Stay Novel 16

After that, I spent the rest of the night at Chloe and Logan’s house. Chloe had asked me to stay for dinner and the lure of a home-cooked meal was something I couldn’t resist. I think I will buy a portable stove top and fridge on my next payday.

I was hesitant to stay the night, as I thought I’d be overstaying my welcome, but Chloe didn’t want me to leave. Logan even offered to set up the guest room for me, but I declined. He also wanted to drive me back to the pack house, but I wanted to walk instead. I wanted to think about my options, and what I wanted to do next with my life.

My bank details are all up in a tree near Massey, and I have quite a bit of savings in there. I need to access a computer to see if my funds are untouched. If not, I’ll blame Pan and make her suffer because of it. Pan rolls her eyes in my head when I think that.

I arrived at the pack house late. The place is quiet of wolves, except for the bar where I could smell only humans. The night manager nodded at me as I made my way to my room.

I woke up the next morning early for training and started my day by having a shower. As I conditioned the ends of my hair, I noticed more strands of hair than usual falling out as my fingers brushed through my tresses. I furrow my brows at this. It’s not a good sign.

I comb my hair straight when I’m out of the shower and more strands of hair fall out with it. I’m not sure what this means, but it can’t be good. Shaking my head, I dress and make my way to the training field to see what activity Drew wants us to warm up in.

“What’s the plan, Boss?” Hayden asks Drew once we’re back from breakfast. We’re standing in Drew’s office as he checks the logs from last night’s border patrol.

“We haven’t looked at the border to the southeast in a while. Hayden and Logan, do you want to do that? And Rob can go with Evie to the East border. She hasn’t been there yet,” Drew muses.

“Actually, I think she’d do great with me and Hayd’s. She needs training with some more experienced trackers,” Logan interjects. Drew looks up at him, and it looks like they’re mind-linking.

“Sure. Rob, you and Owen can go East today…” Drew agrees, rambling off as he sends us to different parts of the pack lands.

I follow Logan and Hayden out into the carpark and jump in the backseat of the car, ready to get to our starting point at the border.

“How far away is the station,” I ask as Logan begins to drive.

“Not far. It’s about forty minutes away,” Logan admits. I just nod.

“Don’t worry, we’ll get you back in time for lunch,” Hayden laughs.

“Shut up,” I reply. The men have picked up how little I eat compared to them. I have an appetite of a human, as I’m used to living around them.

It takes a little bit longer than forty minutes to get to the southeast station. We stop the car near a small cabin, and two werewolves in the pack’s Delta uniforms come out with smiles on their faces.

“Evie, this is Devon and Macclay. Guys, this is Evie, our new tracker,” Hayden introduces.

“Tracker huh? We heard about you. You found your targets in what? Thirty minutes or so?” the taller wolf called Macclay states, folding his arms and staring at me.

“Something like that,” I admit, folding my arms and mimicking him. Macclay laughs, and I immediately feel at ease.

“I like this one. She’s a wildcat. Soft and pretty like a kitten, but sassy,” Devon grins.

“She sure is,” Logan agrees. I just roll my eyes.

“Any news about last night?” Logan then asks.

“No man. All quiet. A few foxes and rabbits, but other than that, nothing,” Devon adds.

“Well let’s get started then, huh?” Hayden asks, taking the keys Devon offered him. Everyone nods at each other, and then Devon and Macclay drive off in their car.

I walk with Hayden and Logan into the woods, beginning our first day of the week on border patrol.

“Do you guys ever rotate your shifts or do the trackers always do the nine-to-one shift?” I ask. From my understanding, border patrols is broken into four shifts. Nine to one, one to eight, eight to three, and three to nine. The shift we trackers do is the shortest one of five hours.

“No. We’re sometimes needed to track things for the pack, which is why we only do the day shift,” Hayden explains.

“But wouldn’t it be better if they split the trackers amongst the Deltas doing border patrol? That way if anything happens to come up, things can be sorted out straight away?” I ask.

“We don’t do that here,” Logan replies.

“Oh,” I sigh. I think they would function better if all the trackers were split among the shifts. Then at least everyone would have opportunities to practice their defence training.

