Home is... Where?

Home is... Where?
I was slowly getting used to days becoming blurry and it turned out to be a lot harder to get a pack ready to leave Whitebridge, than it was to get them there. A logistical nightmare to get everyone organised and where they were supposed to be when the air was so relaxed, safe and carefree compared to the carnage that we left behind. No one wanted to go and face reality.

Lucian, Alethia and Rhydian were unusually cheery for us to leave, which was the complete opposite to what I expected and it was as if they couldn't get us to leave quick enough. I expected tears from my Mother, and my Father trying to convince us to stay longer - but it never came.

Landon and Macie were coming back with us as their first official 'almost Alpha and Luna' solo business trip to oversee the remaining Whitebridge people who were there, holding down the fort while we were away for the last week. It would also give Macie the chance to see Shadowfen and for Landon to tie things up as Malachi's Beta, pack his life up and say his goodbyes.

"We'll come and visit within the next week!" Alethia gushed, as she squeezed the life out of us all. I was weary that this was the beginning of a mental breakdown. My Mother was strong, but she had been kept busy and I was worried about how she'd be when we all left.

Even Lucian gave us all hugs and was all smiles, which was odd for a usually composed man.

We all got in the cars, and I turned to look back at my parents - waiting to see some sadness or tears, but it never came.

"We've got a lot of work to do now." Malachi sighed into the window.

I took his hand and squeezed it, and felt Macie take my other hand for comfort.

"Don't stress yourself out, before it happens." Rhydian sung from the front, still in his chipper mood.

"We won't leave until we know everything's ok." Landon added, from the passenger seat.

We all chatted casually, telling Macie all about Shadowfen and she filled me in about what's been going on at Whitebridge since I left.

Malachi was quiet the whole trip, and I knew that everything was back to weighing on him heavily. His shoulders tensed as we neared our destination.

"Here we g-" Malachi cut himself off as we turned into the driveway and I squinted my eyes - trying to see if I was imagining things.

I could see the top of a huge, crisp white building.

Rhydian and Landon both chuckled knowingly, but they were looking at what we were seeing in just as much awe.

I turned to Macie absolutely stunned, and she grinned and just nodded her head back towards the window.

We pulled up and everyone was getting out of cars, with the same shocked expression that we had.

Where the packhouse used to stand - there was a huge four story, white mansion in its place - with gorgeous white pillars holding it up at the front and a chandelier hanging from the middle of the small enclosed space before the entrance.

I turned my head, my thoughts coming at me a hundred miles and hour and the training fields were also restored with no sign of anything that had previously happened there.

"What the fuck." Malachi suddenly said in disbelief, which pulled me from my trance.

Our pack members were in absolute awe and excited chatter was beginning to get louder from behind us.

"Well, My Alpha and Luna - will you do the honours?" Rhydian grinned, and I took Malachi's hand. I lead him up the beautiful stairs, which didn't feel real underneath our feet until we were standing at the door.

My eye caught a note hanging off it, and I recognised the stationary straight away.

Happy Wedding Gift, our dearest children.
We hope you make many, many happy memories here in the years to come.
We're all so proud of you all and can't think of two more deserving people.

Alpha Lucian, Luna Alethia and your loving friends and family at Whitebridge.

Malachi's eyes went wide as he read it alongside me.

"How the hell did they manage this in a week!?" He exclaimed and Rhydian laughed from behind us.

"Did you forget who their family is, boy? Money and status talks, but the Henley's talk louder!" Rhydian chuckled.

I turned to Malachi who was still stunned, and I was worried that he'd actually go into shock. I was used to my parents materialising whatever they wanted out of nowhere, but Malachi hadn't witnessed anything like it to the extent that I had - even though this was still impressive and felt impossible.

"My Alpha, Did you want to do the honours?" I asked, as I moved his hand up to place it on the door handle.

He stared at the door in front of him for a few seconds and then pushed one side open, as I opened the other side.

Cheers erupted from the pack as we stepped into our new packhouse, and another wave of shock rolled over us both.

It was decorated to perfection, and I could definitely see that my Mother had a hand in this.

My eyes focused on the space between the huge staircase, where a portrait was hanging and I found my feet moving forward towards it.

I gasped and threw my hand over my mouth when I realised what it was and my eyes darted down to the plaque underneath.

It was a huge picture of the old packhouse, from the front and you could see the training fields and orchard on either side.

Be the moon, and inspire people.
Even when you feel far from full.

Malachi squeezed my hand, and looked at me with a huge smile that filled his face.

"Well, my love... I don't know how we're going to top this present at Christmas." I laughed at his words, but he looked visibly more relaxed now that he'd processed his shock.

Our packhouse had been rebuilt, way past our wildest imaginations and now it was time to rebuild Shadowfen's future.