THE MISSING PIECE

CHAPTER 7- NOT SO COMFORTABLE TRIP

ZACHARY

-“Planes are fast, elegant, and powerful like me, so can you tell me why in hell I actually acceded to travel in this… this…" I forgot the name of the thing we were on. "RV?” Kygo said.“Yes, slow, stupid, small, and weird RV.” I said through our link.“Zac, mate is more comfortable this way.” Kygo dared to say. “No one is comfortable in these tiny spaces not even the dogs or the cat, who if gets near me again I swear I would kick her out!” “I like when she purrs, it relaxes me.” Kygo said talking just like a lap dog! “You like everything that has to do with Miss Brown! I'm sick of this!” I exited the RV and started to run. I ran till I found a big rock in the middle of a lake, and decided to punch it, till it started to crumble.

-Alpha, please stop. Not even you could crumble a rock that size with your bare hands.

Nelson was sitting on the grass, legs crossed. “Is that a yoga pose?” Kygo said with a mocking voice, but I was just so done with him. “Don't speak to me now Kygo!”

-Come, let’s do some meditation.

-I don’t want to meditate, okay?

-It would relax your wolf. Try it.

My wolf is more than relaxed, the problem is me. “Why does he think I'm the problem?” “Why? because you usually are the wildest, rudest, coldest, and proudest creature ever! But now you behave like a lap dog! You are shaming your kind! You went delusional and decided that a human could possibly be a mate, to us, the alpha king of werewolves! One of the most powerful in history!” “Zac relax! You are going, berserker! We are starting to shift!” “As if you listened to me when I asked you to calm down! Now I’m completely alone! Not even my wolf understands me or stands by me!” “Zac! We are one! Always, remember? I know what loneliness feels because I felt it from you! Sorry, I haven't been the best wolf! But I promise I will stand by you!” My body started to relax. I saw my reflection in the water. I looked like a monster. Half of my face was a wolf, the other's human, hair on my body, long hair everywhere, and a human wolf's tail. The pain of the incomplete shift hit me hard. I howled in pain and fell into the water. Then I felt some arms around me, I felt hands touching my body, heard whispers really far away, and lastly, felt some tingles in my hand and forehead. I also heard a song. “Kygo is that Mom?” I didn't feel him or hear an answer. “Kygo! Kygo! answer me!” Half-transforming is dangerous for werewolves. It could kill your wolf or you because of the pain. In some cases, the half transformation changes one of the individuals, and the personality transforms into something completely different. “Kygo! I'm so sorry, don't leave me!” I opened my eyes and noticed that I was back in the RV, but I was in the girls' room. “Kygo?...” I closed my eyes again and tried to focus on his presence. I couldn't feel it. “KYGO!” “Zac, I am a bit tired, let me sleep for a while.” I felt relief, he was okay, just exhausted. I decided to stand up and look for the others. Today we need to visit the Red Tail pack. I stood up slowly, I was still not in full control of my body and the pain was still everywhere. I opened the door and saw the bunk beds empty. Usually, I sleep in the down one and Nelson in the upper one. The couch that is Kevin's bed was also empty. I looked through the kitchen window, and nothing, no one in sight. I sat on the couch and the cat joined me, she purred and lay down on my lap. Kygo was right, it’s actually relaxing. I started to pet her and let the purr drive me to sleep. I smelled mac and cheese. I opened my eyes and saw Miss Brown in the kitchen. She turned and smiled at me.

-How are you feeling?

-I had better days. But is there something strange in my face or why are you smiling so much? I thought you didn't like me.

-I’m just glad you are now friends, she likes you.

I followed her sight to the cat that was still sleeping in my lap.

-She is not that bad, once you get used to all the cat hair everywhere.

-I could say the same thing to you.

-Are you saying I’m turning bald?

-No, but passing your big attitude, you have a good heart. Even though you lied about being allergic to cheese and just tried to cover up for that ugly attitude you have.

I just smiled at the comment and let her finish what I assumed was dinner. I am too tired to get into an argument right now. Something that's the good point of traveling with a human is that we are actually eating food. Usually, when traveling to visit packs we hunt, raw meat is good, but eating it for long periods gets boring. And Miss Brown's cooking is good and simple. Ten minutes passed and finally, my pack was entering the RV.

-Good to finally see your faces.

