The New Generation: Alex Trey Stella

Chapter Twenty-Four

Violet and the rest of her family walked back into Kate and Humphrey's den. The family agreed on staying there until at least Kate and Humphrey returned. Garth took his spot just outside the den, Lilly sitting at his side to start a conversation. Violet, Jake, and Luna could hear what they were saying as the three lay down inside. They were talking about their cousins.

"Garth, they're going to be fine."

"The longer they're gone," Garth said, "the more worried i'm go to get until they're back."

"So, what were you and Vince talking about?" Violet looked to her brother, Jake, who had asked the question. He was smiling, his head on his paws which were crossed. Violet stared at him, wondering what he meant. Jake said, "You and Vince were talking a while ago."

"Oh," Violet suddenly got nervous. She knew she'd have to talk about it some time; just not so soon. She decided to be honest. "We just talked about the Moonlight Howl."

"What about it? I'm sure he wouldn't have asked you to go with him." Violet looked hurt. Jake added, "He's the coolest Alpha in the East." Violet smiled, knowing Jake had just dissed not only her, but also himself. Jake lifted his head when noticed what he did, but not before Luna started chuckling at him.

"Wow, Jake. It seems like you no longer need us two make a fool of yourself," Violet teased. Jake put his head back down, turning to look away from them. He was either embarrassed of angry of what had just happened. Violet proceeded to lay her own head down, resting up for the date she was soon going to have with Vince. She couldn't wait to be at the Howling Rock. It didn't matter to her whether she and Vince howled or not, she just wanted to be there with him. Closing her eyes, she smiled at the thought.

"So... You start your Moonlight Howl before night-fall so you can enjoy it longer?" Alex asked, trying to locate the sun's position in the sky to see what time of the day it was.

"Yeah," Angie said. "And you'll see why when we get there and start the party."

"Well, when are we getting there? I can't wait!" Alex was obviously excited, showing his excitement by jumping while he walked.

"Wow," Angie chuckled. "You're an impatient pup aren't you?"

"Impatient, yes. Pup, no. I just want to see what's so amazing about this place."

"Well, we're almost there."

Stella nudged her brother in the side. When Alex looked over at her, Stella just smiled, like she knew something that he didn't. Confused, Alex just stared at her a moment before ignoring her and looking away. Stella backed up to walk on Serah's right side. Korosu and the rest of the black wolves walked in the back so they could keep an eye on everyone in front of them. Trey was walking with Alex, and started a conversation with him after Stella moved back. Jet moved up to Stella's other side to listen to their conversation.

Stella nudged Serah's side to get her attention. Before Serah could say anything, Stella asked, "How are things going with Trey?"

When Jet understood where the conversation was going, he moved up to join the guys, who were probably talking about something cooler. Serah sighed and answered Stella's question. "Relatively well. I'm just glad he's still alive."

"Yea, I was almost sure he was gone..." Stella said. "But what I keep thinking about is this." She lowered her voice to a whisper and continued. "Everybody but Trey knows that you love him."

"Stella...—"

"Come on, Serah, you gotta do something about it. Look, I bet he likes you the same way. But you'll never know unless you say something."

"You really think so?"

"I know so." Stella said with an assuring smile. "You should just tell him." She nodded towards Trey walking in front of them as she said, "Go for it. He's right there."

Serah nodded with a smile and started her way up towards Trey. She gulped, nervous. All she could do was hope that Trey would feel the same about her, like Stella said. Before she could say something, Angie interrupted her. "Here we are!" Angie yelled. She led the group through a small tunnel, and pushed a curtain of vines out of the way to show everyone the location of the Moonlight Howl. Serah's jaw dropped when she saw everything.

Not only were there flowers of every color and a giant waterfall creating a mini-rainbow at the bottom, but there was also a water-slide made of rock coming out through the water-fall and twisting in a circle to come down into the deep pond. She could tell it was safe to slide down it because there were wolves already going down, laughing at the fun it gave them.

When she turned her head to the right, she saw a rocky landscape that overlooked the horizon out to where the sun was; it was almost sunset. That must be the area they used for the "romantic" howling; it was a safe bet because of the glowing sunrise that would definitely show up. To the left, she found a worn-out path made between the trees, leading somewhere that Serah wanted to see, just because she was curious about what was over there. Maybe it was a separate area for friends and families to howl with each other.

Looking around at the others, Serah saw that everybody, aside from Angie, was as surprised as they could possibly get. This had to be the most beautiful place on Earth, and the wolves of this pack had it every night for their Moonlight Howls. They were so lucky to have this place for themselves.

Stella went up to Angie and sat down beside her. As she continued taking in the scenery, Stella said, "I could just sit here and look at everything all night and be happy..."

"Well, if you like this," Angie said, "then you gotta stay to see it at night."

"You mean, it only gets better?" Alex asked, sitting on Angie's right side and still taking in the beauty of the whole area.

