Shifted

3 Months Prior

I hustled in the door from school, throwing my backpack onto the couch and hurrying into the kitchen. I grabbed some cookies from the jar and the milk from the fridge. I sat at the table and took out my phone. Tonight was the first football game of the season and my friends and I were excited about going. Being a sophomore had its perks because we could now sit in the student section and cheer on our friends on the field. Last year, the freshmen had to stand at the fence and they couldn’t see any of the action. I scrolled through my social media and noticed I had picked up a few more followers. Interesting. I clicked on their photos and noticed a group of guys hanging out around a fire. It looked like they were camping and having a great time. I didn’t know any of them and was curious why they followed me. All I ever posted was selfies with friends and funny photos of dogs or cats I found. I clicked through their feed and saw that they were about my age. Brothers maybe? I decided to leave them because they didn’t seem to be creeps and I’d show Sophie later and see what she thought. Sophie is my best friend and we’ve been together since kindergarten. The doorbell rang and I got up to answer it.

I opened the door and found a delivery man standing with a thin package in his hands. “Are you Elsie Witmore?” he asked. I nodded and he motioned for me to sign the package. It was addressed to me and had no return address. I went inside and shut the door behind me. I opened the package and saw that it had papers and photos inside. I headed back to the kitchen table and laid the photos out on the table. They were pictures of a big beautiful house, woods, and what seemed to be a school. I turned the papers over in my hands and realized it was a letter. I looked at the bottom and took in the signature, Elias Riley Alpha Aspen Pack. I quickly read the letter.

Dear Elsie,

Your uncle tells me that you have grown into quite a remarkable young lady. It would be a shame for us not to meet. He informed me that you were adamant that you would not consider coming to the pack unless your mother and father were able to come with you. I can appreciate your courage and willingness to standup for what you want. I have talked to the pack and have decided that it would be best if you and your parents would come here. We’ve arranged for a place for you to live, go to school, etc. I’ve included photos. You must come before winter or you will not be able to make it through the passage to our lands. Your mother knows the way. I’ll be waiting.

Sincerely,

Elias Riley Whitmore

Alpha Aspen Pack

I sat at the table in complete shock. They wanted me to come. My uncle left and we never spoke a word about what was discussed or the offer and now I have a letter with photos asking us to come. I picked up my phone and texted my mom, “Who is Elias Riley Whitmore?” My phone rang. My mother’s voice was tight with tension on the line, “How do you know that name?” I explained about the letter, the photos, and the offer. She told me that we’d discuss it when my father got home.

Later that evening, when my parents were home, I showed them the letter and the photos. My dad looked ill and my mom almost seemed excited. I can’t imagine what it must have been like for her to leave her family. She must really love my dad. “Does this mean that we can go?” I asked. “Is that what you want?” my father asked. “I don’t know what I want. I don’t even know if I believe any of this stuff yet. But it would be nice to meet more of my family. Even if they are wolves.” I shrugged. My dad passed the letter back to me. “When would we have to leave to make it before the snow?” I asked, looking towards my mom. “We’d need to leave no later than mid-September to be safe.” “That’s in two weeks!!” I yelled. “How do they expect us to just drop everything and pack up and leave?” I paced the room as the overwhelming thoughts bombarded my brain. How could this happen? My dad came up and pulled me into his arms. Squeezing me gently so that I would relax into his arms. “I’m so sorry you have to deal with all of this. Your mother and I were selfish and wanted to have a family of our own. We didn’t think that this would matter or happen. We just knew that we loved you and wanted you the moment we knew we were going to be parents. Now, it's our turn to support you. We will do whatever you want to do. If you want to stay here, we will support you and help you through whatever may come. If you want to go meet your family and see what it’s like to live in a pack, we can do that too. Just know that, no matter what happens, we will be here to support you.” He kissed the top of my head before leaving me alone with my mom.

I walked over and sat down beside her. “Do you think we really have to leave now or can we wait until the spring?” “Honestly, I don’t know. What I do know is that your grandfather is giving us a peace offering that I thought would never come. I think that we may not get another chance if we deny this one.” She looked at me and gave me a soft smile. “I think that it isn’t fair to ask you to make this decision. I should have told you before so that you had time to think and ask questions. Now, time is running out and you are being forced into making decisions you aren’t prepared to make. I’m so so sorry Elsie.” She pulled me into a hug and I felt the tears hit the top of my head as they rolled down her cheeks. I pulled her tight against me and breathed in her sweet smell. “Momma,” I asked, “I’m scared. What if I make the wrong choice?” She stilled next to me, “You can always make a new one.” I laid down in bed and shut my eyes. I dreamed of the woods, the soft earth beneath my feet, the stars shining brightly in the sky. I could feel the cool crisp air on my skin. I shivered in my sleep and pulled the blanket up around me tighter. I wondered about the woods for what seemed like hours looking in every nook and cranny. I was searching for something, but what?