Kelly

Sixteen

The pack's view of me shifted after that day. The whispers of "charity case" and "death-stench" were replaced by something else. A wary respect. A wide berth in the hallways. The names were still there, but they were spoken in hushed tones, less of an insult and more of a label for something they didn't understand. I was no longer just the orphan Beta Joseph took in. I was not to be trifled with.

It was a lonely kind of peace.

My days continued into a comfortable, predictable rhythm. School, my garden, my research, my sketches and paintings. The more I focused on my plants, the more I learned. The little tonics and remedies I made for Doctor Harris became more potent, more reliable. We discussed other remedies for things he saw in his clinic that we didn't have medicines for. It didn't always work, some illnesses simply can't be cured, but the symptoms can be lessened. I learnt medicine in a way I had never seen before. Doctor Harris's mind was so full of a science I didn't understand. His world was one of cells and chemical reactions while mine was one of life force and the land. He would give me the scientific name for plants and what parts of them he would use, and I would give him the life I could feel in them and the best times to pick them. I learned that the same herb picked at noon had different properties than one picked at dawn or under a full moon. Doctor Harris didn't believe me at first, but after a few tests, he started to write my instructions down in the margins of his books.

I saw Beta Joseph more often, sometimes at the clinic when he was checking in on a patrol injury or at the cottage with some new tool or seed. Our talks were easy now, the awkwardness gone, replaced by a quiet understanding. He never spoke of Caleb again, and neither did I. But sometimes, I'd catch him watching me, a thoughtful, searching look in his eyes. He was waiting, I realised. Waiting to see what I would become.

Storm started visiting. The massive grey wolf would appear at the edge of my garden, and I took my time to sketch him again. Sometimes I would show him and the wolf would preen. It made me wonder about his human and if they had similar personalities. We didn't mindlink again, but I liked to think we had a quiet understanding. I would leave out a piece of meat for him, and he would leave behind a perfectly-formed, unusually large pinecone or curious looking rock. A silent exchange between two loners finding solace in each other's company. I never told anyone about him. I know Beta Joseph knows about him, but I don't know if he knows how often Storm comes.

It was a year later, I was fourteen, when Alpha David summoned me. It was the middle of a school week, and I was told to attend the Pack House after school. I'd had no clue what it could have been about, but nervousness took root in my gut.

The day crawled by. My mind raced, trying to pinpoint what I had done wrong. I rarely saw Caleb or his friends. Uncle Joseph had sent Caleb to his uncle's in a neighbouring pack. Apparently, his uncle was the head warrior of their pack and Uncle Joseph thought it might do Caleb good to not only find an outlet for his anger but to be away from the toxicity of Aunt Charlotte. Noah had started his official Beta training and while I rarely saw him, he was kind when I did. It had taken a while to get used to after so many years of silence and simmering anger directed at me.

Once the last bell of the day rang, I slowly packed my things into my bag. I knew I was dragging my feet, but my stomach tightened in fear and worry about the summons.

The Pack House was the heart of the territory, a sprawling, two-story log building that housed the Alpha's family and served as the pack's central business hub and dining hall. I made my way through the front door and over to Alpha David's business assistant to let him know I was here. She was a tall, sturdy woman with kind eyes and streaks of grey in her dark hair. Her smile was gentle, immediately easing some of the tension in my shoulders.

"Kelly-Grace, Alpha David is in his office, you can go right on through," she said warmly directing me down the hall where Alpha David's office was. I could see that his door was slightly ajar.

The Pack House was nothing like Aunt Charlotte's sterile, modern home. This place felt lived-in, loved. It felt like a home.

When I hesitated, gently pushed me on my way and said "Don't be nervous, child. You're not in any trouble."

I wasn't sure I believed her but I took a deep breath and knocked on the heavy wooden door. Alpha David's office was large, with a wall of windows overlooking the territory. He was sitting behind a massive oak desk, but he wasn't alone. Standing beside him was Doctor Harris and Uncle Joseph. And next to the doctor, looking utterly out of place in a formal jacket and tie, was a man I didn't recognise. He was older, perhaps in his late fifties, with sharp, intelligent eyes and an aura of authority that had nothing to do with wolves. He was human.

"Alpha David," I said, my voice barely a whisper as I hesitated to use the wolf terminology in the presence of a Human. I stopped just inside the doorway when he waved me in.

"Kelly-Grace. Thank you for coming," he said, gesturing to a chair in front of his desk. I moved carefully to the chair and sat down, my hands clasped tightly in my lap, my bag dropped to the floor.

Doctor Harris gave me a reassuring smile. "It's lovely to see you again Kelly."

"Doctor," I nodded, my gaze flicking to the stranger, who was watching me with an unnerving intensity.

Alpha David leaned forward, his expression serious but not unkind. "Kelly-Grace, this is Mr. Davies. He's the Headmaster of the Northridge Academy for Gifted Youth."

I stared at him, my mind blank. Northridge Academy? I'd never heard of it. Gifted Youth? That certainly wasn't me.

Mr. Davies stepped forward, extending a hand. I took it after a moment's hesitation. His grip was firm, dry. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Kelly-Grace. We've been hearing some very interesting things about you."

Interesting things. The words sent a jolt of alarm through me. I looked from Mr. Davies to Alpha David and Uncle Joseph, my question clear in my eyes.

Alpha David answered it. "Doctor Harris has been keeping me updated on your work. The remedies, the way you can enhance their potency, your understanding of the land and its cycles. And, of course, I have my own reports on the… incident with Caleb." He paused, choosing his words carefully. "We believe that your... gifts, need to be nurtured in a safe manner. Somewhere you can learn greater control with people who understand things like this. People who have far more knowledge than I or your Uncle Joseph have about these things.

Control. The word hung in the air, heavy with implication. My throat went dry.

"What Mr. Davies is trying to say, Kelly," Doctor Harris interjected gently, "is that the Northridge Academy is a special school. A place for young supernatural's, like you. Individual's with talents that require more support to fully develop into the beings they are meant to be."