by Cate Maroon
“Who was on the phone?”
“Just someone trying to sell you more data.” But his face did not portray his words.
“What time do you have to leave?”
“I don't, I'm going to stay here with you for as long as you need me to.”
“What about school?”
“My dad called the principal and explained we would both be off this week for personal reasons.”
“Did he mention if my parents had been in touch with school?”
“He didn't ask, but seeing as Mr. Hale had no idea about you not going in, I'm assuming they did not contact the school.”
This did not surprise me, as no matter what, my parents would expect me to carry on as usual. They had taken their laptops with them, so I knew they would be working. Even though they were meant to be caring for my grandparents, or at the hospital every waking hour. Knowing my parents, they either had the laptops set up in the waiting room or visited in shifts.
“My dad said you can stay with us for as long as you need to.”
“Thank him for offering, but for now, I think I need to be here at home, at least for now.”
“I thought as much, but I told him that I would ask you when I spoke to him earlier.”
“Is that who you spoke to on the phone to while I was running.”
“Yes, I called him when I couldn't find you. I was going crazy and decided to call my dad before I called the police to report you as missing.”
“I had only been out for half an hour.”
“And that is why I called my dad. He has a way of rationalizing things and calming me down.”
“You are lucky to have such an awesome family Jackson.”
“I appreciate you thinking so, but my family isn't the only thing that makes me lucky. I'm so glad I met you Kayla.”
“I'm glad I met you too.”
“Shall we try to call your parents now?”
“Yes, I'll try them now.”
We sit on the couch, and I call my mom's phone, but it goes straight to voicemail. I leave a message and toss the phone in frustration at the situation. This whole situation was messed up on way too many levels, and I would probably need therapy by the time they come home.
“Why don't you try your dad?”
I snatch up the phone and roll my eyes at my stupidity. I call my dad and hold my breath when his phone starts to ring, hoping that he will answer my call, as I was out of my mind with worry.
“Kayla.”
“Dad, how is everything? Are grandma and pops alright?”
“I don't have time to talk.”
“Please, Dad, I'm going crazy with worry here, you have to tell me something. You left with barely an explanation and left me here and then nothing, no call, or text, NOTHING!”
“Do not raise your voice at me Kayla.”
“I'm sorry, I'm just so worried!”
“They are in the hospital and are running tests. As yet, we don't know anything more.”
“Can you at least text me as soon as you find out what is wrong with them?”
“Yes, now I have to go, the doctor called.” The line went dead.
“Well, that was awkward.”
“Tell me about it.”
“You don't have to put up with them treating you like this.”
“I'm not old enough to live on my own.”
“You can come live with us.”
“They would never agree to that.”
“I think you would be surprised; my dad can be very persuasive.”
“Well, my parents can be stubborn and possessive, even though they don't actually want me, which is obvious with how they avoid me. But they would not want me to live anywhere else. It wouldn't go down well with their circle.”
“Who cares about their circle?”
“They do, and they care about it a lot more than they do me.”
“Which is exactly why you need to move in with us.”
“I don't think that now is the best time to make that decision.”
“Promise you will think about it. Please, Kayla, I cannot stand by knowing how badly they treat you. They act like you do not exist to them when to me, you are the world.”
“I will think about it.”
“That's all I ask.”
We decide to go and sit in the garden; thankfully, the sun is shining, and the fresh air will do me some good. I lay on the grass, using Jackson's hoodie as a pillow, and he stretches out beside me. The door knocks, and Jackson jumps up to answer it.
“The twins are bringing me some clothes; I won't let them in.”
“To be honest, I can use the distraction.”
The twins come out first and say that Jackson had gone upstairs to put his clothes away. They joined me on the grass, giving me sympathetic smiles.
“How have you been?”
“I'm as well as can be expected. What have you two been up to?”
“Not much, just working on the farm. Dad's been pushing us harder because we are a man down.”
“I'm sorry, I did tell Jackson to go home, but he was having none of it.”
“We would rather him be here with you.”
“Are you looking forward to school tomorrow?”
“Yes, actually. We might actually get some attention without you two stealing the limelight.”
Jackson joined us, and we all lay on the grass, enjoying the last few hours of sunshine. My stomach growled, and the twins burst out laughing.
“Hope you're hungry, we brought food!”
I had not thought about what we would eat. My parents usually had a delivery on a Saturday, but I guess they forgot to place the order with everything that happened. There was not much in because they had not ordered anything last week before they went away, so I guess it would be up to me to go to the store. I would make a list and go in the morning.
