by Quell T Fox
Alec is strong. I admire him for it.
He stands from the table and pushes his chair in. “When I get back, I expect your plate to be free of food. And I don’t mean by scraping it into the trash.” He turns around and walks out of the kitchen without another word.
I sit there staring at my favorite food but still not wanting a bite. I eat it anyway.
Chapter Nineteen
Leona
We’re having a family meeting an hour later. Something Maddox always tries to push but never gets anywhere with. Every time he planned one, something went wrong. But I guess it’s what happens when you have kids. You never know what is going to happen. And it couldn’t be a “family” meeting without the entire family. There were times I felt like the meetings were sabotaged though. Some things did happen a little too coincidentally, like the time Lenny said he got diarrhea from eating too many tacos… but it wasn’t even Tuesday.
I sat in the kitchen for a long while after I’d finished eating. Alec came back in and gave me an approving nod when he saw my plate clean. I even ate the pie, knowing I’d regret it if I didn’t. It was delicious, and I’m glad he made me change my mind. Even though it’s sitting heavily in my stomach, like it doesn’t belong. I missed Callan’s cooking.
When I walk back into the house after taking Grim for a walk around the front yard, everyone is already sitting down, making small talk but the air is thick with tension. Alec must have told them what I said already, their faces are mixed with distress and sadness. I feel horrible for not telling them sooner, for a multitude of reasons. Mostly because of my friend…
The recliner is empty and I know it was saved for me. Everyone in this house knows it’s my favorite spot. It has been since the first week I came here. Lenny would get me all comfy and tucked in on that recliner. He’d bring me a pillow, blanket, and the stuffed pig, the one Friday bought me—it’s still on my bed. We’d sit in the living room, him on the couch beside me, and watch a movie. We did this every night for as long as I can remember. It’s one of the many things Lenny did to help me settle in here.
Milo is latched onto Friday, eating before they get him to sleep for the night—or try to. Briella is already tucked into bed and almost asleep. I snuck in and said good night before I brought Grim out.
I sit down carefully because I think it’s what I should do after being in the hospital for a week, even though I feel perfectly fine. You’d never know I almost died a week ago. Even though my injuries were basically non-existent, someone did die, and it could have been me.
Lenny is sitting on the couch beside Friday, playing with Milo’s tiny hand. Alec and Maddox are sitting on the smaller couch, both looking relaxed and like they don’t want to be here. And lastly, Callan is pacing back and forth, his hands clasped together behind his back, his brow furrowed. He’s the one who is going to tell me whatever it is I need to be told and I have a feeling it’s something I’m not going to like.
Callan pauses in front of me, looking up in thought for a moment before he finally speaks. “Leona, do you recall your mother having any interactions with Paranormals while you were with her? I know you don’t like talking about those times, but there is something we need to understand here. And unfortunately, the only way to do that is by talking about it.”
I clear my throat, my mouth suddenly dry. He’s right. I hate talking about those times, especially with them. It’s bad enough I have the memories, but talking about it, speaking about it… it’s awful. The words hurt because I can’t pretend it’s just my imagination anymore. When the words are spoken out loud, it makes them real.
“I understand,” I say softly. “But no, I-I don’t remember anyone being there that had powers. I can’t really remember anyone other than Gary. There were a lot of people in and out, but no one stands out to me.”
“What do you remember about your necklace? If anything.” Callan doesn’t look at the necklace like most people would. He keeps eye contact with me, his eyes soft and understanding.
“Nothing,” I say, shaking my head as I look away. My hand moves to my necklace, sliding the pendant along the thin chain. I think for a moment, trying to recall anything about it. I look up and meet the green of Callan’s eyes again. “The first time I saw it was when Maddox gave it to me. I never saw it before then.”
I sneak a glance at Maddox, but he isn’t looking this way. He’s leaning forward, his forearms resting on his knees, his eyes focusing on the ground.
“Please don’t take offense to what I am going to ask next, but why did you keep it then? Why wear it every day if not for sentimental value?”
That is a good question. Something I’ve never thought of before. Maddox thought it had belonged to my mom, it’s why he gave it to me. I don’t believe it to be hers and when I look at it, it isn’t what I see. Nothing about this reminds me of her.
“I don’t think it was hers. In fact, I know it wasn’t.”
I’ve never admitted that before. It was given to me and I took it because it felt right. Maddox thought it was hers and I was trying to be nice even though, as Callan said, I didn’t want any ties to her. It seemed like the right thing to do. When someone takes you in, and they offer you something, you take it. You don’t argue or make a fuss. I thought I was doing what I was supposed to when Maddox gave me the necklace.
Knock knock.
“Leona? May I come in?”
The door stays open because I don’t like being shut away in my room. It happened too often when I was with my mom. They always knock though, never invading my privacy. They’re all so respectful of me and this new room they’ve given me. But it is their house, they could come in here if they wanted to. They could lock me in here too, but I have a feeling they won’t do that to me.
Everyone has been nice so far, nicer than anyone I’ve ever met. I get good feelings from them and I know they won’t hurt me, but I still don’t like having the door closed.
