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Song: To Build a Home-The Cinematic Orchestra

Layla bounced in my arms happily as she played with my curls; cascading them around her shoulders so it looked as though she had long hair. I chuckled at my little sister and she smiled before I reached for a can of Chicken Noodle Soup; deciding to just take the whole lot and knocked them down off the shelf into my cart. Sighing tiredly I tried to remember my list of groceries that I had left on the kitchen counter before running out the door in a hurry to get the groceries and get home after Derek started throwing-up. Poor guys.

Moving through the isles I grabbed at the necessities when I felt the hair on the back of my neck raise on end. My senses hummed with the knowledge of another Weres presence and my arm curled around my sister who grew silent; resting her head on the crevice of my neck and fisting my curls in her hand. A growl pressed dangerously close to my lips when I heard the voice whisper from behind me.

"I'm not looking for a fight. I mean no harm to you and your pup. Please." The feminine voice of a female begged. I whipped around in search of the culprit but found no one.

"Who are you?" I whispered back; careful to keep the humans around me from hearing while putting as much authority as I could into those words like Derek had taught me.

"My name is Eleanor, alpha of the Holloways. Please dear, I only wish to speak to you civilly."

"And why should I trust you?" I growled back; drawing a few stares from the women beside me.

"Because my husband has fallen ill as has many of the wolves in my pack. I need to know just how far the epidemic has spread." I could hear the twinge of sadness in her voice when she spoke of her husband.

"How long has he been sick?" I whispered finally.

"Not here. Meet me at Beacon's Perfect Brew on the patio in a half hour." She directed and I hesitated. Derek wouldn't be happy with me if he knew I was meeting with the other pack's alpha. But it would be in a public place during the busy hour and also it was neutral ground. So I don't see a problem with it. It's not like she was going to risk anything in the public eye. And if she had any insight that may help me with my own pack, then I was all ears.

"Fine." I agreed.

"Good-good, dear."

Gradually the hair on the back of my neck relaxed and I knew she had left. Easing Layla away from my shoulder she whined and it was then I realized she had fallen asleep as she kept a firm grip on my hair when I placed her in the cart. "Layla." I whispered; kissing her cheek. "Release my hair." I ordered softly. Finally, I felt her fingers begin to untangle from my strands as she dozed back off and leaned forward so that she draped over the handle.

"Someone's tired." A woman with greying hair chirped beside me and I only lightly smiled at her before pressing forth; in a hurry to get my shopping done and find out what Eleanor wanted.

I flew through the rest of the store, grabbing at things I wasn't quite sure I needed but couldn't quite rule out, packed them in the trunk and rushed for Beacon's Perfect Brew. I wrestled with my conscience the entire way; debating on whether I should call Derek and tell him my plans, (which in the past would have proven to be less trouble), or tell him after I had had the meeting. I knew I was out of mind reading range and if this was some sort of trap, I would be screwed. But the other part of me worried that Derek might finally be asleep and I didn't want to wake him or the boys . They were already miserable enough and I didn't want to worry Derek. Besides, he wouldn't approve anyway and being the hard-headed wolf he is he would drag his sorry sick ass out of bed to be here for the meeting.

With Layla nestled in my arms, (she was getting her nap one way or the other), I headed inside and ordered a hot apple cider before wondering out to the patio area where only a few people sat sipping on something hot and reading the paper. Scanning the area I was quick to find Eleanor who sat off to the left; her black hair streaked with grey cascaded down around her shoulders. A red turtle neck popped out from the collar of her grey trench coat with a set of matching red fingerless cloves. She had piercing green eyes that seemed tired when she finally glanced up from the book she was reading; parentheses lines forming around her kind smile. The tension that reeled inside of me eased a bit and I forced myself to stay calm; striding over to the table where she stood to greet me. "June?" She questioned sincerely and I nodded.

"Eleanor." I greeted back like we were old acquaintances.

"And who is this cute little pup?"

"My little sister, Layla." I introduced and Layla only grunted before burying her face into my shoulder.

"Oh dear, I didn't think. Maybe we should go inside so the little one doesn't get sick." She offered and I shooed the idea.

"She's warm. Believe me, if she weren't she would tell me." I said and took my seat.

"Sister eh?" She asked and I nodded. "I thought she was your pup."

"You're not the first." I relaxed back into the cool medal of the chair and took a sip of my drink; feeling at ease and watched as Eleanor did the same. "So…" I started, "the flu's hit your pack too?"

"Yes." She nodded; her eyes lightly hazing over in thought. "Theo and Mark were the first in my pack to come down with it. Twin betas. Then it started through the rest and now my husband has come down with it. I received the vaccine when I took my wolves to Marin as did the others in my pack who hadn't yet been affected. You and the little one have received the vaccine, yes?" I nodded. "Good-good. I pray for my husband. His age is making it hard to fight off the sickness. How bad off is Derek?"

