The buzz of Amari’s phone vibrating on her bedside table mixed with the mechanical rustle of her blackout curtains opening. Mid-afternoon light slowly split the darkness. Amari grabbed a pillow and rolled over shielding her eyes from the pain. Hadn’t she just closed her eyes?

  Grumbled discontent caught in the pillow. Another buzz, Amari blindly felt for her phone. A few blinks, her eyes focused on the handful of alerts. No news on the backpack, she spent late into the morning stopping everywhere she could think of to find it. No one at the scene remembered taking it and her contacts confirmed it wasn't logged as evidence. Despite the fruitlessness of her search, there was comfort in her family name carrying goodwill with everyone as she called in favor after favor.

  As she cleared the messages, another filled the top of her screen. An update on Nova and information answering a few more of her questions. Her thumb whipped around the screen, sending thanks and systematically cleared the rest of the random notifications. Her thumb paused over the last one, a message from Benjamin. She clicked the screen to black. With a tight sigh, she threw the blankets back. Normally on her days off, she would roll over and ignore the world a little longer.

  Her eyes landed on her go bag, squirreled in the corner of her room. Or at least that is how she described it to others, it at least evoked curiosity versus pity. Life taught her young how to pack light. Absolute essentials stuffed into a bag and dragged with her from place to place. Until she reached sixteen and joined the Morningstar Group home. A small residence of apartments housed youth about to age out of the foster care system. The matron and doorman worked together to help each resident build enough skills to live life on their own. That is where she met her siblings.

  Her family was unique. Built from one, blessing in disguise, moment all those years ago. Rema and Orion, already familiar with the realm beyond the veil and the eldest of the siblings, helped as best they could when an attack altered Diana and her. A few years later Max and Elias joined the little band. Life before being altered had bonded them in a way members of the other packs did not understand. They were part of families that raised the next generation in the safety of the pack.

  Life had not been as kind to her and her siblings. Each had lost their families and homes and when the transformation happened, other packs were reluctant or unable to support orphans. Longing grew an opportunity, they became something they each desperately needed. A family. Beyond that they became a pack, claiming unoccupied territory in the area. Amari hoped that Nova got the same chance to find a family or at least a pack that would give her a place to belong. Compassion drove her from her bed.

  Soft, warm, light-blue carpet cushioned her feet. Every aspect of her house had been carefully picked for optimal, simple pleasure. Oversized plush couches with rich wood accents. Everything had character and fulfilled a childhood dream. The small two bedroom house fit her needs, but still lacked the sense of belonging she craved.

  Thirty minutes later, Amari lightly jogged into the national forest that bordered her back yard. Two weeks and a path was already forming through the brush. The crunch of leaves and the swoosh of branches returning to their place comforted her. Bare feet dug into the soft earth propelling her up the hill. Even running through the lushness of the forest in human form connected her wolf to the Creator. She felt alive. It was the best way to start her day.

  Her wolf danced in her mind’s forest, excited for the freedom that brought peace and exhilaration. Far beyond the bounds of trails and campgrounds, Amari crossed the boundary of wolfsbane. Unlikely to draw any undue attention, it marked the edge of the veil. The bubble where the human and fae realms overlapped. Certain creatures could pass freely but for the most part this veil kept humans and fae within their own worlds.

  She flexed her ears tracking every sound. Nothing man-made lurked within earshot. A familiar fluttering filled her chest as the boundary closed behind her. A final sniff of the wind, Amari leaned down, her fingers spreading into the soil. Like the crack of knuckles, her body slowly stretched and grew. Clothes and all morphed through the magic, she still didn’t fully understand. Her form slipped past the half transformation. Stretching, she shook out her reddish fur. Larger than a normal wolf, Amari revelled in the strength of the full transformation.

  Fresh earthy aromas filled her lungs. Her senses were even stronger in this form. The world came alive in a whole new way that always filled her heart with joy. A home away from home, she knew it like she knew the back of her hand. Off trail and heading up the mountain, Amari aimed herself to the deepest part.

  Funny humans didn’t realize that the same lands their laws prevented from cultivation sheltered the entrance to more mystical lands. As the ones that lived in both realms, long ago werewolves enacted an agreement to run interference between the more unsavory creatures and humans.

  Out of breath, she climbed the few wooden stairs to her sister’s deck. A picnic table and an outdoor fireplace filled the space. Nestled in the trees, it was the only cabin for miles. Small and primitive, her sister loved the isolation. As part of the Wilderness Search and Rescue, the dry cabin was a perk. It also helped to keep her close at hand when someone went missing in her assigned area.

  The glass door slid open. Diana stepped out the door, two mugs in one hand. Amari gratefully took the hot beverage. “Hey.”

  “You smell awful.” Diana sat on the bench next to her.

  Love what you're reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.

  Shortest of her sisters, Diana was the most unassuming. People often screamed and shouted, not understanding why a petite woman would be sent into the wilderness for their lost loved ones. Opinions changed quickly when updates of her progress crackled over the satellite phone.

  “Thanks.” Hot tea caught the roof of Amari’s mouth with her scoffed laugh.

