chapter Five

                                                  Lyrica

My phone vibrated for the tenth time since I came out here. Glancing down at the screen, it showed I had yet another text message. I didn't bother reading it. Just placed my phone face down as I looked out across the pond. This is one of my favorite spots to come and clear my head and to breathe. Ever since the meeting, you can feel the tension drifting through the pack. As most are worried, some are afraid; I can't blame them. Rogues have plagued our borders every night. 

My worry for my father grew. I know mom is just as worried, but she handles it better, something she has learned to live with all these years. 

I was waiting to hear back about me returning to college. Dad said he reached out to the Alpha but has not heard anything back yet. I'm to return in three days. I can't believe how fast the days have gone. I'm hoping he lets me. It will hurt my credits and my overall grades if I can not, and I will get knocked out of the rotation and lose my grade for me to pass the course, and I really need to pass it.  

So far everyone has followed the rules the Alpha put in place. Dad said everyone is safe in their houses no later than eight each night. No one has gotten hurt with these rogue attacks other than the patrol groups and some of the warriors. But the once easy feeling and safety you would feel as you walked through the pack was replaced with tension and fear. 

"Hey Lyrica." Someone called out to me, making me look over my shoulder. I saw a group of girls I knew as we grew up together; we were just never super close, but I guess you could say we were friends.  

I gave them a wave. They came towards me. "We didn't think you were still here," The one Elena said as she sat down next to me.

I nodded. "I have to wait for the Alpha to clear me to return. I haven't heard anything yet." I told her as the others sat down. 

"I guess with all this rogue business going on, he is being extra cautious." One of the other ones spoke. 

We all nodded. 

"I get it. I just hope he lets me. I do not want to lose my grades or credits and have to make them up."

I felt my phone again but did not look at it. 

"I can understand that. I would hate to have to start over, but he'd probably let you, seeing as you do not come back each day. Right?"

I shrugged, "My dad seems to think the same. I mean it would be another month or so before I got time to come back for a visit. I only came this week cause all my roommates were gone with the short break."

Just like with my parents, I can't tell them the real reason why I came this week. 

"So.. how is it living the college life huh?" one of the others asks. "You get a chance to have a first row seat to all that partying they talk about." 

That made me chuckle, as the other laughed. "It's not as glamorous as it sounds. Yeah there are some parties, but I stay clear of them. My classes are grueling and I need to be on my toes. I can't afford to screw them up. But I can say the parties are almost every weekend and sometimes during the week."

"That sucks. Isn't college like supposed to be the wild time in your life?" Elena asked. 

I laughed, shaking my head. "Sure, if you have nothing to worry about for passing. I know some have an easy pass because of who they are and those are the ones who party hardy all the time. I can't afford to misstep, or I have to start over again. Besides, I'm not sure drinking till I puke sounds like fun for me."

"Ok, ok, enough about the parties. I want to know about those college guys." She wiggled her brows. I couldn't help but laugh a full on real laugh.

I shook my head. "Why are you asking about human boys when you all have these Greek gods running around here." I waved my hand around in front of us.

"Oh come on Lyrica. Looking at these guys here is turning boring. I mean we would like a variety please, and besides I heard some are just good looking." 

"Oh my god, you did not just say variety, did you?" 

She slapped my upper arm. "Shut it. Now come on, fill us in on the college guys, oh hey, do you have a swim team? I would love to see some of them in one of those tight Speedos." 

"Oh me too. Bet they look yummy!" 

"OOO and all that water running down their chest and bodies," All three of them let out this dreamy sigh.

"You guys are nuts. You have all these hot males running around here, and you are day dreaming about a human guy in underwear? I mean come on, the males here can shift into wolves and pretty much pull a car door off the hinges without opening it, and you want some human boy who can't open a jar?" 

"Yeah but those males are annoying and so full of themselves; they think they are the goddess's gift to females, and it's all this primal, what I say goes. Crap, I for one would love the chance to boss around some male and make him bend to my will and do my bidding. Instead of the you're mine and no one can touch you line,"

I just stared at her, blinking, 

"I have to agree, I would love me some fifty shades of grey, please."

I shook my head, "You guys are nuts, but I can say some of the human guys are nice and helpful; not all have raging hormones."

At those words, they all broke out into a laugh, and for the first time in months I felt a small bit of weight lift off my chest as I sat here talking with them. I keep to myself so much at school, knowing I can't risk it, and here I can just be me.

"Hey do you think the human guys are hung as well as our guys are?" 

"I heard they can be very blessed," one of them said, 

"How would you know? You ever see one?" 

Her face turned red. "Stacey!" Elena said as she slapped her shoulder, 

"What? I was curious so I looked up some things." 

With another fit of laughter, 

"It's always the quiet ones." 

My phone broke me out of my laughing as it was ringing this time. I didn't look at the screen as I picked it up, swiping at the screen. 

"Hello."

"So you thought hiding in that so called pack could keep you from me huh, my little birdie?" His deep, rough voice carried through the line. All traces of laughter or happiness I was feeling left me so fast I pulled in a deep breath. I couldn't form words. I just held the phone to my ear, all the surrounding noise fading away as a rushing sound filled my ears.

"Look at you, sitting there, laughing it up with those cheap she wolves, so unaware of what's lurking in the bushes."

My heart picked up as my head began to swivel, looking at the area around us, but I saw nothing.   

"I see I have your attention now, don't I? Do not worry. When I come for you, it will be when you are least expecting it. It will be a surprise and no one will know who it is, and no one will stop me. I told you, you are mine. I'm tired of waiting, my sweet Lyrica." 

And with that, the line went dead, and so did my heart.