Shadows of Dawn

Chapter 4

The past week went by in flash. With all the pack meetings and phone calls I've been making, I haven't had time to pack my stuff. So here I am rushing to pack all my outfits on the day we're supposed to be leaving for the Mating Gathering.

I pack about 3-4 outfits for the stay, even though we're just staying the night, but you never know. I pack 3 pairs of shoes, some black high heels, a pair of everyday walking shoes, and some flats. I then pack my outfit for the Mating Gathering. Since the Summer pack is located on the coast, I pack my black long sleeve wet suit top and a two-piece navy blue swimsuit, stuffing them in the suitcase along with some pajama bottoms and a T-shirt. I rush into the bathroom, find my toiletry travel bag and put my stuff into it neatly, so nothing spills. I carry the small bag into my room and make room for it in my suitcase that's sitting on the bed. 

I go to zip my suitcase shut but it won't budge. I groan and start pulling on the zipper hoping it would soon zip closed.

"Hey, are you ready? The cars are ready downstairs- what are you doing?" Sawyer asks as he walks into my room.

"What does it look like dummy? I can't close my suitcase," I say as I continue to try and close it.

Sawyer chuckles and walks over to my bed where my suitcase is. I move aside for him to try and close it. He presses down on the top of the suitcase and zips the zipper shut at the same time, making it close.

I glare at him. "Thanks," I mumble as I take my suitcase off of my bed and carry it towards the door, grabbing my phone as I walk out. I make my way down the hallway and the stairs to the living room where I drop off my bag and go to the kitchen to get myself a snack before we head out. I walk in and Leo is sitting on a stool eating what I think is a PB & J. He looks over to me and smiles and I smile back.

"Hi Leo. Are you all packed up and ready to go?" I ask

"Yup. Annie helped me," he says before returning to his food.

Annie is Sawyer's mother and has been a real help in helping me raise Leo, she has been like a motherly figure to me and Leo since we first arrived. While I'm doing my Alpha business Annie usually comes over and watches him and makes his food. I am very grateful for Annie because, without her, I don't know how I would have done it.

I ruffled Leo's hair a little before going to get my own snack. I go over to the snack basket, conveniently placed on the counter for Leo, and grab a pack of peanut butter crackers and a granola bar. I also take three bags of blueberry mini muffins. I turn around from the basket and Sawyers in the doorway of the kitchen, eyeing me and my hand full of snacks. He looks at me raising an eyebrow.

"What? Don't look at me like that I haven't had breakfast," I say rolling my eyes as I walk back out to the living room.

As I walk out Annie is coming from upstairs carrying Leo's travel bag. She walks over to me and engulfs me in a big hug. I hug her back, resting my head on her shoulder.

"How are you dear?" She says as we pull away from the hug.

"I'm doing good, stressed but good," I respond.

"Well, that's nice. Are you excited to find your mate?"

I laugh nervously as I look to the ground. "Yeah I'm really excited," I lie.

"That's good, I'm sure they will be very proud to have such a strong woman as a mate. Oh don't let me forget, Leo's bag. I packed him 2 to 3 everyday outfits, his pajamas, his toothbrush and toothpaste, shoes, his outfit for the gathering, a few coloring books, and his tablet for the road," she smiles, handing me the bag.

Just then Gamma Jax walks in. I say a quick 'thank you' to Annie and go over to Jax. Since I will not be in the pack and neither will Sawyer, Jax is to take care of the pack in my absence. He will not be attending the Mating Gathering because he already has a mate.