Thomas and Elisabeth roared, neck and neck, into the area reserved for the ruling pack's vehicles. The snow mobiles outside this numbered near a thousand, as many had arrived days earlier and set up their tents to secure a good location. The five Elders would arrive by helicopter later in the day.
Thomas grunted; his sister had kept up with him the entire twenty-five miles despite his best efforts to lose her. She curtseyed dramatically in mock reverence. "After you, slowpoke." They shoved each other back and forth all the way to entrance. Their parents would not arrive for at least another half hour.
A pair of fifteen-foot wolf ice sculptures stood as symbolic sentinels, marking the entrance to the festival. Elisabeth and Thomas signed in and were informed their rooms were ready in the Adirondack style resort that would house the ruling pack, which numbered 148.
They meandered through the festival taking in the sights and scents. Food and craft vendors littered the grounds, along with liquor luges offering every imaginable flavor of Russian Vodka. Arenas and ice rinks were set up for various exhibitions, contests and races. Puppet and magic shows held crossed-legged children entranced. The hum of generators served as background noise to the celebration, and workers scuttled around the main stage setting up sound systems for the bands that would begin in the evening
Prying eyes assaulted Elisabeth, and people huddled together in gossiping conferences. Thomas draped a protective arm around her, pulling her to his chest while murmuring, "Ignore them. Bunch of assholes." He even addressed one particularly blatant ogler, "How'd you like me to knock that stupid look off your face, jerk wad?"
Elisabeth squeezed his waist and was about to verbalize her appreciation when she heard her name. She turned to find three childhood friends running toward her. Isobel, Luna and Ylva nearly bowled her over as Thomas backed off to avoid the histrionics. All three embraced her while pebbling her with questions. Thomas sauntered off after patting Isobel on the behind.
Luna silenced the other two with an intimidating scowl. "Sorry, we're so excited to see you… and dying to dish."
Elisabeth rubbed her eyes. "I know. Walk me to my room and we'll catch up. How much do you know?"
"Isobel talked to Samantha, so…" The trio broke out in giggles.
"Great." She could only imagine that conversation. "Remind me to thank her. There's not much more except for what I plan to tell the pack. I think you can wait until tomorrow's summit."
Luna elbowed her. "C'mon, we want juicy details. Is the vamp sex all it's cracked up to be?"