I kept looking at my dad’s chair, the one we had made for him a few years ago, HEAD HANCHO embroidered on it. So many times I went to send him a text or call him. I saved some of his messages on my voice mail, I listened to them every night before bed. Mom was trying so hard to keep us all together. I admired her strength as she fought to keep the peace in the Pack. It was her idea to set his chair up to respect his fallen status. A pit in my stomach clinches when I think of him, basically it is always clinched. I hate this reality. I hate vampires. I hate rogue wolves. I hate missing my dad. Someone will pay, I think to myself.
Oakley had been so sweet, but I just didn’t feel connected with him right now. He still wouldn’t tell me exactly what had happened. I didn’t blame him, I just felt like something was being left out. Oakley is one of the best at what he does, how this could have happened I don’t know. I would trust him to guard the Pope, so how did my dad get hurt and no one else? I couldn’t think like that, it wasn’t healthy. I knew that he loved my dad. I shook my head trying to clear my thoughts.
The fireworks were going off; the music that they set to go with it was great. I was honestly having a good time. Earlier we played in the water and things felt normal, as normal as things can feel. The fireworks just started when Oakley had gotten up to go to the bathroom, his stomach must have been messed up. He probably ate five burgers and twenty roasted marshmallows so he earned it. The fireworks stopped and everyone was applauding when Oakley came out from the woods.
“Hey everyone!” He yelled. “Please sit down. This is very important and I need you to be seated.” Everyone looked at him, half expecting some gag that he was famous for. “Now, I need you to be quiet. Pru please come over here.”
Oh, he better not propose. I’ll throw up…. how could he do this, right in front of everyone? He knows I don’t do things like this. I’m going to beat him later. Damn, damn, damn! “What’s going on Oak?”
He whispered “It’s all good. Look behind you.”
I’ll remember that moment for the rest of my life. He was beautiful, just simply beautiful. “How? When? Just now?” Oakley and Abel shook their heads up and down. I ran to Abel, I put my arms around his neck and hugged him. “Abel, my beautiful friend, I can’t believe it finally happened. You’re amazing. Oh, you really are amazing.” I buried my face in his neck, breathing his essence in. My friend, the Great Wolf. “Are you ready for everyone to see you?” He nodded.
I put my fingers in my mouth and whistled. “Silence! The most wonderful thing has happened. Everyone, please stand, I want to introduce you to our legacy, our Great Wolf Abel Casey.” I stepped to the side and Abel walked forward, he stood there and everyone dropped to their knees. It was like something you would see in a movie, when a Queen walks in. I too dropped to my knees and we all bowed forward for a full minute, showing our respect. Chrissy went to him and I saw her hug him and cry. She stepped away and said to everyone that he is okay if you want to touch him. Our kind don’t ever touch the Alpha unless invited. One by one every member of the Pack hugged him. My mother finally had a chance to have a minute with him and she kissed his muzzle, tears streaming down her face.
“Oh Abel, my sweet Abe, oh how I wish he could have been here to see you. He would have been so proud of this moment, oh he really would. You are the most beautiful wolf I have ever seen in my life. You’re going to be a wonderful warrior and leader.”