We all sat at the dining table eating the lasagne Max had made for us: he was such a fantastic cook. After the meal, the twins went home. It was beginning to get late, and Jackson got more restless as the evening drew in.
“Would you mind if I went for a run?”
“No, of course not, but I could come with you?”
“No, you stay here. I will be back soon enough. Besides, you are tired. You need to get some rest. “
“Fine.”
Chapter Seven
Jackson
I hated to leave Kayla, but I needed to get out of the house. Usually, I would have been glad to have her come with me, but not tonight. I had been unsettled since the call she had me take this morning. I had lied when I told her it was telemarketers. The truth was no one spoke; all I heard was some heavy breathing and shuffling. I initially put the call down to a wrong number or a butt dial, but the number called several times while she was upstairs. I blocked the number, hoping she would not notice, and the calls would stop. I could not help but feel on edge, and I do not know whether it is her house, how her parents treated her, or the fact that the full moon is getting nearer. Which can cause changes in mood for regular people, never mind a werewolf.
I ran far enough away from the house where I was sure Kayla wouldn't see anything, and I took off my clothes, hiding them next to a giant rock. It was not that anyone else should be in the forest at this time of night, but just in case.
I shifted into my wolf form, allowing him to take over my body, the wind moving over my thick fur like waves in the ocean. I ran so far away from the house I was almost in the next town. We had not been to this part of the woods before, so I decided to look around. My wolf was curious about the new scents, and then I sensed another wolf's pungent stench.
This should not have been possible as my dad had told us there were no wolves in this area, but I was not wrong. Another wolf had been here recently, and his scent was everywhere. The problem was if I can smell him, then he would have the ability to sense me too. He would be able to follow my scent, and this would lead him back to my family, and even worse to Kayla.
When I was finally satisfied I didn't stink like bear droppings, I took off in the direction of Kayla's home, but not wanting to risk leading this wolf to us, I ran west first, zigging and zagging through the trees. I finally came across the lake Kayla took us to. I jumped into the water, washed the mud, bear crap out of my fur. When I was finally satisfied, I was clean, I shifted back to my human form in the water. It was not ideal, as now I would have to walk back to my clothes, butt naked and barefooted. But at least I could be sure that on the off chance the wolf picked up my scent and followed my trail to this point, he would lose me in the water. The lake had so many scents of humans it would be too difficult to latch on to mine. I walked carefully, so I did not cut my feet on the rough rocks and broken branches.
I eventually got to my clothes; my hair was now damp and can be passed off as sweat. I threw on my clothes. I had been gone far longer than I had planned and hated to have left Kayla alone for so long. But that was the problem; when I let my wolf take over, it did not usually end well. My wolf is boisterous, and that is why I didn't shift very often.
I walked through the gate into Kayla's garden. She was sitting on the sofa talking to someone on the phone, and I hoped it was her parents with some news.
“He's here now.” It is your dad, she mouthed.
I needed to speak to my dad about the other wolf, but I can't do that in front of Kayla. She can't find out about any of this.
“Hey Dad, no, I'm fine, I went for a run. Can I call you back in fifteen? I need to shower before I stink Kayla's house out.”
I ended the call and glanced apologetically at Kayla.
“I'm so sorry I was gone for so long. I got lost and slipped in a giant patch of what I thought was mud, but it turned out to be bear crap. I had to go for a swim to wash it off, but I still stink,”
“I understand the number of times I've got lost when I've been running, but next time you should try going in the day, at least until you're used to the area.”
“Yeah, It's probably for the best. Would you mind if I took a shower?”
“Not at all, help yourself. There are fresh towels in the cupboard next to the bathroom.”
I went up to the room where I would be sleeping and grabbed my clean clothes and phone. I needed to speak to my dad about the other wolf. I went into the bathroom and locked the door, turning the shower and the taps on full to drown out my conversation. I scrolled through my call list, finding my dad's name and hitting call.
“That was a quick shower.”
“I haven't been in yet, is everyone there?”
“Yes, what's wrong, why are you whispering?”
“I'll explain everything to you in a minute, just put me on speaker, I need to tell you all something.”
“Okay, Son, you are on speaker.”
“You are not going to like this, but I think we have a situation.”
“What kind of situation?”
“I think there is another wolf.”
“That's impossible.”
“I know what I sensed Dad.”
“You need to tell us everything.”
“I went for a run, and my wolf got a bit carried away. I ended up on the outskirts of the next town when I sensed him.”
“Are you sure?”
“One hundred percent, its scent was everywhere.”
“Pull up the map on your phone and circle where you think it is,” Hunter instructed.
I did as he said and sent the message to his phone. The line went silent for a few minutes while they all examined the area that I had marked.
