6. Kaylee
6
Kaylee
Watching Adam and Henry play-fight on the bed, I think about the days when Simon and I would wrestle like this. We were both an only child, our respective parents having decided one pup was enough. We grew up as neighbors, just five minutes from one another, and the two of us became each other’s siblings, even if Simon is two years older than me.
I need to call him, now that it’s been a week since we left Oak Fur. I did promise in my letter that I would call him as soon as my number was changed.
“Penny for your thoughts?” I jump at Miss Amelia’s voice, realizing she and David have returned from getting breakfast and I did not notice them coming back in. Some beta I make.
“I was thinking about Simon,” I explain, taking the bag of McDonald’s from her and thanking her for the food.
“About what?” she questions, as she hands Lace her meal.
“I was thinking of calling him and giving him my new number. I know he won’t share it without my permission.” Continuing my train of thought, I take a hash brown out of the bag and shove it into my mouth, getting a giggle from Lace when she catches me and an eye roll from Miss Amelia.
“Well, you should do it when we drive to our next destination. David found a pack that he has friends in, and we might be able to join them.” I perk up at the mention of a new pack, the idea of belonging in one again after seven days of being a rogue and being chased away sounds like an unanswered prayer.
“How far away is it?” I ask, ready to be done with motels and driving all day.
“About three days away. Think you can last that long?” David is the one to answer, as he finishes corralling Adam and Henry, the two pups now devouring their breakfast while Lace sits quietly watching a movie on the ancient-looking television in the motel room we rented last night.
“What is the pack’s name?” Adam asks through a mouthful of a sausage and egg McMuffin.
“Don’t speak with your mouth full!” Miss Amelia chides him, as I hide my laughter. I think I am becoming a bad influence on these pups.
“It’s called Silver Paw,” David answers his son. The name sounds familiar, and I wrack my brain trying to find why I know the name of it.
“Isn’t that the weakest in the country?” I ask once I manage to remember where I heard the name from. It was during one of Alpha Ramos’ rants about wanting to expand Oak Fur. About him wanting to attack Silver Paw and claim the land, but my father reasoned with him. Silver Paw is a ten-day drive from Oak Fur, so even if Ramos attacked it, the land would not be able to merge with Oak Fur’s land unless Alpha Ramos made a trade with another pack. The defeated Silver Paw land, for land closer to Oak Fur.
“It is, but the alpha there agreed that we can join if we help strengthen the pack. You know how to train pups, and David and I can train the adults.” This time Miss Amelia answers the question. I feel the power of my blood radiate at the thought of training pups once again and smile. Joining Silver Paw will be a good thing for us.
“Well then, we better finish breakfast and hit the road. We have three days of driving before we reach our new home!” I state excitedly, Lace throwing her hands in the air cheering ‘New Home’ over and over again, making all of us laugh. Our meal is finished within minutes, and we pack the small number of items we brought inside last night for our stay. Lace was sad to hear she couldn’t join me on the next stretch of our drive, but I explained to her that I have some things I need to do alone. After promising her that she can switch back to riding in my truck at the first rest stop, she happily bounds over to her father’s truck.
“You sure you will be okay alone?” David asks as I open the truck door.
“I am sure. Besides, I won’t be alone, I will be talking to Simon,” I answer happily, feeling excited for once about being kicked from Oak Fur. If we are accepted into Silver Paw in three days, then I will let Simon know. Knowing my best friend, he will happily abandon Oak Fur to be with me in a new pack.
“Well, keep your eyes on the road, and call my cell if something happens. I can’t wait to be in a pack so we can mind link again.” With David’s protective grumbling over, he makes his way towards his truck as I climb into mine. The silence is a little unnerving. I have spent the last seven days with an eight-year-old singing everything from the latest pop song, to all about Disney. Turning on my truck to keep my mind from wandering to the pain that threatens to creep in when I am not distracted, I wait for the Bluetooth to connect to my phone, scrolling on my new social media accounts until the speaker beeps, indicating my phone is connected.
