Virals Pack: Reborn

Chapter 20: Realization

Tory pov

I would have never guessed how similar Katrina and I were until she shared her story with us. When we first ran into her that one night, all I saw her as was a threat. As I got to know her though, she seemed harmless enough, other than the fact that she knew about our flares. I had figured then that it would be advantageous to extend a hand of friendship from the pack. Friends close, enemies closer, right? Personally, I had hoped that she would become our friend eventually, and not just a liability to worry about when it comes to our powers. 

But now, now we know the true story behind this mysterious girl who has lost so much, who is just like me when I first came to Morris, grieving and lost. In that moment, I decide something that will change the fate of all of us. She may not be a viral, but she will be part of the pack.  

Ben pov

I was stunned, flabbergasted, astonished, surprised, whichever word you like. I had no idea that Katrina had gone through so much before coming here, it never occurred to me. I always saw her as a threat to the pack, her first appearance seemed less like chance and more like something dangerous. Even when the others wanted to befriend her, I remained skeptical, we knew nothing of her, why should we trust her?

But now, now I realized that she wasn't the big danger I once saw her as. Unless she was faking everything, which was extremely doubtful at this point, her story is genuine and her intentions not a threat to us. Perhaps she could become a friend to us after all. Maybe she could be one of the pack.

Shelton pov

Who'd have guessed that Katrina's backstory would be as tragic as a fictional characters. She's been through so much before she even got here, I'm amazed at how well she's handled it alone until now. Now that we know her story, she no longer is a threat to us. Her encounter with us must have been pure chance, and not the dangerous discovery we thought it was. I feel terrible now, I was so scared of my powers being exposed that I immediately labelled her as a threat just like the everyone else. Everyone else, that is, except Hi. 

But now, now we all know the truth about her. Now I can see what Hi must have noticed during our first few encounters. I was too afraid to really notice her as a person, but now I am struck by her personality. Looking back at all of our interactions, she has proved to be a strong, witty, determined girl. Also, she is a gamer and quite nerdy, and I dare say cute as well. Maybe if I wasn't such a chicken, I might have gotten a chance at wooing her, but it appears Hiram is already very much interested in her. He seems so happy, and she seems somehow more...vibrant around him. I shrug, I may have missed a chance at romance, but I'm sure that Katrina will make an equally good friend and pack mate.

Hi pov

I, for once, am startled completely speechless. I cannot even begin to comprehend the sheer amount of pain, confusion, and loneliness Katrina must have been feeling all of this time. How she has been able to keep this burden to herself and still function more or less is astounding in my mind. To go through so much, alone, it only increases the growing admiration and respect I have for her. I feel bad that the pack refused to accept her before.

But now, now it seems they trust her and want to accept her as one of our own. Finally, they are seeing beyond their own noses. Mind you, it was justifiable skepticism, but they clung to their mistrust so long that it clouded their vision. Or maybe, maybe I'm the one with the distorted vision because I liked her from the start and now...well that's something that can be sorted out another day. Right now Katrina needs us to support her. She has carried such a heavy weight too long, it's about time we all step up and help her, as friends and packmates.