Fated Forever

Theo - Coming Home

As I walk off the little prop plane I fight to shake off the jitters caused by being in such a small plane. If I thought I felt claustrophobic in the last plane...damn it was nothing compared to this one. Thank god that's over with. As I begin the walk towards the Allakaket Airport I look out for my Mom and Dad who are supposed to be picking me up together. 

As I turn the corner I'm sent flying backward as a warm body comes crashing into mine; for a split second my defenses kick in and then the scent hits me. It smells like warm cookies and banana bread. In other words, it smells like my mum. I fling my arms around her and spin her around lifting her feet off the ground while she squeals in excitement. My mum and I are incredibly close and I know it's been really hard on her being away from me for so long. I was kept so busy with my training, I was barely able to schedule time for a half-hour conversation with my parents once a week. Most of our conversations were about the council and what was happening with the pack so we weren't able to actually talk about ourselves. 

After I set my mom on her feet she grabs my face and kisses me all over, that is until my dad steps forward, reaching for her as he pulls her away. He steps forward giving me a massive bear hug, crunching all the bones in my body in the process as I'm lifted off the ground. That is; before I'm dropped unceremoniously as he scrunches his nose and takes a step back.

"Damn son! You reak! Definitely in desperate need of a shower." My mother takes one look at my shocked expression and bursts out laughing before she nods her head. 

"Sorry baby, but you really do. What'd you do, shag the flight attendant? Because goddess do you smell like s*x on a stick!" She says jokingly!

I'm absolutely frozen in horror that this is the first conversation I've had with my parents in person in three years. Even I can't help but see the hilarity of the situation though as I head towards the baggage truck that's unloading all of my things. Considering there are 2 other people on the plane, a truck seems like overkill but who am I to judge. My mum slips her hand into mine as we grab my stuff and begins to talk my ear off as we head for the car.

She goes on and on about my siblings and how wonderful they're doing. Shockingly neither John nor Sophia have found their mates but mum says they're both doing okay with it. John has been shadowing my dad's current beta full-time and will be more than capable of taking over the position whenever I'm ready to take over the alpha position. Sophia has been shadowing the Gamma for the past two years and is currently working on her fighting skills with her best friend Evelyn.

"Shouldn't she be working with Greg and Margarite personally?"

 The last time I was home they ran the training program and they're a lethal fighting duo. Their training program is one of the best in the Wolf world and though many have tried to best it...the program's strong emphasis on Mixed Martial Arts, Close quarters fighting and fighting in wolf form keep our warriors in top fighting form. 

"Oh, she is! Evie is Greg and Margarite's daughter so she is highly trained and an incredible fighter. They train together at least once a day on top of their training with the others."

"Yeah, even I wouldn't want to get into a fight with that Evie. She's vicious when she wants to be. We're planning on approaching her about an enforcer position for the pack in the fall. She's studying Political science and has a great sense for people. Her close relationship to John and Soph doesn't hurt either, she'll know what strengths and weaknesses they both have and be able to complement them and fill in any gaps where necessary." My dad chimes in.  I have to wonder how close her and john's relationship is if he's still unmated at the age of 20. Smirking to myself, she must be spectacular for my dad to speak so highly of her.

I don't think I've ever actually met a female enforcer before though, our pack is very progressive in gender roles but that seems like a leap even for us. Enforcers are supposed to be menacing, cunning, and smart. They advise the Alpha and Luna as well as ensure the order is maintained within the pack. I can't imagine any friend of Sophia's being menacing in the slightest. I'll save my judgments until I've met the girl but I can't help but worry. 

My dad has an uncanny ability to read people and their talents so I'll trust his opinion until I can form my own I decide. 

We have a 6-hour drive, meaning we won't get home until about 2 in the morning so unfortunately, reuniting with family and friends is going to wait until tomorrow. 

I must have dozed off in the car because the ringing of dad's cell phone wakes me with a jolt, the call coming over the car speakers through the Bluetooth before it's answered. 

"Hey, Soph! We're going to be home soon babe!"

"NO!" 

my sister's panicked voice comes through the speakers and you can hear loud bangs and screams in the background. Someone yells at Soph that they have to help and there's a scuffle and it sounds like Soph just tackled someone.

"WHAT! Soph what's going on?" my dad asks keeping his voice calm as he steps on the gas. Everyone in the car is awake and alert as a sense of dread leaks through the speakers.

"Dad, Someone's attacking the packhouse. We just woke up to the screaming. I'm at Evie's but we're going out there to help. I love you, please get here as soon as you can." 

Sophia's voice is thick with emotion and I can tell she's terrified, there's a difference between training for situations like this and reality. The phone goes dead before any of us can react and my dad pushes the gas pedal to the floor. My heart is racing.

My always calm and collected father absolutely loses it at the thought of someone hurting his pack and the fact that we still have 25 minutes to get home according to the GPS, in my experience with the rogues down south...a lot can happen within 25 minutes. My heart beats as the GPS counts down and we all mentally prepare for battle. 

Nothing could have prepared me for how my life would be forever changed.