**"Selene's POV **
"Calder come on get out they are going to be here any second"
I’m pushing him out the door, so he doesn’t eat any of the snacks or sit on any of the bean bags I’ve set up ready for our final girls’ night before Arti leaves tomorrow. So far I’m not doing so well at getting him to budge.
*"You know I could just stay you won’t even notice I’m here "*
He knows full well I wouldn’t be able to concentrate if he was here, we have this invisible string that seems to tie us together at least if he’s not in the same room I can try to ignore it.
Eventually, he leaves and a few moments later my sisters are both here holding snacks and wearing their pyjamas. We settle in around the tv talking between us until the music starts, I didn’t tell them what we would be watching but I know they are both going to love it. Sure enough, 20 minutes in we are all singing along to Mary Poppins the same way we did when we were small.
We eat, drink and laugh but with each passing minute, I’m more aware that this is the last time we will do this for a while with all three of us. Everything seems to be changing around me and soon Cynthia will have a family of her own.
I tell myself to stop acting like a brat and that they can live their own lives I just have to find my new place its in.
*"Selene. You've been staring at the same spot on the tv for like ten minutes and the movie is finished. What’s on your mind "*
The soft sound of Cynthia’s voice breaks my thoughts and pulls me back into the room.
"It’s nothing"
I smile at them but they both give me the I know your lying look.
"Okay it’s something"
*"What is it Sel, Arti and I are not going to judge you are we. Tell us what your feeling "*
"Well everything I am changing, and I guess I just don’t know where I fit me anymore "
Arti leans in closer concern spreading across her face.
*"Selene what do you mean?"*
"I mean, I just don’t know where if it anymore I’ve always been your baby sister, and now you are leaving and Cynthia’s having a baby and I’m just here a Luna of a pack with no real idea what I’m doing. I guess I’m just feeling a little lost and I think that’s why I lashed out at you going Arti I didn’t want to be alone "
*"Selene you will never be alone. As far as not knowing your place do you think I have any idea how to be a mum to another living thing, absolutely not I am freaking out big styles, I’m not even 100% how you change a nappy but I’m going to do it anyway "*
*"And I am terrified of going into the unchartered territory and leaving the two of you here, I’m so scared that she isn’t going to want help and it will all be a waste of time, but I do am going to do it anyway. This thing that your feeling Sel is called growing up, no one expects you to know how to be a Luna off the bat, how to deal with issues but you learn as you go, and people will respect you for it. Calder is the most perfect match for you because he everything you’re not, your life might be scary, and you might not know where you fit right now but you can guarantee with him it will never be boring "*
Their words cause my eyes to well up, to know they are both just as scared as I am with no real idea what they are doing. We all move to hug one another and end up butting heads at the same time.
"I guess I just never knew where my life would end up, but I do know it wasn’t like this, all of the things we have done and seen have been crazy"
*"I agree and it’s only going to get crazier once there is a mini-me running around "*
Cynth rubs her stomach and giggles.
*"But you have to remember your promise Arti I’m due and three months and you swore you’d be back for it, I cannot give birth without the two of you there with me "*
*"Cynthia I promise, I’ve said it a thousand times I’ll be back to see this baby be born even if I’m not done yet "*
The rest of the evening goes by so quickly, we watch a few more movies and Artemis accidentally shoots milkshake out of her nose at a particularly humorous part causing us to all fall into a giggling fit for twenty minutes.
Soon the night comes to an end and I’m faced with the harsh reality that when I walked up tomorrow it will be to say goodbye to one of my best friends.
I quietly try to climb into bed to not wake Calder but as I do I’m pulled down my back hitting his warm chest.
*"Did you have a good night?"*
Did I have a good night?
I’m not sure how to answer that I had the best night actually, but it left an aftertaste in my mouth.
"It was a bittersweet evening "
He doesn’t say anything but pulls me closer covering me in his warmth and forcing me to relax, we both know that for tonight at least I may not sleep all that well.
The sun crashes through the window as it rises, leaving an orange glow on the room on every piece of furniture in the room, I look at the clock on the bedside table it reads 5:30 am. I could lay here and wait for time to pass or I could do something productive, I slide out of bed and grab some clothes out of the wardrobe before heading to the bathroom showering in record time before getting dressed and heading down to the kitchen.
As soon as I enter I’m greeted by Sibyl who looks as fresh as ever.
*"You're up early love "*
She smiles and hands me a cup of coffee.
*"Is today the day ?"*
She raises her eyebrows at me, very few people know that Arti and Ryan are leaving and even fewer know the real reason why. I simply nod in response and take a sip of my coffee.
She carries on pottering around the kitchen.
"Sibyl, do you mind if I help ?"
She was taken aback by my question, but she accepts my offer, she leaves me in charge of cracking all the eggs for the breakfast and we begin to chat her giving me more tasks as I finish.
