Free For Their Happiness by Jayton Young Page B

went.
    “Does anyone have any aspirin?”  I asked.  My arm was throbbing and my whole body was sore.  Mom took some out of her purse and handed a couple to me along with a glass of water.
    “How are you going to explain your human healing?”  My dad asked.
    I saw Ryan raise an eyebrow in question, but he knew to wait until we were alone and I would explain.  He probably wouldn’t need an explanation if he stuck around us talking.  Dad obviously wasn’t thinking about him being in the room, and of course Billy and Becca knew.
    Billy was the one to answer.  “The doc said that with her blood loss that her healing would be slower, so that should cover her unless something else comes up .”
    “Good.”  Dad said.  “Alright, let’s call the Alpha before it gets any later.”
    He took out his I-Phone, dialed the number, and put it on speaker phone so we could all talk and hear.  It wouldn’t have been a problem for the others, but it was for me.
    “Hello?”  I tensed as Trent answered the Alpha’s phone.
    “Hello, Trent, is Jeffery there?”  Dad asked.
    “No.  We had a few problems around today after you left that he had to resolve, so he was tired and went to bed not too long ago.  He told me to wake him as soon as there was word on Crystie.  Has there been any change?  Is she alright?”  I could hear the concern in his voice and my heart constricted.
    “I’ m awake now, and I’m doing fine.”  I said, trying not to let my nervousness show in my voice.
    He let out a breath.  “You gave all of us here a scare, Crystie.  Nikki has been cooking and cleaning all day to try to calm her nerves.”  I t was common knowledge that cooking was Nikki’s stress relief.
    “I apologize for that, sir.”  I said, still trying to sound normal.
    “I won’t correct you tonight, Crystie, seeing as you are just recovering ,” He sounded like he was teasing me, and again I felt the tightening in my chest.  “But I would like to know when I can tell Dad you’ll be home.”
    “Well, Trent, I would like for our group to finish the circuit through the packs, maybe just shorten each visit, and then return.”  I hoped he would allow us to.  “If it is at the other packs as it has been here, then they are really looking forward to meeting me and letting our singles meet theirs.”
    He didn’t say anything for a moment, and I was afraid he was going to make us return.  “Mr. Lake, how do you feel about that?”
    “I was the one to suggest the shorter visits.”  Dad replied.  “Of course I’ll come back tomorrow.  After I accompany Crystie to the next stop, I’ll head home.”
    “Alright then.  No more than one week at each pack, and then you head home, okay Crystie?”
    “Yes, thank you Trent.”  I said.
    “Just make sure to take care of yourself.”  He chuckled.  “It’s sad that we went to school together and are in the same pack, but this is the longest conversation we’ve ever had.  That’ll have to change , Crystie.”
    “Yes, okay.”  I said, and then hanging up.  I was dreading the day that would happen.  The whole situation wa s so much easier to deal with when I was able to avoid him.
     
     

Chapter 10
     
     
    I woke up with the morning light shining in the window.  I looked around and saw that everyone had pretty much had a sleep over in my room.  I chuckled lightly at that, which woke everyone up.  The only ones missing were Gary and Peyton.  I would have to get used to not having Gary around, which I was a little sad about because, though a quiet person, when he spoke, it was always to make people fee l better.  He was always funny without being degrading to others.  He never made fun of anyone , except himself , to make someone laugh.
    “Are you feeling a little better this morning?”  Bolton asked.  He had joined us last night as soon as Alpha Burgess released him from questioning.  He told us that he had apologized to him, and according to