A few days later, Mel and I had our meeting with the Alpha. I told them almost everything about my past. There were some parts I left out.
I didn't say anything about the shifter royal family, my possible connection to them, or Mike's search for answers.
I did tell them about my 'Mom' and her disappearance, how she was now in jail for my kidnapping and supposed murder. I told them of what happened to Kyle and of the fight his parents had. I told them of running away, and about how Mike was the best teacher ever.
I admitted that I felt bad about what happened to Kyle and felt a little guilty. I really want to help him and how I worry these rebels will make more poison. I stated that creating an antidote for Kyle will also help us if the rebels continue to poison other werewolves.
Alpha Tim looked thoughtful for a long moment, before he spoke.
"Yes. I believe you are right. I will look into things further. If all you say is true, then this group has to be stopped before they harm any more wolves."
Mel nodded in agreement.
"It would be in everyone's best interest to obtain samples of the poison and create an antidote. But we must be very careful in order to do that successfully."
"In the meantime, our pack could help to keep Liz safe, right?"
"Yes. We will offer your mate shelter and protection. If there is nothing else, I will ask you to leave."
"Actually, there is one more thing, Alpha Tim." I said.
"What is it?"
"I would like to finish high school and continue my shifter training."
"Alright. We will talk more about it later."
"Thank you, Alpha" Mel and I said at the same time.
As we walked to the library together, I told Mel that I already phoned Mike a while ago and about how he agreed to continue my teaching.
"I wondered who you talked to that day." She said.
"Yeah. You have a good time at work today."
Stopping at the entrance to the library, I gave her a quick, shy hug and hurried into the library.
I spent my day meditating, reading books on history and just thinking.
In the early afternoon I got the gut feeling that I should call Mike. I rang his cell phone twice, just to make sure I had dialed it right the first time. It didn't even ring; there was a robotic voice message informing that the number is disconnected.
So, either he has cut ties to vanish and make his way safely up to me, or else, something has gone wrong. I really hoped it was the first one.
Two days had gone by since I last tried to call Mike. Mel and I were eating an early breakfast when a commotion started. Werewolves were rushing around everywhere. I looked at Mel.
"What's going on? Why does the atmosphere feel so anxious?"
"I don't know, but I am going to find out!"
Mel sat very still for a while. I could tell she wasn't exactly in the here and now. Her expression always looked very zoned out when she was mind-linking with someone.
Mel turned to me suddenly. "I asked my brother. He says there was a minor intrusion of our packs boarder. He says a wolf, that wasn't a wolf crossed into our territory."
"A wolf that wasn't a wolf?" I repeated slowly.
"Yeah. Like not a werewolf and not a timber wolf."
"But something else?"
She nodded.
"Like a shifter in wolf form." I said hopefully.
"Possibly."
"We need to go speak with Alpha Tim and see if it is Mike!"
Mel and I rushed off to go see what we could figure out. But no matter who we spoke to, they wouldn't tell us where the Alpha was.
"It's okay." I told Mel. "I can figure this out myself."
"How?" She asked.
"I can try to see through mind-link if Mike is anywhere near here. If he is, I'll ask him where he is."
"Wait… what?!" She looked at me confused.
"Shifters can mind- link with each other, as well as with all other beings who use mind-link."
"What? Why did you not tell me this before? We could have used mind- link with each other this whole time? This would have come in handy that time when…"
"Hush!" I interrupted her. "I am searching."
She sighed but let me concentrate.
It took me a few minutes because of being a bit out of practice with mind-link, but I found him.
'Sam! I mean, Liz. Yes, I am here. I found my way to Sprucevale easily enough. But I am not totally sure this is the wolf pack you are with.'
'Based on the wolves reaction, it probably is. But now I have contact with you I can follow the link to you. Are you in wolf form by any chance?'
'Yes, now that you mention it. This Alpha seems very guarded and secretive.'
'I am on my way to you.'
"Okay, Mel. I found him. Let's go."
Mel and I left the building and unsurprisingly headed to the southernmost pack boarder.