Claws

Chapter Three

When we arrived at the entrance of our village, still in Claw form, I stopped in my tracks with wide eyes to see the entirety of the pack waiting for us, gathered like ecstatic fans at a concert, bustling with energy. They were making a pathway for us to the main square--it seemed--so we could find our way through the kayos. Siblings, parents, and friends, all in human form, were cheering "Welcome home!" bursting into loud praises, some crying, some laughing, some grinning ear to ear. It was apparent that the girls wanted to run to their families, but due to my orders, they did not. I couldn't help but laugh.

"Come on, ladies, follow me. You'll see your families in just a second," I coaxed them as I heard slight whimpers of anticipation and anxiousness. "We just need to get everyone in the village, okay? Keep walking. I'll let you know when you can go."

Turning to the generously made path,  I stood tall and proudly walked forward, getting random pats on the back, high praises, and friendly greetings all at once. It was a little overwhelming but exhilarating. 

I loved the friendly environment our pack upheld. I loved the soft graveled paths that led through the camp, the variety of trees, the smell of the forever-burning campfires, and the sentimentality of my childhood memories surrounding me in every corner of the village. 

As we walked further down the path, I turned to the girls. Most of their tails had begun to wag from spotting their families, and some were shaking, trying their best to stay put. It would be cruel to hold them off any longer. I thought with a sigh. "Okay, ladies, go ahead. Just remember to go to the main square once you're done with your reunions. The chief wants to greet you home."

My girls wasted no time to shift into their human forms and run to their families, including Jade, who at least had the decency to say she would see me later. I chuckled, shaking my white wolf head in amusement.

 I was alone to walk the rest of the way to see my parents, I guess. My mom's beta, Corset, and my dad's beta, Elliot, would probably be there too. They were always glued to my parent's hips, as alpha's assigned betas should be in most cases.

It was scary seeing this many people around me all at once after four years in mild isolation. The thought that I would be their leader soon made me a little anxious, but at the same time, it helped me compose myself to let the pack know that I was unphased and reliable. 

The further I went on, the more I finally began to recognize that some of the boys my age had already come back. Their training began and ended a week before ours, so I hadn't seen them in a while either. They looked like they had all turned out to be capable, young, strong alphas, which made me glad that they also succeeded. I also recognized some of the omegas that I had known through Robin. The way they had grown as well made me smile. It probably wasn't as much physically as mentally as it appeared.

A small distance away was where the path ended. Finally, as I hoped, my parents stood in the center of the ending path behind the welcoming ceremony's podium, smiling at me proudly with a hint of tears in their eyes. 

My dad looked older, his grey hairs already grown in with his natural whites. He looked a little less muscled and a little more filled out, carrying more wrinkles than he used to, especially around his eyes and forehead. Right beside him was his beta, Elliot, who mainly looked the same, except his cheeks had become fuller. 

My mom looked just as pretty, even though she had aged and seemed a bit more worn out. Her dark brown hair and sparkling green eyes gave off the same flare as usual, and she seemed just as fit as when I left. Next to her was her beta, Corset, who, somehow, looked exactly the same after four years.

They were my home. My worries immediately washed away when I realized my parents and pack were waiting for me with open arms. Why would they not be?