Chapter 48

This is just what I needed; I think to myself. How can I say this delicately, so they are not offended. I ask “Why would you want to move dad? “

“Well, my sponsor said it would be good to be surrounded by people who want to help in my recovery, and I agreed with him.”

“What about Dave he lives back east.”

“He does that is true.” Dave then cut in.

“I do not have anything that is really tethering me there. You and your dad are all I have. So, if it will help him stay sober, I will move out here with him.” not knowing what to say, I remained quiet. Hayden started talking to me in his head.

“If they move out here, they are going to have to know what you are.”

“I guess just how are they going to react.”

“Let’s not tell them. Let’s show them; and as far as information we will give them a small amount of information. They don’t need to know about the pack or mates or imprinting just the fact we are Lycan and a few questions we can answer. The rest can wait till we are comfortable and know we can trust them. Does that sound good?”

“Yeah, it sounds fine. When should we do it.”

“We can do it tomorrow we can ask them to go for a hike and show them in the woods. That way no one will walk in on us.”

“What about other hikers.”

“We can hike a dead trail. And I'll have Sean to lay out some clothes so we can show them the transition.”

“Okay that sounds like a plan.”

Hayden breaks the connection and looks at my dad. “Well, if you are planning on moving out here, we would love to show you the great hiking we were talking about.”

“That sounds like fun.”

“How about tomorrow after breakfast. Then after you can go look at places.”

“Sounds good to me.”

The rest of the night was filled with my uncle and dad telling stories about my childhood.” We finished and all headed off to bed. Hayden and I laid in bed and although he went right to sleep, I was still having trouble.

I kept thinking about how my family would react. I decided they would probably be concerned but love me anyways. Yes, they had to. They were family and I did not choose this. Surly they would understand. I finally drifted off to sleep.

In the morning Hayden decide we should go out to a small breakfast place not too far from the apartment. When we finally arrived at the trail head, we were all in good spirits. I had decided last night that I knew they wouldn’t care. They loved me and all was going to be okay.

We hiked trying to avoid the still snowy mounds. When we got deep enough in, I saw a marker. It was left by Sean, so we knew the clothes were there. I turned to face my father and uncle. “Guys I have something to tell you.”

“What is it sweetie.”

“Well, it is something we want to show you.”

“Okay.”

I stood back so with Hayden. We needed the space. I focused on my body the changed happened and then I stood in front of them as Ayla. I could see through my wolfs eyes of their terror. I walked behind the trees and shifted back. I put on the warm clothes that were left for me.

I walked out and Hayden was still in his wolf form. I began to pet him. It calmed me down. “So,”

“You're a ??? What are you?”

“I'm a Lycan.”

“And he is one too.”

“Obviously.” at this point Hayden left to get dressed. He came back out shortly and stood by me grabbing my hand.

No one said anything then my father spoke. “I think we need to get back.”

“Oh alright.” I said in a small voice. Man, I wish I knew what they were thinking. But Hayden and I walked back. We got in the car and began to drive back.

“We can go get some lunch.”

“How about you drop Dave and I off. I want to get a shower and then you could bring the food back.”

“Alright.”

With the silence in the car, I start to talk with Hayden in the mind link. “Well, they didn’t run away screaming.” I say

“True.”

“Over lunch we can talk to them maybe explain Lycans a bit. Not everything but some things. I think they will feel better if they know I am not any different than I have always been. Who knows maybe they will understand more about some of the things I have exhibited of the years.”

“Maybe. That is a good way to think about it.”

We dropped them off and headed out to get some burgers and fries. When we came up to the apartment I called out. “We are back, and we got burgers.”

I heard nothing. I called out again “hello Dad, Dave.” again I heard nothing. I decided to go find them. I walked to the first guest bedroom, and neither was there. Neither was their things. I checked the other guest room and found the same thing.

They both had just left. No note no nothing. I waked back to the kitchen and looked at Hayden. “They are gone.”

“What?”

“Yeah, they just up and left.”

“I am sorry” he said as he rubbed my back a bit.

Inside I was a mess, but I just said, “It is fine, I am fine.”

“If you want to talk about it?”

“No” and I waited a second. “And stay out of my head.”

He just nodded and we ate in silence. We both decide after lunch we should head back to the pack seeing as my family left. We had a lot to do as the alphas were going to be here soon. As we drove Hayden held my hand and spoke. “You know you have a one true family, always, just like your vow said.” It made me smile to think about that.