“The border patrol rotates their shifts, rotating every three weeks,” Logan says, answering my unasked thoughts.

“Oh,” I state again.

We travel further away from the station, and Devon and Macclay are right. There’s nothing amiss here. The scent trails are old, except for the Deltas. No odd scents at all.

I take a step forward when an unusual pain hits my stomach. I grunt and hold my side.

“Are you okay Evie?” Logan asks, turning around to look at me. I nod, watching him as he turns around and continues.

Slowly I pull my shirt up, hoping that I don’t see any bruises. The pain didn’t feel like it did when Conner… but I can’t be too sure. I sigh with relief when I see that there’s nothing there but white skin.

“You okay?” Hayden asks when I reach up to them.

“Yeah, I’ve just been getting some funny pains this morning, is all. It must be something I ate,” I muse. Logan and Hayden just nod, and we continue on our way.

I’m starving by the time we arrive back at the pack house. We all split up at the food court, the guys going wherever they go and me heading to find Isabella.

“Hi,” I greet, smiling when I see her. Erin shuffles in her seat, still shitty at my singing ability, but Isabella responds with a smile.

“I was waiting for you. Shall we go get food?”

“Erin still not happy with me?” I ask as we wait for Isabella’s salad to be made.

“No. But don’t worry, she’ll get over it.” I nod at this. It’s not like I care though. Erin isn’t a person I think I’d like to be friends with anyway.

Lunch is over quickly, and I say goodbye to Isabella and Erin before I leave. I smirk when Erin manages to say goodbye to me.

I’m at the training rooms before the guys get here, but I’m pleased as I look around. Last time I followed Rob and Ben to the target room before I gave up and headed for the gym to spar. I head that way now, eager to get a staff and begin.

Once I have my staff in hand, I find a free spot and begin my stretches.

“Hey, can we spar?” Greg, a Delta around my age who I taught the trick to last week asks.

“Sure, but I’m rusty,” I admit.

“You didn’t look it when you fought against Dharia,” Greg comments as he stands opposite me.

“Fluke,” I admit. I know I did well against Dharia, it surprised me how easily the moves came back.

“Because of me,” Pandora quips in my head.

I ignore her and stand in the starting pose with my staff held by my side.

“And fight!” a familiar voice calls out.

Quickly I raise my staff and we begin attacking each other. I try to do quick spins and move around him, but he counters each move I make. I grin at him when he does this. Suddenly Greg lunges forward, trying to jab me in my stomach, but instead, I arch myself back, and I feel the air above me move as his staff swipes the air above my stomach. People begin to cheer and as I right myself up, I go for a swing, this time hitting him square on the shoulder.

We begin using our staffs like swords again, and I begin to tire. I centre my staff between both my hands as I block a hit, and move forward, trying to wear him down. Unexpectedly I feel Greg’s staff hit my legs above my ankles and I’m flipped backwards onto the ground.

“I’m out,” I call, tapping the mat with my left hand. Everyone claps and Greg offers me his hand to help me up.

“Thanks,” I reply with a smile.

“Can you teach us that trick again?” Dallas asks. I’m about to answer when another Delta calls out and tells me Commander Alaric wants to see me in his office.

“Maybe tomorrow?” I ask him.

“Fine,” Dallas pouts.

I put my staff away before I head to Alaric’s office. His scent of amber and incense fills my nose, getting stronger as I approach him. I hate the way he smells. I hate it because of how much it entices me. I don’t want to find him attractive or feel the bond between us. The bond is there, but it’s weak. At least the Goddess gives me that.

I knock on the door and wait before Alaric tells me I can enter.

“Hi. You asked for me?” I say when I walk into his office. He has his desk against the wall next to the shelves, giving his office a more open feel. On his desk is his computer which is currently stacked with papers, and a plastic cup filled with a dark green, nasty-smelling goo.

“Yes. Alpha Jed has asked to see you in his office,” Alaric says, giving me a quick look before returning to the paper in his hand.

“Do you know what about?” I ask when I realise he’s not going to say anything else. Alaric shrugs.

