Five

Kasa’s wild hair had been tied up into a messy ponytail and her characteristic blue eyes sparked with such radiance Catori envied.

“Hey you.” She smiled. “Where have you been? You’ll never believe what happened.”

“Went for a run. And can this wait? I’ll really like to go inside.” Catori’s eyes trailed over to the solid wooden mansion, fenced by a properly trimmed flower bush. 

Kasa’s scrutinizing gaze seemed to pick up the little hints of despair etched onto her friend’s face like an awful scar.

She frowned with concern. “You don’t look okay. Wait- How did your meeting with the counsel go?”

Your father was an asshole as usual, Catori wanted to say. 

“You know, same old grumpy bunch.” Instead, she just sighed and shrugged halfheartedly.

“Hmph, some things don’t change. Did they give you a hard time?” Kasa glared lightly.

Catori’s mind returned to the counsel room and replayed Beta Calian’s ultimatum on finding her Mum in two weeks or stand losing everything the Dolphus lineage stood for. Exhaustion hit her bones once more and made her heart clench agonizingly. Every fibre in her body dreaded having to look weak infront of Kasa, so she shrugged once again and held back from breaking down and spilling the hurt wrenching her heart.

“It doesn’t matter, does it?” Catori made eye contact with Kasa and looked away to the fresh carpet grass.

“Do you want a hug? I think you need a hug. Come here.” Before Catori could refuse, her friend pulled her into one of her famous bear hugs. It did help and for a brief second, Catori allowed herself to embrace the warmth and security that came with it. She had no idea how Kasa did it but every time she hugged her, she felt a little less alone. It was refreshing.

“That’s enough, Kasa.” Regardless, Catori struggled to pull away from the hug and couldn’t help smiling slightly.

“Okay, tiger.” Kasa laughed. “Now, do you wanna know why I’ve been looking all over for you?”

“Nope, not really. But I get the feeling you’ll tell me anyway.” Catori rolled her eyes playfully.

“You bet.” She grinned. “Come with me. This might actually cheer you up.” 

Without another word and against Catori’s sheer will, Kasa took her by the hand and pulled her towards the direction she came from. That was the way that led to the pack’s training grounds. It was a well-built house that consisted of all the space and equipment the pack warriors and trackers needed to practice with. As the twins grew, they spent most of their time in that place and a few times, even Catori had been dragged into their rigorous practice sessions. Tori desperately hoped this wasn’t going to be one of those days.

“What’s this about, Kasa?” Catori questioned as they both walked hastily into the building.

“For once, something exciting is actually happening around here. Kurt and his team caught a spy snooping around the borders of our territory,” she said.

Catori’s ears perked up and she turned to Kasa quickly.

“A spy? Did he lose his way? I bet the poor wolf just lost his way.” She snickered snidely cause she couldn’t understand why anyone would want to gain information about their already fallen pack. From one glance, even a blind mind could see how out of it they were.

“Always the cynic.” Kasa shook her head in amusement. “Anyway, we have him under questioning. Kurt thinks he might know something about…you know…your Mum.” She ended her sentence hesitantly, concerned not to hit a nerve on Catori.

Catori only rolled her eyes but a window of new hope opened up within her and she fastened her pace as they walked through the large hallway. Inside the training house was more grand than it looked on the outside. It was full of several doors that led to different training spaces and specialization. Every room was dedicated to a certain warrior level. Some spaces were for smaller wolves, who looked forward to be pack warriors one day. 

Soon, they went up the stairs and arrived at the top floor, where the administrative aspect of the training house was being handled. This was where the pack officials concerned with North Lotus’ safety had their offices. It was also where the investigation room was located and with time, Catori and Kasa got to the place.

Kasa pushed the door open, introducing them to a widely spaced room with a dim lighting. It had a single table with two chairs, currently occupied by an average looking boy with wild brown hair and a glaring Kurt on the other chair. 

“Honestly, your pack sucks. I can’t believe you guys don’t use cars here. So, what do you do? Run on foot all day?” The younger boy scoffed. “And you wonder why humans think we’re wild animals.” 

“I said, shut up.” Kurt gritted, glaring harshly on the boy.

Catori tipped up an amused brow. It was rare to see Kurt riled up by anyone. Infact, he was usually the one doing the riling. And to see the subject of his vexation was just a little boy, roughly over the age of 14. It was truly a sight to behold.

“Is this our supposed spy?” Catori inquired, her tone laced with humour.

“He’s more dangerous than he looks, Tori.” Kurt glowered, never lifting his eyes from the boy.

“Are you the lawyer? I asked to speak to a lawyer.” His light brown eyes regarded Catori with a small frown.