Sabrina had tears in her eyes as he turned and saw me. She then ran to me. She stopped just a step away to jump and hugged me so tight I felt my breath leave my body.

-We were so worried about you! You didn't wake up and had a lot of pain!

-Good to see you awake, Miller.

-How’s Kygo?

Kevin asked me.

-Who is Kygo?

Everyone turned and saw a confused Miss Brown. I just turned and so Kevin was just about to speak.

-Kygo is...

-Kygo is one of the people that we were going to visit today.

I interrupt him, he sometimes really doesn't think before speaking.

-You know what day today is, right Zac?

Sabrina asked me with a strange look in her eyes.

-Yes, we were supposed to go to the meeting with the Red Tail group.

Sabrina sat next to me and took my hands.

-Zac, I don't want you to freak out, but you have been out for two weeks now. I already handle the issues with the groups they think we…

Two weeks, I... have been out for two weeks., while thinking that I remembered that I hadn't heard anything from Kygo since I woke up. “Kygo?” Nothing. I started to panic. “Kygo!” I tried to feel him and his presence was there but really weak. “Are you alright?” I just saw him there sleeping. My head started to hurt because of the effort and my weak condition. I had to stop using the link, my vision was getting blurry.

-Stop! You are getting him dizzy with all of this!

I saw Miss Brown walking on my way. I tried to focus my eyesight but everything started to spin around and I just started to throw up. Sabrina stepped away from my side. I just felt tingles in the back of my neck and in my chest.

-There, don't hold it. Everything is going to be okay.

The tingles were giving relief to my body, which at the moment felt like a bunch of rotating cups. I felt better and just smiled at her.

-Kevin and Nelson, he needs a shower and then get him to bed.

Both of them just nodded with their heads and obeyed. They grabbed me by my arms and took me to the shower.

.

.

.

GRACE

I looked at the vomit left on the floor and decided to take the whole mat outside. Sabrina read my mind and she was already there grabbing the mat by one side. When we were outside, Sabrina entered the RV to find the products to clean the mat. My dogs were barking in their pen. Kevin, every time we move places, would dismantle the pen to put it up again in the new place. Actually, we only stayed in one place for less than three days, but because of the sudden sickness of the boss, we have been here for two weeks and one day. I haven't been able to speak with Noah, there's just enough signal for text messages. “I miss him.” And I know he misses us a lot. “Probably more Belle, she is his princess.”

-I got everything!

-Thanks, I will clean it, you just go inside and watch dinner.

Sabrina smiled relieved and went back inside. I know that the smells really bother her. She has a really sensitive nose. I started cleaning and saw Kevin leave the RV. “Are those tears in his eyes?” I paid more attention and saw him sit next to the pen and started to talk to Milo. They have become really good friends.

-You can let them out, Kevin.

-Really? Wouldn't they run away?

-They will stay where I am. Don't worry.

I kept cleaning and then Max came running to me and licked me the whole face. Turning my eyesight to Kevin and Milo, they were just sitting next to each other, Kevin petting Milo, and Milo just looking at him. I finished cleaning the mat and walked to hang it in the dogs' pen, so it could dry in the sun. Milo and Kevin were in the same position.

-They are great listeners and also, the company they give doesn't make you feel alone.

I said to him.

-But we are never alone.

He said to me in a confused voice.

-You are not?

-No, we always have Red, Rose, Hitch, and Kygo with us.

I saw more tears appear in his eyes. I wanted to ask what he ament but I notice how worried he looked.

-What´s happening, Kevin?

-I’m worried about Kygo. Red and Hitch have been trying to contact him but it’s like trying to go through a broken bridge. What if he is damaged? or gone? What would happen to Zac? He is a great man and doesn't deserve pain like that. What can I do to help him?

He looked at me as if I had the answer. I didn't even understand what he was talking about. He looked broken and like a vulnerable kid. “I need to help him.”

-You could help him by just standing by his side. This would pass and he would be the arrogant boss in no time. He is strong and stubborn. Nothing can change that man. Relax and just help him go back to his old self, which I’m pretty sure he will do in no time. And Kygo... If he is a close friend of his, I´m sure he is capable of taking care of himself and will call you in no time.

He smiled and stood up.

-I would go for a run.

He said with a relaxed look on his face.

-We will also join you.

I turned around to Sabrina’s voice and saw her and Nelson walking to where we were. “When did they get out of the RV?” As I returned my sight to Kevin, I saw him getting Max and Milo back in the pen.

