Flight 118: A Woman’s Future

Our time in Alpha Eric’s territory went by in a blur of chaos and confusion.

After Clarisse and I had caught up in the office, the men decided to talk about some “pack business” and Luna Ana decided to bring us to their kitchen for some girl time.

I would have much preferred to have gone out to meet everyone who had come back from the plane crash, but all of the men had not wanted us to leave the pack-house without them. As it was, we were already being guarded by three men each.

They did not seem to think it was overkill considering we were still in the same house as they were. Men.

Ana made the three of us some food and we sat down to talk about everything from where we came from and what our world was like, to more in-depth tales of our travels after our arrival, to pack life. The last one was where I became more interested.

I had so many questions about this world, packs, and mates. But I also wanted some outside insight into my confusing feelings about this world and Jonah. Preferably insight that was not from a man. Which made our current situation perfect.

Here I sat with two females, one that understood the world I came from and the other that understood the world I am now in.

It also did not hurt that we had spent probably an hour now getting to simply know each other. So, I felt comfortable enough to ask questions I have been thinking of.

“Ana, how did you and Eric meet?”

She froze with a cookie almost to her lips, which made me concerned that I had asked the wrong question.

“Oh- it’s okay if you aren’t comfortable-,” I started but was cut off by her shaking her head and a gigantic smile spreading across her face.

She touched my hand, “No, of course not! I just- it has been so long since I was asked that question it just messed me up. But it was so amazing, I could never forget it. It almost feels like it was just yesterday.”

I smiled a little at that and asked, “Wow, really? How long have y’all been together?”

Laughing, she had such a happy look on her face. Her eyes and face glowed with such a happy look. Ana was a person you could tell was completely in love with her mate.

“We’ve been together for three amazing years. You know what’s funny? When we met, I ran from him! Can you believe it?” She cries out while laughing.

Smiling with wide eyes, Clarisse asked, “Why? Because he’s a shifter?”

For some reason, this made Ana laugh even louder. Tears were now starting to come to her eyes, “Actually no! I ran-,” she paused and snorted- causing us to laugh. “I ran because he was wearing a cowboy hat!”

At this point, all three of us were laughing as she told us about how her mom told her stories about the Wild West and how cowboys were dangerous, dirty men.

“My mom would always tell me, ‘Be lucky Ana, that you won’t come across a cowboy here in Orlando, cause they’ll tie you up to their horse, and force you to do their bidding’. I always thought she was crazy, but then again, I never had to worry about seeing a cowboy in Orlando! Then, I went swimming one day in this secret place I found, and I saw a man standing there with glowing eyes and a cowboy hat!”

She finally seemed to catch her breath as she sighed one of those love-struck kinds of sighs. She continued, “I knew he was a shifter immediately, and I knew his wolf was on the surface since his eyes were glowing. But all I could see was that stupid hat and hear my mom’s voice in my head. But, I won’t regret running because being caught was completely worth it. He chased me and when he caught me, he ended up marking me right then and there. At first, I was both terrified and ticked off. But, one look into his eyes- I knew. I knew he was the one for me. I had been captured by the cowboy- heart, body, and soul.”

“What is marking?” I asked.

She looked at me startled and then chuckled, “Of course that’s the part you would focus on. I keep forgetting you didn’t know about shifters before. Marking is the first step of the mating process. So, basically, in human terms, it’s the permanent engagement ring while the next step is the permanent wedding ring. Marking is your mate biting you on your neck- in its most simple form. It binds you together and creates the beginning of the solidified bond between you two. Once he bites you, he then licks over it- essentially ensuring you both transfer DNA so that everyone knows you’re taken. But most people tend to do both steps at the same time.”

I frowned but Clarisse then asked, “Why? What’s the other step?”

In the background, I saw some of the men guarding us shift uncomfortably. They almost looked embarrassed. Interesting. I wonder why.

