Spirit of the Bear

Chapter 2

Despite my blatant disrespect to not only Alpha Marrok, but my Luna and my parents, they were very forgiving due to my circumstances. I had laid in my den for hours, poorly trying to psych myself up for this trip that could- no, would-change my life. I was nervous for the sole reason that Møte i Souls  was one of the oldest, and most important ceremonies of our culture. The Ball was important in that many shifters met their mates there, but it was also a celebration of Àsbjörn and Gudlaug's first meeting-it was actually held on the anniversary- my birthday- and all of the Royals would be there.

For the rest of the shifter world, the mated pairs would spend quality time together, like Valentine's Day to the humans, and the unmated shifters would have a barbecue type celebration. In the evening, the pack would come together, and the Alpha would tell the legend of Àsbjörn and Njord.

I didn't know how to act around the Royals, or how I was supposed to act at all. You would usually learn all of the customs starting a few weeks before you attended, but since I had only found out I was going two days before, I would have to fend for myself. To make matters worse,I was the first from my pack besides each Alpha to ever attend Møte i Souls in the place of our origin.

"Hi, sweetheart." My mom greeted me from the kitchen doorway, breaking me out of my thoughts.I was currently sitting on the front porch, taking in the scents of my home before I'd have to leave in the morning. 

"Hi Momma," I said, sniffling. Sitting down behind me, she started brushing out my long strawberry blonde hair, just like she used to do when I was little. It was easy to tell that I wasn't born into the pack, or what the humans thought to be a tribe. The rest of the wolves here had darker skin and darker hair and eyes.

"I know that you're nervous, Yiska, but don't be. You're beautiful and kind, and even though I didn't birth you I-" 

"No, mom." I said, interrupting her. "You ARE my mom, and dad is my dad. You both raised me, and that's what parents do. I couldn't love you less."

"You're also one of the most smart and accepting people I've ever had the pleasure of meeting; your mate is so lucky to have you to share apart of their soul with." She said, hugging me and kissing me on the forehead. "And if you don't find your mate there, you'll have the most amazing time traveling the world and meeting all sorts of different shifters."

I inwardly sighed at that new development. I'd be traveling through different packs to see if I could find my mate; I'd be gone months. This would be the first time I ever left Wyoming and my pack, and the possibility of finding my mate far from home was very likely.

"I'm going to put your stuff in the car, sweetheart. We'll leave for the airport in the morning.

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I was currently waiting on a bench outside of the Alesund Airport in Aselund, Norway. I had to admit that it was absolutely beautiful.Being the beginning of July, all the trees were in bloom, and the grass green. It was about 70 degrees, and from what I heard from my traveling partner, it was just a little above the average temperature, but nothing I couldn't handle. The average summer back home was only a little warmer.

"Are you Yiska?" A lilting musical voice broke the silence. I turned my head to see a beautiful blonde, petite girl, wearing black glasses that took over most of her face. She had beautiful brown eyes, and wasn't wearing makeup. She had her hair pulled back into a french braid, and was wearing a simple jeans and t-shirt, compared to my yoga pants and loose fitting sweater.

"I am!" I said, standing up and pulling my backpack onto my shoulders. I barely packed anything- I didn't normally wear makeup, and I expected to travel around the world in a few days. I didn't want to drag around a whole bunch of clothing, or other non essentials.

"I am Nora, I'll be your guide for all intents and purposes for your stay here! Very nice to meet you. Is this all you brought?" She said, gesturing to my lack of bags.

"Yes... I was told that everything I needed for tomorrow would be provided for me."I said bashfully.

"Yes! Though seeing you now, I have to do some shopping! Don't even think about trying to change my mind."She said, giggling, when she saw me about to protest. She surprised me by grabbing onto my arm and pulling me toward the street. "We will walk the city, is that okay with you?"

"Uh, yeah. It'll be nice to stretch my legs."

"Good! We do a lot of walking here, Yiska. We do anything outdoors, naturally."She winked at me. "Its the perfect place to see the sights- for all types of people. I hear you are a fox spirit, in a wolf pack, is that right? Being a fox is rare, but also being in a pack not meant for your spirit must be very difficult."

"Yes. I was adopted. What is your spirit? Do you have a mate?" These two questions were the common ice breaking conversation starters, no matter where you were from.

"I am a White Tailed Eagle,and yes. His name is Fredrik; he is also an Eagle, like me. He is waiting by the car for us, so you will get to meet him. He is very funny, I think you will like him." She's smiling so wide I'm pretty sure her cheeks are going to be sore.

"I'm excited to meet him then! It's very pretty here." I say, as we walk down the sidewalk. "I can't believe how much water there is!"

"Oh,yes! It's beautiful here! The weather is always changing, you almost never get bored! What is it like in Wyoming?"

"My pack owns a section of land in Thunder Basin National Park." I start, smiling at my home. "Its these wide open spaces of grassland, and buffalo and all sorts of other animals cross through.The sky is always so blue and looks like it so much bigger than anywhere else. There are not big bodies of water there though, like here."