Dear Coralie,
I hope you are okay. I'm getting better, and I don't want you to worry about me. I don't want you to be sad. I miss you already. I know I should be sad about my family, but all I think about is you. I miss you more than anyone. So far I like it here, my new family is nice, and Dylan told me all about the school I'm going to go to, and it seems cool, but I just miss you. Dylan thinks I'm being silly, but I can't help it. He knows why I feel like this, he's the only kid who really gets to know, but he still doesn't get it. My new dad Sean said he'll sign me up for karate to keep my mind off it though. Will you come if I earn a new belt? I hope you can. I'll miss you everyday.
- Daniel
Oh yeah, Happy Birthday, I didn't known it was your birthday the other night, so I asked Sean if I could get you something. I hope you like it.
I held the small bear as I read the letter he had sent me. The little bear smelt like grass after rain, and though his hand writing was sloppy his words were sweet.
I sighed. Last night with Wyatt and his friends was nice, we went to a movie, and then shared a pizza together, and we all laughed... but I miss my pack. I was too nervous to leave my room today, not wanting to be seen by anyone who stopped by. Tonight my pack duties would begin, but I didn't feel close to anyone. Owen never talked to me after yesterday, and when Durst and Frea came over they had breakfast with Owen and left.
My dad had knocked on my door, gave me a heaping plate of breakfast, and held up the bear and letter uncomfortably. "Well this is for you." He said as he handed it to me and placed my food on the dresser beside the door. He left without another word, and I read it three times before I put it down.
I went to my dresser and picked through a few pieces of fruit in the plate, not feeling all that hungry. I went to my desk to write Daniel back.
Dear Daniel,
I stared at the blank page. What do I even say? I started with what I knew.
I miss you too. I know how weird it is, missing someone you don't really know. I lost my mom too, a long time ago, but for some reason I miss you more than I ever missed anyone, even her. I'm glad you are getting better, you can't imagine how terrified I was that you might die. I know things are weird, and that people won't understand, but remember that I'll always be here, and I'll always understand. I'm so thankful Sean and his family seem to be kind to you. I hope you know if I could I would keep you safe with me, but Sean will do the best he can, and I can tell your new brother will protect you. I don't know when I will be able to see you next, it will be up to the elders and the council, but if I get the choice I wouldn't miss anything important to you, not for anything in the world. I'm proud of you already, I'm proud of how strong you are, and I want you to keep being my little fighter. Stay safe.
-Coralie
P.S. I love my gift, thank you Danny! When is your birthday? I want to mark it in my calendar and send you something too.
Before I could re-read it, second guess myself or feel weird, I put the letter in an envelope and put the proper addresses on it. I slipped my shoes on and grabbed the station wagon keys from the bowl beside the front door as I went to leave. I didn't trust anyone but myself to send it. Just as I was about to leave the front door I heard voices coming from my dad's office, and decided to eves drop, it sounded serious, and I wasn't opposed to sneaking to see if it was about me.
"We don't know for sure who did it..."
"We know they aren't from around here..."
"They must be from the east coast, they would have never gotten that close if they knew our much larger pack was only miles away..."
"Maybe they did. And that could mean trouble for us." My dad said this to the the two council members. I froze, knowing now for sure they were talking about what happened on my birthday. I had been so caught up on Daniel, I had forgotten the reason he came to me in the first place. His pack had been slaughtered.
"Luckily the boy didn't have to see too much, but that unfortunately leaves us with no clues as to who did it."
"Do you think they will try anything with us?"
"No, not yet, it seemed there were a few of their own who died. They will likely have to regroup before another attack, and by then we will have scouted into Daniel's packs territory. We will widen our grounds to include that part of the forest and it's outlying cities. If they want the land they will have to fight us for it before they even step foot on the soil our families live on." My dad was firm, and it made me feel reassured, but the fear that they some day might return to hurt Danny made me ill.
I ran across the living room and out the front door as I heard my dad stand, knowing he probably sensed me by the office door. Without hesitating I started the car and took off.
***********************
"Normal?" Wyatt asked with a grin as he made my coffee without hesitating.
"Yep." I smiled. I had dropped off my letter and decided to get a coffee and a snack having skipped breakfast. "And a blueberry muffin please."
"Oh, adventurous." He teased. I rolled my eyes.
"Yeah if forgetting to eat at home makes me adventurous." I laughed. I handed him a ten. "Keep the change." I said as he handed me my muffin and coffee. If only he knew how adventurous my real life was. He'd never believe I'm a wolf.
"You want some real adventure me and my friends are going to a party tonight..."
"I can't, I'm sorry, it's just- I have... Other responsibilities." I apologized. I had my first scouting tonight and I wanted to do well so I could be put on the duties of scouting new lands, Daniel's land. Wyatt nodded and shrugged.
"Sure..."
"I do!" I retaliated with a laugh, causing him to grin with his white teeth again.
"Okay, how about tomorrow then, we were gonna ditch school and go to the beach." He offered. Normally I would refuse, school is important to me, but I figured securing new friendships (when my old ones were seemingly falling apart) wouldn't hurt.
"Okay." I said with a nod.
"Yeah?" He smiled wide.
"Yeah." I nodded again. "Will you pick me up? My twin brother will get suspicious if I take the bus and get off before we get to school..." I said shyly. He smiled wider.
"Sure, we'll pick you up on our way out of town." He took a piece of paper out of the receipt machine and wrote his number down quickly. "Call me when you get to your bus stop."
"Okay, see you Wyatt." I waved as I left the cafe, the doors bell ringing as it closed behind me.
"Sure your mate would like you flirting with other guys like that." I heard Owens voice before I saw him. I glared at him, he had been sitting outside waiting for me, I suppose.
"I wasn't flirting. And even if I was I am allowed to date, my mate is a child, and despite what you think, I am not interested in anything but friendship from Danny. So no, I don't care what you say... Leave me alone." I said as I walked back towards my car, but he followed. "Shouldn't you be worried about your own mate? And why are you stalking me here when you can tease me much easier at home." I scolded. He laughed.
"Because, I want you to feel just as awkward in public."
"Well I don't. And it doesn't matter. So leave me alone."
"Or..."
"Or wait till we go scouting tonight, how would it look if the Alphas daughter kicks the Alphas sons' ass?" I sneered as I approached the car.
"You couldn't and you wouldn't-"
"Wouldn't I? Maybe that's why you're so cruel to me, because you know now I am just as strong. We both found our mates first day after all, that makes us equals. We are the same size when changed, again equals, and I can out run you... Ouch. Perhaps I'm stronger too... Care to find out?!" I yelled. He glared at me as I huffed, fractions of an inch away from him. My teeth bared themselves and his did the same as he growled.
"I just want you to know how much of a disgrace you are to all of us." He spat beside my feet and I glared harder instead of jumping back.
"Well we have different opinions of what disgrace means, don't we? Now run back to Frea, I'm sure she can lick those wounds on your ego up for you." I shouted back and got into the car, slamming the door. He jumped back as I peeled out, nearly hitting him as I threw it into reverse.