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Chapter 5: Lost Boy Gone

The next morning was a whirlwind. There were rangers and investigations units all over our pack territory. I knew the search for the Allure's was going to be put off without question. Anything that hit close to home is top priority. I was tired and annoyed. My Mom and Dad where out of the house since the events of early morning. The pack was shaken up but strong none the less. I headed out to the nearest cafe to grab myself breakfast since we gave our chef the day off.

I solemnly strolled down the road as everyone bid me a "morning". Some high school aged girls where standing outside the cafe fawning over me like goobers. I smiled and walked inside. The smell of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods hit me hard, my stomach growled. My wolf drooled on the inside at the sweet aromatics from around me. I made my order, large vanilla latte and a banana nut muffin and went to sit down. A few moments later a pretty faced batista came and set my order on the table. I gave her thanks, tip and a wink to set her day. She grinned at me and blushed as she went away.

"Well well well, what does a lucky girl have to do to get one of those around her?" it was Talia. She stood before me looking as beautiful as ever. Her hair was down and draped around her small shoulders. She wore a tight t-shirt under a woven tunic that lined her perfect chest and tight jeans that left little to imagination. "Hey girl!", I grabbed my fling by the waist and sat her on my lap. She looked back and kissed me deeply, making me melt but I pulled away. I didn't feel right knowing I'd soon find my mate. I had to tell her.

"Talia, I may have found my mate." I almost whispered. She looked at me and the biggest smile crept across her face. "Phi, I'm so happy for you! Dad already told me, and you know our agreement so there's no bad feelings." Talia hugged me. "I figured, I just wanted you to hear it from me too. I was going to call you before we left this morning but things didn't work out because of the situation from earlier " I squeezed her back. I took a sip of my latte looking at her face profile trying to read what she was thinking.

A tear fell from her eye down her cheek. "Hey what's wrong?", I wrapped my arm around her small waist still sitting in my lap.

"That whole situation is so messed up Phoenix. I heard my Dad telling my mom this morning that he was only 4 years old, he was supposed to turn 5 next week." she sighed. "It's a bad situation, but I have faith in my father that they find whoever was behind it." I wanted to reassure her. "I know Alpha will, he always does right by our pack. It won't bring him back though, it made me think of Taylor." Taylor was Talias kid brother he was about the same age as the lost boy. Beside me, Taylor was Talias favorite person in her world. There bond was so strong you'd think she was his mother at times. She's left me on many occasions because he's needed her, something I highly respected her for.

I took another sip of my latte and bit into my muffin. I offered some to my friend and she took it. "Thanks, I haven't really been able to eat all morning. My stomach has been in knots." She smiled shyly. "I can think of a way to work those knots out if your up for it." Her head spun around, she grinned and she jabbed me in my shoulder. "Watch it Phoenix, your Luna may be around here." She giggled and it made me smile. "Shut up and eat, your gunna need your energy for later" I winked at her.

After we finished our quick breakfast we walked to Talia's home. Only her mom was there when we arrived. Talia asked her where Taylor was and she said she sent him to school to keep him distracted for the day.

"Well well well, look what the wolf dragged in. How is everything going Phoenix? How's your mom in all this drama?" Celeste smiled at me. I hugged her, she was one of the sweetest women in our pack. "Good morning Mama C, I'm pretty good, tired. My mom's kind of on edge but she's okay. You should call her! I know she likes chatting with you." I replied.

Celeste was a beautiful women from a Native American wolf tribe. She had long dark hair and beautiful bronze skin to match and her smile was infectious. She was smart as a whip and not someone to be toyed with because her bite was as sharp as her mind. Talia looked liked her for the most part beside her hair and smile. That came from her mom. As Talia and her mom spoke about the days events I walked around the front yard through their garden. It started to rain again. I started to let my mind wander as I was snapped back to reality by my phone.

The name sprang up, it was my Dad. I answered quickly. "Yea?" I waited. "You need be patient son." he spoke. "I know Dad, handle our business here first. I'm okay I can hold out a little longer." I really was okay. Our pack was priority. "Good kid. I'll see you home for dinner.", he hung up. Talia was standing at my side, "Any update?". I looked down at her and smiled. "Nothing to report Captain!", I said through a goofy smile. "SHUTUP!", she rolled her eyes and kissed me again. This time I returned the kiss. "Let's go to others and see what's going on." She shook her head and we walked to her car.

