After breakfast, Xael called for her pups. A few minutes passed and they were running from the woods, tails wagging.
"Silly boys. I know. Let's go!"
Inside, they waited for their paws to be cleaned. Again Xael got emotional as this would be the last time she would clean their paws and the last time they would be in Grandma's house. She quickly gathered herself and went to the living room where the others were sitting. Xael went to the bedroom and gathered their things and sat them by the front door. She joined Adam and Skylar on the couch, resting her head on Skylar's shoulder. He too could sense how emotional she was and kissed her on the head.
"You two can come by whenever."
"We will Pup."
"Mn."
Adam stood up and stretched, Xael catching a whiff of his scent she inadvertently growled then chuckled.
{Goofball!}
{Stinky Alpha}
"Let's go you!"
"See you guys in a bit Grammy."
"Okay dear."
Walking outside, her Pups were sitting by the jeep but staring off into the treeline. Xael already knew the others were there. In the back seat they went as Adam started up the vehicle.
"Ready for the party babe?"
"Yes! It's going to be so nice having everyone together. Like one large blended family."
"Yeah, I'm just amazed that my great grams is going to be there."
"No kidding!"
By the time they reached the paved road, Xael had fallen silent again. She glanced back at her boys as they were both sitting up looking out the windows into the trees. Xael could smell them also and wouldn't be surprised if they hung around their cabin.
Making it into town, people were out and about enjoying the nice day. Right now Xael just wanted to get home and get started on preparing the food.
"Ah! We need more chairs!"
"I'll get ahold of Skylar when we get home."
"Okay." Xael let out a long sigh.
Adam glanced over to her and saw a tear that she quickly wiped away.
"What is it babe? Talk to me."
"I'm letting them go tonight."
Gunner put a paw on her shoulder as Adam gently took her hand.
{Gunner}
"I'll be fine. It's just... their my babies." Xael was trying again not to get choked up.
"I know babe. I know. You're Grandfather won't let anything happen to them."
"I know. They're strong and will make great pack leaders."
"That they will babe."
Pulling up to their house, Xael let her pups out of the back. Instead of going off to the woods they both stayed near their momma. They two knew they would be living soon and wanted to spend time near her as well. She gave both of them good pets as they trotted up to the front door and waited. Walking over to her, Adam gave her a kiss to the head. All of her Alphas were keeping her close to help comfort her as much as they could. Walking inside, the boys went to their bed so they could stay out of the way.
Adam and Xael busied themselves with preparing all the food that would be needed for the festivities. Adam quickly contacted Skylar to inform him of the chairs, he'd already loaded them into his truck. As Xael tended to the meat, she felt a brief yet intense flash of heat. Adam picked up her sweet scent, it was faint and only her Alpha would be able to detect it. He let out a growl and smirked at her. He wrapped his arms around his Omega and nuzzled her.
"Mmmm, you're going into heat babe."
"Oh really?! And I wonder why...Alpha!" Xael flashed her red eyes at him. "Whatever it is you've been doing when I'm asleep is also putting me into heat! Furboy!"
Adam smacked her on the but and went to start up the grill. Xael's Grandfather linked her. It was time. Much earlier than she wanted but she was at peace with it. The pack Elders needed to train the younger Alphas on hunting game for the upcoming winter. Xael took a deep breath and turned to her boys. Both sitting at attention.
{Adam...} She needed her Alpha with her.
Adam walked in, slightly worried. "Babe?" She looked at him with tears in her eyes. Even though she was at peace with it, it didn't mean it would hurt any less. SHe knelt down as her Pups came over to her, their heads lowered. She nuzzled them both, fighting back the tears. Removing their collars, both her boys licked her and nuzzled her back, putting their paws on her to let her know they would be fine. Without saying anything they all went to the back deck where the other wolves were already waiting for them. Adam rubbed her back. Taza shifted to his human form to talk to her.
"Hey little Pup."
"Hey Taza."
{Taza}
She could no longer hold the tears back and she didn't want to. She had earned them.
"Your boys are fine Alphas, you raised them well."
"Thank you. Promise me you'll take care of them."
"Promise baby girl. You're their mother. THey will never forget that. Never."
Xael knelt and shared another hug with her boys, Adam even joined her and gave each one a hug as well.
"Don't worry boys. I'll protect her now."
"We know, that's the only reason they are leaving. Xael has you Adam, you're her Alpha now and they know you'll protect her with your life. Just like they would." Her Grandfather talked to both of them; mostly Xael, to help ease the hurt.
Xael took a deep breath as her tears stopped. She gave each one another huge hug, Moose grumbling from the strength of his momma's arms around his neck. "Don't be strangers, this will always be your home. I know you two will be fine Pack leaders. We're always together, okay?"
Both her boys barked in agreement. Another hug as she couldn't stop and didn't want them to go but knew that they should. She stood and was held by her Alpha as her boys turned to leave. The other Alphas howled, welcoming them and honoring Xael as their mother. Taza shifted back into his wolf form and joined the others as they headed back to the dense treeline. Before disappearing, her boys turned to her and linked her, letting her know in their own way how much they loved and cared for her. She wished them best and told them that she would always be there for them. Finally out of sight, Xael turned to her Alpha and cried once again.
Xael figured her Grandfather must have sensed that she was willing to let them go that day. He wanted to reassure her as much as he could that her pups would be okay. He too knew how much they meant to her. After a few minutes, Xael calmed down as Adam released a low, barely audible growl for her. She nuzzled him back.
"Thank you hon."
"They'll be fine babe. You raised them well."
"They better be." A quick kiss and she went inside as Adam finished what he was doing with the grill. Xael placed the pups' collars on the mantle of the fireplace. Once she found a good spot in their bedroom, they would go in there. Xael told herself her boys were just on an extended run in the woods.
{Moose saying goodbye to his momma}