Chapter 5

Meetings and greetings

Or

A mother’s play

A jolt spread throughout Ember’s body as she woke. She hadn't meant to fall asleep. Dazed, she fought to get up from the bed as she blinked sleep out of her eyes. Confusion riddled her mind for a moment, then everything began to fall into place. It hadn't just been a dream - she really had met her soulmate. She pushed herself towards the side of the bed. With her feet on the floor, elbows to knees, she rubbed her hands against her face.

How long had she even slept for? Ember glanced around the room for a clock. It was while she perused her room she remembered. Her backpack! She never got it from Jet... She had no idea what time it was. Looking outside didn’t help much. It was already dark. But it was winter - it was pretty much dark around the clock.

She was still in her clothes. Though her blouse had more or less wrinkled itself awkwardly around her body. Straightening her clothes and brushing her fingers a few times through her messy hair. She didn’t think she could do much more to make herself more presentable with what little she had to work with.

She looked around once more. No clock. Her eyes landed on the door. Peculiar how a door could seem so daunting. Though it was not the door itself, she knew. She looked over her shoulder to the window. Even with a good night vision, the darkness was an omnivorous carnivore when everything beyond was unknown. The black oppressive and ample. Pressing against the frame of the window, blackness seemed to topple over the verge of the window. Ready to swallow her up.

She sucked in a breath. Turning around she cursed her imagination and rushed to the door. The door didn’t make a sound as she opened it. Ember stuck her head out and looked to both sides. The corridor was empty for life and dark. The only other door she noticed was the one at the end, to the left. Next to hers. Having no idea of the layout of the house, she turned to the only way possible in the corridor. Gently she closed the door behind her.

She listened and smelled the different odours that grazed the house. Blake's smell was strongest and her very being tried instinctually to follow his smell. For a short while she did, then another smell took priority. Warm and soft and mouth-watering. Ember nearly made a sigh in pure pleasure. Walking on, a soft light blended with the dark ahead, until light triumph over the darkness. Following the smell and light, she soon came about a small three stepped staircase down.

Her nose hadn’t failed her. The kitchen before her was filled with the hearty scent of food. Fresh baked bread and melted butter. A sharper smell indicated tea and honing. While she praised her sharp nose, it seemed her hearing had failed her. And in retrospect her nose too, since it hadn't picked up the different smells. Before her a sudden commotion happened. The kitchen was occupied. By three females to be precise.

It could be an explosive cocktail to say the least. Was fresh bread with melted butter on, really worth it? Light bitterness spread along her tongue and her throat squished in on itself. Past experiences could be a bitch in heat - pretty much impossible to ignore.

Ember almost snorted at the thought. Irony that.

Her stomach gave a rumble, declaring that fresh bread and butter was indeed worth anything. Even the firstborn. Uncertain she stood rooted to the spot. Females could be envious little beasts. She had no way of knowing what these three meant about the situation with their Alpha.

Matebonded to the Alpha. She almost gagged thinking back to the past. Covetousness was an ugly little shit. And the fact that she had to leave her pack behind as a result of her past Alpha didn’t make it better. Leaving a pack? It was one of the most drastic choices. Instincts made werewolves seek out the protection and unity there was in a pack. Only a few would be willing to be a lone wolf or a dispersal in other words.

And it just so happened that Ember was one of those few.

In the end, the moment of contemplation made her miss the sudden stares and a single smile. Three pairs of eyes had cast their attention on her. The opportunity to retreat was gone.

Ember didn’t know what to expect, so it was easier to have no expectations. Of the three she hadn’t anticipated it to be the shortest (but not the youngest) to come forth. A petite female with lush brown hair which curled around her face. Hazel eyes filled with resolution and a sweet smile showing a bit of uncertainty.

"Ember - was it?" Even her voice was like sugar on sugar with a pinch of fresh mint. Ember’s stare was blank as she gave the barest of nods.

"Great!” She clapped her hands together. “I'm May, and that stern, angry looking one over there is Alexia - but don't let it fool you. On the inside she is but a big fluffy bunny with fangs."

