Death and Howls Part Eleven: The Heart of a Mother

Luna:

Lying next to Darwin, his peaceful expression had me smiling softly to myself. Stress and guilt had him up for most of the nights as of late, the early morning rays waking him up. Sitting up with a groggy yawn, his pointed ears picked up what I was hearing. Rolling his eyes, Acer yelled on the other side of the door. As much as he despised his presence, he adored Acer like a damn brother.

“The twins and I want to hang out today. Remember that Mother is babysitting the babies today!” He shouted with enthusiasm, Darwin swinging his feet over the edge of the bed. Tugging on a pair of black wool pants, scarlet painted my cheeks at his sculpted chest and abs. Winking at me while sliding on his shirt, his tired smile met mine. Never had he ever looked more handsome, his wedding ring catching my eyes. So happy that he was my husband, my heart couldn't bear the thought of him not being around. Climbing onto the bed while buttoning his shirt, his lips brushed against my forehead. 

“Have a ladies’ day out with Rose. Have fun for me, my little wolf.” He teased playfully, his hand sliding down to my chin. Pressing his lips against mine passionately, a hunger woke up in my inner wolf. Arching my body towards him, my heart seemed seconds from beating out of my chest. Another knock had him hissing in pure annoyance, his hand holding mine until it couldn’t. Pausing by the door while he slid on his boots, his crooked grin returned. 

“How about we hit the town as a family tomorrow? I don’t get many days off but I want to get lunch with you guys. Acer and Rose are coming along if you don’t mind. Maybe our kids will be great friends.” He pleaded with an even bigger grin, the vibrancy in his body language causing me to blush harder. “I will take that as a yes. See you tonight, my dear wolf.” Blowing me a kiss, Acer and the twins whisked him away. The door opened up, Melda and Rose letting themselves in. Seeing why this annoyed Darwin, Melda smoothed out her flowing burgundy gown with a beautiful smile. Noticing that I had just woken up, her fingers plucked the miniature blouses and pants from the counter. Humming as she changed their diapers, Rose bounced over to me with her hands clasped together. Donning a rare brown pant and ivory blouse combination, something was definitely up. Melda waved at us while whisking the twins away with an even bigger smile, Rose scooting closer to me. Her smile seemed too bright, my intuition hoping it wasn't too terrible.

“Whatever it is, I am game.” I chirped cheerfully, her wings fluttering with joy. Smiling sadly, something seemed to be eating at her. “Why are you so sad?” Resting on her haunches, the words wouldn’t come to her lips. Shaking her head, I knew better than to press it. Climbing out of bed around her, my steady hands tugged on a leather emerald dress. Realizing that  Darwin left without his leather coat, the thought crossed to bring it to him. Waving that off, a picture floated from the inside pocket. Plucking it off the floor, the blood in my veins froze. My mother smiled up at me, his fine art skills drawing an older version of me. How long had he been working on it, a quake coming upon my hands. Sliding it back into his pocket, the time it took to don a proper smile took a minute. Sliding on my worn boots, the desire to have my mother holding me woke up a poisonous trauma. Screams echoed in my mind, a light touch on my shoulder had me leaping ten feet into the air. Landing clumsily, Rose hid her smile underneath her hand. Embarrassment flushed my cheeks, her hands resting on her hips. Drawing a few symbols in the air, a natural wooden door rose from my floor. The door swung open, the bustling realm of the fairies had wonder stealing away the swelling depression. Dragging me through, the door slammed shut behind us. Our boots crunched through the trees to a worn tree house, her expression sinking further into an unseen darkness. Yanking down the rope ladder, the rungs groaned with every climb. Scurrying around on her knees, her hand knocked on the floorboards. Pulling myself in, I chose to sit in the corner. My mind was far from sound, a false smile doing little to hide it. Ripping up the board in front of her, her dainty hands dug around. A loud yes burst from her lips, an ancient map rested in her palms. Maps always lead to trouble, the chance of us getting what she wanted without resistance had to slim to none.

“My mother dug a memory box for me and I want to find it today with my best friend. Treasure is always gold, right?” She breathed with a broken smile, her words causing my heart to skip a beat. It had been a while since someone had called me a best friend, my genuine smile cheering her up a bit. Crawling over to her, my hand cupped hers. Perking up at my touch, true friends always helped each other. My old man dug that into my brain, his efforts to keep Lottie safe were born to his friendship from her.

“Let’s find your gold.” I returned with a twinkle in my eyes, my heart knowing what it was like without your mother. Popping to my feet, my hand hovered inches from her face. Accepting my hand with another one of her stunning smiles, the adventure was set to begin. Yanking her to her feet, her abrupt embrace had shock rounding my eyes. Resting my chin on her head, her emotions soaked my shoulder. Comforting her felt like a joke today, my own heart feeling like porcelain.

