Chapter 4

Meg POV

Fifteen years old

We have just finished our last bout of tracker training. We had packed up our supplies and Dad was carrying the last of the coolers to the truck. I mind-linked with Mom to let her know that I was going to spend some time out by the stream she asked me to be home in time to help with supper. I walked over to Dad to let him know what I was doing, hugged him and headed off deeper into the forest. I wanted to stay out here and read by the edge of the stream. There is a spot that has a bit of a waterfall. It’s not very tall but it makes a nice calming sound which relaxes me. I started coming out here near the end of last summer when I stopped asking Quinn to go for walks with me. I had already noticed then that his attitude had started to change towards me. I haven't been able to figure out why. It is a nice spot to get away to and not too far from where the wild strawberry patch is. When the time of year is right the breeze will carry the smell of the ripened berries right past here. It adds to the calming effect of the area. For me anyway. It was a place to go that Quinn didn't know about. Then when Quinn started acting funny I started coming out here more. I would even trek out here in the snow. The trees are so beautiful when they are all covered in white. The stream is just big enough that it doesn't freeze but makes some very interesting designs on the rocks from the overspray. But today is unseasonal warm. It may already be the end of June but it still tends to stay a little on the chilly side this far up north, but today is good. I lay out the blanket that I brought along the bank of the stream near the waterfall. Taking a look around to make sure I’m alone, I strip off my shirt and jeans to reveal the bikini that I’m wearing underneath. I figured with the nice weather today I could get a start on my summer tan. Normally I don’t wear bikinis but I thought I’d give it a try after the changes that my body went through over the winter. I hadn’t noticed the changes at first, but when we went shopping for some new clothes it was obvious that my sizes had changed. Mom had made the suggestion of the bikini when we had seen the bathing suits on sale. I was just going to go with the tried and tested one-piece. Until Mom had found a dark moss green one with small white strawberry blossoms all over it. I wanted it instantly. Dad and Levi weren’t as happy about the way the bikini fit as Mom and I were. Dad mumbled something about me not being allowed to grow up yet because he wasn’t ready. I just turned fifteen what did he think was going to happen? The most embarrassing thing about the trip was having to buy some actual bras. I mean up until about four months ago I was just wearing camisoles. They were working fine, but Mom wanted to get me fitted properly. Which I guess is a good thing. With how well-endowed my mother is I will likely be the same by the time I’m finished growing. OHH I can’t wait. Can you hear the sarcasm?

I lay down getting comfortable. I set the alarm on my phone in case I fell asleep since Mom had asked me to be back in time to help with supper. I put on my sunglasses and laid back thinking about the last few months. Mom had understood when I told her that I just needed some time to myself for a bit today, even more so now after the tracker training. Things still have not gone back to normal with Quinn since that incident at the last one. He hardly ever talks to me. I had filled Mom in on some of the things that had been going on with Quinn hoping she could help me understand. He never even wants to be in a room alone with me. If I’m alone in one of the common rooms in the packhouse when he walks in, he immediately turns around and leaves without even saying anything. If I'm there with a group he'll stick around but acts like I'm not there. I tried to get the others to find out if I did something to make him mad at me. April said he wouldn’t even talk to her about it. Told her it was none of her business, and that she would understand because it was a guy thing, whatever that was supposed to mean. The guys were different though. Quinn must have told them what was going on. Even though they still wouldn't tell me. Levi did try to explain it to me. The answer I got from them was that it was nothing that I did it was something that was going on with Quinn himself. When I asked if there was anything I could do to help, they all shouted NO. I don’t believe them when they say it’s not me, because I’m the only one that he ignores. I’ve seen him going on dates and hanging out in the game rooms and dining hall with other girls. So what did I do wrong? Even today, he stayed as far away as he could from me. Asked to be on the other team, I think so he didn't have to talk to me. Then when I was just about to tackle him again like last time he jumped up and ran right to Reed so he could get out of the game some way other than me touching him. I have to say that hurt more than anything. I feel the lone tear slide down the side of my face. I guess I’m just going to have to get used to not having Quinn in my life because it sure doesn't look like he wants to be in it anymore.

I jump when I hear a twig snap to the left of me. I recognize the scent as someone who belongs to the Silver River pack that is in that direction. The area I’m in is considered a kind of neutral ground between the packs. The same as what the schools are. I see Matt, one of Silver River’s warrior trainees step out of the bush. He is the same age as Quinn so a year ahead of me in school. He has light brown hair that just skims his shoulders. He is almost as tall as Quinn, but nowhere near as broad in the shoulders. Arr, why do I keep comparing every guy to Quinn? I need to stop doing that.

“Hey,” He says as he walks towards me. "Meg, right?" I sit up and pull my baggie tee back on over my head. For some reason, I didn’t feel comfortable with Matt seeing me in just my bikini. It was almost like it wasn't for him to see. “Can I sit?” He asks pointing to the end of the blanket.

“Yeah, sure,” I answer pulling my feet towards me.

“What are you doing all the way out here alone?” He asks looking around before turning his gaze back to me and trailing his eyes over my body. 

“I come out here whenever I want to contemplate life.”

He cocks his eyebrow at me. “Contemplate life? You’re what fourteen? How much life do you have to contemplate?” He asks with a chuckle.

“I’m fifteen thank you very much. I’m only a year younger than you. You jerk.”

“Exactly, I’m a year older with basically nothing to contemplate so much could you have?”

“Shut up,” I tell him as I take a playful swing at his shoulder. The giggle that escapes my lips is a genuine one, it’s been a while. I spent the rest of the time just talking and joking around with Matt. It felt nice to hang out with a guy close to my age and not get the sense that all he wants to do is run away. It is still not the same he's not Quinn. I don't know if the ache in my chest will ever go away, because it feels as if I've lost a piece of myself. The uneasiness that I felt earlier started to fade as we talked, but the whole time I was with him I had a feeling of being watched, but I never picked up on any other scents.