you're gonna run, it's alright

Malia: Okay. Well I'm not sure how my schedule is going to look, but if you want to talk we can.

Malia: You deserve answers since I didn't handle anything very well back then.

Shay: Yeah. Yeah, let’s talk. I’ll get back to you when I’m free.

—

Santiago let out an amused chuckle, actually enjoying the blonde’s sense of humor. He wished, though. He wished. But, from experience, especially during his years as a cop doing rounds, he knew how stupid people’s ideas could get and the amount of recklessness that seemed to fill their bodies during the nights of the full moon. “I highly doubt they’ll listen to the news and stay in, but… I hope nothing serious comes out of it. I’m Santiago.” He offered his hand, realizing only now that no names had been exchanged just yet. “Santiago Bodden. It’s nice to meet you, miss—” And while at first Tiago didn’t sense that much truth in her words, he didn’t insist. Maybe the blonde was already in a pack and he would be stepping on another Alpha’s toes… maybe it was none of his business altogether. 

“Well, if you need help during this full moon, my pack and I should be around these parts before the peak.” Still, he offered. “No strings attached, I promise.” And added, just in case the she-wolf might think he was imposing something on her. “But, let me ask you… have you also noticed the animals hiding? It wasn’t like that last year, was it?” Or maybe he just didn’t realize it, because it wasn’t his job as a Beta back then.

.

Shay agreed with him, wishing for the best as well. “Oh - Ranger Shay Leblanc.” She offered considering he gave her his full name. Now she was aware why she recognized him. He was with the police department, she recalled his name. Shay constantly felt like she was doing something wrong when it came to authority figures so she wasn’t exactly at ease with his presence but... she was working and doing her job so she tried to focus on that and maybe she wouldn’t accidentally commit a crime right in front of him. She wasn’t sure how that might happen but if there was a first - it’d be Shay.

“Thanks, I appreciate that.” Was it so obvious she was packless? She felt a cloud of shame hover over her. “But I’d hope I don’t come ‘round bothering your pack.” His pack. An alpha. No wonder. “I--yeah it’s a lot more quiet than it shoulda been this morning. It’s really strange.” Shay’s focus was more in forestry but that’s not to say she didn’t study wildlife as well and knew more or less the behavior of animals. “If I’m being honest, I feel a bit of dread for the moon tonight.” But that was chalked up to her generally anxious state. Shay never would have thought it might be her animal senses telling her something was wrong as well. Seems they might be just in touch with their animal side as any other animal.

— ◈ —

Malia hadn’t slept at all since her loved ones disappeared right in front of her. It was still difficult to comprehend and what was worse was that no one had any answers. All morning she’d been running around the city hoping someone knew what had happened, where everyone had gone. But it was all the same. Everyone seemed to be in the same state as her with zero answers. 

Rushing out of North Valley PD, she came to an abrupt stop and tried not to yell in frustration or burst into tears. Exhaustion was setting in, but Malia couldn’t stand the idea of sleeping when James, Maya, and so many others were suddenly just gone without an explanation. Her gaze snapped in the direction of her name and it took a few seconds for her to register that she was looking at Shay. She sucked in a breath, not sure how to process it. Or anything, really. 

“No,” she uttered out sharply. Shaking her head, she quickly apologized for her tone. “I’m sorry,” she said, rubbing at her eyes while she mumbled out some more apologies. “My brother–He’s, uh, gone and so is my niece and no one has answers. I just don’t know what to do.”

.

You have a brother? And a niece? Shay had questions but those weren’t the right ones to ask. Shay unfortunately didn’t have any answers to give Malia and she really wished she did. Her face was full of concern for her but she hesitated trying to give her any kind of physical comfort. “We were all caught off guard with this.” Shay sighed, knowing that probably didn’t help but she knew of no other way that could help. She glanced around as if she would be able to find something in front of her.

“You’ve reported it to the police, right?” Clearly, that’s why she was nearby. “Now they know they’re missing and if they find them they’ll let you know.” Maybe it was best to remain positive in a situation like this but there was hardly any precedent on how to react. Shay’s never been one to panic, not externally at least. “Have you eaten anything? How ‘bout we go get some food in us so we have enough energy to go look for them, yeah?” Maybe Shay was the last person Malia wanted right now but she’d wait for Malia to say it before walking away. How could she walk away when Malia was struggling? She couldn’t before and she couldn’t now.

Malia: Guess you're still the more considerate one between us then

Malia: I'm happy to hear you're okay though.

Malia: And to hear from you too. I would've understood if you didn't want to hear from me tbh.

Malia: There was a lot I should've told you before [unsent]

Shay: You're worth waiting for. [hesitates before sending]

Shay: I was left with a lot of questions when you left. Hearing from you was something I hoped for, if only to get answers. But... time has made that desire for answers less powerful. I'm open to hearing whatever you want to tell me.

Malia: I'm glad you're okay. I know this one was hard for everyone.

