Thirty-two

The pack gathered around me, quiet and attentive. All of them sat in a circle around me, one hand from each of them touching my head until i felt like i was a tree. I heard Graham whispering words i couldn't decipher, Cinder humming a tune, and the pups squirming around. I close my eyes and let them do what they must as all i had to do was relax.

It felt like moments before someone was gently shaking me awake. I blinked up to see Graham chuckling down at me. "You fell asleep," he said, helping me to stand.

Looking around, I see the others are all in wolf form, either playing around or preening. I see Loki's wolf nudging Felix's and my brain instantly translated it. "Play with me!" In the next moment, without fulling understanding what i was doing, I growled at Loki. He looked up, caught my eye, then got down on his belly, his tail swishing gently behind him. "I dare you!"

Before i could lunge at him, Graham caught my arm and made me look at him. I blinked, shook my head just a bit, then realized what just happened. "Woah! This wolf thing is really serious!"

Graham laughed. "It does tend to take hold of the human using the gift. It goes away as soon as your attention is off the wolf."

"How do i control it?" i ask. "What if I need both senses?"

"We'll help you go back and forth," he said. "For now, enjoy playing with your brothers. I will let you know when it's time to return to Roan."

I did play, and I played long and hard with my pack-brothers. As i was still a human, they were still careful with tackling and using their teeth. As a human, i was still slow and weak. While I played, Graham tried to get me to switch communication simultaneously. It was difficult at first as i felt like i had something within trying to get out. But with time, that something was calmer, less excited, less forceful.

When Graham finally did tell me it was time to go, it was late. I hugged each packmate in farewell as they would be going home tonight, then followed Graham back to the meadow. "When will i see you all again?" I ask softly.

"Zahra, I know Loki told you that you can come to the den whenever you wish." He turns to me. "You're welcome whenever you want to stop by."

I smile shyly. "I don't want to just drop in, though."

He laughs. "We drop in all the time. Don't be a stranger, Daughter. Having you come around once in a while would be wonderful. Don't feel like you have to give us notice ahead of time. You're pack. We always welcome you."

We stop at the edge of the meadow and he turns to me. I hug him, feeling as if i had a real father now. "Thank you for everything, Graham. It was wonderful!"

"It was a pleasure to see you so happy with my sons again," he whispered. When we pulled apart, he hesitates for only a moment before saying, "I know you don't like the idea of someone having control over you, and I'm not suggesting that i do, but how about from now on you call me either Alpha or Father. It wouldn't be like the others, but to be less formal. It would also let others outside of pack understand who you are."

I smiled broadly. "That would be wonderful!"

He chuckled. "Be safe, pack-daughter. We'll see you again soon." He kissed me gently on the brow, then stepped back. I gave him one last smile before running to my brother and jumping into his arms.

Laughing, he fell backwards, holding me in his arms. I look down at him with all the joy i could express from my time with the pack. He laughs again and says, "I can guess it was successful then? You're happy."

"More than happy, brother!" I rest my head on his chest, keeping my arms about his neck. "I can't begin to describe the wonders of their gift! It was more than i deserve!"

"I'm happy you like it. When Loki told me of it, i was unsure of what all it entailed, but figured it would bring you joy."

I sighed, then sat up to look at him. "Can we stay here tonight?"

"I already have blankets ready," he said, gesturing to the side where inded blankets were laid out. "Besides, I'm not sure you'd make it back."

I shook my head slowly, closing my eyes and relax. I feel Roan lift me up, then lay me down in a pile of furs, covering me up. I think this was the best day of my life…