I am still trying to figure out the meaning of my dream when Juliana knocks on the door of my room, and on seeing that it is open, she walks into the room.
In case you forgot, Juliana is my best friend in the whole world.
"Kalista?" She calls my name softly.
I watch her as she checks my bed for me, and when she does not see me, she searches my closet. By this time, the fire in the fireplace has already died and the room is almost pitch black, only fairly lighted by the smile of the three a.m. moon.
"I'm here." I softly speak and she turns to where my voice came from. I get up and switch on the lights.
"Really? You slept by the fireplace?" She asks me.
I yawn as I walk towards her, and I am surprised when she envelopes me in a warm hug. "Thank you. I really needed that." I confess to her.
"I know." She says. "On a normal day, I would have scolded you for sleeping at the fire place instead of on your bed, but I am making an exception today."
Still hugging her, I shake my head ruefully. "Sometimes, I wonder if we are of the same age. You are twenty-four years old just as I am, but you keep bullying me and acting like my mother." I say with a soft chuckle.
"You can't get rid of me, Kalista." Juliana says and I smile.
She's right, I love her to death.
"How are you faring?" She asks me, pulling away from the hug and holding my hands. We both sit on the bed.
"Honestly, everything feels like it is crumbling, and I do not know what to do about it. I have lost ten pack members in twenty-four hours, and I am still devastated by Craig's death. It really came as a shock to me. I still cannot believe that the poor boy is gone. This stupid disease snuffed his young, vibrant life out of him." I comment sadly.
"It is so sad. I heard about his death a few hours ago. It is a good thing you gave Roman a long-term break so he can mourn with his wife." Juliana says.
"You heard about that?" I am surprised that she knows.
"Yes, I did. I went to visit him after the announcement you made, and that was when he told me." Juliana replies.
"How are they holding up?" I ask her.
"As well as you expect a couple who just lost their child to do. It is devastating for them, for all of us." Juliana adds.
"I am trying to find a way to solve this menace." I tell her.
"You are the smartest person I know, and you are tenacious. I know you will find a solution." Juliana says and I smile. This is one person in the world that makes all my worries look really minute.
Since it is just a few minutes past three, I am still feeling sleepy so I decide to take a shower and then catch some more sleep, as we do not know what the next day will bring. Juliana stays with me in bed and we both fall asleep.
I wake up to someone shaking me gently. After blinking severally, I realize it is Juliana.
"Wake up, sleepyhead, and stop frowning at me." She chuckles.
Reluctantly, I sit up in my bed. "I am so tired…what time is it?" I ask and yawn.
"It is a few minutes past eight. I think you have slept enough." She says and although I hate to admit it, she is right.
I need to start my day.
I get out of bed and freshen up. Today, I am wearing a long black dress which symbolizes that I am mourning my dead pack members. Now, I am standing in front of my giant mirror, looking at the reflection my deep blue eyes.
Blue eyes?
Yes, blue eyes. Although I am dark-skinned like my late father, I took the color of my late mother's eyes- that is how it is easy to spot that I am a hybrid wolf. My wolf is also black, but her eyes are blue.
Belle, my wolf, has been pretty silent within me since I hit the age of twenty-one. Under normal circumstances, she should have been pushing and nudging me towards finding a mate, but nothing like that has happened, and to be very frank, I am not bothered; not in the very least. I have so many things I think about, and finding a mate is not even on the list. My pack is my priority every time.
I am sure you are wondering how I get by...you know, sexually.
Well, in one of my secretly locked drawers in my closet is a very handy toy that calms my nerves on those lonely nights.
Don't blame me, okay? It is what it is.
Anyways, I put my hair in a huge bun atop my head and leave the room for breakfast. As always, those at the table stand up and bow, paying obeisance to me as their Alpha.
As we eat, I can see that everyone at the table is also wearing black. Juliana is sitting right beside me, and her girlfriend, Yvonne is also present. Kiara and Yvonne love each other so much and were to get married next month, but for real, I do not see the possibility of this happening due to the circumstances facing the pack at the moment.
I wonder where Kiara is, and after waiting for another five minutes and not seeing her, I begin to get worried. Where could she be?
I decide to mind-link her.
"Kiara?" I call, but I get no response.
Thankfully, she responds after what seems like an eternity. "Alpha Kalista, I am so sorry I missed breakfast, I am sure you have been worried sick about me." She says.
"You got that right." I say.
"I am sorry. I am having my final meeting with the spies before they leave tonight." She tells me.
"Oh, I see. That's just fine. I need you to report back to me when you are done." I tell her.
"Of course, Alpha." Kiara says and ends the mind link.
I sigh softly as I continue eating my food.
I really hope my plan works out.