We are interrupted by some early rising pack members who wander into the kitchen to grab some premade protein shakes, they stop when they see me and bow their heads a look of shock as I’m stood there in an apron.
"You don’t have to bow your heads to me, can I get you anything else to eat or is it just the shake ?"
They both look confused as I offer to serve them food and they politely decline to head out of the back door.
*"They are not used to a Luna offering to feed them, I’m sure they will come around eventually "*
It’s at that moment that an idea strikes me, one that would keep me occupied until I have to say goodbye.
"Hey Sibyl, what was the plan for dinner ?"
*"I have not thought that far ahead yet was there something in particular you wanted, bear in mind French toast is not dinner"*
I laugh at her remark because it absolutely is an appropriate dinner.
"Actually, I was thinking I could prep dinner the pack ?"
*"You want to cook for all the entire pack?"*
"Yes, I do, I think it would be a good way to get to know everyone "
*"That sounds like a wonderful idea. What are we having ?"*
"Well, I only know how to make one thing. Lasagne. Do we have all the stuff for that “?
She heads to the fridge and starts pulling out ingredient’s, I take it as a yes as she then instructs some young girls that have arrived to take over prepping the breakfast.
"It’s my mums’ recipe and I don’t know all the measurements by heart, but I usually wing it, will that be okay ?"
*"I’m sure it will, I’ve just found all these trays to put them in we have 45 I think that will be enough"*
A few hours later we are sprinkling the cheese on top of all the lasagne's, the smell of home filling the kitchen. Throughout the morning people have come and go grabbing breakfast all shocked to see me in there but comment on how they can’t wait for dinner. It feels nice to share something of mine with them.
I’m broken from my thoughts by a link from Calder.
*"Selene, I know you are in the kitchen but it’s almost time to say goodbye "*
"I’m on my way, but how did you know where I was?"
*"Well when the Luna is in the kitchen prepping dinner word gets around. Also, when you come up can you bring me food ?"*
I laugh and close the link. Before I leave Sibyl hands me a sausage and bacon muffin wrapped in foil for Calder and a small picnic basket.
*"I packed a few of their favourite things for their journey, would you mind giving it to them. I would come but I’m an emotional old lady and Artemis doesn’t need to see me cry "*
I head out to the front, handing Calder his food and making my way to Artemis who is currently locked into a solid embrace with Cynthia. I tap her on the shoulder, but she doesn’t respond just pulls me into the circle with both, quiet sniffling between us as we all try to stay strong and not cry anymore.
Once we pull away I had her the basket.
"I’m sorry I wasn’t here to help you load up the car, I got distracted "
*"I could tell, the smell of mums lasagne has filled the entire house Selene "*
I blush it feels good knowing it smells the same.
"The food is from Sibyl by the way "
*"Make sure you tell her I said thank you "*
She hands the basket to Ryan and he places it in the back of the car along with two large backpacks.
"How long will you be in the car for?"
*"Only until we reach the edge of the uncharted territories then it’s safer to go on foot *
I nod at her reply the reality of where she’s going finally settling in.
*"I can’t believe you’re really leaving Arti, Selene and I are going to miss you more than you’ll ever know. I know you keep saying you won’t be long but even just one day is long enough. Promise me you will keep us updated at every opportunity "*
She pulls the two of us back in for a hug this time her tears are flowing freely.
"You just make sure that it’s worth it Arti, whatever it is your looking for whether it is Sekreta or something else make every second you’re out there worth it. I am so incredibly proud to call you my big sister and I will miss you every day that you are gone"
My tears start flowing and I try to quickly wipe them away.
*"The two of you are my greatest achievement, I will be back before you know it. I’ll be here for the birth of this little one and I promise you that. This is not forever just a momentary blip in time, and I’ll be back before you even notice I’ve gone. I just know Sekreta needs me and I have to at least find her and offer her the chance of a family "*
She stays strong through her words and I know it’s because she means them.
*"It’s not like I’m dying girls just taking an extended vacation"*
She laughs and we hug once more our wolves internally howling at the touch that little spark of power we feel igniting once more.
Our embrace is broken by the sound of Ryan Calling Arti, we walk her over to the car and say goodbye to Ryan too. Cynthia giving him some choice words if he lets anything happen to her he nervously laughs it off.
Once the goodbyes are said they jump in the car, as soon as the engine turns on I’m back to be a crying mess. I feel I a pair of arms around my waist holding me up as I silently cry watching the car leave.
Turning my head to the side I see Cynthia is doing the same her and Sigi's hands placed protectively over the bump.
My stomach feels queasy as the car turns the corner and goes out of sight.
A few moments later Cynthia and I receive a link.
*" I love you both "*
Arti closes the link quickly Cynthia grabbing for my hand at the same time.
She had really left.