Taking a deep breath, I scroll through my new phone and find Simon’s number. I am grateful for having a Samsung and being able to upload my contacts to my new phone. And even more grateful that the company where I gained a new cellphone number bought my old one after I switched my data over. No one from Oak Fur will be able to track me unless they have my new number now. Looking at the familiar number I know I could never forget, I worry about what Simon might say. I never said goodbye to him that day. He was scheduled for patrol, and my ability to mind-link him was blocked and then disconnected when Alpha Ramos banished me. So, I left a letter. I hope he found it, and the deed to the house.
Taking another deep breath to calm my growing nerves, I click on Simon’s contact information, and the unmistakable sound of a dialing tone comes from the truck speakers.
“Simon Thorn speaking.” I nearly cry at the familiar deep voice of the man I call my sworn brother. I love David, Miss Amelia, and their pups, but they aren’t my Simon. The man who knows me better than I know myself.
“Hello? Did you dial the wrong number?” his voice comes through again, and I laugh at how confused he sounds. Silence settles after my small laugh, and I debate on what to say.
“Kaylee?” His voice is a whisper and I smile. All I have to do is make a sound and he will always know it’s me.
“Hi, Simon,” I manage to state before he goes into a tirade.
“Where are you? Scratch that, don’t tell me just yet. Are you safe? Did you heal from your wounds? Are David and Miss Amelia okay?” His questions come one after another, and only stop when David pulls up beside me and honks his horn. I nod and watch as he drives off before I follow behind his trailer.
“What was that?” Simon asks, and I laugh again as I realize that I have been missing his scatterbrained self when he is with me.
“That was David. We are traveling to a pack that says they will accept us. No, I will not tell you what pack until I know if I will be a member or not,” I answer back, giving him this small happy news, a smile on my face as I picture Simon slumping on his bed with relief for my safety.
“I’m glad. The pack hasn’t been the same since they banished you. I miss you, Kay.” His voice is quiet, and I can sense his sadness. We have never been apart this long since I was born. The two of us had been glued at the hip as pups. Where he went, I was there behind him.
“I miss you too, Simon. When I am safely settled, I will let you know and maybe you can—”
“Yes!” he cuts me off, making me chuckle.
“I didn’t even finish what I was saying,” I retort, getting a signature Simon chuckle, so deep it has dropped many of the pack whores’ panties.
“Don’t care. When you find a new pack, I will follow.” My body relaxes as I take in his words. I have never had a more loyal friend than Simon, and I know that what he says is the truth. Wherever I go, he will follow, and vice versa.
“Okay, Simon. I have to go, but know we are all safe and okay. We are staying closer to the small human towns so that we don’t get attacked at night.” I know our call needs to be cut short. I can’t risk Oak Fur—risk him—finding me right now.
“Good. I will keep your number saved under a new name for now. But I expect a phone call every day, Kay.” The thought of being able to talk to Simon every day brings a wide grin back onto my face. Seven days away from my best friend is too long.
“Deal. Keep me under Lilac.”
“Like the damned bush you dug up from the ground. Thanks for that, by the way. Marilyn screeched about wanting the bush to burn, and I got the brunt end of her tirade. I wish someone would kill the bitch.” I laugh again as my twenty-year-old friend complains about the woman who is to be his Luna in a few weeks’ time.
“Look, Simon. I am moving on from Oak Fur and the wolves there. If you can keep this from him, I would owe you one.” My voice cracks at the word him . Simon knows who I am talking about, and I am glad I don’t have to say his name.
“I punched him the day you left, so other than pack business, he and I aren’t speaking. Anyways, I have to go, but expect multiple texts.” Curious at Simon’s confession to punching my ex-mate, I make a note to ask him about it when I am ready. Instead, I tell him to have a good day, and I will look forward to his texts, reminding him that I am driving and might not reply right away. When our call ends, the truck cabin grows quiet, and for once since leaving Oak Fur, I feel hopeful for my future. I can feel the pain of the rejection and banishment pushing at the dam I made in my mind. I remind myself over and over again that I need to hold on just a little bit longer. In three days, I will be in Silver Paw. In three days, I will be able to finally break, and allow the pain to take over and bleed through my soul before I start picking the pieces back up.