"You have your suitcase? Packed your extra warm clothes right?" My father said folding my collar of my shirt back down. I smile at him and laugh.
"Stop worrying so much dad." I hug him, and look over at Chloe, smiling. "Everything will be fine."
"Just remember Frank won't want to let you into the territory."
"Dad, I remember." I chuckle. "It's not the first time I've seen grandma."
"Alright," He looks us over once more before nodding. "Safe trip girls." He says and waves us off, Chloe takes my hand as we turn toward the terminal of the airport, as we walk I glance at him over my shoulder and pop my collar up, he chuckles shaking his head. My mother slides up next to him, waving as she wraps an arm around him.
x-x-x
"Welcome to Yellowstone. How can I direct you?" A young man stands in front of us.
"We're looking for the Northern wolf pack? We are here to scope them out for the NatGeo shoot?" I offer smiling to the man, he nods.
"They were spotted about two days ago from the high east outpost. Follow the road signs up." He said and let us by.
"Well that was super easy." Chloe said smiling. I nod back, taking her hand in mind.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" I ask and Chloe nods. "Alright, well we'll drive up the road and there is a hidden lot we'll leave the car at. We'll have to track them from there."
"That's fine."
"The first wolf we'll run into will be Frank, he's a scout for the pack. Also one of the most protective over grandma."
"Beca, don't worry." Chloe smiles brightly and I smile back, squeezing her hand. We pull into the empty lot and get out, looking around we check to make sure no one is around.
"I don't see anyone, you?"
"All clear." I look back over at Chloe.
"You ready?" She chuckles and suddenly I'm staring back at a beautiful red wolf. I quickly join her, meeting her at the front of the car I bump the top of my head to hers. Soon I'm chasing her through the woods, bounding over fallen trees and scraping up rocks to reach new heights. I jump up on a rock next to her as a dark grey wolf steps out of the forest.
"Beca Mitchell, never thought I'd see you again." It's Frank. "In my woods of all places."
"This is Gran's woods and you know it." I snarl and Frank walks around to square off between us.
"You remember if it wasn't for the fact my blood is in your veins, your damn head would be off those broad shoulders." Frank snarls back, teeth bared.
"Frank, I need to see her. I've been dumped into a situation I need to learn about the families." I watch his eyes snap over to Chloe, taking a step forward to stand between them.
"That's a Beale." Frank looks up at me and sits, huffing. "Beca," For the first time ever I see sympathy in his eyes. "I'll take you to Gran, but I would like to talk with you when I can."
"Frank just say it now."
"There is a new pack took a large chunk of our territory. Maya runs it." Frank bows his head as he speaks. He stands up and starts to trot off, looking over his shoulder at us.
"We should follow." I say and Chloe nods.
x-x-x
"Where did you say Beca was taking Chloe over Christmas break?" Stacie asks as she looks up at Aubrey, who smiles down at the girl whose head has been in her lap for the last hour or so as they watched It's a Wonderful Life.
"They are going to visit Beca's grandma, she lives up somewhere by Yellowstone." Aubrey explains, running her hands through Stacie's hair.
"So, how long are they gone?"
"Till the day after classes restart." Stacie smirks and moves to straddle Aubrey's legs.
"Meaning for three weeks it's just you and me? In this apartment? All alone? Able to do whatever we want?" Aubrey smiles and pulls Stacie down into a kiss.
"Anything we want." She grins, kissing Stacie again.