“Not a word to Acer.” She begged between sniffles, her secrets becoming mine. “His worries related to me are much too high.” Holding her shoulders, her concerns were unfounded. Climbing down first, Rose fluttered down. Unfolding the map on my back, her fingers traced the worn paper.  Folding it up, she tucked it onto her pocket. Hooking her elbow around mine, the hike began. The tree homes became regular trees, a layer of sweat glistening on her forehead. Excusing myself, I stripped off my dress behind a thick tree. Bones cracked, muscles groaning into my werewolf form, her eyes lighting up at my silver fur dancing in the morning breeze. Dropping my dress into her palm, her fraying nerves visibly relaxed with every pat on my big head. Licking her palm, her laughter twinkled in the air. That’s right, your friend is here for you. 

“Hop on!” I barked with my tail wagging, her body feeling light as a feather. “Which way do we go?” Pointing to the west, my paws padded along the rich forest floor. Freedom coursed through my veins, her real smile never leaving her face. Remembering how my mother would do the same to me, the days of us bounding around had been something worth cherishing. Running through the hours, her hand tapped my fluffy neck to get me to stop. Skidding to a rough stop, bitter bewilderment mixed with sorrow while she examined the empty circle. Sniffing the map, a faint but sweet scent danced up my nose. Sniffing the dirt, a matching scent had me digging away. Hitting a worn wooden box, a whine had her rushing to my side. Picking up the box with wet eyes, shadows darted around us. The fur on my back stood up, growls rumbling in my throat. Stepping in front of her, my ears pinned back. The color drained from her cheeks, her fingers tugging on my fur desperately. No one hurt my friend, not a damn soul!

“We have to go before they kill you!” She sobbed uncontrollably, every breath growing shorter. “Those things were responsible for murdering my mother.” The dark scent was unforgivable, malicious intent poisoning the air. Standing tall, a sense of protection had me clawing at the ground. Magic may not be my strong suit but brute strength and wit made up for it. Closing my eyes, all but one was a copy. Licking her cheeks, her protests grew more feverish. Kicking up a cloud of dirt, my sharp eyes hunted the main guy. All but one glitched out, a howl bursting from my lips. Charging at him, a silver dagger flipped over his fingers. Pushing off the dirt, his worn leather jacket reminded me of wings. Landing with a dull thud, his malice was focused on Rose. Pounding into the tree line, he couldn’t see me if I were to save her. Catching up to him, a jump off the tree had Rose rolling across the dirt. Taking the strike from his dagger, ruby matted the fur on my back leg. Shivering from the silver fever, Rose cried into the dirt. The pale faced assassin's face doubled, my leg gave out. Crashing onto the dirt, the venom was spreading. Ruby poured from my eyes, Rose struggling to her feet. Smashing the box onto the dirt, a gust of wind blew about her. A chunk of rose quartz rolled to her feet, a couple of pictures floating over to my paws. Pinning them down so she could have her memories, a shaking battle cry tumbled from her lips.  

“Use the heart of my mother to save my friend!” She commanded with a busted smile, tears dripping off of her chin. “Please! She means so much to me!” A blast of energy had the dirt tripling in my view, a rough darkness stealing me away.  

Silver trees glittered around me, thousands of werewolves bounded all around me. A silver wolf approached me, her beautiful eyes swimming with tears. A tortured howl burst from my lips, my own mother was standing in front of me. Tear after tear soaked my fur, a blast of warm air causing my fur to float up as she laid down next to me. Was this real? Did death whisk me away?

“Why are you in the werewolf afterlife, my dear?” She inquired in her comforting tone, the tears flowing faster. “I love you but isn’t it a bit early.” Resting my head on her plush fur, the risk had been worth it. The familiar scent had me hoping for this moment to never end. My lips parted to speak, her stern look shutting me down. A long whine drew from my snout. Half of me wanted to stay, the other half wanted to go back home.

“Don’t you have two little pups to take care of?” She chastised me in her motherly tone, my ears wanting to hear more. “Trust me. I see it all from up here. Who is that man that dotes on you so well?” Raising my head, her tongue licked my tears away. She always knew how to shift the conversation from one of sorrow to a simmering sense of hope.

“His name is Darwin and he is my mate. Together we grew up with Miss Lottie who didn't care who you were. In fact, they rescued me.” I choked out through a wall of tears, her paws holding my snout. Pressing her forehead against mine, time slowed down. Not wanting this moment to end, her gaze softened with sorrow. Her heart ached for me, the two of us were happy to see each other again.

“Until we meet again my dear.” She whispered lovingly, the paradise fading away as Rose’s voice called out my name. 

