FRIENDSHIP

Mira's POV I was on the battlefield when Liora emerged gracefully. Her skills amazed me, and I stared at her for minutes. Liora was truly alive and had become a better version of herself. I was overjoyed, more than any member of our pack. The rejected cornerstone had become the pillar of the house. She saved us on the battlefield; she saved the whole of the Silver Moon Pack. Liora was truly back! After all these months, months of hoping to see her one day, hoping she was okay and unharmed. The pain her disappearance caused me was much, but all that matters is that she was safe and home for good. I never doubted her abilities for once, I believed she was more than she was, but her disappearance made me ask myself if I was right after all. How would she become great when she's missing? But I stood for hours, wanting to hold her tightly and cry, to engulf her in a tight hug, but the crowd was overwhelming. I was very proud of her, of whom she had become, and how she was able to pave the way for herself, even in rocky paths. I continued waiting, but still, the time never came. The most annoying thing was how Jaxon, our Alpha, was hovering around her when he was the reason she ran away from home. He rejected her, mocked and humiliated her, and gave others more reason to make her life miserable. "Seriously, why all these charades? Just when I was beginning to have hope of finally meeting her, another group emerged." I muttered trying to control my rising temper. They are all around her like they truly cared about her. As I was still waiting there, I overheard the conversation of wolves taller than me. "Liora's return today is unexpected and a miracle! She came back more reformed and transformed. She's now in possession of great power." "It seems you didn't hear the best part of the story; she bested Alpha Jaxon some time ago before her disappearance in a challenge. I wonder how that day was, such a great sight to behold." I was just smiling all by myself, enjoying the conversations even more. I was proud of my friend, of who she had become, and who she would soon become. Of course, I always knew she would make it big one day, and she just proved me right. But, my joy was cut short, knowing that I might not get to see her today. I know I can't force my way through the crowd, but I can send a message from a guard across to her. I called a guard nearby and asked him to convey my message to her; I watched till he reached her position to be sure my message was delivered. With that, I turned around and made my way home. But the memories we shared came rushing back to me, all crowding my memory. Our time together was one of the memorable gifts, late-night talks, our plans together, and our moments of weakness. How we encouraged each other, how we were always there for each other at all times, and tears of joy came rushing down my cheeks. One of us made it, yes, Liira made it. But there was something to worry about. Liora had been humiliated before, caused lots of pain, and is healing now; the last thing I expect is another hurt. None of those crowding around her and celebrating her mean well for her. They were all after her achievements and may turn their back on her once she is no more than what they want again. They're known for betrayals, as first to cast a stone at her once she wasn't flashy to them again. I have to advise her, yes, she needs to be careful of those around her. They will all disappear as usual once the going gets tough again. Liora's POV Just as the celebration continued, a guard approached me with a coded congratulatory message, and I knew at once who it was from. Who could it be if not Mira, my best friend in the whole world? She has been there for me, during the good times and the best times. But I disappeared without informing them of my whereabouts, not because I wished to, but because I was tired of being a burden to her. I gave her the role of a mother at a tender age, making her cater for me more than she does for herself. She never complained even once, but was there to help out each time she was needed. Even in my trial time, during the moon ceremony, she had been there, showing me love, and even training me secretly. But now, I'm no longer the rejected Omega. With that, I sent back a message across to her through the same guard. We needed to meet, away from those surrounding us, away from the pretending crowd. Mira was one of the best gifts that Silver Moon Pack has ever given me since my existence. A true friend indeed, always ready to fight for me, and we needed to meet, to catch up for the lost time and also apologize for getting her worried and keeping her in the dark. I was restless as I barely closed my eyes to sleep. My mind was occupied with a lot of things. I was still shocked at how everything changed. Rhys had been good to me during my stay with them, but Jaxon, Jaxon is a course to be studied, not to talk of the pack members, hypocrites in everything. Their reactions were welcoming and homely, but still, something felt strange, and I will find out. But for now, I need to concentrate on Mira, the one that matters at this moment. At dawn, one of the guards came in with a message from Mira. She was already waiting for me and of all places, by the training grounds. Typical Mira, I would have been surprised if she chose to meet at another place. She was always ready, sharp to the edge, for any attack. l took the familiar route that led to the very place that holds something deep for me. I walked gracefully as I made my way to the training ground. If there's one thing that I am learning to be familiar with, it is the admiration from pack members each time I step out for a walk. It was becoming too much that I had to stay indoors most of the time. My nostril caught a familiar scent, and it hit me, it was the forest between us and the Night Howlers. I can never forget the smell, not even in centuries to come. It reminds me of my stay in Night Howlers, a place that accepted me, cared for, and trained me, my second home. Finally, I reached the training ground, and I saw her, my best friend. Mira was already busy with some training by the time I got to where she was. The moment she set her eyes on me, she gave out one of the most beautiful smiles ever, something that I had missed for months. She couldn't hold herself as she shouted my name and ran towards me for a warm hug. "My Liora!" That was the first thing that escaped her mouth. "My Mira!" I shouted back as I opened my arms for a hug. We were so lost in our world that neither of us remembered to speak. It was a beautiful reunion. "You look healthy and strong," she finally said as we pulled back, turning over 360° to get a proper view. "I must give it to the Night Howlers, they indeed know how to take care of a queen." I grinned and chuckled, as I watched her do her thing.b"It's been tough, a long journey that I never knew I would overcome. And you might be impatient to listen to all of them." Mira smirked. "Try me with stories and see if you won't be the one to get tired. And by the way, we've got nothing else today." We moved to a more comfortable place to sit on a patch of grass surrounding the training grounds. We made ourselves comfortable on the rough bark of the trees. It was a quiet place, and there were only the chirpings of birds, howls which came occasionally but from a far place, and breeze occasionally shaking the trees. It was peaceful and homely. "I am ready to hear everything, spare no detail." she persisted. "I've been dying to gossip with you, as usual, to hear your tales of your journey in a strange land. How do you survive in a place where you know no one? Please, tell me everything." I almost broke down in tears as I recalled all that happened. "It wasn't rosy, it was difficult. After Jaxon made a mockery of me by rejecting me, I left without looking back, not even considering you or how you would feel without me. Believe me, there was no other choice, Mira. Not when everyone in the entire pack saw nothing good in me, but a crowned failure. I ran to Night Howlers for help, and they accepted me, a total stranger. They nurtured me and brought out the best in me. Something that my pack couldn't do." Mira shifted close and patted me on my back. "I never doubted your abilities even for a day, Liora. Even when it was still hidden, and I want you to know that nothing can break you down again. You are not alone; we will always be there for each other. Just don't hide things away from me again, please." We hugged each other and sat in deafening silence, taking in everything that we discussed. Suddenly, Mira dramatically nudged me. "So, tell me more… any love interests, did you capture any heart in the strange land you wandered to?" I laughed, as I covered my face with my palms. Mira can never cease to amaze me. "Nothing too serious like that... But there seems to be someone that…" "Rhys, right?" Mira widened her eyebrows in anticipation. "I've been listening to lots of rumors."