Page 7 of Wilde Beta

Mel could hear Adam howl, letting them know he had their scent and was on his way to discover where they were. Even though she knew he would never hurt her, she feared being found. It made no sense. She didn't care about the hundred dollars. Maybe she was anxious because it was a test, and tests always worried her.

It wasn't long before Mel heard Adam walking through the forest close to where she was hiding. She was immediately relieved when he continued. Hiding in thick branches, she could hear him but couldn't see him. She wondered where Janie had hidden.

He was coming back. He must not have found Janie either.

Not long after, Janie yelled, "Time's up, Adam!”

“Where were you?” He asked, clearly disappointed that he had not found them.

“I'll only tell you if you promise not to tell anyone else," Janie said.

“I will not tell another living soul. I need to know. If Mel hides, I have to be able to find and save her," Adam explained.

“Wolves never look up. I took to the trees. I'm sure Mel did as well," Janie observed.

“Here I am," Mel announced as she climbed down the tree.

“You are right. The things we hunt for food stay on the ground, but if they go up, we cannot follow them. That's why we never bother to look up. Had I stayed in human form, that might not have been true," Adam explained.

Mel was sure he would learn something from this. If he ever became alpha again, he had to learn to adjust his behavior and expectations.

She had learned something as well–how to escape as long as she had a head start from anything coming after her. A ten-minute head start would be needed to get away.

Janie had taught her well, and it hadn't taken very long. Mel would never have believed her cousin could teach so well and so quickly. It taught her not to make assumptions or draw conclusions. Mel and her cousin were as different as possible, but now, she was more interested in finding similarities.

“We’ll let you get back to your woodworking," Janie suggested.

“What will we do?” Mel asked as they walked away.

“We can go swimming or bowling," Janie suggested.

“Why don't we do both? We could go bowling and then swim to cool off," Mel said.

“I like the way you think. Have you ever bowled before?” Janie wondered.

“I'm from near where Ariel lives. Most of us learn to bowl in school–like I believe you did," Mel explained.

“That I did. I always enjoyed it and having a bowling alley in my house allowed me to start playing again," Janie observed.

“I'm afraid that's true of me too. There are many things I did when I was younger that I don't do anymore," Mel declared.

“Yes, but there are new things we do that we have never done before. I'm learning to drive a sled and to ice fish. Have you tried either of those yet?” Janie asked.

“Yes, I have driven a dog sled but have not gone ice fishing yet. It's a little scary. I'm afraid I'll fall in, and I really don't like the cold," Mel explained.

Leading the way to the house, Janie went straight to the bowling alley. Mel did a good job. Janie was surprised she could do both so well after not doing it for many years. After bowling several games, they changed into swimsuits and met at the pool. It was a beautiful Olympic-sized pool. She was surprised to see a sign that said 'no screwing and no pissing' in the pool. Why did they need a sign when everyone should know not to do either in a pool? It could be because Janie was a little unusual and thought it necessary.

Mel arrived at the pool first. Looking up, she saw Janie approaching and realized her cousin was expecting. There was no way to misunderstand the bump. Why had no one mentioned this?

“You're prego?” Mel wondered.

“Yes, but it's no big deal right now. I hear when I get big, it will be hard for me to get around," Janie admitted.

“I've heard that too. Seen it even when it came to other cousins," Mel observed.

“Ready to start swimming?” Janie asked.

“I am," Mel said as she ran and dived in.

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