Sitting up while sobbing uncontrollably, a river rock fireplace was crackling next to me. An emerald leaf dress covered my body, Rose smashing into me. Burying her head into my neck, her embrace tightened by the second. Weeping into my neck, her trauma drenched my hair. Shit, did I add to it? What would I do if I had?

“I can’t live without your fucking laugh and smile, you fucking idiot!” She berated me between sniffles, her fingers digging into my back. Pushing her off of me, guilt at me. The heart of her mother belonged to her, any trace of her mother had become dust. Wiping my tears away, no words needed to be said. Cupping my face, her natural smile returned. No wonder she was the queen, her golden heart reminding me of Lottie. God, I missed my family.

“That stupid heart isn’t worth more than our friendship.” She gushed with fresh tears in her eyes, her arms burying me into another bear hug. “Gold doesn’t always glitter, right?” Chuckling into her chest, both of us began to laugh. Laying her head on my lap, the past sure had a way of clarifying things. 

“I saw my mother and nothing could describe the broken bliss I experienced. Her voice was so warm and comforting.” I sobbed harder, my tears splashing onto her face. “Why do I miss her so much? Why did she have to go?” Rose sat up, her fingers wiping away my tears. Checking her pocket watch, a long string of curse words flooded from her lips. Helping me to my feet, a nasty scar poked out of the slit. Great! Darwin's curiosity would lead to a damn questioning when I wasn't in the mood.

“Unfortunately, we have to go home. Talk to me if you need to.” She promised me with a sweet smile, her hands curling around mine. “If anybody knows what it is like to lose a mother, I most certainly do.” Holding her hand over my heart, my breath hitched. What profound thing was she going to say?

“Her memory is here and nothing can take that away.” She laughed dejectedly, my hands cupping hers. “New memories are sure to be made, especially with your crazy ass.” A fit of laughter burst from my lips, her features brightening visibly. Burying her in a sisterly hug, something told me to cherish this moment. Releasing her, her fingers danced in the air, the same door returning. Crossing over, Acer ran up to her. Spinning her around, Darwin approached me with our kids. Smothering them in feverish kisses, my family would never know the sorrow of losing everyone. Clutching the twins close to my chest, my lips brushed against the top of their head. Felina clung to my legs, her big smile helping forget enough of my broken heart to function. Dar lifted up my chin with his finger, earned concern dimming his eyes at the evidence of tears. 

“Are you okay?” He inquired with an odd quietness, his smile fading. “Oh right! I drew something for you. The research was a pain in the ass but I thought our kids should know what their grandmother looked like. It’s not framed or anything but I hope not to upset you more than you already are.” Fishing around his leather coat, he presented me with a finished portrait of my mother. Her wolf form sat back in the distance, a yellow moon emphasizing her beauty. Resting my head on his chest, discreet sobs soaked his chest. Confused by my reaction, the sight of the picture was a welcome one.  

“Thank you. I love it.” I cried into his chest, his arms draping over me. “What would I do without you?” Cupping my cheek, his lips brushed against my forehead. Passing the sketch to Felina, her wonder filled gasps melted my heart. Basking in the warmth of the moment, a bit of hope returned to my wolf. Guiding me back to the cabin, the sight of him putting them to bed had my heart fluttering. Singing to them in his beautiful deep voice, the kids had landed the perfect father. Viktor and Boran taught him well, our fond childhood memories playing in my head. Plopping down next to me while kicking off his boots, Felina hugged the sketch to her chest. Chuckling softly to myself, his hand lowered my head to his lap. How many times have we sat like this? The many times played out in my head, his words snapping me out of the pleasant memories.

“Was it nice seeing your mother?” He queried with a nervous grin, everything coming together. “Sorry for interfering but Rose called me. Perhaps, a few favors were called in. Tell me. Was she as beautiful as I read?” Rolling onto my back, the pale moonlight made his features look so breathtaking. The scars were symbols of our journey, his fingers intertwining with mine. Brushing his lips against the back of my hand, his crooked grin stole my heart all over again.

“Yes. She was the prettiest wolf in the village.” I answered in a bittersweet tone, my hands resting on my flat stomach. “She would have adored you. All you do is favors for me while all I do is help Acer and Rose run the kingdom.” Poking my nose, scarlet painted my cheeks. What did he intend with that?

“My job is to protect the kingdom which includes my favorite wolf.” He answered simply, his fingers playing with my hair. “Don’t worry about that shit. I wouldn’t have anyone else keeping the fort down. Your efforts aren't fruitless.” Dar was right. I may not be on the front line but Rose did seem to appreciate my advice. Raising our kids together was going to be a blast, his lips brushing against my forehead. Hope raged strong in my wolf, our love fanning the flames.