Naomi Reunites With Her Pack.

As we neared the parking garage where Aunty Debbie's car was parked, i could not help but reflect deeply on what we were actually going to expect, moving forward. I was full of expectation ahead of our proposed journey. I said journey because from what Aunt Debbie described as the location of the Pack community, it would be well on the outskirts of the city, if not outside of it completely. Alpha jones, the new Alpha of the Pack had described the location to Aunt Debbie when they spoke on phone. They had actually not met one on one, according to her. My heart was beating very fast, almost missing a beat on some occasions as we walked along. My heart was occupied with all sorts of thoughts, both realistic and unrealistic. What kind of person, or is it wolf is Alpha Jones? Though he had sounded friendly and very accommodating when he spoke with Aunty Debbie on phone, but could it be a ruse? Could he be putting up a false front? Would the other wolves in the Pack receive me warmly? Would there be hecklers among them who would snigger at me behind my back calling me a rogue wolf? Questions like these and others filled my mind as we reached Aunty Debbie's car within the public parking garage.

Aunt Debbie's car still looked relatively new considering its age. It is hard to believe that it's the same car i met on ground when i last visited. A Ford F-150 it's exterior still retained a sturdy and compact appearance devoid of any dents. It's light blue color glistened in the early morning sun. I took a quick glance at the tyros; they still looked very clean, almost new. I could not help but admire Aunty Debbie's knack for proper maintenance. "Open the door of your side, I've already unlocked it," she said after i had moved over to the front passenger's side. I opened the door and slid into the front passenger seat. I took a quick glance around the interior of the car as i sat down. The leather seats were all sparkling clean and the aroma of newness filled my nose. The seat i sat on hugged my body lightly as i let out a deep sigh. By now my Aunty had entered, sitting comfortably on the driver's seat with her hands on the dashboard as if trying to quickly get something right. "You seldom go out with this car, Aunty, if i'm right, Aunty," i observed. She turned her head, looked at me and grinned. "What makes you form that opinion?" She asked. "Well, Aunty. It's because everything looks new, well maintained. Both the interior and exterior of this car are looking so good, almost the way it was when i last visited." I replied. "You are right with your observation. I hardly go out, you know, so the car is parked most of the time. I drive it only when i'm going to get groceries at the supermarket or when i have an important outing. I think we should be on our way now." I nodded in agreement. With that, we ended the discussion temporarily.

Aunty Debbie tightened her two hands on the steering and looked at the dashboard for about a minute or two as if doing a kind of rehearsal. She then lifted her right hand, used it to adjust the rear view mirror while using the opportunity the mirror presented to take another look at her face. She then used her two hands to push some loose strands of her hair to the back of her ears. After satisfying herself that her face was presentable enough, she dipped the car key into the ignition and turned it. The car engine immediately came to life. I watched with rapt attention as she waited a few minutes for the engine to warm, then put it into gear, pressed down the throttle and zoomed into the highway.

We moved slowly enough to take in the sights and sounds of the city and fast enough to beat time. Aunty Debbie proved that she is an old hand when it comes to driving. Probably because she was born in this city and had lived here virtually all her life, she knew every nook and cranny as she maneuvered the vehicle with a kind of dexterity that baffled me. Even at age 55, she was still sharp and agile on the steering. To catch a better view of people and events as they passed by, i pressed my nose against the glass as the car moved along. We travelled in complete silence. When the silence became too much for my liking, i broke the ice. "This city has witnessed quite some new development since i left. I'm seeing new structures that were not on ground when i was here." She nodded her head. "Yes, my dear, the city is developing at a very rapid pace,"

After about 30 minutes on the road, my wolf suddenly started rejoicing. It was actually speaking to me. "We are clo0sing in on the Pack compound gate. We'll some be there," She said. A rush of excitement came over me. I could not keep the news to myself. "We are close to the Park compound gate, Aunty. In about five minutes, we'll be there." I announced. "Ok" was all she said. She knew i got the information from my wolf, so there was no point asking me how i knew.

Soon, we reached a gate. Two young men with pistols holstered on their hips sprang up. "Stop," One of them ordered, raising up one of his hands. Aunty Debbie brought the car to a halt they both smiled at us and the other man spoke, facing Aunt Debbie. "You are very welcome, ma'am. Alpha Jones has already told us you are on your way. So he's actually expecting you. His instruction is that we should let you in as soon as you arrive. This is a fairly large compound. Just continue straight ahead, follow instructions and you'll get to the Pack house. Once you get there, Alpha Jones will attend to you." Aunty Debbie nodded and smiled back. Before looking at me, they both exchanged glances. Then they looked at me with more than a passing interest. The one who waved our car to a stop now spoke. "You are welcome back to where you belong. We are indeed happy to have you back." My wolf almost jumped out of my skin with excitement. "Now we are back home," she said. "You can move in now" They said, almost at the same time, waving at us. I didn't bother myself with how they knew i'm a wolf, not only a wolf, but a member of their Pack. Wolves have the ability to detect other wolves wherever they meet. So, as soon as they saw me, they recognized me as one of them. They also knew Aunty Debbie is a human.

