Hunted

Chapter 5: Wild Flowers

It had been a week since I had arrived at my father’s pack. Things were starting to go in a routine. I would get up, get dressed, brush my teeth, go downstairs, ask to help, be told that Alpha’s daughter doesn’t need to help today she’s still getting use to pack life and then pushed out of the kitchen. I then would spend the rest of the day either eating whatever they’d give me and trying to find some place quiet to just hang out. I’d spent a lot of time in a meadow that was not too far from the pack house. There were beautiful wildflowers that covered the whole field.

My mom loved wildflowers, she said they were like her spirit free to be wherever they can find some sunshine. It still didn’t feel real that she wasn’t here with me anymore. I’d only knew her my whole life. She would bring up my dad occasionally, but now I realize why she never talked about him. She had to leave because of me…and that killed her inside. I hated that she felt like she couldn’t stay with her made because she had to do something to protect me.

Once my dad realized I still couldn’t shift he called his pack doctor and had him working on it. The only reason I had ever wanted to shift was to protect my mother. I can’t do that anymore so what’s the point anyway.

I was sitting on a blanket in the meadow that I had decided was mine when my dad found me. He came and sat down next to me. I was doing better at not flinching whenever he got close to me. I was still cautious of most of the male shifters in his pack, but I was getting use to him. He had a familiar scent that I couldn’t pin down.

“Your mom loved this field.” He smiled looking up at the sky. I glanced over at my dad. I can see why my mom had fallen for him. He was a good-looking guy...for a dad. He had dark brown hair and the most vibrant violet eyes.  He had a crooked smile that didn’t reach his eyes, but I bet it used to.

“I’m not surprised. She loves…loved wildflowers. We’d be driving and she’d see some and pull over and have to sit and take a picture.” I laughed laying down on my back. Thinking about all the good times we had just made me sad. I know that the memories were happy, but I couldn’t stop the nagging feeling in the pit of my stomach that I didn’t do all that I could have to save her.

“This is the spot I saw her for the first time.” My dad pointed to a spot by the trees across from us. I sat up so I could see.

“We were…I don’t know.16. I was about to leave for my Alpha training. I hadn’t found my mate but that was fine. Most of the time you didn’t find them till you were 18 if you were lucky. There she was dancing in the flowers. I couldn’t tell you why I walked to the field. I guess my wolf just knew that she was here.”

I could see them, my mom dancing in the middle of the flowers not even noticing the world was around her. I could see him walking up and them making eye contact and realizing they were mates.

“Mom sometimes talked about shifter things just in case I shifted but she didn’t talk about mates very often. I guess it’s because it hurt her and you a lot to be so far from each other. “I messed with my shoelaces trying to avoid eye contact, as if that would help with the guilt.

“We all make choices. If I could change things so that she was here with me I would but if that meant losing you, I don’t know how I could make that choice to be honest.”

My dad looked over at me and sighed. “I know lots of things happened to you while you and your mother were away. I’m here for you. If you ever want to talk about it.”

“Thanks…but I don’t think you want to know.” I cut him off and then stood up.

“I’m going to head back. You are coming?” I asked giving him a small smile.

“Yeah of course. There are some people I would like to introduce you to today. If I don’t, they might just jump you.” He laughed. Then he noticed my face and quickly added “In a good way…a good way.”

I nodded and picked up the blanket once he got up. He headed towards the pack house and I walked with him in silence. It was still awkward; I didn’t know him. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to. I wasn’t sure if I was going to even stay here. I know my mother wanted me to but there was no way I was going to stay if more people were going to be hurt because of me.

My dad walked into dining room, around the table were 4 other shifters.

“Hey everyone, I want to reintroduce you to Emmry. She’s grown a lot since you last saw her.” He tried to smile.

I gave them a small wave. There were 2 males and 2 females sitting around the table. 1 of the males was Beta Matt whom I’d already met when I first arrived. I assumed he was my uncle because of his physical appearance matching my dad’s and something about his scent.

“You already met your Uncle Matt.” Ding ding ding winner winner. My dad pointed to Matt and then the female shifter next to him. “This is your Aunt Faith, Matt’s mate.” The female shifter was on the smaller end and had pitch black hair. She didn’t look overly pleased to see me.

“Hi.” I whispered a hello to them. He then went on to introduce the other couple in the room.

“This is Sam she’s head of pack security and maintenance. This is her mate Uncle Luke; he is your mom’s brother.”

I gripped my sleeve. My mom had a brother. I had no idea. “She has a brother. You’re her brother. You’re my uncle? I she never told me about you…” I frowned and looked down. What else did she not tell me about her pack life.

“I had a feeling she hadn’t told you about me. Lorraine wanted to keep you safe, she didn’t want you to come back here and be found I’m assuming. Though I always thought we could protect the both of you better than she thought.” Luke nodded and got up coming towards me.

“Your mother was the best sister even after she left. I’m just glad to have you here. You remind me so much of her already.” He smiled at me leaning in to give me a hug.

I couldn’t get away fast enough. The moment his arms were around me I panicked.

“Please please let me go.” I pushed against him. At first, he didn’t let me go. I could hear he was trying to calm me down, but I had no idea what he was saying.

It felt like I was free falling and it was never going to end until it did, and I crashed onto the floor.

“Emmry…Emmry…” My dad was right next to get me to respond to him.

“I’m so sorry…” I whispered covering my face. I hated when people tried to touch me. All it did was bring back the memories. I could feel his claws on my skin.

“David. What is that on her stomach?” Was that Sam or Faith…

My stomach…why are the asking…oh s**t. I quickly removed my hands from my face to pull down my shirt. I didn’t realize that it had ridden up.

When I looked up, I saw 4 very angry shifters staring at my now covered stomach.

“Those scars looked…” Sam started

“Like they were done by a shifter?” I responded tugging on my shirt more and scooting backwards.

“Emmry…” My father started but Beta Matt put a hand on his shoulder.

“Let’s give her time okay?” He then looked at me and offered his hand. “I’m sorry I scared you.”

I bit my lip and then took his hand. I knew that freaking out was irrational, but I couldn’t help it. Now I was going to have to wrap my stomach again like I did when I was in high school. I knew I would have to tell my dad and his family what had happened at some point. The looks on their faces made that clear enough, but I don’t want to risk anyone else seeing and asking questions.

“Why don’t we sit down and have dinner?” Faith asked sending me a smile. This one felt genuine.

“Okay…can I go upstairs and change? I was sitting in the grass and dirt most of the day.” I asked looking at my father.

He simply nodded and then walked out of the room. I hope I didn’t upset him too much.