“I don’t know, you’ll have to ask him,” Alaric says, his tone sounding bored and uninterested. I watch as Alaric takes a sip of his green-smelling goo.

“What’s that you’re drinking?” I ask, trying to make conversation.

“Something my friend made for me.”

“Dharia?” I ask, wanting him to at least look at me.

“Aha,” Alaric replies, sounding completely uninterested. I watch as he turns his back on me and starts working again. I guess that’s it. That is all I’m going to get. I want to walk over there and throw his stupid goo-drink at the wall. But I don’t. Instead, my heart drops and I leave the office, closing the door behind me.

I’m not going to cry. I’m an effing Athentree. We’re strong, we don’t cry. I head for the Alpha’s office, nodding or smiling at people who do the same when we cross paths. On the outside, I’m happy and friendly, but on the inside, I’m numb.

I’m at Alpha Jed’s office twenty minutes later, knocking on the door.

“Come in,” I hear someone say from the other side.

There are five people already in the room when I walk in, Alpha Jed, Luna Ensley, Beta Rhiannon and two others.

“Evie, thank you for coming,” Alpha Jed greets. I just nod in response. It’s not like I had a choice.

“Evie, this is Councilman Robinson and Councilman Green from the Royal Pack,” Alpha Jed says, introducing the two men dressed in suits.

“Hello,” I say softly.

“Hello, Miss Daniels. Please, have a seat,” Councilman Robinson says, indicating the empty seat next to him. I hesitate before I sit down.

“Miss Daniels, do you know why we’re here?” Councilman Robinson asks.

“Yes sir,” I reply.

“Can you please tell us your version of events as to how you came across this pack?” Councilman Robinson asks.

I nod and begin to retell him about my chasing the rabbit and getting lost in the hunt, to the arrival of the four cowards who circled me and ordered me to shift.

“Why didn’t you shift?” Councilman Robinson asks when I get to that point.

“Because, they were young males, and they were surrounding me. I felt unsafe,” I admit. The councilman and high-bloods in the room don’t say anything, so I continue.

“Also, they had what looked like electric prods in their hands. I was on neutral territory, I had no idea who they were or what they wanted,” I add.

“How did you know the rods as you say, were electric?” Councilman Robinson asks. I look over at his friend, who had been furiously taking notes in the book on his lap.

“When the leader held his rod, I saw a button on it that he pushed. I could hear the electricity start and saw a spark from one end.”

“You say you heard electricity from the rod?”

“Yes. Well, I was in my fur… so…” I begin.

“But you heard the electricity, just like you heard the cameras move in the trees once you were on Silva Luporum pack lands?” Councilman Robinson asks.

“Am I in trouble here?” I ask, beginning to feel a little uneasy.

“No, it’s just that it’s unusual for a wolf so young to be able to sense all that. You must be quite talented.”

Is it? Is it unusual to hear the sound of things from a distance? I thought all werewolves could do that. I notice some movement between the two men next to me and feel wary.

“Miss Daniels, you came to this pack without any identification…” Councilman Robinson begins.

“I was in my wolf form. I couldn’t carry that on me. Is it a crime to not have that on you when you’re hunting on neutral land?”

“Please Miss Daniels, we are trying to help you here,” Councilman Robinson growls.

“I’m sorry, I’ve just, not been part of a pack. Have the rules changed during the last five years?” I ask, looking over at my Alpha for guidance.

“No, they have not. Councilman, what is the purpose of this line of questioning?” Alpha Jed asks. I feel relief when he speaks up for me.

“We’re just wondering, your name, Evie Daniels. Is it your name?” Councilman Robinson asks. I feel a surge of anger go through me.

“If you looked into me, as the pack officials here also did, you would know that I’m from Gibbous Moon Pack. It’s known in the Royal Pack for a certain reason. And if you don’t know, then maybe you should ask your supervisors. Now if this is about me, and not the treatment I got when I was forced into this pack, then I’m done,” I say, attempting to get up.

“She’s right. How dare you take that line of questioning. I believe many packs are known to the Royal Pack for certain reasons. I will be contacting Alba about this if it continues,” Beta Rhiannon finally speaks up.

