A New Day

"School called" dad says over breakfast "they want me to come in with you this morning so we're gonna drive."

"What does that mean?" I ask.

"It means you don't have to walk to school today... be happy about it!" He says and I roll my eyes. That is not what I was asking and he knows it.

"We'll see when we get there." He says.

We pile into the car and dad drives us to school early. We go to the principal's office.

"Morning Mr. Grayson." The principal says as we enter. "I wanted to talk to you considering your family's special circumstances."

"What do you mean." Dad asks.

"Well I'm sure you know the kids took a placement test yesterday. Yours scored very well. I understand Ruby is a year older yes?" He asks.

"She is." Dad responds.

"Well they have very nearly the same score. Ruby shines in math. Alaric in history. Both are advanced in science and English. They could easily skip a few grades." He says.

"You still haven't told me why I'm here." Dad tells him.

"Well you see sir we have to decide where to put them... what we think they can emotionally take and have the maturity for. So we can move them both into 7th or 8th grade it's up to you." The principal explains.

"7th!" I quickly link to dad.

"You sure pup?" He asks. I nod at him.

"Well... how about we split them up. Ruby should be a grade ahead of Alic anyway so let's put her in 8th and Alic in 7th." Dad says. Ruby grins at me.

"I told him to put me in 7th so wipe that smirk off your face." I link to her.

"What ever you say... you know I'm the favorite!" She responds.

"You mean the trouble maker... your the one that got held back!" She shoots me an angry look.

"Yea well you got put in a dog pound!" We are locked in an angry staring contest.

"You're not aloud to talk about that!"

"You call me trouble maker when you mess up they have to call in tha Alpha!"

"Alic... Ruby.... kids...KIDS!"dad broke us from our mental argument. Ruby and I stop dead.

"Yes sir." We say turning to him.

"I'm leaving see you at home." He says "love you."

"Bye dad love you." We say. The principal looks at us wide eyed. I chuckle. We must look like little robots speaking simultaneously.

"Well here are the new schedules for you two. You can get to class." He says.

"Thank you sir." We say taking the papers. We really need to stop speaking at the same time.

I head to my first class. It is the best feeling in the world when I see the Alpha twins in the back corner. I sit with them. Most of my classes are with Malak after the first one. He is more Ruby's friend but I like him and it's nice having a friendly face.

When I get home I am determined to re establish my extracurricular studies. I am not sure where to get my information... I need to know why mom went home... I've never met her family... I wonder if I can contact them.

"Hay dad?" I ask as I enter his little office where he is working on something for the Alphas.

"What's up buddy?" He asks not looking up.

"Ummm... what is mom's dad's name... what is her family like... why was she taking me there when I was little?" I was trying to hold back but it's hard. I cut myself off there trying not to ramble too much.

"Alic... I'm kinda busy right now bud can we talk later?" He says looking up at me.

"Yea dad... can you just give me a name... something?" I ask. He looks up at me and sighs.

"Alpha Simon Andersen Blue Creek pack...your grandfather... now please Alic I have a lot to do." He says

"Thanks dad... Talk later?" I ask

"Sure Alic." He answers returning to his work.

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"Well I finally got something." I tell Ti and Malak as we sit in the game room.

"Where's Ruby?" Malak asks.

"Don't know dude." I say come on I'm serious here "I got some info from my dad about my mom."

"You've been talking about that for a year now... you're never going to know about it Alic... what does it matter why she left? It's done and you're here can't you just drop it!" Malak says looking around.

"Hay! It's my mom jerk!" I yell. He looks at me.

"Sorry dude... rough day... you should keep looking... what did you find out?" He asks.

"My grandfather is an Alpha...and I have a name Simon Andersen... I still don't know why she left but it is something." I tell them.

"Why don't you just ask him?" Ti suggests.

"Ask who?...that's all Dad gave me and he sent me away quickly... he doesn't want to talk about it." I say.

"I mean your grandfather." He says.

"I can't I don't have any way to contact him." I tell him.

"Do you know what pack he is from?" Malak asks.

"Blue creek...why? How does that help...well I could try to go there I just need a map of the North American Packs and..." I start.

"Slow down man!" Malak says laughing at me. "Take a step back... how about you just call him?"

"I don't have the number! I just got the name! Dad never talks about them so what makes you think he will give me the number to call them?"I ask.

"He didn't say anything about asking your dad." Ti says with a mischievous grin. "We could get the number." The twins look at each other. Malak may be a good kid especially with Ruby around but when it's just us... those two are always up to some trouble.

"How?" I ask.

"Let go Alic" Ti says.

"We can talk on the way." Malak grins and we leave.

"Where are we going?" I ask

"Dads office." Ti says.

"Why?"

"To look at the files." Malak answers.

"Ok?"

"Hay dad can we look at the files on the other packs?" Ti says to me testing his lines.

"We want to familiarize ourselves with our allies." Malak continues.

"Since one of us will be Alpha we can't start too soon." Ti finishes.

"And then we can find the number!" I say... "you guys are good!"

They both grin at me and Malic gives a little bow. I love my friends!

They go through the lines to their father as we stand opposite him. Alpha Aaron smiles.

"You WANT to look through paperwork... Alic I think you might be a good influence on my boys." Alpha Aaron says. I nod a yes sir. "Go ahead boys... I'm gonna head home and spend some time with your mom... take your time! lock up when you leave." Alpha tosses Ti his office key and leaves.

"Well that was easy!" Malak says.

"Let's just get the number and go... no offense Alic but I don't actually like studying or reading for that matter... you're lucky I like you!" Ti adds.

"Yea yea let's dig in." I laugh.

It takes a while to sift through the different packs until Malic calls out.

"Blue creek got it!" He triumphantly holds the file.

He hands it to me and I look at the file. I'm actually kinda nervous.

"Open it man!" Ti yells. I take a breath and open the folder.

"Blue creek pack...Alpha Andersen... 150 members... southern California... I got it give me some paper!" I say.

Ti hands me a pad and pin and I write the number.

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"Quiet tonight... what's up with you two?" Dad asks over dinner.

"Nothing." Ruby says quickly drinking her water. She is so weird today.

"Yea... all good dad." I add.

He looks between us.

"Really guys what's up!?" Dad asks and we both look away.

"Geeze Dad! Leave me alone!" Ruby storms out.

"You gonna leave too?" Dad asks. I stir my food ignoring him. "Alic, buddy, what's going on?"

"I don't know she's been MIA all day." I say.

"And you?" He asks.

"Mom." I say.

"Alic... I... it's just... hard." He stammers.

"She was my mom! I was with her! She's gone and I don't know why!" I yell at him.

"Neither do I... she wanted to go... I had to stay... I don't know why she took you... I can't help you Alic." He says. I look away.

"Night dad." I say and leave the table. I hear a faint goodnight as I leave the dining room.

●○●○●○●○●

I sit on my bed with the slip of paper between my fingers. It's simple! Just dial the number. A few keys and I can get some answers. Why am I stalling?! You can do this! I dial.

"Hello?" Comes through the speaker and I hang up.

"Whimp!" My wolf mocks.

My phone rings. I look at the number. Crap! crap! crap! crap! Crap!