Her Determination

Chapter 4

We have now been at the Blue Water Pack for about a year now. I am currently waiting in my room for all my pack members to come to the pack meeting. Everything is about to change. I find myself thinking about each of my pack members and how far they have come from the first day we arrived here.

    Isabella found out that she enjoys fighting.  I still remember the day that she came up to me nervous.  She shifted back and forth on her feet.  After watching her for a few minutes I got annoyed and just made her tell me what she wanted.  Isabella looked at me then quickly said how she wanted to be a warrior.  She requested permission to have Ryan teach her what all it entailed.  I immediately gave her permission.  I was proud of her for coming to me with what she wanted that day.  A week later came up to me and asked if it was alright for him to start training her in more advanced techniques because she was learning so fast.  Now she goes on missions with their team all the time. 

    Charlotte found her calling as well.  One day when she was out with a few members of the Blue Water Pack she had an accident.  She ended up with a twisted ankle and a few minor scratches.  Charlotte told me that seeing one of the pack nurses who was out with them quickly access the situation and help her speak to her.  From then on out she has been studying medicine and we can't get her away from the pack clinic long before she starts to complain about leaving a patient.  

    Layla on the other hand came to me a couple weeks after we were taken in to discuss possibilities of getting in to search and rescue.  She said there were others like us out there and wanted to learn how she would be able to help them.  I couldn't have agreed more.  Since that day we have been training together every day to build up our bodies.  Three days a week we train in wolf form with the warriors and on the weekends we practice mental techniques to help us stay calm under pressure so that we are able to think critically in high risk situations.  Layla and I have also came up with phrases to say to each other in the event that one of us needs to calm down and step back from the situation.  Honestly, without her I would not have been able to find the strength to get through the day sometimes.  She is like a sister to me.  

    I hear footsteps coming down the hall that shakes me from my thoughts.  I look up to find Layla, Isabella, and Charlotte coming in.  They all look confused. Probably because this is one of the first pack meetings I have called since we arrived.  Usually we all meet up for lunch or I check in with them individually. 

    "Please sit down girls" I tell them in a comforting voice. 

Each girl looked at each other but the first one to speak was Layla. 

    "What is going on Em? We haven't had an official pack meeting since six months ago when we were worried about being told to leave. " 

    "I know. I apologize for all the secrecy. I wanted to wait until I could get everyone to discuss this since it is a sensitive topic. I am just going to jump right into it now.  I have decided it is time for us to leave. I have decided it is time for us to carry out rescue missions.  We will be rescuing those who have been taken by rouges. The people we rescue will be delivered back home if they decide that is what they want. Those who do not have a home or do not want to return will be given the opportunity to join our pack.  This is the mission I have set for our pack.  We will be keeping an eye out for those that were cast out of their packs and are in need of a new home too.  Once our pack grows we will find a new place to call home and set up a home base. I know it is a lot to ask of you and if you do not want to leave with me then that is okay.  Know that I will not hold it against you and will release you from our pack.  You three are going to always hold a special place in my heart and I will do anything for each of you." I could see in their faces that they were thinking over what I had just told them. I know each of them has taken a liking to this place and I completely understand if they choose to stay here.  I am asking them to put themselves in danger again.  I wait a couple minutes before I say, " Now I would like those who wish to join me to raise their hands." I closed my eyes when I said that last part.  Once I willed myself to open them again. I almost cried. Each of them had their hand up. "Are you all sure?" I asked them. 

    "Em, I couldn't agree more with your plan." Layla stated with confidence. 

    "Count me in Em. I am ready to kick some rouge ass!" Isabella spoke up. 

We all looked over to Charlotte who was lost in thought. 

    "What about you Char?  Are you sure you want to join us?" I asked. 

    "Em, you know I can't leave you three by yourselves without someone to look after you. I may not be as physically fit as you three but I will be there to help when any of you get injured or we find someone injured.  This will give me the opportunity to learn different medical techniques as well." Charlotte answered with a gentle smile on her face.  It always amazes me how willing to take care of others she is.  

    "Em don't cry! We all got your back!" Layla said to me. 

    I hadn't even realized I was crying until she said that to me. I just looked up at her and smiled at them all.  These girls really are the best.  I hope that I am able to help them in the future if they ever need me too. I shake my head and wipe the few tears from my eyes and then get ready to speak. 

    "Alright, everyone start getting ready we are going to leave.  We will be out of here by the end of the week." 

    They each nodded and then headed out of my room. Leaving me left to my thoughts. An hour passes before I get up to start packing some of my things.  I know I need to contact my parents still to let them know about our upcoming departure but I fear for how my parents are going to react.  

    Back when I first arrived here Andrew had wanted me to contact my parents.  I was reluctant to at first since I was ashamed for how I was able to be taken so easily that night.  My parents had trained me from a young age on how to defend myself.  I should have been able to that night.  It was actually Elizabeth who convinced me to call them.  She asked me to join her on a walk one day where she took me by surprise when she asked me frankly about why I had not called my parents yet.  I expressed my concerns to her that night and she began to remind me of my mother.  She listened to me speak before saying that she understands where I was coming from though she does not agree.  She told me how she knows for certain that all that matters to my parents is that I am safe.  I could understand her point but at the time I was still not ready.  Elizabeth suggested that I at least have someone contact them to let them know I was alive and then call them again when I am ready.  I ended up accepting her suggestion. Andrew was kind enough to contact them for me.  

    A couple of days later I worked up the courage to call them myself.  As soon as my mother heard my voice she began to cry.  I could even hear a few sobs released from my father.  Once they composed themselves a bit more.  I was able to talk to them.  I asked tons of questions about the pack.  Which my mother mostly answered for me. I could feel she was holding back from asking what had happened to me. When I felt like I heard enough about the pack I asked her where my brother was.  They made up some excuse about being busy which I could tell from the tone of their voice they were lying about.  I just did not understand at the time why.  I ended up just letting it go figuring he would talk to me when he was ready.  So I just moved on to tell them a little bit about what happened to me while I was taken but focused mostly on how we escaped, formed a pack, and are now staying with Andrew and Elizabeth.  They spoke to me about us staying there until we were on all feet which my pack members and I had agreed to at the time.  My parents were not happy about me staying away from them and wanted me home immediately.  I eventually was able to get them to understand that I needed space and time with my new pack members.  

    About a week after speaking to my parents Kyle called.  I was overjoyed when I saw his name appear on the screen of my new iPhone that Elizabeth had bought for me two days earlier.  I did hesitate to answer but I was thankful I did.  Kyle immediately told me how he felt guilty for not protecting me that night.  He told me how he could barely eat or sleep for the first month after I was taken.  Hearing him in so much pain broke my heart.  I reassured him that it was not his fault and that he needs to take better care of himself.  I was thankful that within two weeks of my call I found out he was doing much better.  Kyle ended up visiting me multiple times over the past year.  He still makes me call and text him at least every couple of days in fear that something has happened to me. 

    Finally, I have packed most of the things in my closet and dresser.  Now I really need to call my parents.  I go over to phone text Kyle quick to let him know the girls agreed and to wish me luck.  Which he instantly responded to not only wishing me luck but letting me know as well that I have his full support too. I smiled before I calling our parents.  After two hours of back and forth bickering my parents finally let in.  At the end of the call I told them how much I love them then hung up.  That call had taken a lot out of me.  I have always hated fighting with them but this had to be done.  They need to accept I am in charge of my own pack now. The call was only really a formality because I would have done what I wanted to anyway.  It is just always better to have them on my side.  I sighed and walked over to my bed. I pulled back the covers got in then instantly fell asleep.