The secrets of the shadow pack

Chapter 17

Rosslyn

Returning back to school after mom's death has sucked so bad. I miss her so much. I no longer get a packed lunch or walked to the bus stop. I never realized all the little things she would do for me were actually big things.

I had to rush and pack myself a peanut butter and jelly sandwich or else I would starve all day because I have no money. Raine has no money. Dad left us in a hole we need to climb out of. I say we, because Raine is not alone in this. He hasn't announced anything to the pack and is trying to make it work, but we have nothing.

The food I have been cooking has been all we have left. I try to use the least amount of ingredients and I have been using everything we have in the pantry, fridge amd freezer, trying to make it stretch. I had to empty out our home fridge and freezer to add to what is available for the pack, and to look good infront of our visitors, so we are literally about to be on empty. No shopping has been done. I do not know how we are managing, but we have been. I do my best not to complain about anything. I just do as I am told, and I keep praying for a miracle.

"Hi Rossy. What's for lunch today?" Amerie sits next to me. Jacob follows and sits across from us. I pull out my ziploc bag that contains my sad sandwich. "Again? You must really like pb&j's" she chuckles. Jacob gives me a look, but he knows better than to say anything to anyone. He pulls out his lunch and its way better than mine. He has a mom who can still pack him some sort of lunch, even though it isn't the type of lunch he has gotten in the past. Amerie pulls out her lunchbox and it is filled with steak, potatoes and veggies. She has snacks and 3 different drinks. She is so damn lucky.

I just have to suck it up and keep eating basic sandwiches or cut my dinner portion in half so I can eat something else at school. Jacob pushes his bowl of fruit over to me and I feel the tears sting my eyes. He doesn't have much either, and he is a man who needs more, so I shake my head. "Thanks, Jake. I'm not very hungry. I'm going to go to the library and study," I lie when my stomach growls. Vs I don't want anyone to hear, so I just walk away.

I find a cozy spot in the library and I devour my sandwich and finish my homework. "Ross," Jacob finds me and sits next to me. "I saved these for you. I had breakfast and I'm sure you didn't," he holds his fruit out to me. He knows how much I love fruit. A tear streams down my cheek.

"Hey, it's okay. We are in this together." I nod and take the fruit. "I need to find a job, Jake. I am going to take the ferry to Kainridge island and try to find a job after school." I take a bite and everything feels right again. "Thanks for looking out for me." He gives me a look. "Dude. You're like my sister. You dont need to thank me. We look out for each other. Plus I know the situation with the pack. Dad talked to mom and I last night. I'll go with you and find a job at the island. You're a genius. So many people travel there daily and we will surely finds jobs there." I nod. "I just want to help Raine, and I don't want to have to move away. I love my house. I want to get mom's jams into grocery stores, but we need money for that to happen." He places his head on my shoulder. "We are going to be okay, and if not, we will figure it out. Your mom will guide us from heaven. Just stay positive," I nod. He is right. The bell rings and we split up and head to our classes.

Amerie sits next to me. She hands me flash cards. "Can you quiz me before the test," I ask her questions and she gets them all right. I'm actually thankful to her for this quick study session, because I haven't had much time to study. There's just so much going on, and I have basically taken over taking care of Raze. I don't have time for myself.

"Hey nerd," a girl shoves her elbow into Amerie's neck. "How is the Alpha's sister such a loser?" I watch as Amerie's own pack members make fun of her and she shrinks into herself.

"Hey f*ck off," I say and one guy flips me off. "Why do you let them bully you?" SHe shrugs. "I just don't want drama in the pack." I roll my eyes. "I don't think Axel would be okay with this," she shrugs. "He says I should be stronger and stand up for myself." He isn't wrong.

"You should Amerie. That doesn't mean he would be happy to know that his sister is being bullied." She smiles sadly. "I'm weak, Rossy. I'm trying to train and build the courage to stand up for myself. I wish I was like you." The teacher walks in and tells us all to be quiet. She hands us our test and we get to work.

45 minutes later I am finisand. I say goodbye to my best friend, and I hurry to meet Jake outside so we can head to the island.

I am so nervous. "We don't have resumes. We aren't even 18. How the h3ll are we going to get jobs?" Jake is asking all the right questions, but I don't want to hear them. "You told me to stay positive, and that is what I am doing." He pulls me in for a half hug. I shove him away. "Dont be disgusting, Jake." He just chuckles.

