Let us celebrate Christmas!
It had never been done before.
The Rockwood pack, no, even the other packs of Oregon woods… None of them had done anything of the sort before.
“We want to celebrate Christmas!” Roxanne declared to Asher.
He looked at her with a stunned look as surprise and confusion were evident on his face.
After Roxanne managed to convince Rita about her idea, she knew that it was only a pipe dream if she couldn’t convince the one at the top of the food chain, the person who made all the decisions in the pack…. Asher.
She and Rita quickly went to Asher’s place, at the top of the Rockwood cave mountain, where Asher stayed to watch over his people.
He was surprised to see her, his melancholic and brooding face lit up as he made eye contact with her. They hadn’t seen each other since… Well, since he rescued her. Asher had been too worried to see her, especially after realising how devastated she would be after the chaos. But here she was, in front of him. She had a smile written all over her face. Was she so happy to see him? He felt the same way, but…
“Why are you here?” He asked
Then he told him the reason she came to see him… Celebrating Christmas!
“W-Wha…?!” Asher said in confusion
It wasn’t because she missed him or anything or that she wanted to comfort him, or that she was worried about him, or that she wanted to thank him… It was for Christmas.
“I have this amazing idea, Asher! I know we just went through a great tragedy, but we can’t continue like this. If we leave things as they are now, the spirit and morale of everyone will plummet greatly!” Roxanne spoke.
“Roxanne is right, we need something of joy that shows hope. The pack needs now more than ever, a reason to laugh!” Rita added.
“Laugh?! Heh, are you out of your mind? Don’t you see the devastation that was caused? Yet, you are looking for laughs, that’s unbelievable.” Asher shook his head.
“But Asher, do you prefer how things are now? The way everyone is so depressed and miserable. It’s okay to mourn, but we need to pull ourselves together. Please, Asher!” She pleaded.
He looked at her with a perplexed expression. He still didn’t understand what she was talking about. People had died, his people! Wasn’t the natural thing to do at this point mourning and sadness? Yet, she wanted a different reaction. He couldn’t comprehend it.
Yet, the look on her face showed seriousness and resolve. She desperately wanted this, for reasons unknown to him. Why?
“I don’t understand your logic… You clearly…”
“You don’t need to understand! Just permit me to do it, and ask for the cooperation of everyone! You may not get it now, but you will soon! I promise. So please Asher!” Roxanne said.
He wasn’t in support of whatever she wanted to pull off, but even he had to admit that he was curious about what she would do.
“Very well, give me time to think about it…” Asher muttered.
“No, there’s no time! Christmas Eve is just tomorrow, and there are so many things to prepare before that time. We need to make out moves now!” Roxanne insisted.
“Tch, fine…” He let out.
Slowly, he left his position and moved toward the edge of the cliff, looking down as he witnessed the sight of the village. The snow had covered the blood that was just there yesterday, and the body had been cleared by the warriors. Fortunately, not a lot of destruction had taken place so not many repairs were needed.
He could see his people going about their businesses, looking sad and angry, they weren’t happy… He wasn’t happy either.
“Awoooooo!!!!” He let out a howl.
The loud sound echoed throughout the peak, and Rita and Roxanne had to cover their eyes because of the intensity of the signal. However, the howl wasn’t for them, not for Asher. It was for the people who were below… The members of the pack. The howl he gave was a summoning request, to call for the gathering of everyone present.
The members of the pack immediately responded with their respective howls, each letting out distinct pitches that meshed together, creating a harmonious melody of howls. Roxanne could sense sadness, sorrow, pain, curiosity, confusion… But also hope, in the howls of everyone.
They all gathered at the foot of the mountain, and Asher addressed them from the top. His voice was thunderous, reaching everyone who gathered as he watched them from his height.
“Everyone, I know we are all grieving. The loss that we have experienced is devastating and weighs heavily on us. However, I have received counsel from one whom you know very well. She is your future Luna, Roxanne…” Asher began.