“Were you careful?” My dad asked.
“Yes.”
“Are you sure?”
“I can still smell the bear crap on me. I rolled in to mask my scent.”
“Leave it with us, we will take a look,” Hunter said.
“You are going to have to come home tomorrow, so we can have a proper meeting.”
“I'm not leaving Kayla alone.”
“I don't expect you to.”
“Well, she can't be around when we talk about this.”
“Then you need to come up with a plan.”
“Fine.”
“Be careful tonight, and stay on your guard.”
“I'll speak to you tomorrow. Stay safe.”
“You to Son.”
I showered quickly and threw on my joggers and a sweatshirt. I headed downstairs to Kayla, my damp hair falling in front of my eyes.
“Better?”
“I'd say fresher. Any news from your parents?”
“Just a text to say they are still waiting on results.”
“Well, I guess no news is good news.”
“That is what they say.”
“Are you hungry?”
“Now that you mention it, I should try to eat something, but I'm not sure what I fancy.”
“I'm in the mood for something spicy, what about Thai? A restaurant in town has the best curry.”
“Sounds like a plan to me.”
I sat next to Kayla as she placed the order. When she ended the call, she told me that she needed to go shopping in the morning.
“I can take you, but would you mind if I dropped you off and then picked you back up in an hour?”
“Sure, don't you like shopping?”
“Does any man like shopping?” I raised an eyebrow questioningly. “But no, it's not that. I called my dad back when I got out of the shower, and he asked if I wouldn't mind dropping by in the morning the fence broke, and some of the calves got out.”
“Oh, I hope none of them were hurt?”
“No, they managed to lock them in a different field.”
“Do you want me to come with you?”
“No, honestly, you would be bored; besides, it won't take us long between me, Dad and Hunter.”
“It's a plan. I will get some shopping while you go and help your dad.”
Kayla was disappointed, but she cannot come, not for this. My family needed to come up with a plan what would keep us all safe. Wolves are territorial creatures, and if we have moved into another wolf's land, then it would get ugly fast, even though my family had lived in this area for centuries.
The food arrived and filled the house with the deliciously fragrant aromas and spices of Thailand. Kayla chose a movie while I grabbed some plates and some cutlery. We decided to eat on the floor in front of the television. She had picked a comedy to lighten the mood, but I struggled to relax. I ate my curry while we were watching the film; Kayla laughed lightly every now and again, and as pleasant as it was to hear, I didn't have my full attention on her. I was listening for any strange noises outside in case the wolf had followed me. When the movie finished, Kayla was yawning.
“Time to call it a night.”
“I can't, I have to clean up.”
“You go up. I'll clean up, and then I will come up.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“Thanks.”
I scraped the leftover from the plates into the trash and rinsed the dishes in the sink before I loaded them into the dishwasher. I placed the cartons in the trash bag and took the bags out to the bins. The night was clear, the moon was full, and I decided to take a minute to enjoy the night's silence. Stretching out, to avoid night cramps from sitting on the floor so long, I heard it, as clear as day: a distinct howl.
Waiting for a few minutes to see if I heard anymore, but I was met with silence. It might have been one of my family, but I realized they would not have gone out alone after what I told them. Thankfully, it did not sound too close, which meant the wolf had lost my trail, for now at least.
I went back inside the house, locking the door and p
utting on the deadbolt. I also checked all the windows and the front door for peace of mind before I headed upstairs. I went into Kayla's room to check she was alright.
“Which room did you choose?”
“The one next door, if you don't mind?”
“You can stay here.”
“I didn't want to push you into anything you're not ready for.”
“We will only sleep; besides, I need a cuddle, and to be totally honest, I sleep better when you are next to me. I've always been a bit of an insomniac.”
“Okay, I'll stay here.”
I went into the other room to take the pillows off the bed and went back to Kayla's room. I was glad she wanted me to stay with her, needing to make sure she was safe. I had planned on sneaking in when she fell asleep anyway, but now I wouldn't have to sleep on the floor.
Laying on the bed next to Kayla, I closed my eyes, waiting for her to fall asleep. I would be lucky to get any rest until sunrise, but it was all for Kayla's benefit. I did not want her to find out about the existence of the supernatural, at least not yet. I listened as her breathing got heavier and formed a rhythm. When I was sure she was asleep, I carefully got out of bed to not disturb her. I took my place for the night on the chair next to the window, moving slightly, so I had a full view of the forest at the back of the house. I opened the window slightly to have a better chance of hearing anyone or anything outside. I put one of the extra blankets over Kayla so that she did not get cold and put the other one over me.