We somehow get lucky. There's a couple having trouble with their tickets at the booth. They accidently purchased extras, so they gift Jake and I the tickets.

The ride is beautiful. I ask Jake to take pictures of me so I can show Amerie tomorrow. We arrive and the island is busy and so beautiful. Exactly what I expected.

I have not been here in years. My mom brought us once as kids, but dad freaked out and banned her from bringing us ever again. He claimed humans were bad and he thought they would murder mom and kidnap us. Who would have known that the one who got her murdered was him and his bad choices.

Jake and I walk around the main streets where it is busy and packed with people. There are so many shops. This place is like a fairy tale. It's so fast paced, but slow at the same time. It's beautiful. I can just imagine how peaceful living here would be.

"Look at all the job opportunities," he is right. "Where should we start?"

"I don't know. Should we split up or hit up the stores one by one?" He taps his chin. "One by one. I don't want you getting lost. I want to live another day," that makes me laugh.

We start at the corner. We walk into a boutique. The clothe are so bright and colorful and it reminds me so much of the light in my life. "Dude, this looks like clothes your mom would wear." I smile, because that is exactly where my mind went.

"Hi. Are you looking for anything in particular?" I turn my charm on. "Hello, wow this store is beautiful. I was hoping you were hiring. I'm looking for a job," the woman seems nice. She is older. Her eyes crinkle at the corners, but I feel her kindness.

"I am actually looking for someone to help me on the weekends. I was going to put a help wanted sign up today, but it looks like I won't have to." I smile. "I'm available and will take the job. I can start this weekend. I will be here early. Please. I really need the job," She claps. "Perfect, how old are you?" I deflate. "I'm 16," she smiles. "Perfect. You meet the age requirement. Fill this out for me, and be here at 5am on Saturday morning so I can teach you everything." I am thrilled. "Thank you. Thank you so much. I promise to be the best worker you have ever hired. I won't let you down. Thank you for this opportunity. You won't regret it." I quickly hand her everything and say goodbye Before she changes her mind.

"You made that look so easy." I bounce all over the place. "Mom has to be up there working her magic, Jake. I can't believe I scored that on my first try."

We walk around a little more. We go into some places, and most tell us to leave a name and call back number. "Lets go get something to drink. My feet hurt," Jake says. We walk towards a small diner. They have tables outside and an indoor eating area as well. They named it the bar but outside it is promoted as a seafood diner.

We walk inside and the place looks busy, but there aren't many employees. People are standing in line, not getting serviced. We decide to stand in line and wait until we can talk to someone. The food smells so good and my stomach is growling. All I can think about is that by the time we get home there probably won't be any food left.

It is finally our turn. "Indoor or outdoor," the guy asks. "Actually, we wanted to see if you are hiring. We are looking for a job," he nods. "Wait right here. Let me call my manager," the guy leaves and comes back with a bald older man. "This is Mario. They are the ones looking for a job," the man tells us to follow him. He brings us to an office and tells us to sit. "I dont have much time. As you can tell we are busy. 4 of our afternoon employees quit. I need all the help I can get. You two look like good, clean kids. What brings you here? You look young," I softly shove Jake's foot so he lets me speak.

"Both of my parents were brutally murdered and now it's just my siblings and I with my grandma who is old and sick. She can't work. We are just trying to survive. I promise you won't have any problems. We will work hard and give it our all." He stares at me. "Both parents?" I nod. I pull my cellphone out and show him a picture of the funeral. His eyes widen. "I'm so sorry to hear that. What shifts are you available for so I can add you?" I smile. "I am available Monday-friday after school until you close. I actually already have a weekend job," he nods. "And you?" He looks at Jake. I'm so glad he is hiring us both "monday through friday after school and all day on weekends,"

Write your information down here so I can add you to the schedules. We pay cash, and whatever tips you get are yours. to keep." I want to cry so badly right now. He doesn't know how much he just saved our a$$es.

"When can you start?" I look around. "We can start right now. It seems like you need us." He chuckles and nods. "Have you ever worked at a restaurant?" I shake my head. "We haven't, but lucky for you, you can teach us how you run your restaurant and we will do things your way." He gives a warm smile and tells us to follow him.

I follow him and Jake follows me. I turn around and give him a thumbs up. Looks like our luck is changing. I know it won't be alot of money we are bringing in, but it's something. We can atleast get more food and figure out a way to use it to help the pack. Raine and the pack can get my whole checks if it means we crawl out of this hole faster.