The Moon Wolf

Chapter 26 (1st Draft)

Penn was afraid to look up and see if their faces were full dread at the idea she might want to stay in their pack. It was hard to imagine, no matter how sweet Troy was and how charming the elders had been, that they really wanted a rogue around when all when all was said and done.

Instead, of meeting their eyes she quietly offered, "I wasn't thinking of staying or anything. In fact," she said with a little more conviction, "I was just thinking it's about time I left. But, if you think Codax is still a threat to the pups, I thought could stick close to your border for a while. Just until, until things with Codax blow over."

Lofgren, the quiet and contemplative one among the elders, as well as the youngest of them, cleared his throat to speak. All eyes were on him as he asked, "Isn't it time?"

Both Penn and Troy looked around at the others with curiosity.

Ruuni smiled.

"Yes, Lofgren I believe it is."

"Time for what?" Troy asked smiling. He and Penn shared a look.

"We, the elders," Ruuni said in her most auspicious voice, "using the authority bestowed upon us by the pack, would like to extend a sincere and heartfelt invitation to you, Penn, to become our newest Orthos member."

Ruuni finished with a brilliantly warm smile and the other elders, Lind, Nys, Nordin, Arvid and Lofgren all exchanged happy glances with each other while nodding their heads in agreement.

Lofgren, showing more enthusiasm than anyone had ever seen from him, grinned and added,  "We have been discussing it for a week now, and believe you would be a welcome addition to the Orthos family." He smiled reassuringly at the young she-wolf saying sympathetically, "We know it'll be an adjustment given that you've been so long without a pack, but we do hope you will consider our offer and adopt us as your new family."

Penn let out a nervous laugh and then looked up at Troy. She was searching his face to see if the elders were joking. Was he going to laugh at the request? Was he going to brush it off as nonsense? Was he going to list all the reasons why a pack should never take in a rogue wolf, no matter the pull of the strange and wonderful feelings that were developing between that wolf and the Alpha of the pack?

Troy was a little surprised that the elders had not discussed this with him in private but, since he and they were of the same mind, he was entirely delighted. And, he felt that somehow, it was better for Penn to hear the request from the elders and not from himself. If he had asked her, he worried she'd think he was just asking her out of his own self interest since he was clearly falling hard and fast for her. Given though that the elders who broached the topic, he hoped Penn could read how genuine the request was.  

Looking down at her pale blue eyes, which were full of doubt, he tried to encourage her with the warmest smile as he spoke to the elders replying, "I think it is a wise decision and as Alpha of Orthos, I would gladly accept Penn into our pack." To Penn he said, "I can't imagine Orthos without you."