Mate Mysteries

Chapter 5

Pip barely spoke through breakfast. He prodded his egg with his fork and ate nothing more than a bite of his toast. Pip was tired, and sad. He was embarrassed about what happened at the café, even though he had nothing to be embarrassed about. The town's locals cared too much about Pip's absence. He was uncomfortable about their sudden level of care. Where he had been and who he had been with was none of their business, yet they made it the main topic to gossip about over their dining tables.

After reading articles about his parents, Pip had worsened his sorrows. He had always wanted to find out who and what had killed them. Only now, Pip was realising that he might have the power to find out, being around werewolves and all.

Francis watched Pip from the opposite side of the table. She had noticed his avoiding gaze, small frown and distant eyes. Pip usual greeted her with a grin and asked about her plans for the day. That morning, Pip barely gave her a small smile.

Krey spent his breakfast staring at Pip, but he didn't say anything either. He wasn't sure what he could say to cheer Pip up because Pip was rarely sad. "I need to check the perimeter of the field to make sure the fence is secure, and no animals have exposed holes underneath." Krey tapped Pip's shoulder. "Come with me." Krey didn't ask, nor suggest, he commanded.

Pip wanted to crawl up to the library and lose himself in a book, but looking at Krey's half intense, half pleading eyes, he gave in and mumbled, "Okay."

Krey grabbed his arm and immediately pulled him out of the building. When they were away from other wolves, Krey stopped stomping and loosely took Pip's hand. "Let's talk," he said. "If I've learnt anything from you over the past year, it's that keeping the lid on stuff like this only makes it worse."

Pip relaxed now that he was just around Krey. He didn't want other werewolves knowing all his problems. "I think I'm still in shock. I never expected the town to be like that. I really thought I'd have a good time. I guess it just kicked up memories I'm usually good at forgetting."

"What memories?" Krey slowed his long strides as they reached the fence, then turned left. Guards knew he checked the fence every Sunday morning, so they always turned off the electricity surging through it for him to check it properly. Krey kicked at one area that looked wonky, but it didn't move from his whack, so they continued walking.

"Memories of when my parents died, the conversation I overheard about their death, the rumours, my eleven-year-old self being sick when I thought about how they died. It just circles my head, even when I try to stop thinking about it."

Krey was familiar with falling into a depressing pit of memories that made him angry or sad. Last November, when Krey's father had been dead for a year, Krey had spiralled and Pip asked if they could bring in a therapist, so Krey could get help.

Makena had made that happen when she found Krey smashing everything up in the canteen at 3am. Talking to someone who could help was exactly what Krey needed. Each week he felt a little more stable-minded.

Krey's arm then made its way around Pip's shoulders. Pip soon wrapped his arm around Krey's waist, walking as close as they could get. "I can help you look," Krey said when they reached the first corner of the fence. He stopped to press his foot into the grass, then lightly kicked the metal. It rang loud. "I want you to get the closure you deserve. They were killed on our territory, but I can't see why it would have anything to do with our pack. I'm guessing it was rogues, but I can't be sure. I'll look through my dad's papers of that year. I can't promise I'll find anything, but I'll look for you, and ask other neighbouring packs."

Pip desperately hugged Krey. "Thank you so much!"

Krey rubbed his back. "I can't promise that anyone else will know anything, so don't get your hopes up."