"Shut. it. May." Alexia responded cold. May didn't seem to notice or care. There was a certain flow about it which told of habit, and not a little bit of immunity. All very well accomplished when faced against those light blue eyes as frosty as a glacier.

Alexia certainly had the ice blue rocking for her. With dirty blonde hair, a thin face with prominent cheekbones. Her scowl definitely told you to piss off. She was pretty in a natural way. One that didn't take your breath away, but one where you couldn't avoid thinking that she was pretty when looking. Even with a scowl.

The glower only got deeper and darker when the light blue hit resistance against deep blue. Ember kept the contact. Oh, it was asking for trouble alright and she knew. But there was no way Ember would back away from a challenge. And it had been. She kept everything but her gaze perfectly neutral.

A flash sparked. Alexia deepened her scowl, knitting her brows in response. Dangerous territory now. The air was bristling. Hard and thin to breathe. May’s eyes widen alongside the youngest sitting at the same kitchen counter as Alexia. The youngster couldn’t help but whimper.

“Alriiighty, - Alexia don’t be a sloth and take the cookies out of the oven.” May stood with her back to Ember, her hands on her hips and puffing her chest. It was probably a comical sight to behold if Ember had witnessed it in another angle. Alexia reluctantly broke the eye contact just to meet admonishing hazel. Alexia huffed. Glared once more and then she turned around to the oven.

There was a note of resignation in the slight sigh May emitted, deflating a bit. Then she turned with a big smile plastered on her face. The change so sudden Ember hadn’t been prepared for it. It was all she could do not to look surprised.

“See, just as I said - a big fluffy bunny,” May grinned.

“Yeah, with fangs” Ember thought drily. At the notion Ember couldn’t help raise a single brow. Whatever it meant to May it was enough that her eyes gleamed and the bit of tension in her shoulders vanished. “Now after that heartfelt greeting, this is Miriam,” May gestured towards the youngest.

Everything in Miriam’s body-language screamed she wanted anything but the attention of the stranger. Not that Ember could blame her after that first impression. But it was not so unnatural in the world of werewolves. Hostility was more the norm than May’s approach. But for the sake of what was a pup, Ember gentled her expression.

Gentleness was the right thing. The pup seemed to take in the friendliness as she began to unfold herself from her chair and the counter. Which she had clearly hoped would swallow her whole. She was a sweet looking girl. Fluff for hair in warm brown colours with a tint of red. A few freckles spread over her little round nose and apple cheeks. Green irises behind dusty lashes. Though, caution still played in her features.

Ember decided not to stare too much, trying to ease the pup. May began to walk over to the counter once more as she talked. “Miriam is soon to be a juvenile - gosh, growing up so fast! It feels like it was just yesterday I saw you for the first time.” May gave Miriam’s shoulder a squeeze as she passed, with an unmistakable warm expression. It could not be described as any other than maternally.

Miriam blushed a little, smiling before biting on her lower lip and then looked away. There was some story there, Ember contemplated.

“So, is there anything I can tempt you with?” May directed to Ember. A smash disturbed the scene. Every eye took in Alexia as she more or less crashed the baking tray on the counter. Some of the cookies jumped from the impact, one even cracked. She flung the miffs from her hands on the table.

Then she scowled - again. May looked beyond miffed. She turned around and took something, which Ember saw was a rolling pin. Then she held it out towards Alexia. Who in turn wrinkled her brows and cocked her head as she scoped from the rolling pin to May.

“What are you on about now?” Alexia asked, disbelieving.

“Well I thought since you already thought to smash the cookies - which I have just baked - this should be easier to use.” Alexia didn’t move. Then she did and May made it right in time to get the rolling pin out of reach. “You will not by the Blue Moon ruin my cookies you goof nugget! It was a joke! A. joke!” May held the rolling pin to her chest, her face outraged. “You may not know what a joke is, but everyone else does - now, go and sit down before I crack your cookie!”

A battle was growing within Ember. She had barely stopped herself form snorting. Laughter was ready to strangle her. Of all the things she had expected, this was not it.

Grumbling Alexia sat down on a stool, crossing her arms. All the while May kept an eye on her.