I look at Rhiannon, feeling grateful. I’ve not heard of Alba, but it must be important as it’s enough for the two Councilman to go pale.

“We apologise, it’s just, you look familiar… but again, we apologise,” Councilman Green stutters. I look at him and he just nods in my direction. I look over at the high bloods, but they don’t flinch or turn to look at me. All three look equally angry at the councilman on my behalf. Strange.

“Well, let’s go back to it then,” Councilman Robinson asks, giving me a weak smile. I nod and push my back into the seat. Councilman Robinson then asked about my treatment when I was put in the pack cells and the accommodations I was provided. No one looked pleased when they were told about the lack of blankets and dog food.

“And this Delta… Leyton… how come he wasn’t aware of Evie’s treatment when he started his shift in the prison?” Councilman Robinson asks.

“Some rumours were going around the training rooms, from the teenage pups. Delta Leyton was assigned the Prison shift by our Commanding Delta to oversee the prison. No one knew about there being a prisoner in the cells. The boys had not reported it,” Alpha Jed admits.

“I see. And what happened to the boys when she was discovered?”

“We held them in the cells for five days, the same length of time they held Evie. They’re now in lockdown at their parents’ homes,” Alpha Jed states.

“Good, good. As you know, I would like to interview them,” the Councilman says.

“Can Evie go now?” Beta Rhiannon asks.

“Oh, yes, of course. Thank you, Miss Daniels, for your report today. Your story matches your Alpha’s and our findings,” Councilman Robinson says.

“I can go now?” I ask. Rhiannon looks over at me and smiles.

“Yes, you can. You don’t have to go back to training, either,” she says to me.

I stand and give my Alpha and Luna a slight bow.

“Thank you, Alpha, Luna,” I say. I then turn to Rhiannon and thank her too.

As I close the door behind me, I let go of the breath I had been holding in while sitting in the Alpha’s office. That was hard. I didn’t realise how tough that would be. And I think Councilman Green recognised me. He’s from the Royal Pack, so he may have seen me perform the violin there. Which is why I think the other Councilman began that line of questioning. Thank goddess Alpha Riley linked me to the Gibbous Moon Pack. Without that, I’d probably be screwed.

I don’t head back to the training rooms. I feel quite done with that place today. Seeing Alaric, makes me feel a little revolting. Instead, I head for the Music rooms. I’ve avoided them since being here. I don’t want my secret ability to play instruments to come out. I’ve already screwed that up by showing them I can sing, like actually sing. I don’t want them to see me play and realise who they may possibly have among them.

Also, deep down if I’m truly being honest, I don’t want to play because tit reminds me of Mum. And playing music hurts so much because I love my parents so much but I can’t be with them.

The hallway to the music rooms is still empty, and the only scents I notice are the cleaners, my own, and Henrik Erstad’s. Mine and Henrik’s are fainter, but the cleaner’s scent trails are still fresh, and recent.

I close the door behind me as I enter the room. Usually, music rooms are soundproof, and this being a pack house, the rooms should definitely be. I’m itching to play the violin. But I don’t want to.

I open the fallboard, the lid that covers the keys of a piano, and run my fingers along her ivory bones. I want to play the piano, but my body twitches towards the violin. Fuck it. Violin it is.

I take the violin off its hanging on the wall and admire the smooth golden resin of its body. This isn’t a Stradivarius violin, but it has all the right parts and it’s the best I have to work with. I pick it up, enjoying the comfort of the chinrest against my skin. Hmm. Even breathing in the smell of the wood is divine.

I bring up my bow and tentatively place it on the strings. And I play. At first, I make my own song, driving my own sonata through my despair and longing. I play with the sounds as I pull my sad notes out. I then move into playing ’Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!’ by Abba. I love how it begins and then how the tempo increases. It’s also one of my Granny’s favourite pieces, one that’s not classical, that is. I then play my favourite violin pieces to popular music, like ’A Million Dreams,’ and ‘Smooth Criminal,’ before playing my utmost favourite violin piece- ‘Beethoven Virus,’ which I know is so popular that it’s now cliché, but hey, it makes me feel good when I play it.

I lose myself in my music, and I’m more than happy.