Rhythms of the Wild

Chapter 9: Opossum

True to her word, Charlie called Erin to let her know I was awake, showered, and ready for visitors. Erin must have passed the word to the entire pack because my room filled fast with shuffling feet, hushed voices, the whole circus. Chesney and Oliver were the first to speak. “Oh sweet girl, you have done so much for us, and we are forever grateful,” Oliver said. “I brought you some flowers. I’ll put them on the window sill, love,” Chesney added warmly. “Thank you both, but I want to point out that Erin and Nola were the ones who made sure I was protected too. You owe me nothing.” Somewhere behind them, I heard Erin exhale. “Well, we’ll leave you kids to catch up,” Chesney said. She squeezed my shoulder, kissed my forehead, and her heels clicked away. I smiled to myself, ever the fabulously posh Luna. A brisk hair ruffle and then Nick’s voice followed. “We’re so glad you’re awake now. It’s been quite boring without you, weirdo.” I laughed. “Jee thanks, buttface.” He snickered as Gage cut in, “Yeah, it’s been weird not seeing—oufff.” He cut off mid-sentence. The room erupted in laughter. Charlie leaned down and whispered, “Someone’s brother just elbowed him in the ribs.” But… why? “All right, all right. Good to see you up. We’ll be checking in,” Nick said, still wheezing laughter. “Not being able to read the room is killing me here,” I whined. “Eh… you’ll make it, nerd. You’ve got a whole party in here. Gage and I will slide out so everyone else can get a word in.” He paused. “Thank you for standing with Erin.” His words loosened something tight in my chest. I’d been feeling like I failed her. She shifted because of me. She probably smelled my fear, added to an already stressful nightmare. Honestly, it was a miracle she didn’t shift sooner. “I always will!” I called after them as their steps faded. The bed dipped and a warm body slid against my side. Tiny arms wrapped around my middle. “I’m so glad you’re awake. We are so, so sorry. Neither of us wanted this to happen. She thought you were a safe distance away,” Erin sniffled. I squeezed her closer. “Erin, I don’t blame you or Nola. This was on me. I could see you were shifting. I should’ve moved faster. And she never touched me, it was more like a sonic boom coming off her. I know it sounds crazy, but it was air, not her. Honestly, it was super impressive. I’ll be okay. They say I’m getting better every day. And even if I wasn’t, none of this is either of your fault.” Her body relaxed. “I’ve had a really hard time with this. We both need you,” she whispered. “With Nola, you need no one. Your dad needs to revisit the Princess Protocol. She’s a baddie.” Erin snorted and curled into me. “We really missed you.” I didn’t need to see her face; her voice carried every bit of truth and sadness. “I’ve missed you too. Even though I’ve been pretty drugged up and it’s only felt like three days.” She smacked my arm sitting up. “Goddess, how I’ve missed your smart mouth.” I grinned. “As long as I get a laugh from you, I don’t care.” I leaned over, blindly searching for her face and kissed the air until I hit something. “That was my ear,” she squeaked. “Give me all the earlobe smooches,” I giggled, kissing aimlessly. “You are so weird,” she huffed, dodging away. “Maybe so, but better weird than boring,” I sing-songed. She snorted. “No one can ever claim you’re boring.” Then her tone brightened. “I have training in an hour, so I need to go change, but I’ll be back before you know it.” She grabbed my hand. “Wait, training!?” I screeched like a tween whose favorite boy band just announced a tour in her city. “Training!” she squealed back. “I guess Dad figured I’d do more damage without it.” Her voice dipped with a hint of hurt. “Did he say that? Or does he just finally realize his daughter is fully capable of defending herself and others?” A bit of fire slipping into my voice. “Calm down there, Derek Jeter,” she snorted. “I think it’s both. He didn’t specify. He just told me I’d be training every day and to do whatever Mika tells me.” I could hear the pride in her words. “Ohhh, you got the top female warrior training you. You’re about to be lethal.” “I wouldn’t go that far, but thank you for stroking my ego. I really need to run before she makes me do laps for the whole three hours.” “Go, go! Keep me updated. I love you, Princess Warrior!” I yelled. “I love you too, MVP!” she called, laughter fading as she disappeared down the hall. Silence settled… briefly. “The way I see it, you both are a little strange,” Darren said, breaking the quiet with a low laugh. I jolted. Deer-in-headlights mode activated. I’m going to kill Erin and Charlie. “We need to put a freaking bell around your neck,” I huffed. Charlie snickered. “On that note, I need a shower. Care to sit with her until I’m done?” “I’m blind, not an invalid. I can stay in the bed for thirty minutes,” I protested. To absolutely no one who cared. “I’d be glad to,” Darren said. “Thank you for watching the invalid,” Charlie responded, humor dripping, before the bathroom door shut and water started running. “Don’t want me watching you?” Darren asked, voice dipping into something sultry. “I wouldn’t say that, but I’m perfectly capable of sitting here and not falling off the bed,” I blurted. “Company is always nice, right?” His soft laugh made my whole body tingle. “Eh, depends on the company.” “You are such a terrible patient. I don’t brag, but I’m not the worst company to keep,” he murmured, closer now. He was close enough I could probably reach out and touch him. Before I could decide whether to grab him or smack him, an ear splitting shrieky whine echoed at a distance beyond my door. “MY BABY! OH GODDESS, WHERE IS MY BABY!? SOMEONE TAKE ME TO HER!” I groaned. “And that would be the nope company.” “You’re on your own. Have fun,” Darren laughed as I fumbled for the bed remote. “Yay, I’m an invalid,” I giggled, settling back and pulling the blanket up. “Wait, what?” he sputtered. “Have funnnn,” I whispered, fighting laughter as the door burst open so hard it hit the wall. “Where is she, where’s my..... and who are you?” Our mother’s frantic tone flipped into flirtation so fast I nearly choked. “Darren. Ironclaw Pack,” he answered, unsure. “Oh, what a pleasure!” Mom crooned. “I’m Rain, Charlie and Sam’s Mama!” Oh Goddess. She was laying it on THICK. Right on cue, the bathroom door opened. “How was she?” Charlie asked, stepping out. “Oh, she got really sleepy all of a sudden,” Darren said, equal parts amused and confused. “Oh dear Goddess,” Charlie muttered as she put the pieces together. Yeahhhh… good luck, I thought, keeping my face as peaceful as possible. “Mom, what are you doing here?”

“Oh honey, you didn’t think I wouldn’t come take care of my girls, did you?” Mom said assertively while trying to maintain her charm. “How did you even find out?” Charlie’s voice strained, two seconds from losing it. “I had to hear it from Tiron of all people! Why didn’t either of you call your mother?” Mom huffed. “Why does your father know and I had no clue?” Here comes the tizzy, I thought. Charlie snapped. “Because I was gone for ten days before he figured out where I went and tried to force me back to Scottsgate!” And there she blows. “Look, why don’t you get settled at Sam’s and I’ll call you when she wakes up. Take a shower and a nap. I’m sure it’s been quite the journey,” Charlie said, trying desperately to deescalate. “Fine. It has been hard getting here. I’m just a mama who loves and worries about her girls.” Silence followed as she finally left. After ten long minutes, Darren murmured, “Yeah… I would’ve played dead too.” I giggled, then yelped when Charlie smacked my leg. “I’m going to kill you when you can finally see,” she huffed. I couldn’t help it, I lost it laughing. “WHAT A FREAKING BRAT,” she said, softly whooping my leg.