“Yeah; well, screw that. This is the third time … that we know about, at least … that they’ve entered our territory without our permission. It’s time to show these Stratus Pack assholes who’s in charge of this area; and, teach them a lesson.”
Bellona shape-shifts into her wolf-form, and charges off.
Then … and, this time I really am surprised; almost to the point of being totally stunned … Helena gets out of the pond. Helena is usually so reserved and proper; I’m blown away by the fact that she’s now standing stark naked in front of Walter. I realize that they’ve been friends since childhood; but, still. I would never have expected Helena to do such a bold thing.
“Are you sure it isn’t too much trouble to have you escort me and Pomona back home?”
“It’s no trouble at all. As a matter of fact; it would be my honor to accompany you ladies back home.”
“In that case…” Helena calls back to me, “Pomona; come on, we’re leaving now. Walter’s going to take us back; so, let’s not keep him waiting too long.”
Yeah; I don’t have a drop dead gorgeous body that I can be proud of like you and Bellona have. So; I really don’t feel comfortable showing my naked body to him…
“That’s okay; you guys go on ahead. I think I’ll stay here for a while … swim for a little longer.”
Walter replies, “I really don’t think that’s a good idea. If your sister were to find out that I left you here all alone, and allowed you to go back on your own; she’d have my head on a platter.”
“Don’t worry about it; I let her know that it was my idea to stay, and told you to go on without me.”
“Uh … I don’t know …”
Helena asks, “Are you sure you’ll be alright; Pomona? You’ll be okay going back by yourself?”
“Yeah; I’ll be fine.”
“Okay; then. But, don’t stay out here too long; and, be careful going back. … Oh, if you don’t mind; can you please take Bellona’s clothes back with you? Thanks. See you later.”
“Okay … see you later.”
Helena gets dressed; and, leaves with Walter. … I’m all alone. Once again, I lie back, closing my eyes, and idly float about the tranquil water under the moonlight; enjoying the serenity of the night.
A little later…
Already feeling invigorated and refreshed from the dip in the pond; I’m currently enjoying the sensation of a nighttime breeze gently gliding across my face … as I listen to the rustling leaves and chirping crickets, on my way back.
With only about two hundred yards left to reach home; I suddenly encounter a most intriguingly mystifying sight. … At first, I think what’s standing in front of me is the trespassing Stratus Pack member; but, after a longer observation, whatever it is looks to be almost in an ethereal state … like some sort of ghostly apparition.
It has the evident form of a large timber wolf; with a coat of seemingly translucent-like, shimmering snow-white fur and brightly gleaming sky blue eyes. … And, even though it’s positioned itself in front of me to block my path; it doesn’t appear to be taking an aggressive stance … oddly enough; I’m feeling rather at ease, and soothingly warmed in its presence.
**Pomona’s POV**
For a moment, I find myself helplessly entranced by this bewitching, spectral entity; until I hear Daphne enthusiastically call out to me…
“It’s Crystal! … She must be here to visit us.”
Crystal … Brianna’s inner-wolf Crystal? But … how can that be? This being that manifested itself in front of me doesn’t seem to have a solid form; it appears more like a ghostly apparition … and, even if my eyes are playing a trick on me; I still can’t smell her sweet cotton candy and pumpkin spice scent. No; I highly doubt that this is Crystal … Daphne must be mistaken.
Are you sure that’s her; girl?
“What do you mean; of course I’m sure. What; you don’t think that I’d be able to recognize Crystal when I see her? … No one ever came to visit me face to face before; so, I would never forget what she looks like.”
I suppose you’re right … but … how could she…?
I’m utterly flabbergasted. I was still finding it hard to believe that Brianna was able to send Crystal into my body to communicate directly with Daphne; but now, I’m at a total loss … how could she possibly release her inner-wolf out of her body; and, have it travel so far away on its own? … This is crazy. I don’t understand it … I can’t.
Crystal starts to mind-link with me…
“Don’t be alarmed, Pomona; Daphne’s right, it’s me, Crystal. I came here to see you on Brianna’s behalf, because you left before she had a chance to say goodbye.”
I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to … her father sent me away; and, he didn’t allow me to see her. I really did want to see her again before leaving; it’s just…
“It’s okay, she knows what happened; and, understands that it wasn’t your fault. She knew that you’d probably be just as sad as she was that the two of you weren’t able to properly say goodbye to one another; so, she sent me out here to do it.”
I’m glad she did. Like I said; I really did want to see her one last time, and say goodbye to her … Wait a minute; how did you know where to find me?
“Daphne told me that you were a member of the Rainier Pack. We’ve been out here in your territory before; so, I figured I’d just wander around, and hopefully pick up on Daphne’s aura.”
I see.