Did the girls sort all this? I can’t believe it!
I pull out a comfy short and cami set to sleep in and throw them onto the bed. Then take a look at the bathroom. The wood floor continues through and there’s another cow hide rug in the centre in-front of a huge roll top bath. There’s also a stone walled walk-in shower which I immediately decide to try out. Checking that the door into Lukas’s room is locked I strip off and get under the hot water. I hadn’t realised how grimy I was. There’s a whole shelf of bottles for everything I need and after I’m done, I don’t want to get out. Closing my eyes and letting the water cascade over me feels heavenly. I struggle to lift my eyelids as the hectic day catches up to me. I reluctantly turn the shower off and wrapping myself in a towel I remember to unlock Lukas’s door before heading back into my room.
Once in my PJ’s I snuggle into bed and grab my phone. I’m hit with countless missed calls and texts from an unsaved number. As I skim read it’s obvious they’re from Cassey. Each one is getting more and more angry. How many days has it been since I gave her an update? I immediately call her back.
“SO SHE’S FUCKING ALIVE THEN! I HAVE BEEN GOING SPARE! WHERE ARE YOU?!” She screams down the phone and I hold it at arm’s length.
I guess I deserve that.
“Hello to you too.”
“Oh don’t give me that! It’s been 4 days! I’ve not spoken to you since you went on your date with Alistair, then he shows up at my house and steals my phone! You and Gwen haven’t been home since and I’ve been obsessing over the news just in case you pop up as a missing person or worse!” I can hear her crying through her anger. “I got myself a new phone straight away. You’re lucky I know your number by heart! And now you just ring and say Hello! I mean…” She sniffs.
“I’m fine. My mums fine. We’re with my dad and the pack on Yellowstone.” I explain.
“Wait. What?” Her utter confusion has me laughing.
“It’s a long story, but things are actually pretty good now.” I go on to tell her everything from the restaurant to the details of my new bedroom. It takes hours but she’s silent as she lets me go on. Only asking the odd question and shouting the occasional swear word. There’s tears as I realise how much I miss my best friend and not knowing when I’ll see her again. She’s adamant that she’s coming to visit but I don’t want to risk her being in danger. We talk long into the early hours of the morning until Cassey gets called down for dinner. It works out I’m 7 hours ahead with the time difference. I yawn and we spend several minuets saying goodbye with promises to talk again tomorrow.With heavy eyelids I eventually hang up and snuggle down into my thick, cosy duvet.
Chapter 15
When I wake up, I feel totally refreshed. No nightmares, no dark cloud invading my thoughts. Absolute bliss! I lay in bed for a while listening to the morning bird song. I sense a few nocturnal prowlers tucking themselves away from the sun as the daytime animals stretch and head down to the lake. It’s safer first thing in the morning as the layer of fog hanging over the ground like a blanket gives them enough cover from hungry eyes. I hadn’t closed my curtains last night as I had a perfect view of the stars circling the mountain tops from my bed. Now in the morning as I sit myself up, I see the pink sky giving way to pale blue.
I check my phone out of habit and notice its only just past 7am. I never usually wake this early unless I set an alarm! I know it’s from my connection to the forest though. I feel it growing ever stronger and as the forest wakes so do I. We’re synchronised with each other. Getting out of bed I wash and get dressed in jeans and a t-shirt. I throw my hair up in a pony tail and head downstairs in search of breakfast.
I hear both my parents in the kitchen and smell toast. I walk through and my dad is pouring some coffee. He turns and gives me a huge hug.
“Morning! I made you toast with honey and a coffee with two sugars.” He gestures to a seat at the breakfast bar and as Isit he brings breakfast for all three of us beaming with pride at serving my coffee just how I like it.
“This is perfect thanks dad.” I smile as tears of happiness fill my eyes. This is a moment I never thought I would have. Breakfast with both my parents.
His eyes water as well as he picks up his cheese on toast. We eat for a while in silence. Soaking in this experience. My mum is the first to speak.
“We thought we would spend the day together. We can go for a long walk around the forest.” She takes mine and my dad’s hands and gives them a squeeze.
“Yeah, that’ll be great.” I reply as I finish my coffee.
“Alright then!” My dad booms as he stands and clears the table. I’ll pack some supplies and we’ll head off.” He grins.
He’s so excited and eager.
Ten minutes later we leave the house and head off towards the open clearing. My mum and I walk effortlessly over the snow, but my dad has no choice but to plough through it. I gently send a flow of power to the snow at his feet to make it easier for him. His smile grows wider as he's lifted up. The snow is sparkling in the morning light with not a single breeze. The morning is quiet and still. Wolves howl to each other amidst the rolling hills and an eagle swoops overhead.
“There’s nothing quite like it.” My dad says his voice full of awe.
“It’s incredible.” I reply.
“This is what your life should have always been like.” He says gruffly.
I go to him and hug him tightly. “And it will be now.”
He kisses the top of my head.
We walk and talk for hours. We laugh and my mum and dad walk hand in hand. We catch up and get to know each other and talk about the plans for our home. They tell me stories of thepack before and our plans for the future. Dad talks a lot about Lukas and how much like his father he is. I tell him all about Cassey and college. Then it dawns on me…
“Mum how will I finish college? I’ll go home for my final exams right?”
Her brow furrows as she gives a slight shake of her head.
