Sunday morning was filled with rain. Aileen got up, ate breakfast, did her morning chores, watched a bit of TV with her mom, and when her mother went to sleep, she went outside for some air. The rain had slowed down, so she didn't need an umbrella. Anya was staying with her grandmother, which meant she was all alone today. Aileen walked a bit in the park, steering clear of adult wolves who were Alpha members in the pack and finding a nice place to sit down. It was under a tree. By this time, the rain had completely stopped. Aileen spread the sheet on the grass and sat down, eating an apple she had packed for her lunch. She watched kids playing tag and jumping ropes; she watched them eating ice cream and walking their dogs. It was very peaceful and sad, her memories suddenly going back to the time she was young.
"Come to one Aiden, we will be late." Young Aileen dragged her brother towards the ice cream truck where the children were already packed. Aiden laughed and tried to slow her down, but the young wolf in her was still jumpy. Their mother was busy hanging clothes outside after the laundry. The sun was up, they were young, and everything was amazing. Aileen smiled to herself, thinking about Aiden and how much she missed him. She didn't show her grief because she had to handle her mother. Suddenly the clouds loomed above her, and she saw a blue lighting streak. Shit, it's a thunderstorm, Aileen thought, getting up. She saw the kids crying and running back to their parents for shelter.
She should go too. Aileen wrapped up the sheet and ate the last bite of the apple, chugging the seed in the dustbin. She was about to turn around when she caught a familiar scent. It was the same scent she had caught when walking on the hill to the Raybron Valley. Her ears perked up. She could hear him breathing, hear him walking. His steps getting closer and louder. She turned around and saw the boy, who had saved her from the werebeast.
He was wearing a hoodie, his head covered, hands in pockets. He looked suspicious. Aileen had wanted to thank him, and Anya's words rang in her ears. He is the only person who could get me into Spirit bones., Aileen thought and followed him. The guy turned a corner, exiting the park, and started whistling on the sidewalk. Aileen was curious about where he was heading to. What do the members do in their free time? She had pondered over the question for so long. Do they have a secret underground bar? Or an illegal fight club? The guy turned left, and Aileen followed his lead, only to find him nowhere. She looked around the alley, but It was empty, besides a cat eating from the dumpster.
"where did he go?" Aileen said, and a deep voice answered from above her, "Looking for me?" The guy jumped from the ladder, landing on his feet perfectly, and closed in on her. Aileen backed up against the wall. His hood was down, and she saw his beautiful eyes. "Yes- yes, I recognized you in the park." She said, her palms placed on the wall. He was inches away from her. She could smell the forest on him. He had a small scar above his lips. "And?" he said again, knitting his eyebrows. She noticed his ears perking up and his claws coming out. "I wanted to thank you for saving me back in the forest." She said suddenly, afraid he would attack her. The guy leaned in on her, his eyes changing color, his head tilting and hovering above her shoulder. Aileen could feel his breath on her neck. He sniffed.
"You are not in a pack." He said, straightening up, retracting his claws. Confirming she wasn't dangerous. Aileen let out a breath she didn't as she was holding. "Yes." She replied. He nodded and was about to walk away when she grabbed his arm. "Wait." Aileen said and dropped her arms when she saw his fearful gaze. "what now." He had covered his head again. "You are a spiriter right?" she asked, biting her cheek. The guy didn't respond for almost three seconds, then he sighed and nodded. "Can you let me audition or put in a good word for me?" she said, looking at the subway poster on the ground. "Why should I?" he asked, folding his arms.
"because I got mugged by a kid who was showing me the route. It's not my fault I was late. Just get me another audition with the spirit bones, please." Aileen begged him and even put on her bunny eyes and a pout. "If I do, you will leave me alone." He said, and Aileen smiled. OHMYGOD, he accepted. "Yes, definitely, you won't even smell me anywhere." She said, almost jumping up and down. "Ok, 9 am tomorrow, last chance." Aileen was about to say thank you, but he disappeared. "I won't let anyone take this second chance from me," Aileen told herself, filling with joy.