought up, and the barrier protects the pack. I always thought it was just a fence, but clearly it is something more. Rhory is holding my hand firmly, on alert as we walk briskly towards the pack house. 

I have so many questions, but I don't know where to begin for now. We make our way to the pack house without any difficulty and it is clear this is where everyone is. So many people are moving around and going inside, then I hear a voice I know. "Elesi!" I look over to see Bre run right up to me. "Are you okay? What is going on...did you hear that explosion earlier?" She looks up at me so scared, and I really don't think it's good to tell her anything. 

"I don't know, Bre. I was at the clinic." I give her a comforting hug, allowing her to relax a bit. "I have to find my parents. I haven't seen them yet." Bre sniffles, looking around. "Go. I am fine. I have Rhory with me." 

Bre must have not seen Rhory till now, giving me a bit of a sly look before glancing at him. "You best keep her safe or we are going to have problems." 

"Promise." Rhory says back to her with a smile. 

"Good." Bre snorts and looks back at me. "I will see you later okay?" 

I nod and off she goes to look for her parents. "The whole pack is here..."

The pair walk to the side of the pack house where everyone was gathered, many gossiping and whispering about what could be going on - none of it coming close to what Elesi saw or experienced.

They all stand mumbling till a silence waves over the crowd and the Alpha and Luna approach the stage. Rainer's parents were still the current couple in charge of the pack, but Rainer was getting ready to take over when the time came. Alpha Devin and Luna Zira stand strong before the clearly upset pack, giving us confidence with their words. "We have gathered you all here to ease your minds." Luna Zira speaks, Alpha Devin standing a few steps behind her as he allows her to speak. 

"There was an attack on our territory. An outside source has sought to breach our borders, but their attempts were unsuccessful. There is no need for worry. My son, Rainer and a group of Warriors confirmed the assault was thwarted." She folds her hands in front of her, allowing everyone to have a moment to let that sink it. 

Alpha Devin takes a step forward. "The pack is safe. There is nothing to worry about, and life can continue as business as usual. Yet due to the fact there was an attack, we will be implementing curfew and restrictions to be on the cautious side. We do not know if another will be attempted." With that the mumbles grow a bit louder, people clearly not liking such rules. 

"This is all for the safety and comfort of the pack. We must be vigilant to these villains who wish to harm us. Once we are sure that such threats are destroyed we will behave accordingly. The curfew and other restrictions will be posted in the pack house and everyone can take loot. Furthermore the warriors will be stationed about at all times to make sure our territory is safe and to react swiftly in case issues may arise." Luna Zira looks out at all of us, meeting our gazes - speaking to us all.

The Alpha wraps an arm around her, pulling her towards him as he speaks one last time. "You are all dismissed. Return to your duties. We will not allow this inconvenience to stall us much longer." A wave of his aura washes over us all, securing us in a net of safety. I never thought about it before, but it seems Alpha's are magical. 

I look up at Rhory as the announcements end, seeing his eyes already glazed over. "Rhory?" 

Rhory frowns, looking down at me. "Sorry Elesi. I need to report for duty. It seems all hands on deck. Rain check?" 

I am upset, but understand. "Of course. You keep us all safe now. Don't forget to take care of yourself too." I watched him jog off, disappointed we'd not be able to spend more time together today. 

Vesper rumbles, but seems to also be understanding. 'He has a job to do. Let's go.'