Chapter Twenty-One
Lissa: The Next Chapter
The days that followed our arrival were filled with some challenges but also moments of profound connection. We had a lot of catching up to do. I found myself growing closer to my half-sister, a bond I had not expected to strengthen so quickly, seeing how we hadn’t seen one another since I was a child.
I could sense the wariness in the air. A dragon among wolves was a rare and intimidating sight, and the pack didn’t quite know how to react.
I understood their hesitance. Even Vince was scared the first day he saw me as a dragon. I had spent most of my life hiding what she was, fearing rejection or worse. But this time was different. This time, I was determined to be a part of something bigger, to find a place where I truly belonged. I didn’t mind them feeling intimated. However, I wanted them to feel safe around me and my dragon.
I started small, offering to help with the daily tasks around the pack’s land. At first, the wolves were reluctant to accept my assistance, unsure of my intentions. But as the days passed, my genuine efforts began to break down their walls.
One day, as I was helping to repair a fence that had been damaged in a storm, a young wolf named Amy approached me. She must have been around thirteen, but Amy was one of the first pack members to warm up to me, her natural curiosity overcoming her initial fear.
“You’re really good at this,” Amy commented, watching as I expertly secured the wooden planks.
I smiled, wiping sweat from my brow. I’ve had a lot of practice. You’d be surprised how much damage a dragon can do just by landing in the wrong spot.
Amy giggled, her tension easing. “I can imagine. Thanks for helping out, by the way. I know not everyone has been welcoming.”
I shrugged, not wanting to make Amy uncomfortable. It’s understandable. “I’m different, and it takes time to adjust. But I appreciate you giving me a chance.”
Amy smiled, her gaze warm. “You’re not entirely different, really. We all have our strengths and weaknesses. And besides, it’s kind of cool to have a dragon in the pack.”
I smiled, feeling a sense of belonging starting to take root. “I’m glad you think so. I just want to do my part, like everyone else.”
Over the next few weeks, I continued integrating myself into pack life. I helped with hunting and assisted in training sessions.
It wasn’t always easy. Some still kept their distance, unsure of how to relate to me. But Vince kept encouraging me and advocating for my acceptance within the pack. His unwavering support made all the difference, and gradually, the pack, who began to see me as an outsider, began to see me as one of theirs.
Kara and I stood outside, the cool night air whispering around us as we gazed at the bright moon. The past few days’ events had been overwhelming, to say the least, and now, in this rare moment of calm, the reality of our reunion was starting to sink in.
“It’s still surreal, isn’t it?” Kara began, her voice soft. “After all these years of finding each other like this, it feels like a dream.”
I nodded, a small smile tugging at my lips, but it didn’t quite reach my eyes. “Yeah… A dream. Or maybe a second chance.”
Kara sighed, moving closer to me. “I guess we’ve both been through a lot. Life didn’t exactly turn out how we thought it would back when we were kids.”
I let out a bitter laugh. “You can say that again. I never imagined I’d be standing here, talking to you, after everything that’s happened.”
Kara then turned to look at me. “I’m sorry, you know. For not being there for you when you needed me. For not trying harder to find you.”
I shook my head, reaching out to take Kara’s hand. “You don’t have to apologize, Kara. We were both thrown into situations we couldn’t control. We did the best we could with what we had. If anything, Mom was in control for the most part.”
Kara squeezed my hand, her grip firm and warm. “I know, but I still wish things had been different. Maybe if I had fought harder to get mom to stay, we wouldn’t have been separated for so long.”
My heart ached at the pain in Kara’s voice. I could see her guilt and the weight of years spent apart. It was as if mom’s choices were forced on us whether we voiced our opinions. No matter what happened, we were reunited now. Dwelling on the past wouldn’t help us move forward.
“We couldn’t change what happened,” I said gently. “But we can decide what we do now. We’ve found each other again, and that’s what matters. We have a chance to rebuild our relationship.”
Kara’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she nodded. “You’re right. We can start over. But… I’m scared, Lissa. I don’t know how to be the sister you need me to be.”
I smiled, pulling Kara into a hug. “You don’t have to be anything other than who you are, Kara. We’ll figure this out the rest together.”
For a moment, we just stood there, holding each other. The years of separation, the pain, and loneliness seemed to melt away in the warmth of our embrace.
When I finally pulled back, Kara wiped her eyes with a smile. “So, what’s next?”
I chuckled. “Well, I guess we have much catching up to do. And I feel we can get into a lot of mischief together.”
Kara laughed. “I’m looking forward to it.”
We shared joyful and painful stories, and I felt a kinship I longed for in those moments. But despite the growing camaraderie my sister and the acceptance I was slowly earning from the pack, I couldn’t shake off the post-traumatic stress of what I had just gone through in the den of the Shadow Syndicate.