“Miriam dear, those are warm - be careful, you might burn yourself.” Having been trying to sneak a cookie from the tray, and being caught red handed, Miriam looked positively sheepish. Then May handed her a glass of cold milk and gave the young girl a wink.

“So, Ember, anything?” Slowly Ember came unstuck and walked towards the others. Keeping distance to the disapproving Alexia who kept a sharp eye on her. Enough space between her and Miriam as not to put pressure on the pup and still seem nonchalant. A part of her, though, was still wary. Analysing every movement the strangers made. Ready to get out of the way or retaliate if the situation called for it.

Ember cleared her throat a little. "Water is fine." Her stomach groused. Water? Fresh bread and butter! Ember ignored the hungry urge. Though, she couldn’t quite stop her gaze from glancing towards the still steaming bread on the other counter.

"So, she can talk! I was worried for a moment there, that a cat got your tongue," May teased followed by a little insecure giggle from Miriam. A brief glance from Ember and Miriam bit her lip and stared down at the counter once more. Colour spreading along her neck and cheeks. But she didn’t seem frightened.

"No, not yet. Just a little out of my element with everything that has happened, I guess," Ember admitted. The admission felt wrong afterward. Too personal to say. As the glass with cold water was placed before her, Ember took a sip. It cleansed the heavy feeling of wrongness somewhat.

"I can believe that! I mean, it’s not every day you find your soulmate. It must have been such a delightful experience - was it romantic?" May asked interested and excited.

Ember was uncertain what to reply. Was it romantic? Not particularly she had to admit. Although Ember couldn’t give Blake the fault for that. She had run off. Somehow managing to break the bond to a degree. Was it romantic to be chased? Well she guessed if you were into that, it could perhaps have been romantic. And what werewolf didn’t like a good chase?

Ember didn’t. Not that kind of chase anyway. Having nothing to say, Ember simply drank some more water and didn’t answer. But she needn’t. A dreamy sigh aired. With faraway eyes May seemed absorbed in pink clouds. Playing some scenario that was guaranteed to be exact opposite of what had really occurred.

It was most likely every little weregirl's dream to find her soulmate. Whether the boys probably first began to think about it when they reached their juvenile years and hormones took over. Taking a hint, Ember didn't think Alexia was one of those wee weregirls. Out of Ember’s peripheral she looked at Alexia. The femast kept narrowed eyes on Ember. Yeah, she probably didn’t dream about picket fences and the love of her life.

"I hope I find my soulmate one day," Miriam sighed moonily. It wouldn’t be wrong to think that the background around Miriam could have sprouted flowers, sparkles and hearts if such things were possible. It was kind of sweet in a way, and it reminded Ember of a time long past. A time where she had been as naïve and dreamt about the future. Until she saw the devastating result that a soulmate could have.

"Oh, I hope you do, sweetie! There is nothing like it," May cooed. The words caught Ember’s attention.

"You have found your soulmate?" she asked.

"Oh dear..." Alexia whispered, looking ready to take cover. Ember looked at her in confusion. But she was to find out that she had unlocked May, the super-duper romantic wolf. May's eyes shone with elation and seemed twice as big as before.

"Why, yes I have! Four years ago, I bonded with my Shane," May told. Executing the very well-practiced habit of ignoring Alexia.

"It's funny how recognition can work, right? I mean, I had known Shane for years, and suddenly, BANG! There we were, going out for a run like any other day. Turned out to be the turning point of my life. I mean... it just happened.” May placed a hand on her cheek, “Oh I remember it like it was yesterday… we didn’t get to run much that day. Nor the days afterward actually..." A raspberry-colored blush of delightfulness span over May’s cheeks. The disclosed details flushed Miriam red as a berry.

"Yeah, yeah, and after Shane announced your union by howling, we didn't see you two for four days," Alexia said, bored. A story retold many times it sounded like. For the first time May reacted to Alexia. A pout; as if Alexia had told the best part.

This time Ember could not hold back her titter. It was probably not wrong to think that May and Alexia was a comedy duo. And dear friends at that. And with that titter it was like something shook itself loose in Ember. She tried to cover her laughter, but it didn’t help much.

