Jess

Jess, The First Wolf

Jess was the first wolf. She was the mother. The pack began with her, and then later, Kierce, who is sadly now moved on to a different path. Abandoned at a young age by her mother’s pack, she carved her own way into the world, found her own path, her own way. By the age of one year, she had learned to take care of herself without the need for the help of her old pack. She made herself a home in a forest cave, enjoying her freedom, the lack of restrictions on her actions, the ability to be the one to hold herself accountable. She respected nature, and there was plenty for her to eat.

Then Kierce came, handsome and strong, to sweep Jess off her feet. Their love was deep, and after a time, two pups were born. A boy and a girl. She named her first offspring, Nya, and Zayne. Her own pack was born, from the love of two wolves. She discovered what family was, and it intrigued her. She had never had a family before, not a real one. Her old pack was only forged out of necessity, and convenience, which was why she, the free-spirited wanderer, was cast out.

Something new had grown inside of her, out of the love for her family. It was a strong feeling, guiding her to make the right choices. She didn’t see herself as special for this feeling, this sixth sense, but others did.

She began to come across other wolves, in her territory, those lacking homes. Instead of chasing them out, defending her land like any other wolf, she let them in, welcoming them. They could join or leave as they wanted, and many wolves did join. Flint, the herbalist, was one of the first to join, and one of the few to never move on, and Jess liked him for that.

After a few years, an unusual wolf came to Jess’ den, just a pup. Her coat was like the endless black of the night sky, her skin and nails the same bottomless black. She asked for sanctuary in the pack, which had not yet been given a name, and Jess granted it, promising shelter and food. She took pity on the young pup, remembering her own rough upbringing.

This strange, black wolf would talk to Jess, while out on her scouting missions every day, and they soon became close friends, although she didn’t give Jess her name. Jess didn’t pry, and began to call the black wolf Lyra, after a constellation in the night sky. Lyra accepted the name, and began to use it for herself. It was fitting.

Lyra had a litter of pups after she was grown- she had left one day and returned pregnant, telling Jess that she had visited her old pack, in order to fulfill a promise to keep her family name going. A name which she still kept secret.

This was the first litter of star-children Jess had named. Lyra told Jess about her ancient lines, still avoiding names. Lyra had been the one to abandon her pack, because she didn’t feel like it was really her family. She followed the sky, and found Jess’ pack, which she called the Flux pack, despite it never having a name. Jess felt the name was a good one, so she took the name into her own use.

Over time, more of the strange, black wolves made their way into her pack, as well as those who did not themselves have the black fur and skin, but inexplicably still managed to produce offspring with the traits. It happened more rarely than it did for the black wolves, but it still happened.

Lyra taught Jess about the sky, and Jess, in turn, taught her about change. The strange black wolves were respected in the community and the children would leave when they felt the time was right for them, to find their own family. Although Jess knew she would not always be there to lead the Flux pack, just as Kierce eventually had to leave, she would never abandon it. She knew that even if she were to someday move on, the structure, the home, the family of it all, would continue.