Chapter 27:

Leia POV:                 ***Flashback***

    We were getting the table set and ready for Pythia to come back, I felt a lot better since she came back to tell me everyone was alright, "I need to make a phone call, I'll be right back." I said standing back up. "Wash up when you are done." My mother called. I ran up the stairs and closed my bedroom door behind me. I had waited too long to make this phone call. I picked up my phone and found the name and clicked on it. I could feel my heart beating out of my chest while I heard it ringing. "Leia?" The voice rang out. "Hey Alley..  How are you?" I asked. "Oh goddess it is so good to hear from you!" Alley replied. "I'm okay, getting better slowly but that isn't important, how are you?" Alley asked. "I'm getting better slowly. Just trying to put one foot in front of the other you know." I laughed. "I understand that, where are you anyways?" Alley asked. "Claremore Oklahoma of all places, it really isn't so bad. It's so peaceful out here Alley you would love it." I replied. "I'll come and visit when I am all healed up, I promise. How are your parents and brother?" Alley asked. "They are good, keeping me busy. How are you and Stephen?" I asked. "We are good, he is such a worry wart sometimes." Alley laughed before I heard her hiss. "Don't hurt yourself, I just wanted to call and check in on you. I spoke with Pythia and she told me what happened. I was really worried about you and everyone else." I said. "We are all okay, I promise. Just get better and come back soon okay?" Alley replied. "I will, I promise. I'll talk to you soon." I said. "Okay, talk to you soon. Bye Leia." Alley replied before she hung up. 

    I let out the breath that I was holding. I felt like a weight was lifted off of my shoulders. I wasn't sure why I had avoided calling her but I'm glad I finally built up enough courage to call her. Any good friend would and let's be honest, I haven't really been a good friend to anyone lately and I wanted to start fixing that. "Leia! Come down here for dinner!" My mother yelled, snapping me out of my thoughts. I walked into my bathroom and washed my hands before I ran back downstairs to see Pythia smiling at everyone. "Hey! How are you?" I asked, hugging her. "I am well, I'm so glad to join you all for dinner. Thank you for having me." Pythia smiled. "Oh hush now, you are always welcomed anywhere we are. Please sit." My mother replied, pulling out a chair. I sat down across from Pythia, "So what is new?" I asked. "Nothing much, we started cleaning up and re-building and trying to figure out what to do and where we all go from here." Pythia replied. "I'm relieved to know everyone is alright, I was worried." My mom said, "I did talk to the alpha, he said things are moving along faster than he thought they would." My dad replied sitting at the head of the table. I looked around to see my mom made a turkey, mashed potatoes, a fresh cut salad and a few other sides. All of this could feed at least one or two more families. 

    She did learn from Alleys mom on how to put on a really good show and party. "Alley still isn't healing herself?" Brad asked. "No, stubborn little thing she is. It'll be okay though, she is alive and that is all that matters." Pythia replied. She was right, at least Alley sounded like she was in good spirits earlier when I talked to her. As we sat around the table we laughed and talked about different random things. All the things that Pythia has seen over the years long since before any of us were here. She just looked so young I never thought she was much older than she looked. It was fascinating to me to hear how much things have changed over the years but it made me curious about Ambrosia. I know that vampires live longer than anyone and one day I would like to pick her brain to get an insight of it all.  "Have you called Alley yet?" Pythia asked. "Yeah, before dinner. She sounded better than I expected but it was really good to talk to her." I replied. "I'm glad you called her, I know your mind has gone a little haywire." Pythia said, winking at me. "I do feel better." I smiled. "Good, check in with her more often, I know the two of you miss each other." Pythia said. I swear it was like she could read my mind sometimes. "That's because lately you wear your emotions on your sleeve." Una said quickly. "Not a bad thing Una, everyone needs to be this way at times, it's the only real way anyone can heal." I replied. 

