Alone With The Wolves

Anticipation

Ryder's POV

A sudden thumping sound and the shaking of the aircraft startled me awake. Oh no! Did we crash?! Is everyone alright?! Are the only thoughts running through my head. I frantically look around. Phew. No, no we didn't crash. We just had a bumpy landing. I slump back into my seat with a sigh. Huh, I don't remember falling asleep. I was reading this pretty boring chapter on the strategies of the game. Must've made me so sleepy that I fell into a deep slumber.

I pick up the book and find that it's closed. And I forgot to doggy-ear the page. Damn. This always happens. Oh well, I'm sure I'll find the page pretty easily. I sigh and put it into the pocket on the seat in front of me.

I cross my arms and wait for the aircraft to come to a stop near the terminal. Looking to my left, I see Skylar, asleep. But somehow she looks happy. I smile as well. It's been ages since she's acted like this. Carefree and happy. Normally she's so absorbed in wolves that she doesn't really pay attention or care about much else.

But now, she's different. She's acting so much like how she used to when we were little. When she was my strong hold. I always confided in her about everything. I occasionally do now, but only little things. I don't tell her everything anymore. Neither does she. It's so different than before . Before we grew up, we shared everything. And by everything, I mean EVERYTHING.

I sit in my seat. Deep in thought. Too busy reminiscing about the past to notice that we had stopped. Suddenly, a rough hand grabs my shoulder. I immediately turn to the hand with a shocked expression. Looking up at the owner of the hand and realizing it was just dad with a wide smile on his face. His skin wrinkled around his eyes. Smile wrinkles. It's been too long. Too long since I've seen him so happy. Guess this vacation really is doing everyone some good.

"Hey buddy." Dad ruffles my already messy hair. " Go wake sleeping beauty up." He says while he nods his head toward Skylar. Skylar really does look prettier without all the stress pressing down on her. Especially since she's now asleep with a smile gracing her normally serious face.

I scoot over to Skylar and shake her gently. "Wake up, sleepyhead! And open your eyes to the land of Alaska!" I swoop my hand around in a circular motion. Emphasizing the winter wonderland, Alaska.

Skylar stirs and opens her eyes. Taking in the view from the window. Letting out a small gasp. Her face no longer sleepy but glowing. I can feel that she's practically bursting with energy. "Wow." Is the only thing she says before unbuckling her seat belt and getting out of her seat. Stretching.

I get up too. Groaning as I stretch. My whole body aching slightly at being in that same position for hours. Grabbing both our backpacks and handing one to Sky.

I hear someone clearing their throat behind me and I spin round to see Bailey impatiently tapping her foot and looking at me with one eyebrow raised. I hastily grab her backpack and hold it out to her. She rolls her eyes at me before snatching the backpack from my grasp and putting it on. She walks away with a huff and storms off the plane.

"What's her problem?" I say to no one in particular. I guess this vacation isn't affecting everyone in a good way.

I walk down the aisle and give the stewardesses a nod before stepping out into the walkway to the airport. The airport is toasty and warm but I can see that it's snowing lightly outside. I wait for Sky, mom, and dad with Bailey near some seats.

They finally come out and we all put on our jackets. Preparing for the cold weather outside. We get our bags then dad rents a car from the information counter.

The car stops in front of the entrance of the airport and I take a deep breath before stepping out into the cold, Alaskan air. I shiver slightly at the suddenness of the wave of cold air. Thankful that I had in mind to bring a thick fur jacket. Unlike Bailey, who had brought an extremely thin jacket. A... cardigan I think she called it. I snorted while trying to hold in my laugh. Watching her teeth chattering as she desperately clings to dad for warmth. Well, who asked her anyway? We all warned her to bring a thicker jacket.

All of us fit snugly into the rental car. As we start to move, I curl up against Sky again. Missing her warm embrace so much. Half asleep, I swear I could feel a pair of eyes boring into the back of my head. Too sleepy to care, I nod off.

*****

The next thing I know, we already reach the lodge. 'The Comfort Of Alaska Lodge' thats what it says on the signboard anyway.

We finally get checked into our rooms. I'm bunked out with Sky and Bailey. Sky and I share the double bed while Bailey sleeps on the other one. Mom and dad are sleeping in the room next to ours.

When dad announces that we will start the hike tomorrow, Sky is practically jumping and skipping around the room. If it wasn't for Bailey's death glare, I bet she would've continued with the childish act.

*****

As I lay in bed, cuddled up with Sky, I can feel her fidgeting in excitement. I get her to tell me some wolf stories. Just to calm her down. By the end of it, I close my eyes, pretending to sleep. I see her smile down at me through my three quarter closed eyelids. She switches off the reading lamp and snuggles under the duvet.

I open my eyes and look at her sleeping face. Her face highlighted by the moon rays. I carefully memorize her peaceful face. Just in case it turns back into the serious one. I sigh before closing my eyes. Drifting off into dreamland.

*****

Author's Note:

Thank you for all the wonderful reads and I would like to specially thank my new fans. I love you all!! Muah!! And just so you know, my story will be in a few people's POV. Read the top to see whose POV it is. To avoid getting confused. ;)

xoxo Dani