Primordial

Chapter Twenty-One

"The day they took Kida, we were just out playing in the lavender fields like we always would. They were just on the edges of our territory, and you just loved to roll around in the flowers and play, so I took you whenever I got the chance," she said, her gaze studying mine as she spoke. "That day was just like any other. Mahtim told me to be home by sunset, and I took you out to play for a couple hours. You always hated being inside all day when they would have meetings or training's, so you were running the entire way there. We ran around until the evening light, and just as I was about to call an end to our last game, I heard rustling i the woods." She swallowed thickly, her eyes becoming glassy as the story progressed. "I didn't eve have time to turn around before this terrible pain ran through my whole body. I hit the ground like a stone, and when I opened my eyes, I saw a man pointing a smoking gun at me. He'd shot me in the stomach with a silver bullet. He turned around to two other men, who were shoving you into a burlap sack. He said, "Take the little one. It's better to start younger." He looked at me with so much hatred, I thought he was going to finish me off right there. But he just walked away, carrying you with him. I howled for hours after, but the fields were on the very edge of the pack. I was nearly dead when Papak and a search party found me the next morning. When I woke up in the pack infirmary, I fell to my knees and begged forgiveness from the Goddess because I had let my little brother be taken by humans. I am so ashamed." Her voice broke as she suddenly pushed herself up to stand, walking over to the window. It had started to snow again, and she studied each flake as it fell to the ground.

"The entire pack searched for years. We never gave up hope on you, Kida. We just didn't know a thing. Your connection to the pack link had mysteriously evaporated, and you were too young to know how to navigate the Veil." Mila said in exasperation. She must've read the confused look on our faces when she mentioned the pack link, and she softly sighed. "The pack link is a sacred Chirak practice that allows each member of the pack to be connected in mind and spirit. We know when one of us is hurt, can hear them calling out for us in our minds, and allow us to know each other's movements perfectly in battle. Any pack could utilize this practice, but it has been forgotten with time and become legends, much like our own people have."

"So Asa couldn't find me in the Veil because I couldn't access it before?" I asked for clarification.

"That and I couldn't access it either. You forget that I am only sixteen, brother. I was still a pup when you disappeared," Asa added. "None of the others in the pack besides Mahtim could stay in there long enough to establish a decent foothold, and it's dangerous to reside in the Veil for too long. Even so, without your connection to the link there was no trace of you in the Veil."

"Do they know I'm okay?" I asked meekly, and Mila's head turned to peer down at me. "Do they know I'm alive?"

"We wanted to wait until we knew for sure before we told them," Mila answered with a glum smile. "No need to reopen old wounds unless we were absolutely sure. Don't worry, we'll see them soon enough once we get you home." Now it was time for Grayson to stand suddenly, his eyes wide with shock and suppressed anger.

"What do you mean, "get him home?"' he growled lowly. I stood quickly as Mila growled back, wrapping both my arms around his.

"He must be with his people," she said through gritted teeth. "He belongs with us." Grayson opened his mouth to protest, but I squeezed his arm desperately. He froze, looking down at me in bewilderment.

"Mila, this is my home now," I said slowly. "I am Luno to this pack. My mate is here, my friends are here. My people are facing war, a war fought in part to avenge wolves who have suffered similar fates to mine. I cannot leave them. While I don't mind the idea of visiting the pack of my birth, this pack is my home. I'm not leaving it anytime soon." I stood tall beside Grayson, gripping onto him for dear life as I stared into the eyes of my sister. She looked a little hurt, but to my deep relief, I also found understanding.

"I would never ask you to neglect your duty as Luno to this pack. I won't ask you to leave your mate, Kida," she murmured. "I couldn't imagine it, I would never. I have a mate of my own, and even being away from him two days makes my heart ache." She straightened as Asa stood by her side. A silent conversation passed between them before they both turned to Grayson and I, a fire in their eyes I had seen in my own. "We will call Mahtim, Papak, and our best warriors here to these lands. We will fight this battle with you, Alpha and Luno. We will avenge you and others with you, brother. I swear it on my life," she said boldly, and my heart swelled. I looked up at Grayson, who was grinning with sparkling eyes as any sign of anger was forgotten.

"I'll call the Board," he said, giddy as he rushed up the stairs. I turned back towards my siblings, falling into their arms once again. My face hurt from smiling, and I knew mine matched theirs. My parents were coming, and soon our little family would be whole again. I would meet my people, fight alongside them in battle, learn the ways of my people. Everything was falling into place, all we needed now was to find them. Those hunters were in for a big surprise.

—————————————

A little in-depth on Mila and Asa! I cannot WAIT until this family is whole again.

How were the holidays for everyone? I hope time away from school was great and now everyone is somewhat prepared for nasty cold weather and no time off until spring break...

Yeah I'm not hype about it either, but I guess we'll have to make due.