Chapter 36

Emjay

"What I thought was an ending is really a new beginning." ~ Emjay

After many tears, we said our goodbyes to those we left behind at dawn's early light. Bittersweet sorrow and expectations filled the air.

The path down the mountain was steep and winding, each step taking us further from the familiarity of our past and closer to an uncertain future. Violet clutched Tara's hand the whole way down the mountain. She feared leaving the only home she'd ever known, except she knew that if she had any chance of a normal life, she had to leave.

We silently made our way down the mountain for Violet's sake. All of us agreed she needed nothing that might upset her already fragile spirit. The quiet was a blanket of calm—a collective effort shielding her from any more distress. Nature's gentle lullaby accompanied our descent. The birds sang softly, and the wind rustled the leaves.

Even on the van ride back to Chackbay, we were in our own heads. The landscape changed from the rugged beauty of the mountains to the more cultivated plains. Our minds were far from the scenery, though. Thoughts of the last few days and the future churned in our minds. I rode beside Damian this time. He draped his arm around me, and I settled into his comforting body. His presence was a steadying force, and I found solace in his warmth and strength. With him by my side, the long drive passed by quickly. The miles slipping away as we drew closer to our home.

A call ahead to the herd by Anjal kept everyone in their homes while we dropped Violet and Tara at Peter's home. Tara said that Violet shouldn't experience the overwhelming moment of meeting a new herd just yet.

Alexander hugged his momma tightly. His small arms wrapped around her in a desperate attempt to cling to the familiar. Peter agreed to take him, at least for the first night.

After a long drive, I ached for a soak in a bathtub. The new life I'd grown accustomed to reared its ugly head. The exhaustion from the journey and the emotional toll of the last few days made me long for a moment of respite in the chaos.

Everyone went their separate ways. My daughters went home with their mates. Peter, Frank, and Alexander went to Frank's. The dispersion was a necessary part of settling back into our routine, but it left a lingering sense of emptiness, the bonds we had formed feeling stretched thin.

Georgia looked emotionally and physically tired from the journey. Having seen none of the world, her stare remained glued to the window of the van. I can't imagine what went through her head during the journey. The unfamiliar sights and sounds must have been overwhelming. Her mind must be grappling with the enormity of the change.

I paid little attention to Damian's home—my new home—once we entered. My focus remained on Georgia, watching her reaction to everything around her. The modern conveniences, the unfamiliar setting—it was all so new to her.

Georgia's innocence at everything around her kept my attention. Her wide-eyed wonder was a reminder of the vastness of the world and the many things we take for granted. She touched everything with a tentative curiosity, exploring her new surroundings with cautious excitement. Something I never had the pleasure of. When I entered the world, my only concern was survival.

"Georgia, this room is for you." Damian told her after turning the light on. "There's a bathroom to the left. Emjay will show you how everything works." His tone was gentle and patient while he introduced her to her space.

He left us to discover the modern conveniences on our own. I showed Georgia how to use the faucet, the light switches, and other basics. Her amazement at the running water and the bright electric lights was infectious, each discovery a small victory.

As the night wore on, Georgia settled into her new room, and I finally allowed myself to relax.