“Yes, you can come in,” I say. I look up from the desk I am sitting at. The one they put in here just for me. It’s filled with all kinds of books Callan bought for me, to help prepare me for school. I like looking at the ones with the colorful pictures. I didn’t have any books like this when I was with mom.
I did have schooling when I was there. When I was little, a woman used to come and teach me things, but I don’t think it lasted very long. Eventually mom started giving me packets and papers to look over. I learned how to write my letters by copying the dotted lines. Those papers came with movies I would watch. They had fuzzy characters who would teach me about the different sounds each letter made and that’s how I learned to read.
As I got older, the work got harder and there were no more movies. I stopped doing work a while ago, but I can’t quite remember how long ago it was. Time blends together when I don’t get to leave the house.
Callan says I will catch on quickly, that I have a lot of potential because I’m smart, I just need someone to help me for a little while. And he said he would do it; he will help me. I really like him so far. He’s taught me all about plants and he promised we can make a garden one day.
“I have something for you,” Maddox says. I think most kids my age would be afraid of him. He’s tall and has lots of muscles with tattoos everywhere. Even his voice sounds scary. But there is something about him, something that lies beyond his looks that tells me he is a nice person. “I found it at the house. I’m not sure why I took it, but it looked like it may be important. Maybe it’ll remind you of your mom, when you’re sad and stuff.” He shrugs a shoulder and holds out his hand, a thin chain hangs over it.
I’ve never seen this before, but I don’t think he’s lying. He went into mom’s room. That’s not something I did often. She probably had lots of things in there I didn’t know about. It’s where she hid all the good food I never get to eat.
“Thank you,” I say, looking up to him and making myself smile. I know it’s the polite thing to do. I wish it would come naturally, bu
t I don’t think I’m there yet. It’s still so hard to smile.
“Something about it feels right, always has. But it doesn’t make me feel connected to her. It’s something else.”
Callan takes a deep breath, turning around and begins to pace again. The entire room is quiet. Silence. After a few moments he stops, turning back to me.
“Leona, I think you’re a wolf. I’ve thought this for quite some time. Little things here and there leading me to believe you are a Paranormal but never enough for it to be definite. But the biggest hint, the thing that really makes me believe you are, is the–”
“Excuse me?”
A what?
Did I hear that right?
Callan looks to me, his face as series as usual. “Wolf. Well, half. I think you are half wolf. I’m almost certain your mother was not a wolf, but the necklace you have,” he points to it, “it’s the symbol for a shifter pack. One that is run by wolves. And I can’t imagine any reason for your mother to have unless it belonged to her or you. And if you’re sure it wasn’t hers…”
“It wasn’t.” I shake my head slowly, not fully processing what he said. “But I… I’ve never…”
“Shifted? I know. That is easily explained. There is a ritual that must be completed before you are able to shift. And since you haven’t known what you are, then you wouldn’t have completed it. Therefore, no shifting.”
Maddox grunts in the corner and Lenny looks like he’s about to throw up.
“Do I even want to know?”
Callan clears his throat, pacing once again, his hands placed behind his back. It’s something he does even during class. I’ve never been in one of his classes, but it’s what he’s known for in school. The teacher that’s always fidgeting. The girls think it’s adorable.
“A female wolf must mate with its partners under a full moon before she is able to shift. It will only work if all the partners are together and included in this ritual. No one is certain why this happens, but we assume it is so women do not shift and mate with wolves she does not belong to.” He pauses for a moment. “Of course, there are ways around it. There are ways around everything.” He starts mumbling to himself about different ways a female could possibly shift without having to go through the ritual.
“Mate? Partners? As in plural?” Lenny asks, speaking the exact words that were going through my head. “More than one?” he adds on a groan.
Callan turns to Lenny. “It’s not much different than what we have here, Lenny. We always knew her being a Paranormal was a possibility, and we know it includes more than one partner. It is not something to be ashamed of. You grew up in this life, you know these things.”
“Yeah, but… but she’s my baby sister!”
“She’s not a baby,” Alec speaks up. All heads turn towards him, but he doesn’t look up. “I know she isn’t quite an adult yet, but she isn’t a baby. She made a very adult, very mature decision to come to us with the information she had. We need to remember just because she is younger than us, doesn’t make her any less than us. She’s almost eighteen anyway.”
“That’s another thing,” Callan says, holding a finger in the air. “A female wolf must have completed the ritual within three full moons of turning eighteen.”
“Or?”
“Or she may not shift at all.”
Chapter Twenty
Leona
Not being able to shift. Would it be the worst thing to happen to me? Out of everything that’s happened to me in my life, not shifting into a wolf would not be the worst thing. I haven’t known I was a wolf this entire time, if Callan is even right, so what’s the difference if I don’t shift?
Who am I kidding? Of course Callan is right. He’s never wrong. Whatever has made him believe I am a wolf, well, it’s good enough for me.
He did say there would be side effects if I don’t shift, but I didn’t ask what they are. I told them I needed some time to think about this and they stayed down there to talk, letting me head up to my room alone. I even closed my door when I walked into my room. I know there is more to this than what was mentioned, but they’re giving me the time I need to process. No one brought up what I told Alec, as much as they wanted to. I could see Maddox’s face twitching and I know it wasn’t over me being a wolf.
