The Runaway Orphan

The Stowaway

                                                                                    Lucas

    We spent a couple of days looking for traces of Natalia around the state as well as checking in with other tribes. Each night returning to alpha Jett's packhouse and hospitality. While they were gone a warrior would stay at the packhouse and attempt to see if they could find any traces of Natalia there. 

    “I just don't get it. I feel like she is here. But there's no trace of her” I said as my Beta Myles and I walked away from the packhouse and other people so as no one would hear our conversation. 

    “Logically thinking I would think she would be here,” Beta Myles said as we sat down on a fallen tree limb.

    “We can't stay here much longer without arousing major suspicion,” I said sighing with frustration. I felt so defeated. I had hoped it would be simple. That we would come here and we would pick up a faint trace of her scent and find her and rescue her. Deep down I hoped I would be able to knock alpha Jett down a few notches with his cocky attitude. 

    We sat there in silence for a little bit. Not in defeat. But quiet thought.

    “Perhaps a good night of sleep will give us some fresh ideas,” Myles said as we walked back towards the packhouse. We had searched discreetly buildings, caves, houses, everything within a 100 mile distance near the packhouse. We couldn't find any trace of Natalia and no scents or items belonging to her.

    As we neared the packhouse we passed a building with white walls in desperate need of a paint job and some repairs. A little girl sat near the entrance and was being bullied by little boys. Seeing the tears in the child's eyes I couldn't ignore this situation. 

    “Hello, little ones,” I said walking over to the group of children. I smiled at the little girl who looked up relieved to see someone coming to her rescue. 

    “Hello Alpha,” a couple of the older boys said bowing their heads in respect to me. I could feel their fear radiating off them. And relief radiating from the little girl. I’m sure they could feel my anger as well. I reached down and picked up the little girl and held her in my arms. 

    “My father once told me that an important part of being a good alpha is to be there for every pack member. Whether it's my luna or an omega. A warrior or a servant. That a good man will lift up his pack members. Help those in need. And not bully and tare down others. I hope you little men will grow up to be good kind men and not bullies” I said to the little boys as I walked away with the little girl.

    “How about some cake or treats,” I said taking the little girl towards the kitchen.

    “Yes please, alpha,” she said softly.

    Sitting her down on a stool at the counter I went to find the little one some treats hoping to make her day better.

    “Alpha,” said the voice of the little one as she watched me make a tray of treats.

    “Yes, little one,” I said coming up and sitting next to her on another stool as we enjoyed treats and milk.

    “Why are you here alpha,” the child said looking up at me with wide dark brown eyes.

    Sighing and looking down I hated sharing sad news with children. In this case, she didn't know us and it didn't directly involve her but if I had my way about it I would keep negativity and sadness away from children for as long as possible.

    “I promised my aunt and uncle a long time ago before they passed on to be with the moon goddess that I would always protect and watch out for my cousin Natalia. She went missing and we've come to see alpha Jett while we search nearby for her” I said as the child looked at me with wide eyes. 

    “Do you love her, your cousin?” she asked.

    “She's the only family I have left,” I said giving her a sad smile.

                                                                                    ***

    The next morning we loaded up our bags into the vehicles after saying our goodbyes to alpha Jett. He promised to reach out and try to find out if there was anything he could discover about Natalia's disappearance. I also promised to keep him updated. I still had a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach that he had something to do with Natalia's disappearance. But he must be smarter than I had previously given him credit for. If he had something to do with her disappearance he's a lot more dangerous than I previously thought.  I decided I need some peace and quiet so the warriors were in the other two vehicles leaving only me and Myles in a vehicle by ourselves. 

    I drove heading towards colorado for the next couple of hours with the radio playing softly and Myles and me in silence. As we drove farther away from alpha Jetts pack I relaxed more than I had while I was there but I still had this gut feeling that something was off and I couldn't figure out what. 

    Glancing in the review mirror as I was preparing to change lanes I saw big brown eyes staring at me.

    “WHAT ON EARTH!?!” I said with a sharp intake of breath. I swerved to avoid an oncoming vehicle due to my lack of attention on the road and quickly pulled over to the side of the road. I hopped out of the car running around to the back hatch and quickly opening it up as Myles quickly followed me.

    “Alpha,” said the little brown-eyed girl who I had rescued from bullies and ate treats with last night said smiling at me. She must have a stowaway in the back of our SUV before we left alpha Jett's compound. But why?

    “What is she doing here Luke,” Myles asked as we stared in shock at the little girl grinning at us and reaching out for me to pick her up.

    “Your guess is as good as mine brother,” I said reaching out to the child and lifting her out of the truck.