It felt good. Relieving to a point. Yet there was unmistakably a part of her who hissed at the show of laughter. They were strangers. It could be taken as vulnerability. In the wrong crowd and it was but foreplay to certain death. As an intriguing dance with the reaper whispering sweet promises until the final swing. But even a moment of happiness was being a potent drug. Inadequate oneself to even comprehend the smallest signs of what could lie right under the surface.

As such, Ember soon could neither hear nor feel the warnings flashing on and off like a faulty sign. And for once it felt good, to simply laugh and not overthink it. Wondering and worrying what she portrayed. Sometimes laughter was worth it to take a dance with the header of death.

Unbeknownst to Ember, she was watched closely. May’s expressive pout was replaced. Alexia’s scowl wasn't, but it did turn down a bit in its glower. And dear Miriam couldn’t help but look surprised, but happily so. If this was the reward of not being able to tell the details of the story herself, May surmised it was alright.

Drying what Ember suspiciously thought was tears from the corner of her eyes. She only just registered when a plate was placed before her. She blinked a couple of times as she stared down at the two pieces of bread and what was unmistakable butter about to melt.

Looking up May gave her a wink, a smile and then buttered her own slice. Keeping her attention on her plate, Ember could feel a bit of heat in her cheeks. Wondering if she had been eyeing the fresh bread too much, but nevertheless she appreciated the gesture. Finally, her stomach was satisfied when she had taken the first bite.

Heavenly.

"My, my, you guys seem like you are enjoying yourselves." There was no mistake to who that voice belonged to. All thoughts of how satisfying the bread felt on her tongue, vanished. All eyes sought the woman who had spoken. With grace Mrs. Macbay descended the three-steps staircase like they were the red carpet. Everyone except Ember seemed pleased by Mrs. Macbay’s presence.

"Morgana, is there something I can get you?" May asked smiling, while taking a clean cup. Mrs. Macbay smiled and sat down on the chair beside Ember. In alertness Ember tensed. This was the mother of her mate - the very man she had rejected and thereby hurting. She had no idea as to what the woman's view was on the matter - of her.

"May, where is your darling daughter?" Mrs. Macbay asked after telling a kinnettles Gold tea would be preferred.

"She is with her dad," May smiled. Ember took another sip of her water, trying to fade into the background. But Mrs. Macbay was not too keen on that.

"May have a four-year-old daughter, such a sweet pup," Mrs. Macbay told Ember. Ember fought with everything she had in her, to keep her water down. Choking, she kept a hand over her mouth to be sure nothing got out.

She nodded while trying to hold back another cough that pressed against her airpipe. The uncomfortable struggle made her eyes watery. May looked a little apologetically at Ember as she handed her a napkin.

"I-I see, well that must be lovely," Ember said a little hoarse to May.

"Oh, quite lovely. There is nothing like pups gracing one’s home," Mrs. Macbay intercepted before May could answer. Ember blinked a few times before she narrowed her brows a bit. A pattern was beginning to form. Mrs. Macbay was playing a game, and had decided that Ember was partaking. Not on her watch Ember decided. She was not going to be a participant.

"Speaking of homes, do you all live in the valley?" Ember asked in an attempt to change the topic.

"Yeah, we are technically neighbours." Surprisingly, it was Alexia who answered.

"Yeah. Shane and I live a little bit further down, but still pretty close, and Miriam-dear lives across from us." May contributed with, while Miriam nodded in confirmation.

Normally it would have been a tell-tale of their ranks within the pack. Living near the Alpha meant a high rank, while the further away, the lower. Though families with pups lived for the most part near the Alpha, where it was safest. But Ember found herself quite unsure of Blake's pack's dynamic and if they would follow such an old design. Something told her he did not. There was a weakness of having the low rank wolves at the border, if an attack happened.

"And I live with my boys here," Mrs. Macbay finished. Ember nodded - it didn't surprise her. She herself had lived pretty damn near the Alpha in her old pack. And what a load of trouble that was, when he began to want her attention.