-I have already turned the oven off.

Just as she said that, the three started to run. In seconds, all I was looking at were trees. I entered the RV and went to the room and checked on him. He was still a little wet because of the shower. I took a towel and started to wipe the water drops from his body. I also checked the catheter in his hand, to see if the serum was flowing well. Everything looked normal, except his face, which was still looking in a lot of pain. Sometimes he would speak in his sleep, and mention this Kygo, or would call for his mom.

-Hi Mister Miller, You need to get better soon. Everyone is really worried about you. Even Kevin, who usually just listens to music, now just patrols outside the room as if someone will come and attack you. Nelson is actually speaking less if that's even possible and Sabrina is not herself.

I heard the barks of the dogs outside.

-They are coming back. I should go and prepare dinner. Hope you join us soon.

I left the room and took the mac and cheese out of the oven, and started to serve it on the dishes. Everyone entered the RV more relaxed. We ate in complete silence. When we were finished, the boys took the tent and went outside to install it and sleep. Sabrina sleeps in the upper bunk and lets me take the down one. The morning arrived and Nelson and Sabrina went to the city on the motorcycles to get more groceries. Kevin took the dogs on their walk and I had strict orders to stay inside the RV with Belle and Mister Miller. I heard strange noises from the room and entered. Mister Miller was shaking uncontrollably. I tried to push him down and stop the sudden shakes, but the noise of clothes tearing apart made me look at his legs, which were more like a dog's legs now. I stepped back and saw how he slowly started to change into a big black dog, the size of a bear more than a dog actually. “I have seen him before...” The wolf I met at the airport! “It’s the same!” Wait, now that I think so, that's why Nelson and Kevin looked familiar! They were in the airport when the wolf came running towards me! I heard a growl and saw the big animal snuggled in the blankets. I decided to slowly leave the room, but when I tried to turn the doorknob, a growl flooded through the room. “He doesn't want me to go.” When the sound of the growl disappeared, a whimper was the only sound he made. “He was in pain.” I walked to the bed, really slowly and very carefully started to pet the head of the animal with my hand, he seem to like it and lay his head on my lap. My back was getting tired because of the strange pose, so I took some pillows and used them to support my back. I lay my head back and continued petting the big animal…

-For the Moon Goddess! Don’t move Grace, everything is going to be okay!

I heard Sabrina's voice and I opened my eyes and noticed I was lying on the bed with the big animal surrounding me. Nelson arrived with a gun and pointed it at the animal. I tried to move but the weight of the animal didn't let me.

-No! Don’t hurt him! He is Mister Miller! I think...

-What are you saying, Grace?

-I’m not sure what happened, I heard noises, and. Then I went to see what was happening. I saw Mister Miller shaking and then he kind of changed into this animal. Nelson! He knows! I saw him with this wolf at the airport!

Sabrina looked at Nelson and in the eyes of Nelson, something clicked.

-You are the girl from the airport?

-Yes that's me. Remember you told me you were taking wolves to a refugee? Kevin was also there!

Nelson lowered the gun.

-Can you get out of there, Grace? We need to speak to you in the kitchen.

Sabrina asked me.

-Sorry I tried but he is really heavy.

Nelson and Sabrina helped me to get out of the animal. My body felt colder as soon as my skin was no longer in direct touch with his fur. Sabrina noticed and took one of my jackets from the closet and passed it to me. I put it on but the cold feeling was still lingering on my skin. We walked to the kitchen and sat at the table.

-This is really hard to explain...

-Not hard but strange to explain.

Sabrina started saying but Nelson interrupted her. My sight turns to Nelson, who rarely speaks to me.

-You are right, Miller, it is that animal you are seeing there, and what we told you is kind of true, that animal is a wolf. Miller has this condition, that can make him transform, but most of the time he is able to keep it under control. Sometimes it runs wild. You like animals, right?

-Yes, of course.

-Well, he is one of the last ones of his species. If you tell someone, they will come to look for him and do experiments on him until they kill him.

My heart shrinks just at the thought of that poor creature being used for experiments.

-That’s why he is so distant? He feels alone?

-Yes that's why.

Sabrina kept silent and looked at Nelson the whole time.

-What happened to his mother?

-What do you know about my mother?

I heard a husky voice in the back.