“Future what…?!” Roxanne thought to herself.
“That sly bastard, just what does he think he Is saying? I haven’t agreed to anything yet” She mumbled silently, though it was clear that she was happy to hear him say that.
Rita watched her from the side and laughed at her obvious pretence. She didn’t know when it had happened, but she was sure now that Roxanne had fallen in love with Asher.
“It’s about time…” Rita thought to herself.
“Roxanne has proposed that we lay aside our pain and channel our turbulent emotion into an activity… For it is the season, according to the calendar of the year… To engage in celebration in anticipation of a hopeful future… This is the proposal to celebrate Christmas!” Asher declared.
Everywhere fell silent. The people didn’t let out a single word as Asher’s words stunned them.
Now that Roxanne gave it a second thought, wasn’t it strange… Her suggestion? Celebrating a season invented by humans, the very same humans who despised them and took away 11 members of their pack. But, what matters wasn’t the ones who made the season, but what it represented… Hope… Life… Love… Sacrifice… Giving… Salvation… Happiness.
Roxanne only hoped that everyone else would see things from that perspective.
“Now, what say ye?! Are you for, or against this proposal?” Asher asked the stunned crowd.
He was going to force them. They had been through enough already. It was a choice they had to make. Everyone had to choose… Whether to remain miserable or to give joy a chance.
Suddenly, one person raised his hand and yelled out
“I am for!”
Everyone looked to see the one who had done this thing. His name was Daniel, he had lost his son to Hunters. It was only a month ago that his son went through his Awakening, and now he is dead.
But why was his hand raised? Shouldn’t he be one of the most miserable?
“If Lady Roxanne says so, then I agree! After all… Even though my kid is dead… She protected my remaining two daughters!” He cried out.
The man’s statement stunned everyone. And before they knew it, hands started to get raised as well. The werewolves in support increased every second. It continued until everyone’s hands were up.
From the crowd, Larry smiled as his own hands were raised as well.
“Why not? After all, it’s a good thing to celebrate in the season… I’ve always wondered what Christmas would be like here.” He grinned to himself.
Everyone’s hands were raised, they all looked at Asher expectantly. Asher looked back and his eyes met Roxanne’s. He gestured for her to come to his side so she could address everyone with him. Roxanne felt nervous by this, but the reassuring look on Asher’s face, plus Rita’s nudging, made her step forward and face the crowd below.
They all cheered as they saw her. Their pained eyes lit with hope as they cheered on. Roxanne blushed with happiness.
What she didn’t realise was that because of her wild attacks on the Hunters for their sakes, she had won over their hearts. They all loved and deeply respected her now. Not just as Asher’s mate, but now as an individual… They recognized her as their Luna.
She took a deep breath and addressed them.
“Everyone! I know we have all suffered, the state of devastation in our hearts is beyond what words can convey. However, we must not give in to despair. We must win against I’m the despondency that wishes to swallow us whole. I consider all of you my family, and even the fallen ones… You all mean the world to me. That is why… I want us to celebrate this season. We lost a lot, but not all. Some were lost, but many more were saved. We are alive, through their sacrifice, we lived in their stead. They wouldn’t want us to be sorrowful and spend the very last days of the year moping about and living in misery, no!”
“In order to honour the memories of the ones we lost, and be grateful for the ones that remain… Hopeful for the ones that will come… Let us celebrate Christmas!” Roxanne declared.
The deafening noises of everyone’s cheers warmed Roxanne’s heart as she panted with happiness. She felt a thrill unlike any other. This was it, the answer that would raise the spirit of everyone.
She looked beside her and Asher smiled at her, nodding his head.
“I don’t really understand your rationale, but I am in full support… Just one thing, though… How do we go about celebrating this?” He asked her.
Even Asher had no idea. After all, they had never celebrated such an event before. But, that was no problem for Roxanne.
“Don’t worry! Just leave it to me!”
She would guide them, lead them, and comfort them. It was her turn now, to give back to them what they gave her… The warmth of happiness!