Chapter 35
Avery
My mates have joined President Haggard for the Running of the Wolves.
It’s one of the feast traditions my mates mentioned, back when we were celebrating the news about the triplets on Mallow. There were some other traditions mentioned. I’m not sure how many of them the people here celebrate.
The room has cleared out considerably. Even some women went with them for the run. I’m not sure why. Maybe they’re just offering moral support. I would have been happy to do that if my mates had asked, but someone has to look after the babies. I’m happier inside anyway.
“Is there anything you need, Avery?” Val asks, leaning across the table. “I’m off duty, but I’m happy to help.”
“No, I’m okay, thank you,” I answer, glancing over at the triplets. “I’m sure they’ll wake up screaming for food soon enough.”
A woman walks along the table, and Val gives her a nod of respect. She’s dressed like the other women here, but she’s wearing a corsage and a pin on her coat I don’t recognize.
“Hi, we haven’t had a chance to meet yet,” she says, sitting down beside me. “I’m Audrey Haggard.”
“Oh, you’re the First Lady!” I turn my attention to her. “I read about you, but there were no pictures, so I didn’t recognize you.”
“Yes, it’s so rare that I get to meet someone of your status,” she says.
“My status?” I ask, a brow rising.
“Yes, you’re the queen of your Midgard, right? One of them?” she asks. “I understand there are four kings who rule your world. We just have one president.”
“I’m not a queen. Not yet,” I say. “It’s kind of a long story.”
“We’ve got time,” she says, sipping some mead. “The wolves will be gone for a while. They sure do enjoy their runs.”
“Yeah, I’ve noticed,” I say. “I noticed some women went with them.”
“Well, of course. It wouldn’t be fair for them to stay behind,” she laughs. “Their wolves need exercise too, especially after a feast.”
“Wait, the women are wolves here as well?” I ask, my brow moving another inch higher.
“Not all of us. Same with the men,” she says, gesturing to a few of the men who are still seated at the table, engaged in conversation with those around them.
“I wasn’t born with Fenrir’s Mark, but that doesn’t matter here because we treat everyone as equals.
I assume you weren’t born with the mark, since you stayed behind? ”
“No, long story, but since you said we have time,” I say, glancing at the babies again before turning my attention back to her. “I’m not from Midgard, like my mates. I’m from a planet called Earth. It was destroyed by a meteor.”
“Glory be!” Her hand flies to her mouth. “Your people were able to escape, but they couldn’t deal with a meteor?”
“The Intergalactic Alliance showed up and rescued some of us. They took us to a refugee center,” I say, choosing to leave out a lot because I’m not sure how much I should share. “That’s where I met my mates.”
“Ah, I see,” she says. “We have an agreement to take in refugees, but we don’t get many. This is the first time we’ve ever had any arrive who have Fenrir’s Mark.”
“Midgard 21, where my mates are from, got wiped out by a plague. All of the adults without Fenrir’s Mark, at least,” I explain. “It’s my understanding that the Intergalactic Alliance didn’t save them because of the mark.”
“Huh, well, they have their protocols. We wouldn’t have turned them away,” she says. “But we don’t go out searching, either. We’ve found it’s best to keep to ourselves and trade with the nearby civilizations who have things we need.”
“It seems to be working out well for you,” I admit. “As long as you don’t have any demons wandering around that we haven’t met yet.”
“Demons? You’re talking about the Gali’gorath’krians?” she asks, her tongue clicking against her teeth as she pronounces it.
“Yeah, but I can’t get the word right,” I say. “Even with the Intergalactic Translator.”
“Takes practice, yes. The children here study lots of languages in school,” she says. “But there are no Gali’gorath’krians here. We trade with one of their planets that isn’t part of the Intergalactic Alliance. A lot of our technological advances are the result of trading with them.”
“I thought they essentially founded the Intergalactic Alliance,” I say.
“Yes, they were part of the original foundation, along with the Fraz’melkians,” she tells me. “Gali’gorath’krian technology combined with Fraz’melkian warfare. Quite a fierce combination.”
