Chapter 249
KESKA: My training is done, I can now fight without actually killing someone with the first bite if I choose to, and the farthest I can phase is 50 yards. Not as far as Papa Rickard could, but he was a full elemental, and I am only half. Cousin Ellion took great pride in frustrating Corla when we first started to train; she couldn’t affect him, not that she wanted to hurt him, but she just didn’t get to have that feeling of satisfaction of what it would be like landing a blow. Nana talked Elder Emory into putting up an obstacle course and archery range so that we, Mackie, Liam, and I could continue to train and let the refugees come into the compound to train with us as well.
TREVER: I know the girls are getting a bit frustrated with Dutch and me, but we want to surprise them with the Pack grounds that we set up. Plus, I want my pup to be born in our own Pack. I have called Barrett and told him about the new Pack so that he can get the paperwork done by the time we get back, then all we have to do is name it. I also told him that he and Trent were going to be uncles. He was happy, but also a bit irked, considering the girls were not 18 yet. We used the structures that were already there, we just repurposed them for our needs. The main office building, with a little work, became an indoor workout and training area, and seconds as a school until we could build one. We used the first aid shack as the foundation for a full–on clinic. There was still much to do, but the foundation, the beginnings for the Pack, were in place. We just needed to get the girls and everybody else back here. Barrett said he would help by sending some medical staff, but we would have to find and recruit the rest on our own, the same with teachers. I don’t mind; I think that there are some among the refugees who can help. I have told the refugees about the Pack lands, and I have slowly started to send them back to it, so that they can start setting up and building businesses and homes for those who don’t want to live in the Pack house. We also have safe rooms set up, not knowing what the rogue population might be. So far, we have been fortunate; we have not had any attacks while we have been doing construction, but there have been signs. I would have liked to have gotten us back and settled before Keska’s birthday, but that isn’t going to be the case; we just aren’t quite ready, but we will be before Mackie’s birthday.
SETH: I have worked hard to get back to where we were before Jessie. I have trained with Dutch and Trever, I have worked with the lead trainer here, and I çan actually feel them now, so I know when one of them is behind me. I can continue to help train the warriors to develop that skill for the Pack. They can use that ability so that they know where the attack will come from if they get surrounded, and that can help save them. We have worked on new ways of fighting, incorporating some of the things Kes and Mackie learned from their aikido training, as well as fighting in human form, being surrounded, and shifting back and forth between forms, to help keep your opponent off balance. I know that I still have a lot to learn, and I, myself, have yet to be tested in an actual battle, but I am confident in the training I have received. I have worked with Lilly as well. I want to be the head warrior, and for that, I have to keep working and training so that I can help train the other warriors and earn their trust and respect to give the Pack the best chance of survival. Yes, I know what Trever and Dutch are up to. I have been there, I have seen the progress that has been made. I want to help in any way I can, and if that means that I stay and train and keep the girls‘ minds occupied with their training, then that is what I will do. I have made friends with some of the refugees, and we have worked together on our training. I have worked with some of the warriors and have picked the ones I think would be a good fit to help protect the builders. Even Liam has trained with us. He has grown since we got here; he will need a whole new wardrobe when we get back. He has also shown growth in his capabilities.
CHARLES: We are days away from Keska’s birthday, and I am at a loss as to what to get her. I will need to talk to Lilly. I am finally back to my old self. Yes, it still hurts, but it has lessened. I have noticed my wolf start to stir within me; he has started to take notice of things, and that is a good sign. I make my way to Lilly’s cottage, and I knock. Stephen answers the door. “Good afternoon, Alpha Charles.” “Good afternoon, Stephen, is Lilly in?” “Yes, come in. I will fetch her.” He brings me into the living room. I take a seat in one of the chairs and wait. A couple of minutes later, Lilly comes in. “Charles? This is unexpected.” She says. “I know, but with Keska’s birthday only days away, I have no clue what to get for her.” “I swear, you and Carson are two peas in a pod.” She says with a chuckle. “Well, we are brothers,” I say. She just shakes her head. “Stephen, please bring the car around. We need to go to Thunder Bay.” She said to him. “Yes, Miss Lilly.” And he goes and gets the car. We spent the rest of the afternoon shopping not only for Keska, but for Mackie and Liam as well.
LIAM: I know what Dutch and Trever are doing; they took me with them a couple of times, I think that Kes and Mackie are going to be completely surprised. I told Trever that I wanted a picture of it when they got it done, or as done as it would be. I plan on burning it for a Christmas gift for her. As for her birthday, I had two pieces of wood planed down to a quarter inch thick, and I burned them and had them made into an expandable book cover for her. She has started to take an interest in herbs and herbology, so I hope the book covers will help so she can document and even keep some of the herbs as a
reference in it.