"So, Ember, where do you come from?" Alexia asked. Apparently deciding no longer to just glare at her. Ember, pulled from her thoughts about pack matters, began to wonder how much she should disclose.

"I'm not really from anywhere anymore. Just... a free wolf," she said evasively. Alexa's glare turned ugly as her shoulders became rigid. She turned so much more observant, as she tried to stare Ember down.

"What do you do for a living?" Miriam asked, oblivious to Alexia's reaction. Ember smiled a little when she answered. "I'm a photographer. I take pictures of wildlife and nature and such."

"Isn't it quite lonely without a pack?" Whatever smile she had worn fell by Miriam’s innocent question. The other adults became completely silent. Stunned, Ember didn’t know what to say. She tried to come up with an answer and found that she could not. Any reasonable answer without lying was lost and a lie could be smelled.

"Hello ladies."

Everyone looked up. Nobody had given the new approaching presence a thought. Jet, with the never-ending smile, looked quite pleased as he came into the room.

Saved by the bell.

"Darling," Jet said softly as he closed an arm around Alexia's stomach. Then he leaned down to give her a small peck on her cheek. Right before Ember's eyes Alexia's hard expression melted, and turned into warmth and soft lines. It was almost beautiful to watch the transformation. It made the throbbing pain from Ember’s faulty matebond in her chest that much harder to dismiss.

"Ready to go home if you are?" Jet said, holding Alexia to him. She nodded before smiling a little. A charming, crooked smile formed on his lips, before he turned his attention towards Ember.

"Oi, redhead, your backpack." So intently watching the couple she had not seen that he was indeed holding her backpack. How in the world had she forgotten? He threw it at her and she caught it just in time. Seemingly bewitched by the couple and their interactions with each other.

Jerk!

"Miriam, you father called - he wants you home," Jet said as he began to turn around with an arm around Alexia’s shoulders. Miriam looked deflated for a moment, but then thought better of it and jumped down from her stool. Saying goodbye, giving Mrs. Macbay a peck on the cheek to the delightfulness of the older woman, she followed the couple out of the room. Then there were only three left.

"Thank you for the tea, May, it was delicious. Would you be a dear and show Ember around?" Mrs. Macbay asked after emptying her cup. May nodded with a smile and replied of course. Excusing herself politely, Mrs. Macbay turned to leave the room. Shortly before the door however she stopped. Turning she addressed Ember.

"Just so you know dear, I do not blame you for whatever happened between my son and you. But that does not mean I like to see him in pain of any kind." With a small regal nod, she left them. Leaving Ember stock still, unsure. Those words would repeat themselves in her mind, as May began the tour of the big house.

Ember found out that while the house was big, it was not cold or hostile. It was warm, homely and every feature seemed to have something of a history or meaning. May explained a little about each room. Some more interesting than others. Ember soon knew whose room it was that was beside hers, by the end of the corridor.

It was Blake's.

"So, what were you all doing here?" Ember asked. May looked a little sheepish by the question.

"Morgana asked us to come because... well, for fun I guess." Ember could smell the half-truth, but May needn't explain further. Ember got the picture loud and clear. Apparently hearing about May, who was soulmated and a mother. Seeing Alexia with Jet, who was in a lovely relationship. Was supposed to help along her thoughts about Blake.

"Are Alexia and Jet soulmates?" It was a simple question but May became crestfallen.

"Sadly no. They have been together for ages, but they never recognising - and as you probably know, pups are mostly graced to true mates..." It was true. While it was not impossible to get pups, it was much more likely to conceive with a true mate - or soulmate as it was mostly called.

It was a reminder with a punch. If she ever mated with Blake, pups would not be long in the waiting. Especially because of the stronger induced heat that would be initiated by the bonding of soulmates. If everything had gone according to nature, Ember would have been a ticking hormonal puppy bomb by now. But in their situation, she wasn’t sure what was going to happen. She had never heard of it before.

It turned her thoughts to a swirling mass that kept going and going, leaving her speechless for the rest of the tour. Until they came past a window and the darkness which still ruled.

“By the way, what time is it?”