“Fraz’melkians… are those the purple ones?” I ask, feeling a little na?ve. “The ones with… um, tentacles on their face?”
“Not the most attractive, are they?” she laughs.
“No, not really,” I admit.
Revna starts to cry, so I pick her up and hold her. Audrey seems delighted by her and leans in to play peek-a-boo, which Revna loves. I guess peek-a-boo is a universal language across the entire universe, just like a lot of other things.
“Your babies are beautiful,” Audrey says. “Makes me miss when mine were so young and still loved me. Now they’re in college and barely even call.”
“I’m sure they still love you,” I assure her. “How many kids do you have?”
“Two,” she answers. “A boy and a girl. We decided to stop after that. One of each was all we ever wanted.”
“I used to think that too,” I admit, rocking Revna in my arms. “Then I got a surprise and ended up pregnant with triplets.”
“One for each of your mates,” she laughs. “That’s an unusual arrangement here. It happens, but it’s rare. I’ve always wondered how women with multiple husbands manage. I only have one and he drives me crazy. Couldn’t imagine having three of them!”
“It definitely wasn’t planned. It’s rare where I’m from too,” I smile. “But there’s a connection between us. A bond that tells me they’re my mates. I understand it’s not the same here?”
“Forced marriages? No, we don’t believe in that anymore,” she says.
“It used to be that way, but we found a way around it. It was one of the things that allowed us to advance like we have. We believe a partner should be a good match. That isn’t always the case when you’re being guided into a stranger’s bed by something you barely understand. ”
“What do you mean when you say you found a way around it?” I ask, tilting my head curiously. “What did you do?”
“Genetic engineering,” she replies. “It allows everyone to seek out a partner who is a good match, and I’d say it worked out. But I understand if that doesn’t make sense to you. Once a bond is established, nothing can break it.”
“No, I’d rather die than lose my mates,” I admit. “And I’d like to believe we’re a good match. Now. I wasn’t sure in the beginning, but we’ve been through a lot. They’ve proven how much they care about me, and I feel the same way.”
“I admire that in some ways,” she says, leaning closer. “But I know my husband loves me, and I love him. I couldn’t imagine anyone else being a better match for me.”
The conversation continues, and I learn a lot about Midgard 13.
It really is a fascinating planet. The Viking influences are still present, but it’s more like an advanced Earth than the planet my mates are from.
I’m careful what I share about Midgard without my mates around, but I freely tell her about Earth, considering it’s long gone.
“You have a show called Friends and you have two Monicas?” I ask as the conversation shifts to entertainment. “That has to be really confusing.”
“Nah, we have the good Monica and the bad Monica,” she laughs. “But no Rachel. Who is she on your version?”
“She gets with Ross,” I say, trying to remember everything from my binge watch with my mom. “Most of the show centers around that relationship.”
“Wow, that’s interesting. Ross and Phoebe are the couple everyone is obsessed with here,” she says. “Although most people are still angry because she cheated on Ross while they were on a break. It wasn’t even a break!”
“Hah, well, in our version, Ross is the one who tries to convince everyone they were on a break,” I laugh.
“I’m always fascinated by Cosmic Influence,” she says. “Even our scientists can’t make sense of it, and I feel like we’ve figured most things out. Maybe one day…”
I consider telling her the truth. That Cosmic Influence is due to clones who were sent to their world before they even knew how to read and write.
But that seems like something I should keep to myself for now.
They seem to have a good thing going here.
I wouldn’t want to disturb it babbling about things I barely understand myself.
“Those howls tell me the wolves are almost back,” she says, rising from her seat. “I better make sure Vikingo brings more food. They’re always starving afterwards.”
“Oh, gosh, more food?” I say, my eyes getting wide. “I’m not sure I can eat anything else.”
“Me either,” she laughs. “But there are plenty of festivities left, and we haven’t even started on dessert.”
“Mm, I’ll try to make room.” I reach for my mead. “Maybe after another drink or two.”
The howls get closer. My mates will be back soon.
Just in time to feed the babies, judging by how restless they’re getting.