Chapter 37: Resemblance
Astrid's POV
I gripped the steering wheel as my weary eyes scanned the winding road ahead. The rhythmic hum of the engine reverberated through the car, blending harmoniously with the faint music playing on the car's speaker.
It was a long ride travelling from the Nightsong Pack to the Frostbite Pack. Nova and I took turns behind the wheel so we could arrive there as soon as possible before the Frostbite Pack could sign an alliance with the Silvermoon Pack and lose all our chances. Nova lay sound asleep beside me, her chest rising and falling into a peaceful slumber. She drove all night before I took my turn to drive this morning.
I shivered when the bitter cold seeped through the car's window, chilling me to the bone and adding an extra layer of fatigue.
Drowsiness tugged at me because of the cold climate. The long empty road, the snowflakes that pattered the windshield, and the snow-covered landscape outside. It made it hard for a pregnant woman like me to keep my eyes open.
I yawned and flexed my fingers on the steering wheel to battle my drowsiness. We are nearing our destination. The fact that everything around us is snow-covered right now just shows that we are near.
"Oh no!" My eyes widened, and I jammed my foot on the break when someone suddenly sprinted in front of my car. I yelped as I nearly bumped my head into the steering wheel because of the sudden force.
Nova blinked her eyes and groaned after she was broke out of her slumber. "W-What happened?" She asked me with a sleepy voice.
I didn't answer her. I removed my seatbelt and went out of the car to see what it was. My heart raced inside my chest as I wondered if I had killed something.
"Oh no! I'm so sorry!" I covered my mouth in fear when I realized that it wasn't an animal. I nearly drove over a little girl.
The little girl looked frightened as she locked gazes with me. She's slumped on the ground, a few inches in front of my car.
I don't think I hit her. I didn't hear anything colliding with my car. If I was a bit late in stepping on the brakes, I think I would have killed her.
"Are you okay?" I asked her worriedly as I rushed to help her.
I helped her stand up and checked her for any injuries, but I didn't see anything. Nova watched me after she stepped out of the car.
"Are you hurt?" I asked her again while looking into her eyes, but she didn't say a word.
"What's your name?" Nova asked the little girl when she gave me no response.
The girl didn't say anything. She just continued to stare at us emptily.
I bit my lower lip in fear, thinking that I might have hit her head or something, causing her to lose her ability to speak.
"Do you know who your mom is? Do you know where you live?" Nova stepped forward and crouched before the little girl to match her height.
She wore a soft smile on her face to make the girl feel comfortable. Back in the Nightsong Pack, all the kids there like Nova. I let her speak to the girl since she is good with children.
Nova sighed when she still got no response from her. She stood up and turned her attention to me. "It seems this child is lost. We should take her to the Frostbite Pack with us. Maybe they would be able to identify her," Nova suggested.
I nodded my head. I was thinking the same thing, too..
To prevent further accidents this time, Nova volunteered to drive the car even though she didn't have enough sleep.
The little girl sat in the back seat in silence while I sat beside Nova. We kept asking her questions, hoping that we could get just her name, but she just sat there in silence, Staring at nothing.
I stared at the little girl's clothes from the rearview mirror. She seemed like someone who came from a rich family. Her coat is made of real animal fur, but I don't know if that is an indication that she's rich or if her parents just hunted animals and made that fur for her,
With her light brown hair, baby brown eyes, and button-like nose, she just looks like a doll, sitting behind us without moving. After a short drive, we finally arrived at the Frostbite Pack. Nova finally slowed the car down as we entered their Pack borders
"What is happening?" I whispered when I saw how many Pack warriors were outside as if they were searching for something.
"I don't know," Nova replied. "I think they have an event or something."
Nova stopped the car when we finally arrived at the Packhouse's entrance.
I pulled my coat closer to my body as I walked out of the car.
"Our visitors from the Nightsong Pack, am I right?" A man welcomed us with a smile. "Lady Nova and Lady Stella, please welcome to our Pack."
The man who welcomed us must be the Frostbite Pack's Alpha. He has a full beard, with light brown hair and baby-brown eyes.
"Alpha Everest, it's nice meeting you." I raised my hand for a handshake, which he took.
"Likewise, Ms. Stella. It's nice meeting you," he replied.