Winter's True Mate

Strange

Aeric POV

I am in my office going over paperwork and trying to do research and figure out who the mysterious person was that dropped this envelope off. Inside the envelope was pictures and a few, what seems like random, legal documents. I have looked up the names on these documents, but absolutely nothing comes up. I keep studying these pictures to discover landmarks and things that can identify where these were taken. Im starting to get frustrated when the phone rings and snaps me out of my thoughts.

"Hello?" I say gruffly and slightly annoyed.

"Hello son." The man on the over end says.

"Father. I wasn't expecting you to call so soon. Is everything ok at home?"

"Yes. I am just calling for a progress report. Find out anything?" he says, getting straight to the point.

"Well Father, we have only been here a couple days. Astrid and I ran into some shady characters today in town when Astrid went shopping. They were talking about somebody but we didn't hear a name. And while we were out, a hooded figure dropped off an envelope here at the house to Herrick. He didn't say anything to him and disappeared." I informed him.

"What is in the envelope, Aeric?" he says sternly but curious.

"Just some random pictures of places in some woods and some documents that look like legal documents. The thing is, is that I have looked up the names that are on these documents but nothing is coming up. No matter what program I use to look them up."

"That is strange. You tried all of our programs?"

"Yes Father. Absolutely nothing shows up. I am not sure how to proceed. I was going to call you after dinner to talk about this."

"Okay son. Upload those documents and send them to me and I will have our people here also take a look. Has there been anymore attacks or disappearances?"

"No, there hasn't but like I said, we have only been here a couple days." I tell him solemnly.

"Alright. You make sure to keep me updated." he says strictly. Suddenly there is a knock on the door.

"One minute!" I say loudly. "Father, it must be time for dinner. I will keep you apprised of my findings. Good night Father." I say and as I am about to hang up, Father speaks again.

"Son, please be safe and take care of your sister. I love you."

"I will Father. I love you too."

I head out of my office and head downstairs to the dining room. As I get closer, a familiar scent comes to my nose, reminding me of home. I walk in and see Astrid and Herrick at the table and a very familiar sight of food on the table. Traditional garlic butter and herb steak and potatoes. One of my favorites. I sitt at the head of the table, between the two of them and we dig in, no words necessary.

Cherry POV

What is with that orphan? Usually she is timid and scared and keeps her head down. Ever since the other day when she ran out of school in tears and Daniel followed her, she is becoming more and more brazen. That being the case, ever since all that happened, Daniel has been acting off. More short tempered and uninterested. Now she has the audacity to come to the mall?? What is going on? Why would Kendra bring her here? She knows we hang out here. It's not like that nasty stray has any money. Ugh! This is infuriatting to say the least. I need to get rid of her once and for all. Daniel and this pack are mine! I need to get in touch with my contacts to make her disappear. She would make a good slave for someone. I will make to call and set a meeting for tonight. I start to fall back from the group as we are walking closer to the doors. Daniel notices and turns to me.

"Cherry, you ok? You coming?" he says to me.

"Yeah babe! I just need to make a phone call real quick. I will be with you guys in just a minute." I say in my sing-song voice.

He looks at me with a slightly questioningly look, nods his head and walks in behind the others. I make sure the doors shut and they have disappeared from sight before I duck around the corner while digging another phone out from the bottom of my purse. I quickly dial a number and put the phone up to my ear. The line on the other side rings three times and a man answers the phone.

"Ms. Cherry, I didn't expect to hear from you so soon." the man on the other end says in a dark voice.

"Yes, I know. I have a problem that needs to be dealt with as soon as possible." I say slightly scared.

"Oh really? And who is this problem?" he says with curiousity in his tone.

"She is the orphan of our pack. She is pathetic and weak. I think she would make a good slave for your boss."

"An orphan you say? Why does it sound like you think she is a threat?"

I tell him everything that has happened since the other day. About how something has changed with her and with Daniel and his best friend Joe. I know he can hear the meager tone in my voice, but I honestly do not care at this point.

"Where does she live? What is her habits? I need to know everything about her so I can formulate a course of action. You know this." he says after listening to me.

"She doesn't have a stable place to stay. She bounces between some of the pack member's houses. She is not allowed in the pack house. As for her habits and routines, I don't know. I haven't cared enough to pay attention. I do know she is here at the mall but she is with her friend Kendra."

"Ms. Cherry, you know I need sll of the details. Call me back in two days and give me ALL of the details about her. If you don't, I will do nothing."

And with that, he hangs up. How am I supposed to know all of her movements in the next two days without anyone getting suspicious?? Ugh!! I guess I will have to figure it out. I head into the mall to meet back up with my friends.