like any normal fifth grader, i prefer my villains to be evil and stay that way, to act like dracula rather than frankenstein's monster, who ruined everything by handing that peasant girl a flower. he sort of had made up for it by drowning her a few minutes later, but, still you couldn't look at him the same way again

david sedaris

Chapter Forty-One:

For the first time for them, the sun sparkles down on the snow. Celeste cheered as she ran with her wingspan opened. She jumped and spin, making the other following laughing and chuckling at the little girl's happiness.

"Celeste," Susan called out, a smile on her face. The first since the death of her sister. "Save your energy."

Celeste only laughed, jumping and disappearing in the snow. She quickly jumped back up, snow melting in her hair. "Susan," she whined, "be happy." She spin again, actually getting someone from the group to spin just for her pleasure.

Susan smirked as she rolled her eyes, leading the group away from Paige. She headed back towards the destroyed pack house. "We'll celebrate when we get back to the pack house."

Everyone nodded, knowing that was their best bet to survive. The only thing keeping them from wanting to go there was the piles and piles of dead, rotting bodies, killed by the monster.

Celeste nodded her head, settling down. She smiled at the others, giving them a nod. Technically, by blood, and since Paige allowed them to leave, Celeste was their Alpha.

They all marched towards the pack house, wondering where Paige was. Was she stalking us? Hiding underneath the snow?

"Alpha Celeste?" A wolf called forward, and Celeste felt bad for not remembering their names. "What shall we do when we get there?"

Celeste looked back at her broken pack. She was far to young to lead, but it was her duty. She raised her chin, taking a deep breath. "A funeral." She turned around. She hated the fact, but doing a funeral was right, even if it makes her parent's death seem more real. I love you, guys. I'll make you proud.

"For all of them?" He asked, not because he was being disrespectful, but because there was a lot of dead bodies lying on the training grounds.

Celeste nodded her head. "Even with the different species and different birth packs, we are still one in this battle."

Susan came behind the eight year old, resting her hand on the young girl's shoulder. She's acting like an adult. Susan kneeled down, gently pulling the girl to her chest.

"Thank you," Susan whispered, kissing her on the check. "Thank you."

Celeste nodded her head, pushing herself away. She started walking again, keen on getting everyone to safety. Susan and the rest soon followed, making large foot prints in the melting snow.

It was easier walking back then it was to leave. The blizzard stopped as they moved back towards the Moon Goddess, who many wolves started to make the same journey, unknowingly.

"Celeste," the same wolf as before spoke. "What will we do with the bodies? There is no way we will have time to bury them all."

"We will burn them, and bury their ash." They all stared at the vampire, nodding gracefully to her. Celeste sent a thankful smile her way, happy see didn't have to answer another question about dead bodies.

The rest of the way was quiet, not a scary quiet, but a peaceful one. They all had time to think about all the terrible things they saw, and remember how freedom felt when they had everything they loved and wanted. It's different, bitter sweet maybe.

The pack house sat alone, making Celeste miss her own. Never to be seen again, she sighed.

"Find some wood, and hunt down some food. This is to celebrate their life, not morn their death!" Celeste cried, running into the woods.

She jumped and hopped over rocks, picking up twigs to get the fire started. She noticed Susan leaning over a tree behind her, quietly.

Celeste turned around, "What?" She smiled, throwing a stick at Susan, who was quick to jump out of the way.

I should not be thinking these thoughts. She shrugged her shoulders, "Nothing. Just checking up on you."

Celeste snorted, covering her mouth and nose with her hand. "Like I'm the most important person in the world," she mumbled, quietly. "I'm fine."

Susan nodded her head, giving her an amused smile. "Oh I'm sure you are, but I talked about Duran to you," Susan paused, taking a deep breath before she continued. "It's only fair you talk to me about your parents." Please don't freak out.

"Maybe later," Celeste answered, hoping that she made it clear. She didn't want to talk to anyone about her dead parents, about her destroyed home, about her burned and dying pack.

Susan stood there, leaning against the bark of a tree that was getting watered by blood.

"Are you sure?" She asked, pushing off the tree and making her way over to the small wolf. "I'm here for you to talk."

Celeste turned around, taking a deep breath before speaking. Her wolf was on edge, the hurt finally sinking through her soul. "Yes, Susan. I'm almost nine; I know when I'm fine."

Susan nodded her head, staring at the girl. "When's your birthday?"

Celeste looked down, moving the dirt with the bottom of her shoes, which need to be replace. "Tomorrow."

Susan nodded her head, smiling softly. She lowered herself to the wolf's height, resting her head in her's. "Happy early birthday, Celeste."

Celeste started to cry, using the vampire to hold her up.