Sous was surprised at how fast the school year went. One day she was first year entering into Hacate and now, it was her thirteen birthday in Maius. One day she was staying with Shadow and next day she was opening presents Bruma morning with Shadow, Mara, the three sisters, Clarence with his own kids and wife.
She stood by herself in the fields her and her friends used to play in at Red Woods. So much had changed. Sous was so scared back then, so reckless, trying to prove herself, try to fight the Alpha even.
Wrapped around her was neck was basilisk and even it was growing. No longer think but about two inches thick. He hung around her neck like a thick gold chain an egotistical human would wear. In her pocket was the brown rat, not really a pet but still there nonetheless.
Sous was bold to be in Red Woods. The pack was still hunting her but it was less and less with the stronger Sous got and word was spreading how strong Sous was getting.
Rumors spoke about Sous holding her against the krampus, how she defeated the demons of Dimona, how she fought Apex, how she witnessed her father's death. But there were other whispers to. Whispers about her father Puimo. They talked about how strong he was, stronger than the wolves. Theories began to circle around on how he could be easily taken down by some wolves.
Many mysteries still surround Sous. She still hadn't learned of her mother's whereabouts. She had still yet to go back to Dimona to investigate the goblin blood that when made into a potion allowed one to regenerate. It was like what she thought back then it was so much bigger than she.
Once they defeated krampus, she began to focus on school. In the second semester, she was accepted onto the agility team and the sparring team, Faye was also accepted on the sparring team. Tany was accepted onto the dueling team but Sous was not. It was said Sous lacked in her spells. That she used the same ones, relying on them to win.
Zan was accepted into the dueling team as well, Randali was accepted onto the agility team but didn't make sparring. Faye didn't even bother to try out for the dueling club. She didn't care for it. Jacob wasn't apart of any clubs nor teams. Nothing really pulled him in. Makala was on the spirit club which was basically a club that cheered on various teams and competitons. And Pixie Boy was on the flying club.
Sous walked toward the sewers where Kenan used to live. That's where all the orphans lived and if Sous lived there, she'd probably die that day.
Her ears twitched. She turned to see Kara coming to her. Kara was growing but then so was Sous.
In Kara's hand was a blueberry pie. "I was meaning to give this to you last time."
Sous smiled at her.
The sky began to glow bright red as the sun began to set. The lightning bugs fluttered about with the Alpha and the Omega pointing at the ones they managed to see. Wolves weren't known for having the best eyesight.
The mostly eaten pie sat on the roof next to them. Their arms were intertwined with them giggling upon telling their stories.
"Look at your little antennas!" Kara poked them but Sous was shy and covered them with her hand.
"Noooo!"
"Your fairy is showing."
"Look." Sous lifted up her shirt and showed her back to Kara. Kara looked at the two small bumps on either side of back. She took the tip of her index finger and poked the small pumps.
"Sous," she whispered. Kara was completely enamored by what Sous was morphing into. Kara was simply a wolf with a witch in her but Sous was...was almost everything. "You're wings are coming in."
Sous put her shirt back down. She turned and smiled wide at Kara. Kara was seeing Sous turn into the Alpha she could only imagine. The Omega could see it. She could see the change in Sous. Her demeanor, she was taller, getting muscular, her antennas, the wings that would soon be there within two years or so. The pack also noticed it. Since Kara was a messenger now, she could hear more of the meetings amongst the Alphas. They didn't want to waste anymore resources on Sous. Going after her was costing too much. There were other priorities. If Sous was going to battle the Alpha again, Doureena or Zhiliary would just have to be ready for her.
"I wasn't able to tell you congratulations on becoming a messenger."
Kara shyed away until Sous bumped her gently to remind Kara they were friends after all, but she saw the Omega beginning to blush and fidget with her clothes.
"Are you, um," she paused unsure of how to ask. "How are you and Tany?"
Sous blinked a few times, confused on how Tany came into the conversation. She was going to answer but suddenly felt hands on her neck. Kara was outlining the two seals on either side of her neck. Her hands were so soft and warm against her own skin that when she pulled away, Sous was completely red.
"I've only unlocked the first but not the second." Sous admitted. Kara nodded her head. "Oh!" Sous remembered. "I was accepted onto the sparring and agility team!" They two girls continued to talk into the night.
Both girls turned their heads when they heard the sound of crunching leaves. Kara stood up and jumped down onto the ground with elegance which demonstrated she was getting better at being a wolf. It also made Sous realized she hadn't asked what school Kara decided to go to, whether Doureena knew yet.
"Kara," Zhiliary came from the darkness to grab the little one. Kara rolled her eyes. It was like everyday she was seeing more and more of Zhiliary.
Zhiliary looked at Sous who was standing up on the roof. Her legs spread and her arms folded across her chest, a smirk to her mouth. The now thirteen year old knew she was secure with might.
"You wanna fight, Zhiliary?" Sous mocked her. It would be stupid for any wolf to fight Sous now. Not until reinforcements came in like potions or spells from other magae allies, which were few. Who would have thought massacres, officiating pogroms, expulsion of other magae species would make it so difficult to create allies. That's what Doureena didn't understand or she did, but was so deep in her family's supremacy ideology that she refused to change nor address it.
Little baby basilisk took the opportunity to hunt while the brown rat took time to contemplate and think. She sat on the roof with Sous trash talking Zhiliary but in her own area. After krampus, she was able to get her revenge on Sous by pooping in her shoes, but being at Hacate and seeing how powerful the students were getting as they learned to own their skills as magae, had her pondering. Pondering if it was possible to turn back into a human. There was a bird, a raven who had been a boy. Icarus was his name but because he refused to confess why he was turned to begin with the three sisters took their time helping him. Maybe...just maybe one of them could help her.