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"Either way, you can still find love."
“No shit,” he laughed. “Look at my parents.”
I laughed. “Right, exactly.”
“But take it from me,” he added. “Being a hybrid in this realm isn't great. It might seem as if you fit in, but in truth, you don't. You're not enough of one species to truly belong.”
There was an underlying sadness in his words, something that sounded very familiar to me because I'd heard it in Rumir’s voice, too. The longer I was here, the more I was learning that as great as this realm was, it wasn’t perfect. People here had issues, just like they did on Earth.
I shook my head. “It’s funny. On Earth, people often think about the afterlife and come up with all kinds of scenarios. But this world is nothing at all like it. Sure, some things are similar to what they are on Earth, but not many, thank goodness. It’s a really cool place to live.”
“Agreed,” Brian said as we continued through the forest.
Light appeared ahead of us, and the sound of chatter, drums, and laughter grew louder. When Brian and I stepped out of the forest, we found ourselves on a hill overlooking a grand field.
I smiled at the scene before me as a cheer erupted just after fireworks exploded in the sky.
There were thousands of wolves here, as well as a few other supernatural creatures. Booths were scattered around, some with food or games and others selling various items like clothes, jewelry, toys for kids, and more.
Several torches lined the field, lending their light, but the moon hanging low overhead was more than enough illumination.
At the other end of the field, a small stage had been built for local bands to showcase their talent. The one playing right now was fantastic. The resounding drums with their quick tempo and the eerie vocals of the she-wolf lead singer caused goosebumps to dot my skin. I looked over at Brian, who was watching me, smiling.
“Not bad, huh?” he asked.
“This is amazing,” I said as we descended the hill. "For some reason, I hadn't expected there to be so many wolves here, let alone all this entertainment.”
I spun around as three children ran by us, their playful laughter making me laugh as well. Before the vampire war on Earth, there had been peace and joy just like this.
“You guys made it!” Rehema, standing behind a booth selling jewelry made from beads and gems, waved us over. "Natalie, I want you to meet someone. This is Tate, my nanny.”
I placed my fist over my heart in greeting, and the elderly wolf standing beside Rehema did the same. “It’s nice to meet you, Tate.”
“Likewise, my child,” she replied with a smile. “But I’m not her nanny anymore.”
Rehema threw her hand over Tate’s shoulder. “You’ll always be my nanny.”
Tate was plump, five feet, five inches, with narrowed, dark brown eyes and light brown hair streaked with grey. “Come now, your friends are here. Leave me be.”
She waved her hand dismissively at Rehema but chuckled when Rehema kissed her temple. It was clear their bond was strong.
"Come, you two." Tate picked up two bracelets made from bright green gems and held them out to Brian and me. "Take these."
Around her neck, she wore a two-layered beaded necklace with a large moonstone pendant to match the earrings dangling from her ears. “These were bathed under the moonlight just for you,” she said. When Brian held his wrist out to pay, she swatted his hand. "These are gifts, Brian.”
Oh right, of course she knew Brian already.
She winked at him and then slipped my bracelet onto my wrist for me. “Thank you,” I told her when I heard my name being called.
I turned around, searching the crowd. I spotted an Enchanted waving at me, her white hair hanging loose around her shoulders. She was standing with a group of other Enchanteds—four, I counted—and I quickly recognized her as the Enchanted I’d met at the Goddess’s temple during my first visit.
I waved back and excused myself from the others to go over and meet her. “It’s you.”
“And it’s you,” she replied as we greeted each other as all werewolves do. When her fist fell from her chest to her side, her smile faltered. "I apologize for not reaching out to you sooner. I'm Felicity Gerwulf.”
“I’m Natalie Blackwood.”
She nodded. “I know.”
