Lángrén stopped and took a sip from a small cup. “Each wolf had a talent the guardian saw and required. There were the Healer, the Warrior, the Messenger, the Beauty, the Wise One, the Spy, and the Shadow of Death. And the most powerful of all, the Alpha... the Get of Fenris. He is the King of Werewolves.”

Lángrén reached over, pulled, and held the youngest daughter into her embrace. “Like you, Josie, the leader had dark black hair and eyes like melting silver. When the guard touched the wolf’s shoulder, the flames danced as if ignited by valor and honor. When the second wolf kept her nose in the grass, her fur was the same color as your hair Em. A beautiful twilight that each strand moved with the softest breath. Her eyes were the color of a calm lake. One by one, each wolf was knighted. The third was a beast of ivory and frost. The fourth’s fur looked like the colors of sunrise. Next, her hair had all shades of blue. The other, would remind you of storm clouds over a cherry blossom forest, The last, and seventh wolf, could blend in a bonfire and you would not know they were in there. Fiery embers highlighted his fur as if it was fused with the colors of wood and stones.”

She continued her tale. “Together, the pack fought many wars. Over time, they had to change. To blend among the children they guarded. The pack defeated everything that wanted to erase people. Sometimes it was easy. Other times, it was… difficult. The wolves always won. Undefeated.” She paused as if time held a weight on her shoulders. “After every victory, they would return to their lives. Waiting, watching, not interfering.”

As she delved into past memories, a shadow seemed to move in her eyes, a reflection lurking in her vault of thoughts and memories. Her voice, now tinged with resolve, clashed with the uncertainty in her eyes. She reached for Josie and cuddled her close. The fibers of her maternal soul yearned to protect her children from the conflict playing outside their home. A danger that threatened not only her present, their future, but possibly within her past. A subtle furrow of her brows conveyed the depth of the emotional scars she bore. There were moments of haunting sadness, etched into the corners of her eyes.

Lángrén locked her gaze with Will. “The Wise One was hunting when she fell in love with one of the children. All the while, he was unaware of her wolf nature. With the help of her friend, Su Daji, the lovers fled the wolf realm. The Wise One couldn’t risk losing her mate, nor the beautiful daughters they had together. So, she kept the dangerous secret from her family and stayed away from the other wolves. To become whole with her husband and children.”

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Will stroked Emilee’s hair as he gazed at Lángrén. “The wise she-wolf, blinded by her love, didn’t know that the man she married discovered her secret. He loved her so much; he kept it to himself. He was in love with her from the beginning. He didn’t want to stop her from protecting her family. He respected her choice. He knew her nature and loved her unconditionally.” He caught her eye and stared through her soul, “He still does. Come what may.” Wetness filled Will’s eyes as he beamed at his daughters. Lángrén cocked her head at Will, a flood of feelings bursting into her throat. “She blessed him beyond measure, with two beautiful children and a profound, passionate love,”

“Are we wolves too?” Emilee asked in an angelic innocence.

Will looked at Lángrén for the answer.

“No, my babies.” She spoke with sincerity and confidence.

Will tried to hide his surprise. He quickly regained his composure. “What do we do?”

“We wait. The unleashed wolves are in a frenzy. They won’t listen to anyone other than the Alpha now. We just have to wait.”

Josie asked, “Why can’t we sneak away?”

With a coaxing warble in her throat, Lángrén answered. “Waiting is our only option, Josie. Wolves have fantastic hearing. Among many other senses. Smell. Taste. Even their paws feel vibrations like a shark smelling blood in an ocean.”

Lángrén reached into a bag and pulled out a bracelet. She placed it on Emilee. Lángrén caught Emilie’s eye and smiled in encouragement. Emilee returns a smile.

“This will remind you to make smart choices at the right time. If you are not sure, touch it. Think of me. The answer will be there. Soon, our answer will be here too.”

Emilie smiled. Love danced on her face. Lángrén placed a similar bracelet on Josie’s wrist.

“I love you, mom.” Josie said. Lángrén hugged both her daughters, and they returned the embrace tightly. Will looked on with nothing but pure love. In the cramped confines of the crawling space, where shadows clung to every corner, Lángrén’s body heat warmed her children. Her story, a haunting tale of past wounds and the weight of decisions, lingered on the pillows and blankets. As the last of her voice subsided, the crawl space seemed to hold its breath, caught between the truths of her history and the uncertain future ahead.

Emilee and Will, their eyes reflecting love and bravery, watched Lángrén. Josie was transfixed on her mom’s tattoo of an owl, poised on her arm with piercing eyes, seemed to watch over them like a guardian.

“It’s okay. We’re okay,” Lángrén reassured, her voice holding a fragile balance of hope and apprehension. As the family huddled together, Lángrén’s eyes met Will’s with an unspoken understanding.

Meanwhile, miles away, Jason and Supatra jogged along a desolate apocalyptic interstate, the once-bustling highway now echoing with a haunting emptiness. The landscape, scarred by the remnants of a world in chaos, stretched out before them like a canvas painted with the hues of desolation.