Ana laughed and mischievously glanced at the men. She must have noticed how uncomfortable they were too. “Well...consummation is the second step. The reason why most people wait to do both at the same time is because they also have to mark us then also, and for shifters- when you mate- there... uh can’t be...for it to work, well. Remember, it’s... essentially, it’s making sure as much DNA is shared between the two of you as possible. But also, I think part of it is to try to ensure the continuation of the bloodline as much as possible. Which these days, it makes sense. Most men are not lucky enough to even have a wife or mate, and we women- well we know how significant we are for the world. So no one is really complaining about the possibility of having a family. Besides, something happens during the second stage that we really can’t explain.”

“Let’s just say, I have some attributes of a wolf I did not have before I was marked, like I have canines when I need them. It’s really weird because I can’t control them at all. The first popped up during our first time. It hurt so bad, but then I knew the only way to stop it from hurting was to mark Eric also. Now, we’ll be together or I’ll be super mad about something and they’ll just pop out.”

Clarisse and I both sat there staring at her in shock and a mixture of horror.

My brain was processing everything and practically was thinking of Jonah and me doing all of it. Would I be ready for that? Everything seemed to move much faster in this world. Which, to me, made sense. Even how Ana had spoken about having a family as soon as possible made sense to me.

That did not mean I was ready to go find Jonah and get started, but it made sense. It did not make sense to Clarisse though, who began to freak out. Which, I guess also makes sense.

Earlier, she had told us she just turned 18. It’s crazy how a few years of age difference could change how you think of things. I mean, I’m just 21 but I feel so much older than her. Especially now.

I wanted to continue talking. I wanted to know more and ask them what I should do. More specifically, what I should do with Jonah. With us.

But then the men walked in, Jonah immediately coming to me and taking my hand, pulling me up into his arms. His face buried into my hair and breathed in. I wondered if he was smelling me or something.

That question was answered, though, when Eric walked over to Ana and buried his face into her neck. It was very obvious what he was doing and she seemed to like it. A lot.

Once they were, I don’t know- satisfied- they pulled back and Jonah spoke, “So, the doctor that was on your plane has been offered a job with the pack and accepted. He will be staying. Some men and two older women with injuries did not make it- but everyone else is now believed to make a full recovery. Apparently, Alpha Eric already explained to everyone what has been happening and mates and everything. He informed them, he will allow them to stay until they make a full recovery or decide where they want to go- or, if they so choose, will be allowed to be in the nearby village this pack helps protect. But, he also made it clear, for his hospitality, he required all the women to stay until all the wolves had a chance to search for their mate. He had to word it that way, and of course promise he wouldn’t allow anyone to be forced into anything because some women got skittish.”

Alpha Eric looked over at me sheepishly, “I’m sorry, Luna Emilia. I would never allow them to be forced. They do have an opinion in the matter. But I also couldn’t let them just leave when I have wolves who will be coming from everywhere to look for their mate here. Especially since we need as much help these days as possible.”

I was not sure how I felt about it but I did understand why he did it.

Wow. What was happening to me? I sound like one of those people who do not get upset over anything. Which was not me.

Jonah pulled my attention back to him and kissed my forehead, then whispered, “Come my little savior, let us go so see your survivors.”

I blushed but quickly followed as we all left the pack-house and went to one of the biggest tents. As we walked, I noticed so many men watching us or staring towards the tent. I realized they all had a longing and hopeful look in their eyes.

Something sharp hit me in my chest as I thought about how many of these men would leave with that look of hope gone. Then I looked over at Jonah and found him looking at me with the same look.

Imagining him with a heartbroken or hopeless look in his eyes hurt me so much more. I could not bear it if I was the one responsible for it. I always wished to find my soulmate and have a family. And here he is, I thought to myself.

I do not think I would be able to just jump in. But I now think, maybe I could trust him. At least a bit more.

Maybe I could try and see where this thing went.

With hope filling my own heart and the decision to at least try, I looked back up at him and smiled.