Once Upon a Mate

2

"Be good for your mother," My dad looks me straight in the eyes, a stern look set in his face, "No trouble, Kristi, I mean it."

I roll my eyes as my dad gives me the same talking to that he gave me not even two hours ago as I packed.

"Really, John. When has she ever not listened to me?" My mother walks to his side and slaps his shoulder lightly before tossing me a wink, "Besides, what's a girl trip without a little trouble?"

I laugh as I toss my suitcase into the trunk of the car next to my moms. Normally wolves run to wherever they're going, but after a great discussion and heated debate between my parents - which my dad won - we are taking the car.

"A trip I won't have to worry about," my dad grumbles under his breath, walking to hug me for what seems like the millionth time in the last thirty minutes.

By the way my dad is acting, you would think that I was going away for a lot longer than a couple of days.

"What was the John?" I laugh as my dad widens his eyes before letting me go and turning with a grin to my mother.

"I said, I will miss the two most beautiful women I have ever seen in my life and I can't wait for the week to be over so that you will come back to me," My dad steps forward and wraps my mom in his arms, and I shoot him a thumbs up for that nice save when he looks at me.

Instantly, my mom melted in her mates' embrace, hugging him as if her life depended on it.

"Bye daddy," I say before slipping into the passenger seat and buckling in.

I don't bother watching or listening to my parents' goodbye. I've done a good job putting him behind me like I said I would, but I don't want to witness all that lovey-dovey stuff and chance a relapse.

My mom slips in next to me and I pretend not to notice the slight pink tint of her cheeks as she puts the car into gear. With one last wave at my dad, we watch as he disappears in the rear view mirror.

I can't help but think that this is exactly what I need and somehow, my dad knew that before even I did.

"Now that we left that party pooper behind, let's get to the real fun, trouble." my mom laughs before turning the radio volume up.

The best part about a long drive with my mom is the connection. I mean, we're trapped in a car together, with nowhere to go but north for ten hours. And, no matter what anyone says, moms are the best therapists.

We both laugh and vent out our frustrations with no judgment and no hesitation. We both listened to what the other had to say and offered the best advice we could give. I know that many years from now when my mother is no longer here, that it's these moments that I will look back on and smile.

We finally arrive at Whiteridge pack and even though I'm utterly exhausted, I have a smile on my face from the drive.

The mid-afternoon sun filters through the trees that surround my grandparent's house and a cool breeze blows across my skin as I step out of the car.

The scent of my grandma's fresh baked cookies fills the air, faintly mixed with something else that I can't quite put my finger on. Something that has me feeling a bit antsy in my skin and I'm not sure why.

"There's my girls!" Grandpa's deep timbre bellows off the porch before he makes his way down the steps towards mom and me.

His grey beard has grown since Christmas, making him look even more like the human Santa Claus then ever before. The only real difference I can see is where Santa is usually more round in the middle, grandpa is still in pretty decent shape.

"hey dad," mom hugs him enthusiastically and for a moment, I wonder if she feels the same about hugging him as I do about hugging my dad.

Does he make her feel like she's a little girl again, even though she's grown with a twenty-one-year-old daughter of her own?

"Glad you could make it, Peanut," Grandpa says to me, pulling me into a tight (old spice smelling) hug while I was lost in my thoughts.

His arms tighten around me and I can't help but smile. The familiarity of his arms, of his scent, makes me miss them. I know it makes no sense to miss them when I not only saw them a few months ago at Christmas but when he's right in front of me.

"Hi, grandpa." He pulls away slightly, putting his hands on my shoulders like he is getting a good look at me.

"You look terrible, peanut," he says, ruffling my hair before kissing my forehead and hugging me to him again.

"Dad, really? We just drove ten hours," my mom chastises before laughing as she and my grandma hug.

"Really, Roger, it's like you're trying to give the girl a complex," Grandma pushes past her mate and pulls me into her arms and I inhale the scent of cookies lingering on her, "You look beautiful Kristi."

"I never said she wasn't beautiful," the look of pure innocence on my grandpa's face is adorable and I can't help but laugh at his confusion.

Suddenly, my wolf stirs within me and my eyes unconsciously flit around my grandparents' property. I can't explain the feeling that's flowing within me and maybe it's just from being cooped up in the car for so long.

Maybe I just need a good stretch and a run.

"Come on, Peanut. Grandma made our favorite cookies and she wouldn't let me have any until you were here," My grandpa puts his arm around my shoulders and starts leading me towards the front steps of his house.

The thought of Grandma's fresh double chocolate chunk cookies waiting for me in the house has my stomach rumbling in approval, but my wolf is practically whining now.

"Actually, grandpa," I step back towards the trees and his arm falls to his side as he looks at me questionably, "It was a long car ride and I feel like I need to stretch. I think I'm gonna take a quick run."

Grandpa looks at me a minute longer before he shrugs and starts stretching his arms over his head, "Well I just ran an hour ago, but I could take a quick jog with you,"

"No, it's okay. I won't go far. You go eat some cookies while they're still warm," I look towards the trees, getting a sense of my bearings. It may have been a few years since I've been here, but I still remember my time spent here.

"There's a lake about two and a half miles from here to the east, right?"

"Give or take. You sure you don't want me to run with you? I mean the Alpha and pack know you're visiting, but do you want to risk an accident?" I can see the skepticism in his eyes, but I'm not worried.

I just need to take a quick run and get my wolf to settle down.

"I'll be fine, grandpa, and I'll be back before dark," I call as I begin to jog back towards the trees.

I don't hear his response as I break through the trees and my skin. Grey paws hit the earth with a soft thud before the only thing I hear is the wind whipping past my head.