Aunty Debbie put the car back into gear and we entered right into the compound. The Pack compound was quite a sizable community. I can call it a town within a larger town or city. We moved straight at first, then right and left, and right again according to sign posts placed at strategic locations. As we moved within the community, i saw many many apartment buildings of various sizes, apparently belonging to Pack members. I also saw a school, a bank, a hospital and other non-residential buildings. Wolves, both male and male and female of various ages and sizes, moved around doing one thing or the other.

At last we pulled up in front of a large rectangular shaped building. The outer part was painted in blue. "That's the Pack house," said my wolf. I nodded. Many wolves were hanging around the building, though in their human form. One of them smiled at us and said, "come in please, you're welcome," as soon as we stepped down from the car. He led us through the large hall in to a well furnished office, asking us to sit down while he entered an inner office with the inscription 'Alpha' boldly written on the door. He came back a few minutes later and told us, "Alpha Jones will be with you in a minute." Before he could settle down on a chair, the door opened and a young man who looked to be in his late twenties came out, smiling. The other man sprang up quickly and announced, "This is Alpha Jones." Surprisingly, he took a bow to greet Aunty who remained on her seat. I had stood up to greet my Alpha. I bowed my head, stretched my right hand and he accepted it with a smile. Addressing Aunty Debbie, he said, "Thank you, ma'am for your efforts in finding this place an bringing Naomi back home. On behalf of other wolves in the Shiny Ivory Pack, i want to say we are very grateful." Aunty Debbie smiled and nodded. "This is my Beta, Michael Fowler," he said, pointing to the young man who brought us to his office. The man bowed to greet Auntie Debbie, and then stretched his hand to greet me. I accepted it with a bow. Pointing to me, alpha Jones said, "Naomi, you're welcome back home. We are happy to see you." I nodded my head shyly and muttered, "Thank you, Alpha."

Within 10 minutes, every available space in the pack house was filled. The Alpha had decided, in consultation with the Beta that all wolves should assemble and welcome me back into the pack together. He reasoned that it wouldn't be ok for only he and the Beta to be the only ones to welcome me back. Every wolf had to be involved. That decision was ok by me. It only goes to show that that he is an Alpha who carries his wolves along. The decision also pleased Aunty Debbie.

As soon as everyone has gathered, Alpha Jones stood up and spoke. "We are gathered here today to welcome back into the Pack our very valued wolf, Naomi Smith. Her father was our former Alpha Greg Smith, and her mother was our former Luna, Yolanda Smith. So, she has always been part of us. She only got separated from us for so many years due to reasons beyond her control. My father was the Beta of this Pack when her father was the Alpha. I was very young then but i must tell you i knew both her parents.." This last statement elicited a loud applause from the crowd. He continued. "Some of the older wolves here also knew them. So, everyone here should say, "Welcome back, we love you." Everyone in the hall shouted in unison. "Welcome back, we love you." Then, i stood up, waved my hand and said with a smile, "Thank you, all. I'm very happy."

"Could we just have a very short and quick run to welcome Naomi back into the Pack?" Alpha Jones asked the gathering after he and the Beta had consulted. Everyone looked at each other and all nodded in unison. "Yes," Alpha Jones continued, "I know she would return to Seattle tonight. So we would not take time. When she eventually joins us here permanently, then we can have longer runs." Turning to Aunty Debbie, he said" Our human visitor can go to my office to wait for us. Thanks." With that, we were set for the run.

Within 5 minutes, all of us had shifted into our wolves. I shifted into my white and brown wolf. All others shifted into various colors of wolves. Alpha Jones shifted into a black wolf and took the lead while the rest of us followed behind him. He led us through various roads within the pack community. Just as he had promised, the run did not take much time. Within 30 minutes, we had completed the run and the Alpha led us back to the Pack house where we all shifted back to our human forms.

Alpha Jones and Beta Michael saw us to the car. "It has been a very rewarding, day," Said the Alpha. The Beta nodded his head in agreement. "Once again, ma'am, i thank you for all your efforts in bringing Naomi here," the Alpha said, turning his head to look at Aunt Debbie. "Thanks very much, it's always a pleasure," my Aunty replied with a grin. An turning towards me, he said, "Naomi, we are expecting you here very soon, and at that time, i do hope it will be permanent. "I cupped my chin with my right hand and replied, "Okay."

We enterd into the car. Aunty Debbie started the engine; put the car into gear an moved as we headed towards the Pack compound gate on our way back home.