It’s funny… since I’ve been here, I wanted nothing more than to fit in. Now that there is a possibility I am a Paranormal, that I do fit it, I don’t feel the way I expected. After everything that’s happened recently, I just want a little bit of normalcy. I don’t want to find out I’m a shifter right now. Why couldn’t this have happened when I first got here? When I had my best friend to talk to about this. It has to happen now? When someone is stalking me and my best friend is dead?
I’m lying on my bed, contemplating turning on my phone or leaving it in the box. I’ve just reached for it when there is a knock at my door.
“Leona? May I come in?”
“Yeah, you can come in.” I roll over and sit up, placing my feet on the floor.
The door opens and Callan slips in, closing it softly behind him. He walks to my desk and pulls the chair out placing it beside my bed. He’s always so proper. He isn’t casual about anything. He would never come in here and sit on my bed to talk to me like the others do. It’s just not his style.
“Look, I know this is a lot to take in, but there are a few things I need you to be aware of. Firstly, you need to know half wolves are not really a thing. They’re rare and they actually should not be a thing at all. Shifters belonging to a pack are not allowed to mate outside of their pack. They are supposed to be the most loyal Paranormals of all. And your necklace tells me you are supposed to be a part of one. If your father mated with a human, I guarantee she was not a part of the pack. Someone being after you, it’s probable.”
“The car accident?”
He nods his head. “It’s best if you don’t share this information with anyone until I can dig up more information. Just know you’re not alone. We are here for you. I know it is not always easy to talk about things; I understand that on a personal level, but remember we are here, if you need.” He stands up and puts my chair back in its place, heading towards the door to leave.
“Callan?” He pauses and turns around.
I stand up and walk to him. He looks at me curiously. I throw my arms around him and squeeze. He freezes for a moment but then his arms come around me in a warm hug. Something that is both unfamiliar and uncomfortable to me but doesn’t feel completely wrong.
I pull back after a moment. “Thank you for everything you’ve ever done for me.” He smiles his dorky smile, pats my arm and then leaves the room. I get back into bed and pick up my phone, deciding I need someone to talk to. I need to keep my mind busy and away from the mess that is my life.
One thing after another. The boys. The accident. My best friend dying. Me being a wolf. Is this really my life now?
I pick up my phone again and press the power button, waiting a few moments for it to boot up. It vibrates like crazy when it turns on, all my notifications from the last week coming in at the same time. But there is only one I am looking for. Okay, maybe three are on my mind but one more than the others.
When it’s finally done vibrating, I unlock it and clear out the notifications. Maddox did a great job of having this phone set up like the other. Everything is exactly the same, including my password. When a normal person gets their phone switched over, there are still some things you have to do to make it like the previous one. Setting up the wallpaper, rearranging apps, things like that. But when Maddox does things, he doesn’t skimp on the goods. I never would have known this phone was a different one if it wasn’t for it being a different color than my last. I click on my messaging app, the little bubble telling me I have fifty-six unread messages.
I skim through them all. Most of them are from kids at school I rarely talk to. The person who sent me the most texts was Thorne. It brings a smile to my face. As sad as it is, at least it’s s
till a smile.
I have a text from both Castor and Hunter sending their condolences and wishing me well. I guess it’s better than nothing.
I was told Thorne tried to visit while I was in the hospital, but the staff wouldn’t let him in. Family only. And mine didn’t know him well enough to allow it.
Maddox pulled some strings to get him, Friday, and the other guys in at the same time. It’s supposed to be only one person at a time, to not disturb the other patients on the floor. Everyone was in and out of the room with me, but Lenny stayed the entire time. He never left, not even once.
Thorne: I am so glad you’re okay.
Thorne: Tried visiting but they wouldn’t let me in.
Thorne: I just heard about Lina… I am so, so sorry. If there is anything I can do, please let me know.
Thorne: Text me when you’re up for it. I’ll be here *heart emoji*
I read through the texts multiple times, my heart squeezing at his words. He barely knows me, yet he’s so caring. I don’t respond right away, not entirely sure what I want to say to him or to anyone, really. I know most of them will get a generic thank you because it’s all I’m up for. I don’t have energy to put into a conversation. Even if I did, I’m in no mood for small talk.
I go through my emails. Most of it is junk, but one sticks out. It’s from the school, declaring classes are cancelled on Monday so everyone can attend the funeral. Lina’s parents are allowing anyone and everyone to attend. I need to mentally prepare myself for it because I’m not sure I’m going to handle it well.
The only death I have dealt with is my mother’s. Well, and Goldy. The goldfish Lenny got me a few months after I moved in. I kept him alive for over a year. I’m not sure what happened to him, but I woke up for school one morning and he was belly up in his little glass bowl. But he was just a fish. Even my mother’s death didn’t hit me as hard as Lina’s. It definitely didn’t hit me the way a parent’s death should, but I don’t blame that on myself. Normally I’d blame it on her but with everyone going on, I’m not so sure I can do that either. I’m realizing I barely know anything anymore. About her, me, or my life.
