Chapter Three - Worried

Chloe's POV

I hadn't heard from Kari last night, and in my gut, I knew something was wrong. Something had happened causing her to not be able to contact her. I left her numerous messages and missed calls but nothing. I was pacing wondering if I should contact Mr Jonsson or not. If he had done something to her, ringing her could put her in more danger.

"Doc, is everything OK?" Melissa my secretary asked as she watched me pace from the door of my office. I stopped my pacing and looked up at her.

"Yes, just not heard from Kari is all." I said. "She was supposed to check in with me last night."

"You know what Doctor Larson get's like when she get's her teeth into research." Melissa said.

"True." I said as my ipad started to ring. I went over and clicked on the facetime. an image of a pale Kari appeared on the screen. "Oh my God! I was about to call out a full search party for you! where the hell have you been Kari?"

"I'm so sorry Clo. I had a small incident with a wolf in the forest last night and spent the night in the clinic they have here. I am fine before you go into a full on meltdown!" She told me. I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She was OK, nothing had happened to her. My eyes flew open suddenly. Did she say wolf?"

"A Wolf!?!" I exclaimed. "Are you OK?"

"Yes, I am fine. Just a little tired, alot has happened since I last spoke to you,"

"You have been there less than two days, what else could have possibly happened?" I asked her, sitting down at my desk. Melissa smiled at me and left my office closing the door. I picked up my coffee and took a sip

"Well, I found oout I have four brothers, a sister, a sister-in-law, a niece and a stepmother." She said as I spat out the coffee in my mouth in shock.

"You have been there two days and you have already found your family?" I asked her, my face showing my shock clearly.

"Well, they found me. Henrick Pederson, CEO and owner of Nordic Research is my little brother." She told me, I raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"And your father?" I asked her cautiously. "How has he explained leaving you to go and have a whole new family?"

She looked down and sighed before saying. "I haven't spoken to him about it yet. I can't bring myself to talk to him." I gave her an understanding smile. I knew exactly how she felt. Fathers, who'd have them?

"It will happen when it happens," I reassure her. I was proud she hadn't upped and come home. "Don't force yourself to do it until you are ready. He will understand."

"I know, look, Clo, I just wanted to call you and let you know I was OK. I didn't want you to worry any more than I know you already are, but the painkillers they have me on are making me sleepy, so I will call you again soon." She said with a yawn.

"OK Kari, I am here if you need me," I told her. We said our goodbyes and then I put my Ipad back down on the desk. I let out a sigh of relief knowing that she was still alive and they hadn't killed her off like I was beginning to believe.

Suddenly my phone started to ring again. I picked up the receiver and put it to my ear. "Doctor Burridge, Head of Scientific Research."

"Doctor Burridge, it's Ralf Jonsson from Nordic Research, I was wondering if you had a moment to chat."

"Ah, I hear my employee has already come to harm in your care," I said to the man.

"Yes, that is what I am contacting you about." He said a slight hesitation in his voice. "I guess that means you have spoken to Miss Kari."

"I have indeed, you lured her there under false pretences," I told him.

"Not true Doctor Burridge." He said. "The fact she was related to our CEO was a bonus, we do indeed need her help with the research we asked for her to complete."

"What can I do for you, Mr Jonsson?" I asked.

"Well, as I am sure you are aware, she is a little overwhelmed at the moment, and I have been speaking with Doctor Pederson and we would like to extend an all-expenses paid invite to you to come out here and help her to settle." He said. "We think your help and aid would be useful in making sure she stays calm."

"Has she had a few panic attacks?" I asked, my annoyance at the man's underhandness disappearing when he spoke about my best friend being overwhelmed.

"Yes, she has." He said. "We want her to be comfortable for as long as she is with us, and having someone she knows around would be a good idea."

"I will do, I will need a few days to get someone in to look after my work here before I can come out."

"That is good news. you have my email address, just let me know when you are ready and I will have any flights booked to get you here." He said.

"Please keep her safe from now on Mr Jonsson," I said. "She is family to me."

"We Will Doctor Burbridge." We said our good byes and hung up. I sat back and let out a deep breath

Magnus POV

I was into day two of driving home, Henri wanted me to stay away but I needed to see my sister, Dellinq wouldn't sit still he needed to see her so he knew who he needed to protect. Suddenly my phone started to ring, I pressed the button on my steering wheel to answer it through my Bluetooth.

"Henri! How are things?" I asked.

"Magnus, Up and down, we are accepting her into the pack this evening." My brother and Alpha responded.

"That is quicker than I expected." I said surprised.

"Yes, well, some things have come to light which I won't explain over the phone. I will discuss them when you return tomorrow." He responded as I took a turn. "just phoning to make sure you were still coming."

"Yes of course," I responded not reminding him I would be there today. "How is she?"

"Better than we expected, since she's been told so much in such a short period of time. She is taking it all in her stride, but I worry she is going to explode when it gets too much."

"She is human, this world is a lot to take in when you think it's all a fairy tale," I told him.

"That's the thing, she has a wolf. Her wolf is called Hela." He said, I was shocked and wasn't sure if I heard correctly. "She hasn't shifted yet though."

"But isn't she older than you?" I asked with a frown on my face. This could lead to some issues and possible changes in the structure of our pack. 

"Yes, her wolf went into hibernation to protect her." He told me. I looked at the phone briefly not sure I was dreaming or not. was that even possible?

"Well, that's a turn-up for the books! Protect her from what?" I asked.

"Herself, i think. She didn't have an easy life after her mother died." Henri explained. I sighed. My poor sister.

"Jesus wept." I muttered. "OK, well I will be home tonight before the initiation." 

"Don;t rush, She is still unsure about meeting everyone."

"I would like to be there, even if I stay out of sight." I didn't say about Dellinq being so edgy about not being there.

"Ok, that should be fine, but it is up to her. Alright I will see you later." My brother said before hanging up. I sighed as I pulled into the gates of the area of our pack that I grew up in.