  “Desperation and a bit of fear. This one hitting close to home?” Diana set her mug down with a wooden thunk.

  Interesting how similar their gifts were but how differently they were applied. Diana's sense of smell attuned to the emotions of the individual, it helped her track how someone might react or warn her of what lay ahead. While Amari used her gifts for healing, she knew the subtle differences that would indicate danger within someone.

  Amari tucked up her knees, mug balancing atop them. “Yeah. 16 years old. No family.”

  “Is she going to be one of us?” Diana leaned her head onto her knuckles.

  “You remember how scared we were when we started. Neither of us wanted our lives to be upended again nor to be any more of a freak that we already felt.” Remembered emotions flooded Amari.

  “She’s going to bolt and if we can find her, I hope we can show her it is not the end of the world as she knows it.”

  “Let’s get over there.” Diana grabbed her mug.

  Amari’s phone vibrated in her hand as the chorus of “Hold On” filled the air. The caller ID boldly proclaimed St. Joseph’s. She eyed Diana and mouthed, ‘told you.’

  “This is Amari.” The words poured from her lips before the phone fully made it to her ear.

  “Can you please place the pillowcase in a bag? I've got connections with search and rescue.”

  Diana grabbed both mugs and walked inside.

  “Thanks.” Amari aimed her gratitude to her sister as she listened.

  “Because everyone in my family wish that someone cared enough to come after us.” Amari caught the light weight shirt thrown at her followed quickly by a pair of flipflops.

  They walked around the house

  “We can meet you out front in 15. Thanks again, I know you’re busy.”

  The phone went black and she slipped it into her back pocket.

  ***

  Amari hopped out of the forest green SUV and crossed the parking lot. A quick search of the outdoor staff break area, she found the nurse she needed. Brisk steps brought them together.

  “Thanks for this.”

  “I am still not sure how it will help.” The older woman curiously handed over a plastic bag with a pillowcase folded within it.

  Amari tossed a thumb over her shoulder, the emblazoned Wilderness Search and Rescue Logo filled the door. “My sister is waiting, she does this all the time. We will be able to find her and I will bring this back when we do.”

  “Never lose your drive to help. This life will try to knock it out of you.” The older woman patted Amari on the shoulder.

  “Yes, Ma’am.” Amari nodded. If she didn’t have her family and the strength of the Creator, she would have lost her ability to care long ago. Settled in the driver's seat, she lifted a hand as they pulled away.

  With a snap, the bag opened. Diana inhaled deeply. Eyes closed, her brows furrowed in concentration. “This girl…”

  “Nova,” Amari interjected.

  “Nova is scared, that is clear.” Diana looked at her sister. “Under that she is desperately lonely.”

  Amari locked eyes with her sister sharing a knowing glance as they stopped at the intersection. The light buzz of the window filled the silence.

  “Turn left.” Diana breathed deeply.

  Amari flipped the blinker and pulled slowly through the intersection. A mile or so down the road, the sidewalks hugged the two lanes. Residences peppered with businesses lined main street. Banners boasting those that served in the military hung from light posts. A larger banner hung across the whole road advertising the next town event. Amari pulled into a public lot, slipping the meter ticket onto her dash.

  Leisurely, they walked together past windows of colorful displays. Mouth watering smells wafted out the door as patrons of the Italian restaurant crossed in before them. Amari kept her eyes peeled for the messy brown pixie cut and followed Diana’s lead off main street.

  Memorial Park, the main hub of the community, boasted a large number of pavilions. Ancient trees spread mottled shade over the grass and playgrounds. Amari searched every face, blindly following her sister, as they passed gatherings of teens and a few families.

  Diana stopped.

  Amari looked about and nodded as Diana took a seat on a bench facing the High school sports field. Amari measured her steps as she climbed the grassy knoll overlooking the stadium. “Hey, nice scrubs.”

  “Why're you here?” Nova’s eyes never left the field. She sat cross-legged, the clear plastic hospital bag of her clothes clutched against her chest.

  The annual charity flag football game to raise money for different community improvements was in full swing. This year it would help the library fund Adulting for Those of Us that are Still Trying to Figure it Out. The over the top title squeezed onto the signs made everyone laugh. A significant number of people filled the stands. The high school pep band played a lively tune as the cheerleaders got the crowd pumped.

  “We care about you.” Amari sat an arm’s length away.

  “Tsah.” Eyes rolling hard, Nova scoffed. “Did you find my bag?”

  “No. But I know how important it is.”

  “Right.”

  “I may have a home but I still have my bag of absolute essentials. So do most of my siblings.”

  Shouts, chants, and cheers filled the space between them. Amari’s fingers idly brushed over the soft grass. The sun’s warmth shielded them against the persistent, light breeze. A bee hovered between the bright yellow dandelions and the smaller white clover flowers. Someone had lit charcoal.

  “I'm never gonna be like them, am I?”

  “Do you want to be? Or do you just want somewhere you feel you belong?” Eyes filled with sad longing finally met hers. Amari stood and held out her hand. “Come with me.”