***

A few moments later we pulled up outside of the scene. There were rangers and police everywhere. They had the whole area taped off. A crime scene unit was headed down into the area below the hill where I seen the missing boy last night. I saw my mom and dad standing to one side speaking to some officers. "Let's go see what's going on." I said to Talia. She nodded. We got out of the car and headed to my parents. A detective from earlier stopped me. "Your the one I spoke to early this morning right son?" I felt uneasy. "Yes, Sir, I was here with my family. "Didn't you say you only saw one wolf near the the boy?" "Yes, sir.".., I paused, "I only seen one.". He eyed me up and down. "Funny thing is there's so many sets of prints around this part we can't tell what's what!" My stomach curled over. " I only seen the one sir, sorry." He nodded his head. "I'll call you if I have some more questions." I stuck out my hand to shake and he smirked and turned away.... okay.

I walked over to my parents where Talia now stood. Talia grabbed my arm and hugged it. "The officer told your dad the boys name was Micah. His parents identified his body a little while ago. They're devastated." Her eyes we full of tears. I hugged her hard. We will send them meals for the week and flowers for whatever service they have. My mom agreed. "Phoenix, I need to speak with you.", my Dad sounded serious. I walked with him towards a row of parked cars. "Whats going on? Any word about the wolf?" , I started eagerly. "No, Phi, but because of lasts nights rush. The detectives are very wary about us. I want you to stay as far away from all this as possible.". I nodded, "The detective from earlier asked me about all the wolf prints and how I said I only seen the one wolf last night. I know they're suspicious.". I answered. "Exaclty, I wish I weren't so damn foolish and would've thought about another way to handle this but because it was a child I knew as a parent that his parents needed to know." My father looked tired. "Dad I understand, you did what's was best with the time you had. The pack will be fine. Let's just cooperate with the investigation as much as we can and let it play out.", he nodded in agreement. "Once all this is settled we will turn focus back to you, for the meantime stay out of this area. I've also let everyone know they need to go to the north mountain to shift untill the investigation is closed, NO EXCEPTIONS.", that last part was a Alpha command. "Yes, sir. I'm going to take Tal and head home, should I order dinner?" He thought for a moment, "Yes, take some stress off our Luna for the evening and make the arrangements for the boys family." . I hugged my dad and went to get Talia.

When we arrived back by my mom and Talia they were talking about trips. I guess it would be good for them to get away. I told Talia we had to head out because I had some things I needed to do and she obliged. I kissed my mom and told her I'd take care of dinner and that I'd see her at home soon. She told us to be careful and we headed to the car. The drive into town was quiet. we played some music and were both in deep thought. We would glance at each other here and there and would smile at each other. Our first stop was the florist.

We walked into a little shop that had vines and flowers overflowing from it. The shop owner Deena was standing behind some sunflowers watering them. "Hi!, how can I help you future Alpha?!". She beemed at me excited to see a Alpha in her shop. "Hey Deena long no see." I smiled back. Talia waved and smiled, "We are here to order the flowers for the funeral arangement of the young boy who was found today." Talia and Deena sat down and started looking through books, she picked out some baby blue carnations, with a "In Remembrance of" and name placket on it. "Deena, can you please get in touch with the family and let them know any other arrangements they would like will be fully paid for by our town.". Deena gasped, that could be a dangerous situation don't you think? Some flowers run up a hearty tab." "It's nothing to our family, Deena, honestly, don't worry." She smiled again, "Of course!".

We finished up at the florist and headed to a local restaurant. Deena and I bought a five hundred dollar gift card and left it in place for the family and asked the manager to contact Micha's family and let them know meals are on us for the week. He was a kind man with a talent for cooking beyond his years. "James, let me have a family meal for seven with whatever is tonight's special too, please.". "You got it boss." he replied smirking. Deena and I grabbed drinks and waited at the bar for our food. "Call your mom and dad and tell her to bring Taylor and meet us at my place for dinner. We can all eat together." Talia smiled, "Okay.", she replied to me and leaned her head on my shoulder. We got our food and headed back to my house.