Blowing out a breath I nestled my nose against Layla; debating on how much truth I should expose to the alpha sitting across from me. While I didn't believe she was lying or that she would attack my pack while we were down, my cautious instinct told me to give away as little as possible. "The symptoms just started last night and I immediately rushed them to the doctor. He said we had caught the bug in its early stages so Derek should be feeling better soon." God I hoped he would be feeling better soon.

"I pray he's right." She offered sympathetically. "My husband hasn't been so lucky."

I felt my heart squeeze in sympathy as tears filled her eyes; not bothering to hide the worry she felt. Clearing my throat I offered her my comfort by placing a hand on her arm, gently. "I'm sure he'll pull through." I whispered softly and she gave me a weak smile as the tears finally spilled over and streaked her rosy red cheeks. "Derek's told me stories about your pack and your husband. And from what I hear, he's a tough old wolf."

She chuckled softly; nodding agreeingly and whipping at the tears. "I'm sorry, June. I didn't bring you here to listen to me blubber."

"I don't mind. Honestly, I'm just glad you didn't turn out like some of the other members of your pack I've met."

"You mean Gyles?" She asked before waving a hand dismissively. "He was a bad apple. I'm just sorry you had to be a victim in one of his crusades to dominate."

"Ancient history." I offered; trying to ward off thoughts of Allie shoving Gyles' heart back into his chest.

She looked up at me from beneath her lashes; studying me and I knew she saw right through it. "Yes, Gyles may be. But is Allie?" It wasn't so much a question as it was a dare for me to tell the truth.

"Allie will always be with me."

"You mean her power?" She drawled and I was appalled by her sudden accusation.

"I meant her spirit and memory." I growled; sitting up straight and holding my own. "This meeting has gone off track. And if you think I'm going to sit here and….."

"I'm sorry. Please excuse me. I went into Alpha mode. It's just that…" she sighed, taking a sip of her coffee, "it's just that in the short time I knew Allie I thought of her as my daughter. I knew she had long passed rational thinking after Gyles death. It saddens me that she took the path she did. I meant nothing against you."

"Allie was my best friend." I breathed; that one sentence holding so much power…so much meaning to it. I meant what I said about her spirit. I felt her anger, her hatred, her love, her strength…everything, every time I shifted. No one would be as close to Allie as I was.

"She spoke of you often before Gyles' death. She used to say you were her sister and maybe one day the two of you could run on the full moon together. When she found out Derek had turned you and mated with you she was so excited…."

"Are you trying to hurt me?" I snarled; feeling the burning of tears in my eyes as she talked about Allie.

"I mean for you to remember the good things about your friendship before the Were world broke you two apart." She defended.

I studied her for a long moment before finally speaking, "I do remember the good in her. Those are the memories I choose to think of. But I can't forgive what she did. That's not fair to me or Derek and my pack." Blowing out my breath I watched as the white puff disappeared before continuing. "We really should get back on track. We both have loved ones that need our care." Wow, I can't believe how authorative I just sounded. Layla begun to whine; fidgeting in my arms as she nestled closer to me and I wrapped her fuzzy blanky around her tighter, tucking her inside of my own coat when I felt the soft cold flakes of snow begin to rain down on me.

"Funny isn't it?" Eleanor spoke; breaking the silence that had fallen between us as she looked up into the grey sky.

"What?" I questioned; looking up as well, trying to see whatever it was she was looking at.

"It's snowing." She stated simply and I watched as a smile ceased her face; still looking up to the sky.

"Yeah, and?" I questioned; clearly missing the joke that only she knew.

"It's California, dear. The land of sun and never ending bikini weather. And yet it snows here in Beacon Hills? Strange wouldn't you agree?"

"It's always snowed here so, no, I don't think it's strange at all."

Finally, she turned to look at me. Her nose a bright red and eyelashes frosted with white as she smiled. "Yes. It's always snowed, here. If you check the rest of the state's weather charts, you'll find they stay in the seventies this time of year. Strange."

I sat there for several seconds; giving her a thoughtful look before deciding it was too much for my brain to handle today and shook my head.

"I think it's time we cut this meeting short. As you've said, we both have loved ones that need tending to. I appreciate you giving me a chance to talk and I hope we can do this again soon. We may be from different packs but that doesn't mean we have to treat each other like trash. It was nice talking to you, June." She stood and offered her hand.

I shook it and nodded back, "You too Eleanor. I hope your husband and pack get better soon."

"And I yours." Dropping hands she gave me one last smile before leaving. At least that went better than I expected.

I really hope I'm not boring you with this story so far. I promise it will pick up soon. Thank you all who reviewed and favorite this story. As always, REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW! :D