Winter's True Mate

Happenings

Daniel

It has been several days since I rejected that orphan. But something is different. She is different. I wonder what she is up to. Others have noticed a change in her as well. As her Alpha, I should just confront her and demand that she tell me what she is up to. But then, others would see me talking to her and start to question me. I can not have that. I haven't hung out much with anyone since the other day. I have been spending most of my time in the woods running. I should call Joe. Out of nowhere, my pocket starts to vibrate. I pull my phone out and look at the screen. Speak of the devil, and he shall call, I think to myself as I answer the phone.

"Sup man! I was just thinking about calling you." I chuckled.

"Hey dude, you good? No one has really seen or heard from you except at school." He says with a sense of apprehension in his voice.

"Yeah. I just needed some time to myself." I fibed.

"Dude, you are so full of bulls***. You are a horrible liar. What the hell is actually going on with you? The truth, dude." Joe said with aggravation in his tone.

"Ok, fine. I will tell you, just not over the phone. Come over."

"Ok, man. I will be there in about fifteen minutes."

"Alright. See you then."

Joe almost always knows when I am lying. I am not sure why I even bother to try. I need to get this off my chest. I need advice. I need backup. This whole situation has my head spinning. I still can not get over the fact that little orphan Winter is supposed to be my mate.... That just baffles me!! I guess I am going to go for a swim while I wait for Joe to get here. That might help me relax. I headed downstairs to my family's indoor/outdoor pool. I change into my trunks and jump in. It's time to wait for my best friend to get here.

Herrick

Well, that was most peculiar if I do say so myself. Who would even know that we are here? And what is with all the cloak and dagger? I wondered what is in the manila envelope and who the hooded figure was and how it disappeared so quickly, as I headed to the Prince's office to put the envelope on his desk. Well, this day has turned interesting for sure. I wonder when the Prince and Princess will be home. As I am walking down the hallway, I feel as if I am being watched. I look around but see no one. Hmmm, that is strange in deed. I look at the clock in the Prince's office. It is already two in the afternoon. Surely they will be home soon. I head back out of the office to the living room. I might as well catch up on some reading, for I have a gut feeling things will not be so quiet soon. I walk over to the bookshelf and grab my favorite book, The Sight by David Clement-Davies. I sit down on the couch and start reading. It takes me about an hour or so to read about three or four chapters. As I am putting the bookmark in, I hear the Prince and Princess coming in through the garage entrance.

"Herrick! Did you have a favorable day?" Astrid chirps as she comes in.

"Yes, actually. Until someone showed up at the castle. It was quite strange, actually."

"What do you mean someone showed up? What did they want? Who was it?" snarled Aeric.

"Your Highness, I truly do not know who it was. They were wearing a dark hood. I didn't even get a chance to ask who they were." I said in response.

"Tell me everything!" His Highness snarled.

Something very clearly happened today that has him on edge. Okay, well, beyond edge. We start towards his office.

"Well, I had just gotten done eating lunch, and the doorbell rang. I went to answer it, but before opening the door, I looked through the peephole. There stood a cloaked figure. I opened the door and asked him if I could help him. All he said was that he had some information for the Prince and handed me a manila envelope. When I looked up from the envelope, he was gone. Just gone into thin air."

"Where is the envelope, Herrick?" discontent clouding Aeric's voice.

"I put it on your Desk, Your Highness."

"Okay, Herrick. That will be all. Thank you." he said as he went into his office.

As I turn to walk away, he shuts the door with a hard thud. I may as well go see if Astrid needs any help. Knowing her, she went shopping and bought everything in town. I laugh to myself as I head towards the kitchen. A very interesting day indeed.