Forest Pack Community Book One

chapter 2

“Hello and welcome to Forestville. I am Ben Conall, and this is my wife, Lissa. I was told you had information on Felicia Winters and her family. We have been looking for her and her parents for a month now.”

Mary finally piped up, "I'm Mary West, and it's tough to say this, but the Winters passed away in a crash a month ago and have been in our morgue since." Yesterday was the first time she was well enough to share her story. She was very traumatized at the time, and we didn’t want to ask till she had healed both mentally and physically.” She’s still emotionally lost and traumatized, but she’s doing better than she was. Two women named Nancy and Ruth have been sitting with her day and night while we looked for her family. No one wanted her to go into the system at such a tender age. Please tell me she has family here?”

“She does. She has an aunt and uncle. We also see her as family. She is well-loved and missed terribly.”

“Oh, thank the Lord!” Mary exclaimed. “Everyone will be so happy! She has really dug herself into all our hearts. The few times she smiled were the sweetest moments. We’ve been putting off discharging her till we find her a home. Now that we have, how do we…” Mary trailed off.

Ben smiled, “If you give us some time, we can get a couple of vehicles together. One to carry us and her aunt and uncle. One to carry her parents back. If you come in and wait, we can get you something to drink. Even something to eat if you are hungry.”

“Thank you for your hospitality. Coffee would be great.” Mary responded.

Lissa spoke up at that point, “If you will follow me, I’ll get you set up with coffee and maybe some sweets. Our cook, Mabel, makes the most delicious, sweet treats. How does a slice of apple pie sound? It’s her specialty.”

Mary smiled, “Thank you, that sounds wonderful.”

Once Lissa had taken care of Mary, she left to get the people who were needed and to tell Mick and Joy. She mind-linked their lead warrior and said I need 2 of your best warriors in my office now.” All she heard was, "Yes, Luna. She then mind-linked Mick and Joy, “Mick, Joy, I have news about Felicia and her parents. Please come to my office.” Lastly, she mind-linked Ben, “Ben, I am getting two warriors, Mick and Joy, to meet at my office and tell them what is going on and what we are doing. Will you have someone get the vehicles we will need so that we can go as soon as possible?”

Ben replied, “Thank you for telling Mick and Joy. I’ll make sure we have the large vehicles ready.

When Lissa reaches her office. Four people are waiting for her to tell them what needs to be done or what is going on. “Thank you all for coming. We found the Winters. Mick, I’m sorry to say that your sister and brother-in-law did not make it. But I am told they died instantly. Your niece is in the hospital, and we will be going to get her as soon as all is ready. You two warriors will be taking the fallen back. You will lead on the way home. Make sure you have caskets in the back. Prepare to leave. I’ll meet you out front.”

The warriors bowed their heads, saying, “We are honored, Luna.” Then left.

“Mick and Joy, there’s something you two should know. Felicia remembers everything. Every detail of that night. She has frequent nightmares. What took so long for her to heal, or where her wolf is. Maybe she is hurting herself from the loss of Felicia’s parents’ wolves. We won’t know till we see her. We are leaving within the hour. Please get ready and meet out front. We do plan on being back by this evening.”

“Luna, I have a question.” Said Joy. “Do you know if her parents suffered?” Mick quietly squeezed her hand, grateful to her for asking the question he could not utter.

“No, Joy, I do not believe so. As Mary, who is the social worker, said, they died at the scene. Which makes me believe they did not live long after being hit.”

Mick then let out a long, painful, grief-filled howl as words escaped him, and this is all he could think of doing now. His wolf howled with him in pain.

Forty minutes later, they were all ready to go. With Mary in the lead, Ben driving a black SUV with tinted windows, and the warriors bringing up the rear with coffins in the back of a black suburban. It took them a few minutes to reach the crash site. Instinctively, the people in the black SUV knew that this was the spot. As they continued, everyone was quiet and lost in their own thoughts. Mick and Joy were holding hands in comfort and support. Mary, on the other hand, was calling the hospital to let them know that she was on her way with Felicia’s family and people to take her parents’ bodies and to prepare everything. So things would go smoothly.

After about 50 more miles of driving, they reached the hospital. They all pulled up to the main entrance. When Mary got out, she told the men in the suburban where to go to pick up the bodies. While she took Ben, Lissa, Mick, and Joy in to see Felicia. Ben would be signing for the bodies, as was required by law, up by Felicia’s room. Felicia’s discharge papers would also have to be signed. It was decided he would sign it all so that Mick would not have to worry and could just focus on his reunion with his niece.

As they arrived, Ruth was standing at the desk waiting while Nancy was in the room with Felicia. Ruth talked to them first.

“Hello, my name is Ruth. I’m the children’s counselor here at the hospital, and the one who told Felicia. Nurse Nancy and I were with her day and night. Each of us took turns so that Felicia felt safe and comfortable. Nancy was there when she woke up. We found out she likes wolves, so we bought her this white wolf that she named Wolfie. It seems to comfort and soothe her when she gets worried or scared at times. Or wakes up from nightmares. I’m not sure if Mary told you, but she was awake during the whole crash. I want to make you aware that she wakes up screaming. I don’t say this to scare you or to make you sad. But so you’ll know what to expect. Would you like to see her now?”

Four people took a breath to steady themselves after hearing what Ruth had just said. When Joy spoke up, teary-eyed. “I want to thank you for sitting with her all this time. I think I can speak for all of us when I say we are eternally grateful to you.”

Ben spoke up and said, “If you would like to come visit her, you may. You and Nancy are always welcome in Forestville. I will leave our address and phone numbers so that you may keep in touch if you so wish.”

Touched, Ruth said, “Thank you, that means a lot to us. Felicia has become like family to us. Or at least we love her just as much. This way.” As they walked down the hall, the four did a group mind link, and Mick said A white wolf! This must mean somewhere deep, she knows what she is! Her wolf must be sleeping and will eventually come back. She must have taken some of the pain for Felicia.”

“I agree,” said Ben and Lissa together. Just as they finished their mind-link, they arrived at the door. There were balloons all over the room. Showing how loved she was even here. Mary was correct when she said that Felicia had wiggled her way into everyone’s hearts in the month she had been there.