"Yeah," Angie said. Imagining the scenery in her mind, she couldn't wait for everyone to see it.

"Well, then..." Angie said. She raised her voice for the rest of the pack to hear her. "Let's get this party started!"

Wolves cheered, howled with excitement, and even a group of wolves started their turn down the water-slide together. Angie turned to her new friends and said, "Enjoy the party." She pointed at the path Serah was looking at a moment ago and said, "Over that way is the food supply. I know most of you will be over there at least once tonight, so I'll just say this; we were low on caribou today so small portions only, please. And over that way, I'm not sure if you've noticed, but we've got a water-slide. Although, the line can get pretty long, so I'd go and wait right now if you're wanting to have a turn on it tonight. And, the main part of the party, which most of the pack usually ignores until nightfall, are the howling areas. The area for friends and family is over by the food, and for the couples... Over there with an amazing view of the sunset. So, again... Enjoy the party, and have fun."

She started on her way towards the water-slide. Alex didn't really know where to go first, so he joined Angie in the line for the slide. Jet turned to Stella and said, "Is it okay if I stick with you for now?"

Stella smiled and said, "Fine with me, as long as you don't mind water-slides, because I'll probably be over there all night." Jet followed after her as she walked towards the line of wolves, waiting patiently for their turn.

Korosu and the five black wolves split up in different directions, three going towards the food, two towards the slide, and Korosu going to the howling area to watch others howl.

Serah and Trey walked together towards the food. Serah was watching the ground, thinking, and Trey was getting excited about the food. He hadn't eaten in almost two days. He couldn't wait to get something in his stomach. Looking to Serah, he knew something was on her mind. He tried to help her relax by making a joke. "Hope this food won't come out through the gun-shot in my stomach."

Serah smiled to show that she heard what he said. But she couldn't laugh because of what was poking at her mind at the moment. Her heart rate increased. She stopped in her tracks. Trey noticed this and stopped as well, turning around to look at her. He asked, "Is something wrong?"

Serah just nodded, and looked up at Trey. "I just have something to tell you, Trey... But... I don't know how you're going to react when I say it." Trey sat down, showing that Serah had his full attention. Serah appreciated that Trey was giving her his attention, but she was hoping that he would give her more time before she had to say it. She continued. "Trey... I've had this feeling for a while now and... it's about time I told you."

She paused for a moment, and saw that Trey was waiting. "I love you, Trey."

Her heart rate slowed down. She was relaxed, and glad that she finally said it. She watched Trey for his reaction. He just sat there, frozen with surprise. Serah breathed heavily, like the confession took a lot of energy out of her. She felt like saying it again, but she wanted to know what Trey thought first.

"Well..." Trey said. "That was... unexpected." Serah started to get worried that Trey didn't feel the same. She just had the feeling that he didn't. "Well, Serah... I'm... glad you told me that."

"That's it?" Serah said, a little disappointed in the reaction. "That's all you have to say? 'I'm glad you told me'?"

"Don't get me wrong, Serah. It's not that I don't like you, it's just... surprising. I mean, finding out the one you love actually loves you back? That's a lot to take in."

"You... You feel the same way, then?" Serah's smile came back.

Trey smiled and nodded. "I have for some time now. I just never knew how to say it."

Serah smiled and moved closer to Trey. Now that she knew how Trey felt, and it was out in the open between them, she could finally do what she had wanted to do for a while. She licked his grey-furred cheek, more affectionately than she had when he saved her from drowning. The two of them sat where they were, grinning at each other and staring in each other's eyes. Trey's golden-brown eyes locked in Serah's blue ones.

Trey pulled Serah toward him, taking her in a hug and rubbing his neck against hers. Both of their hearts only started beating faster at the contact. How could their heart rate increase faster than they already were? It seemed impossible, but it happened. Serah hoped her heart wouldn't explode with how fast her blood was pumping through her veins.

Trey pulled back enough to look in Serah's eyes again, licked her red-furred cheek, and said, "This Moonlight Howl just turned into a date for the two of us, didn't it?"

Serah could only giggle at the question before she said, "I guess so."

"And I guess that we're going to be at the couples' howling area tonight, right?"

"I'd love that. But we don't have to go if you don't want to."

Trey nodded, "That settles it then. I'm going to howl with the most beautiful girl I've ever known, at the most beautiful place I've ever been to."

"Can't wait." Trey was about to turn around and start leading them towards the howling area, until Serah pulled him back, gently. She said, "But right now, let's just get some food. We can't howl on an empty stomach."

"This is very true."

Trey and Serah continued their walk towards the food, walking closer than they had every other time they walked together. No, they weren't just walking closer. Now that Serah finally confessed her love for Trey, her heart rate was finally starting to slow down. Trey said, "I can tell I'm going to have a great dream in my sleep tonight, now that we're together."

"Me too, Trey. Me too..."