Chapter 4
1130 Words
Katina
The gears turned behind Rose's eyes, and Katina could see how she went through different responses. However, Katina couldn't dwell on what these responses might be. They didn't matter. The only one that mattered was the right one.
"Why do you need to go to the Council to train? We have Enforcers here. Surely they could train you?" Rose asked.
"Well, firstly, because my mother forbade me to train with the Enforcers here, and no one here will dare go against her wishes," Kat answered with a sigh.
"But you fought during the invasion?"
"Mom trained me herself. She's good, but there is much more to learn."
"And secondly?"
Her brother's mate was sharp. She had picked up there was more than one reason for Kat wanting to leave the pack. If she wanted Rose's help, Kat would have to be completely honest with her.
"While I am here, I will always just be Black's sister. I need to get away from the restrictions here, so I can find my own path."
"That makes sense, Kat, but I hope you know that no one here wants to see you leave?" Rose looked at her sister-in-law with sincerity. The two women might have completely opposite personalities, but they had still become fond of one another.
"Thanks for that, Rose, but trust me, this is better for everyone."
"All right, then. I still don't see how I can help, though. You know I'm still learning about how this world works," Rose gestured to the general air around her.
"Well... you are Luna now, and with Black gone and your pregnancy, there is no way my mother will deny you anything," Kat picked at a piece of lint on her pants and avoided Rose's gaze.
"I didn't think you would want your mother's approval," Rose said evenly.
"If I'm to change the way I've lived thus far, I need to start at home. It makes sense. If I want to find out who I am and what I want, I have to start by accepting the way things are done in our community."
Rose's eyebrows lifted as she took in what Kat was saying, clearly surprised. Kat's plea must've seemed genuine in the end, as Rose nodded.
"OK, Kat. I'll help you, but let me speak to your brother first. I don't like not including him when it comes to family matters."
"Yes, of course. I'll wait while you call him."
"What, now?"
"Preferably, yes." Kat wanted to get the ball moving before she lost her nerve.
Rose pursed her lips, but nodded her agreement and fished a phone from her pocket. After dialing the number, she pressed the phone to her ear and ringing could be heard in the silence. The call was answered on the third ring. For the first time, Kat felt a pang of jealousy. She also wanted to have someone in her life who was so desperate to speak to her. Pushing this realization aside, Kat listened as her brother's voice cut through the silence.
"Rose. Are you OK?" he asked, his voice sounding more panicked than usual.
"Yes, I'm fine. How are you? Where are you?"
"We just landed," Black said vaguely. He was trying to protect Rose by keeping information from her. The i***t. He should know better. Without information, her imagination will run wild and she will think the worst.
"OK," Rose sighed and made eye contact with Kat.
"Why did you call?"
"I have Kat here in my office," Rose said airily.
"Kat? What happened now?"
Kat pursed her lips, but remained silent. She knew her brother knew she could hear everything he said. Still an ass, Kat thought.
"Nothing's happened. I just wanted to inform you of what we've decided."
"Hold on," Black said. Scratching noises came through the line and they could hear muffled voices. A short moment later, the noises died away and Black's voice came through the speaker again. "OK, what's going on?"
"Well, before you freak out, just know that I fully support your sister. The only reason I'm calling is to let you know what's going to happen next."
"Rose, just get it out," Black's voice betrayed his lack of patience. Kat wondered exactly what was going on there for her brother to speak in such a way to his mate.
"Kat is going to join the Council to train to become an Enforcer. We haven't spoken to your mother yet, but that is our next stop."
"Put my sister on the line."
"I can hear you, brother."
"Good, then listen carefully. If you decide to go through with this, you will see it through. I will not have you besmudge our family's name with the Council by quitting halfway through."
"Wait, you're not going to try and stop me?" Out of all the possible responses her brother could've had, this was the last one Kat expected.
"This is the first time you've ever asked permission to do anything, Kat. Even as a child you ran around wilder than a rogue. This must be important to you, and I'm not going to stand in the way of you finding your happiness."
"Well s**t, Black. Thanks, I guess."
"Don't mention it. Do you want me to talk to Wren? He should be able to get you in easily."
"No, please don't. I need to do this on my own." Rose might've been silent throughout this exchange, but her look spoke volumes. Kat didn't want to speak about Wren with Rose. They weren't that close.
"All right, then. Good luck with Mom. Keep me posted on what she says."
"Thanks, will do. I'll leave you to smooch with your mate now," Kat said cheekily, and got up to leave the office. She would wait for Rose in the kitchen. She was sure Pat would have tea ready and maybe something warm to eat.
The sound of her brother's voice was cut off as she closed the office door. Kat could still hear Rose's voice but tuned it out as she walked down the hallway. The noise from the hustle and bustle of the pack-house became louder the closer she got to the kitchen.
"Dearest Pat, please tell me you have a pot brewing?" Kat said as she swung open the kitchen door.
The short, plump cook beamed at Kat as she turned away from whatever she was stirring on the stove. Before she turned the stove off, Pat placed a lid on the pot and walked over to Kat. She took the young woman's hands and inspected her face. She must've found something there that she was very happy about as her smile widened.
"It will all be all right, deary," Pat said as she patted Kat's hand.
- Writer
