Chapter 321-330

Chapter 0321 “You two are really going to have to show me that trick I know everyone played it off like it wasn’t a big deal, but that is some superior level sh*t right there. Where did you learn to do that anyway?” She looks at both of us and I get the feeling she’s listening for a lie. “Just training.” Mina shrugs. “Once we get good at shifting it’s something that those of us who chose to apply ourselves get to learn.” Okay not a complete lie, but not exactly how this works.” “What about you?” Janice looks at me. “What do you mean?” “Why did you put in the extra time to learn how to shift like “l don’t like to be naked in front of other people, so it seemed logical.” I try to match Mina’s shrug, hoping I pulled it off. ‘It’s also nice to not have to carry around a change of clothes.” I smiled at her and thankfully she gave me a smirk back. “That’s the truth. The humans don’t get it, or I would just walk around naked all the time. There’s no shame here.” She looks pointedly at me.

“Don’t rise to it Little One. She’s baiting you and you will end up giving more information away than you want to.” Osiston must feel my irritation, but he’s right, she’s fishing just like we are. She’s just more experienced than I am. More experience doesn’t mean better though. I just give her a small smile. Staying quiet has worked for me so far, I will just stick to saying as little as possible, then I don’t have to remember any half-truths I might be tempted to tell Thankfully the rest of the group finally catches up and some shift and change, others shift and let it all hang out. I guess when you don’t have to hide.. Some of the guys light the bonfire and everyone settles in around it. Some sitting in small groups, others milling about socializing with different groups. Mina and I decide to sit on the far side of the bonfire facing towards all of the vehicles, coolers and the path we took to get here. From here we could watch pretty much everybody since no one really ventured too far from the drinks coolers.

“Why does it feel like you two are hiding?’ Tyler walks over and holds out his hands showing us he brought us drinks. At least he heard me and it isn’t beer, although I’ve never had a mixed drink from a can. This should be interesting. “We’re not hiding, but it is less crowded over here and we can appreciate the fire better. I don’t know if we’ve actually relaxed since we’ve been here. It’s kind of nice to just sit.” I tell him as he plants himself on the log next to me, leaving no space between us and I am on the end, so there isn’t anywhere to scoot to. “So Tyler, you’ve heard our stories, so where are you from? And why did you join the school in the middle of the year?” Mina pushes right on into questioning him, but a comment like that isn’t out of character for her here so I guess it works.

Chapter 0322
“Not a lot to tell. My pack was attacked a couple years ago, only a few of us survived. We met up with a few others who had the same issue. We have been traveling around not staying anywhere too long. Mike’s older brother came out here to go to school and said it was nice and no one really messed with rogues up here so we all came up. A few kids started school right away, some of us got jobs. We’re doing alright now.” He doesn’t look at us while he’s talking, just stares into the fire.

“Didn’t anyone come to help your pack? Check on the survivors? I ask, remembering a conversation with Alpha Reggie during one of our training sessions.

“No one came.” A dark look crosses his face. It’s almost like he filled with hatred at the memory. “We waited for days for rescue or help or anything, but no one came. We buried our own and did the best we could for about a month, but supplies were low and there was so much destruction that leaving became our only option.” He stopped and took a deep breath. When I thought he was going to go on with his story he shook his head and placed a smile on his face before looking at me. “Why forestry?”

“Osiston? Nickolas? Did you guys get all of that?” Mina asks over the link as I divide my attention talking about how much I love being outside and the warriors discussing next steps.