Lynexia watched out the window as they left the gas station. They continued the journey through the western state. Around Little Rock Arkansas, she turned from the window and curled into herself. Changing scenery broke her heart more and more. She closed her eyes and allowed the tears to lull her to sleep. Just before Memphis, Ginger entered the bedroom and woke the young female up. “Lynexia, we are going to be stopping soon. You should get out and walk around a little bit.” She suggested. Lynexia laid there not speaking. “I know that it is hard for you to leave your home behind. I did when I married Xavier. I lived all my life in Oklahoma. I remember the changing scents in the air and the changing land. I was happy on the way so it was a little easier. Didn’t make it not hurt. I knew that my life would change. Xavier had just been made Alpha and I was still young. I wasn’t sure that I was ready to lead a pack or ready to become a mother. There was a lot of uncertainty for me back then, but I found my place and a family that I wouldn’t trade for the world. You will find things that you never expected with my pack. I really hope that you will find happiness in your new home. You don’t have to worry, no matter what you are a member of the pack and will be a part of us for as long as you wish.” Ginger assured me. “I don’t know how to be happy anymore. I don’t know what I could find in Tennessee. I know that Alrik feels a certain way about me and I don’t know what to make of it.” Lynexia responded.

“What do you mean?” Ginger inquired. “Have you not noticed how he looks at me? He stares and takes a very protective posture. When he came to talk to me when we stopped at the gas station, I got the feeling that he wanted to tell me something but was holding back.” Lynexia explained. “What do you feel around him?” Ginger asked. “I don’t know. I kind of feel comfortable, but annoyed with his presence. I also feel a little uncomfortable." the young female responded as she sat up. She thought it was kind of weird how talking about Alrik made her not want to cry anymore. “Alrik has always been protective and caring. I know that he can be a bit intense but he doesn’t mean anything by it. As far as how you feel, just let him know and he will back off.” Ginger responded. She was sure that Lynexia suspected something. “Will you get out and walk around a little when we stop?” she inquired. “I guess.” The young female conceded. “Good, I will let you know when we stop.” Ginger smiled and left the young female to her thoughts. 

Lynexia sat on the bed thinking. What did her feelings around Alrik mean? She shook her head, pushing the thoughts from her mind. Dwelling wouldn’t do any good. Even if he did have deep feelings for her, she couldn’t let him suffer with her pain. Never again would she get close to anyone. When you have no one, no one says goodbye and no one leaves. She pulled her knees to her chest and laid her head on her knees. Tears did not fall. She just stared at the wall. A few hours later, they pulled into a rest stop outside Memphis. Ginger knocked on the door, “Lynexia, we have stopped.” She announced. Lynexia didn’t speak, she just got up and exited the RV. She walked away from the vehicle and into the grass surrounding the rest stop. Ginger and Alrik just let her go, watching her intently. She walked around for about 45 minutes and returned without a word. She went straight back to the bed and just sat there. Alrik stepped in and checked on her. “Are you alright?” he asked. “I don’t know.” She responded. “When you are ready to talk, just let me know.” He stated. Lynexia nodded in response. Alrik decided not to push her and returned to the driver seat.

Lynexia turned to the window and opened it. She allowed the breeze to blow in her face and through her hair. Alrik pulled out of the rest stop and returned to the road. the young female allowed her eyes to gaze upon the landscape as they passed. The green rolling hills bobbing up and down in the distance. Lynexia smelled the fertile farmland of the region. She caught the scent of wildflowers in the fields and the bark of the trees in a far off forest. She heard the soft sounds of a distant splashing river. Normally, these sounds and smells would be soothing to a person. For Lynexia, it was too foreign to fill her soul with joy and relax her mind. The Mountains of southern Wyoming smelled different, Lynexia couldn’t pinpoint the difference she just knew it was different. The Tennessee air was just as crisp and clear as Wyoming. It was easy to breathe in the fresh air but it didn’t stop the heartbreak and the feeling of being lost.

The fields of wheat became a blur as they sped passed. The animals grazed in the pasture. The birds tweeted from the trees and fence posts. The changing leaves and the land created a multi-rainbow of colors. The sun was setting and the sky was showing signs of the rainbows too. Purples, oranges, reds, and scarlets mix with the yellows, greens, and golds of the vegetation. Mountains, barely visible, poke out of the landscape in the distance. A majestic landform playing peek-a-boo with the horizon. The wind carried the land scents thousands of miles over the valleys.

Alrik turned down a bumpy, dirt road. Old wood fences lined both sides. To the left, the grass was overgrown and parts of the fence had fallen to the ground. Other parts were broken. It was clear no one had maintained it for many years. To the right, the old fence was new in several places. The green grass was freshly cut and lush. Anyone else would feel the peace and openness of the land. They turned to a better maintained dirt road. The smell of a home fire burning and cooked meat filled their nostrils. The burning wood brought fresh sadness to Lynexia’s heart. The fire blazed in her mind as her home collapsed around her parents and the members of her pack who didn’t make it out. She still could not shed any more tears. Another turn and the RV slowed to a stop.

Lynexia, didn’t want to leave the RV, took a deep breath and sat up. She prepared to meet the new pack and a new life. An orphaned ‘Non Lupum’ with no home. They are providing a place to live but will it ever be home? Lynexia couldn’t see how she could ever call anywhere else home. She didn’t want to love anyone ever again. When there's no one, no one can ever say goodbye. No one can be taken away. No more heartbreak and no more hurt. Maybe she would walk into the forest and never re-emerge.

Ginger walked into the bedroom, “Are you ready?’ she asked. “I guess” Lynexia sighed and stood. “Don’t worry, you will see, no one will judge or shun you. If you let them get to know you and you get to know them, you will feel their love and will find your place.” Ginger assured. “I don’t see it.” Lynexia confessed. “It will take time. We won't rush you. If the blood moon passes and you have not been restored with your wolf, you won't have to worry. You will always be a part of our pack.” Ginger responded. Lynexia shrugged and followed ginger out of the RV.

Xavier stood on the front porch with Melania and Rydell. They all wore sympathetic but warm smiles. Lynexia looked upon the face of the man who would become her new alpha. The thought made her heart sink. She turned her attention to the other occupants of the porch. the couple who had agreed to take her in. She could not label any of them family. Did she really want a new family? Would she even want to stay here? Xavier descended the stairs and embraced his wife and mate. He released the red haired female and approached the new addition to the pack. Lynexia stiffened as the imposing figure closed the gap between them. “Welcome, Lynexia.” Xavier stopped a couple of feet from the young female. Lynexia didn’t speak. She wasn’t sure how to react. She never had to accept an alpha. How could she accept this man in her father’s position in her life?