    "Dinner was great mom." I said, smiling at her. "Thank you sweetheart, start cleaning." My mother replied, patting me on the hand. I stood up and started to gather a few plates, "Let me help." Pythia said, grabbing a few things. "Oh, no you don't have to. It'll just take me a moment." I replied, trying to get her to sit back down. "Nonsense I want to talk to you anyways." Pythia replied, slapping my hands away. "About what?" I asked. "I know you aren't sleeping well throughout the night so I made something for you to try." Pythia said, pulling out a mason jar. "What is that?" I asked, looking at it. "It's just a mix of pure lavender and vanilla, you need to add a little honey to it and there are some other calming herbs in there. It should help you feel more restful at least." Pythia replied with a smile. "Honestly, I'm not even sure why I feel so tired everyday now. I don't remember ever waking up." I said, shaking my head. "That's because we haven't told you.." Brad whispered. I turned to look at him confused. "What are you talking about? What haven't you told me?" I asked. "You've been having nightmares, pretty bad ones lately and we just assumed it was because you were stressing over how everyone was doing back home." Brad said. 

    His eyes didn't meet mine and I started feeling a little upset. "Why didn't you guys tell me?" I asked. "Because you didn't need the added worries and you've been making progress without knowing and we just didn't want to set you back is all." Brad replied, finally looking at me. I could see the regret in his eyes and all the anger that started to build vanished. "Just don't hide it from me next time. Please." I said hugging him. "Well I mean we don't like to admit that you kicked our ass in your sleep." Brad laughed. I punched his arm and stepped back. "I really must be getting back, just pick a little off each stem, warm water and honey and you should be fine." Pythia said, hugging me. "Thank you, I'm hoping to be back sooner rather than later." I replied. "Don't rush, we will all be waiting patiently. Brad, keep watching over her, you are a good brother." Pythia said before she disappeared. I looked at the jar and smiled. Maybe this world wasn't as bad as I had thought it was......

        **Flash Forward**

    Leia POV:

    Ever since I started using the stuff Pythia brought me I've been waking up feeling a lot better, more energy to do different things. I've been waking up earlier than everyone else and letting Una out to run and stretch her legs. I had been a little selfish but I'm starting to feel more and more like myself lately and it felt really nice. I could see my body was shaping and molding back to how it used to be and I was proud of myself. This morning Una and I went for a five mile run and by the time we were done we were both a little tired. She ran five miles one way while I ran five miles back. I walked into the house knowing good and well I stunk so I went straight to my room and showered. I put on some shorts and a tank top and tossed my hair up into a messy bun and went back down into the kitchen to make myself something small to eat. "Off on another run this morning?" My dad asked. "Yeah, starting to feel a little normal again and I want to get back in shape and a good work out soothes the mind." I replied with a smile. "I must say, I am so happy to see you getting better." My dad replied, hugging me. "I just need a little time, guidance and patience. I couldn't have done any of this without you guys." I said. "Well I mean we are the best." My dad laughed. I shook my head and grabbed an apple. "I'll be out on the docks." I said walking out of the front door. 

    I really enjoyed sitting out here, it has come to be my little comfort zone and completely calming. I stopped by our storage shed and grabbed my little radio and towels and walked towards the dock. I took my phone out and sent a quick text to Alley that I missed her and hoped she was doing a lot better before I put my phone down. I laid out my towels and turned my little radio on to listen to the morning shows. I was learning a lot about what goes on outside of our wolf life and I didn't know if I should be more scared or entertained that the humans were behaving worse than we did on our bad days. I listened to the host ramble on about everything and I felt my mind go in a peaceful trance. There was a slight breeze and the weather wasn't too hot which made this more perfect. "Mind if I do a little fishing?" Brad asked. "Not at all but if you keep catching pinky sized fish I will make fun of you." I laughed. "I caught one only once." Brad huffed as he set all his stuff up. I didn't even know there was really fish in here because of how secluded this place was. I mean, where did they even get the fish to put in here? Did they catch them somewhere else and stock this one? I was learning how fascinating things were and I wanted to go out and finally sight see what else is around us so I started making a mental plan. One day soon I will complete my list and actually go out and do it.