Malia: I did.

Malia: I know this is a decade late... [unsent]

Malia: I'm sorry for not texting you until now. I meant to when I moved back, but I figured you wouldn't want to hear from me...

Shay: I probably still would have [unsent]

Shay: I didn't think it was my place to reach out so I was willing to wait until you were ready.

Shay: I've missed you [unsent]

“I don’t know what I’ve done that everyone is over the edge about my presence,” she replied the moment her eyes met Shay’s figure. Encountering that wolf in the midst of the full moon hadn’t been a highlight of her afternoon close to the peak, but she was glad that nothing bad had happened. Nothing that could cause Aleyna to feel ashamed that she had lost her pack while wandering through the woods. “You know I’m one of the good guys.”

It was better to joke around and ignore those recent memories. At least now that she was in her human form and with clothes on, everything was better than before. “Was everything alright during full moon to you? I don’t know why but every morning after, I get so hungry. I feel like ordering a lot of food to myself.”

.

Shay let out a gentle laugh, letting the rest of her worries ease up. “Sorry for being jumpy - I had a rough night, alright?” Shay survived and she didn’t hurt anyone so it was a win-win this full moon. “But I’m fine and you look lovely as ever so I’d say it was a good moon.” She reassured with a pair of thumbs up. The last thing she wanted to do was talk about what happened. It was better to just forget. 

“You know I think I can agree with you there this time.” She said as she let Ally come up alongside her so they could walk together. “But, I didn’t bring my wallet with these pants.” She patted them just to make sure. “Or my phone it seems. So - your treat?”

—

Tiago could understand the reasoning behind it, but for God’s sake, why would anyone in the right minds take strolls in the forest on a full moon? “Yeah, of course!” He nodded, jogging over to where the blonde was to help her lift up the log. “Let’s just hope people don’t get any stupid ideas today—which, we both know they will, making everyone else’s jobs harder.” Hopefully, not his. Especially since the Alpha would only be able to pay proper attention to this the following day, or later tonight. Lifting up that branch wasn’t hard, especially with two people lifting it up, and they did it in a heartbeat. 

“There we go.” Tiago nodded while wiping the dirt off on his pants, then shifting his attention to the blonde. “Rather be safe than sorry, right?” Though she wasn’t one of his wolves, Santiago could sense the wolf in her. Figured it wouldn’t hurt to ask. “Are you safe for the full moon?”

.

Shay gave a doubtful look, wincing at the idea that people would be stupid enough to go out later today with the moon on the horizon. “They probably will make a few stupid decisions to go along with their stupid ideas.” Shay grunted as she lifted the branch with him and set it off to the side. She clapped her hands, dusting off any dirt and wood that coated them from the branch. “I only hope that no one gets hurt because of it.” It was wishful thinking and Shay worried for her own safety that people kept indoors. She didn’t know what she would do if she hurt someone.

“Oh - yeah, yeah,” Shay nodded a bit too much. She worried about others safety than her own but she knew she had to be so careful this full moon. She’d be lying if she said she wasn’t scared. “I’m prepared.” She said with more confidence. She hoped he would believe her but she wouldn’t blame him if he didn’t. She knew what to do, where to go, she only hoped she wouldn’t run into other solo wolves because things could get dangerous really quick. She let out a sigh, not wanting to think about it any further.

Shay had no clue what was going on. She, just like the rest of the world just woke up to people who were just gone. She immediately feared the loss of those she cared about. It didn’t help that nothing was working. Incredibly frustrated she could only take to the streets to try and get answers from somebody but nobody had any. As she headed to the police department, she froze in her steps. In her list of people she wanted to check on of course Malia was among them but her sensation of relief clashed with the apprehension of running into your ex. It formed a lump in her throat that kept her from saying anything until she came closer. 

“Malia?” She asked, her voice softer than she had anticipated. She cleared her throat before she spoke next. “Are you okay?”

Malia: I'm glad to hear that. That's the same for me too.

Malia: But anyway, sorry to message you randomly like this... I heard about your pack and with the full moon, I just wanted to see if you're alright.

Shay: what else did you hear [unsent]

Malia: I know it's weird to be texting you all of a sudden, but someone mentioned you the other day and I guess I wanted to check in... Hope that's okay.

Shay: Hey!

Shay: I've been good, work keeps me busy.

Shay: Sorry I haven't reached out [unsent]

Shay could already feel a headache forming as she shifted back to her human self. It was rough this time without a pack. She knew she couldn’t keep doing this. Wincing she shrugged on a sweatshirt, getting dressed as she started to walk out of the forest. She felt like she knew this place like the back of her hand but her trusty nose did help her find her way around.

She was startled by a sound, turning around immediately, worried she had come across a wolf that hadn’t shifted back. However as she took in the scent and her eyes took in the sight, she relaxed and an easy smile settled on her lips. “You had me there for a second.”