Luca sat in the driver's seat as he concentrated on the road ahead. They had been driving for well over an hour. “You haven't told me where we're going.” Alissa shifted uncomfortably, readjusting the seat belt. “I know,” he said smugly, a small knowing look crossed his face. Alissa huffed in frustration, she was excited as a town zipped past them. She could smell the scene of the hundreds of people waft through the car vents.“Do humans ever shower?” Alissa asked as she wrinkled her nose. Luca let out a bark of laughter, “Unfortunately we can smell them, they don't have that sense of smell. You are used to wolf stink if you spent time with humans you'd soon get used to it,” he replied.“Are you used to it?” Alissa turned to look at him.“Pretty much, some of the packs I visited lived in much closer proximity to humans.”“Isn't that dangerous? Don't the humans wonder why wolves are roaming all the time?” Alissa asked.“Aren't you full of questions today?” Luca chuckled. “Some other p

The three climbed back onto the boat, their limbs aching. Luca and Alissa sat at the back of the boat, their feet still in the water. Malachi passed them towels which they wrapped around their shoulders, Alissa hid under the towel as she took the wet t-shirt off wrapping the towel around her securely. Luca rested back, his arms stretched behind him supporting his weight. He sighed, gently kicking his feet around the water. Beads of moisture ran from his hair before he wiped them with the cream towel.She rested back in a similar manner to Luca, the sun peaking through a cloud drying her skin. It wasn’t a particularly warm day but the little bit of sunshine was welcome of the chill of the sea wind. “That was fun,” she mumbled partly to herself. “It was. It’s nice to get away sometimes.” She hummed a note of agreement. “Hungry?” Malachi asked from behind them as he bit into a sandwich, they both nodded accepting the parchment wrapped sandwiches. “Thanks,” Alissa said as she bit into

Alissa rubbed sleep from her eyes as she watched the moon from her window, the soft glow basking her room in light and shadow, she had managed two hours of sleep. She sighed, resigning herself to the fact she wouldn't get any more. Alissa pulled her soft curls into a ponytail, before pulling a small multicoloured rucksack from her closet. She dug through the shoes when her hands rested on a pair of black walking boots. She dressed and pulled the boots on over her jeans, tugging at the red laces to tighten them around her feet. Her feet were silent over the soft green grass before she entered the trees, starting on a small trail that had been worn through centuries of feet walking through the trees. She followed the path for an hour before veering into the weeds and trees. The sun had just began to rise which she was thankful for. Alissa knew she would never find her destination while it was still dark. She took a sip of water as she leant against the trunk of a tree to allow the sun

Alissa started running towards the house, concern and panic made her run faster. She reached Michael's room turning the brass doorknob. Entering, she found his bed lay unmade under the window. Oak shelves lay empty on the walls. She checked his closet and Jack was right, only a few items of clothing remained. Hangers lay empty, some had fallen to the floor. His draws lay open and empty. Alissa picked up a T-shirt from his clothes hamper, she gave it a quick whiff, her nose crinkling; it was filthy. Alissa left his room, t-shirt in hand. Jack and Luca had just climbed the stairs. “He's gone, we need to track him.” She looked to Luca, hoping he would make the order. What she wanted didn’t mean it would… “Please.” She handed Luca the t-shirt.“Blake and Henry, they're our best trackers,” Luca announced. “I’ll get them,” Jack said before running back down the stairs, his voice calling Blake's name becoming fainter as he made his way through the house. Blake's bedroom door opened “Some

Alissa tried to think of questions or anything to say that wouldn't raise suspicion. “Does she know?” Kimberly turned to Michael, he nodded. “Oh good, least he told you we are expecting.” She smiled and rubbed her belly. “Yes, a congratulations to you. I was surprised when he told me.” Alissa gave a false smile, giving a subtle glare to her brother. Kimberly laughed, “Yeah was a surprise for us too, but we're happy aren't we, honey?” she said. Michael started, “Oh, yeah, yeah really happy.” Alissa detected the falseness in his voice. But Kimberly didn't, she beamed at him. They finished their tea as a knock sounded on the door. “That'll be Luca!” Alissa jumped up. “Do you mind?” Kimberly shook her head so Alissa went to the door and led Luca into the sitting room. “Hello, Kimberly is it?” Luca held out his hand for her, she shook it. A flush creeping over her neck. “Oh, lovely to meet you,” her voice was higher than normal, Alissa suspected that she found him attractive. Michae