THE FIRST GOOD NEWS

24 FEBRUARY, WEDNESDAY, AFTERNOON

Everything else went alright. For the first time in my life, lab work went without a hitch and as far as I could tell, all the chemical reactions happened and my test tubes all colored accordingly. It was almost too easy. This had never happened before.

And then for some reason, Home Ec's theory paper was the exact same two pages of eggs-hortations of the benefits of eggs and all the eggs-cellent ways to prepare them. There were twenty blanks where we just had to write in the missing word. Piece of egg!

I was tempted for a moment to fill in the word "egg" in every blank. Just for fun. But then I realized I was taking an exam, and I really didn't like to lose, so I ended up putting in the right answers.

I went straight to the porch to meet my car once our class was dismissed. I think I had to be the first out the door. Fluffy and EJ scrambled to catch up. But I didn't slow down for them. I had every confidence that my wolves were perfectly able to keep up with me.

"Ki!" I was so happy to see him.

Ki smiled, like a flower to the sun, "Good day, goddess."

And yes, now that he mentioned it, somewhere along the school day, it did become a good day.

He opened the door of my usual blue car. I got in while Fluffy and EJ pulled on their warrior gear over their school uniforms. Poor guys, I didn't even give them the chance to get changed properly today.

"You're early." I smiled when Ki got into the car beside me, "I thought you were supposed to be taking the day off."

"And what better way to enjoy my day off than a drive with my goddess?" Ki beamed at me.

The ancient lycan had a quote for wolves like Ki, "A honey tongue, a heart of gall."

"How are you feeling, Ki?" I wondered.

"I am much better. Thank you goddess for asking." Ki smiled, the first smile that was just a regular smile.

I felt myself relax, "That's good. You should take it easy anyway."

Wow, I sounded like my Mum.

"I have good news too goddess." Ki announced.

Oh? I tilted my head and waited for Ki to pour tea.

"I believe you would be very pleased to know that your father and his beta had returned home safely with your sister and Prince River." Ki informed me.

"When?" I felt my hair rise, but mostly in surprise. I thought for sure I would have to go hunt them down after school today.

"Shortly after you left for school." Ki informed me.

"Oh... is Savy... how's Savy... are they..." I couldn't even string the question coherently.

Ki smiled and nodded, "They are all well."

Whew. I felt myself sink back in my seat. Thank goddess.

Ki paused, it was as if he was considering his next words the way a man might consider his next move in a chess game.

"What?" I asked.

"I merely wondered when it would be appropriate to inform you of an unexpected development." Ki smiled gently.

I knew all this good news was too good to be true, "Is it something to do with River?"

Ki's eyes remained fixed on the traffic ahead, but he nodded, "One could say so."

Huh. Well, I should have known. This was River we were talking about. What were the chances that River would enter the warlock forest, not walk into anything dangerous, and come out exactly as planned? ZERO.

"Okay, don't tell me. Let me guess." I decided. Whatever happened, I guess it was okay since Savy was okay. I tried to think what kind of trouble River would get into.

He definitely tripped and fell at least once. I thought of the uneven ground and tree roots. Yeah. I wouldn't be surprised if he stumbled more than walked, but that would be expected of him. What would be unexpected?

He was going to follow his stone to Fount's place, so given his luck, I'm just going to guess he never made it there. He probably got lost. Yes. And then found himself in a big pickle - I mean, figuratively. The warlock forest did not grow wild pickles.

I tried to think of the most dangerous, uncanny thing River should walk into - if it wasn't the warlock's home.

"The Rogue King's home." I spoke it the same time I remembered Bell reporting that the Rogue King had moved in.

Ki's eyes widened a moment, and then he smiled, "Was that really just a wild guess, goddess?"

Why? Did he think I used my gift of insight? Oh wait!

"No way!" I felt my hair flared, "He took Savy to the Rogue King's hideout?"

"I'm afraid so, goddess." Ki answered. Then he paused again, our car was already in packlands, "Goddess there are two things I should report."

"Uh, huh?" I nodded.

"Alpha Kingsley has put River under house arrest with visitation rights. Night Leaf warriors guard outside his suite at our pack house now." Ki reported.

I would've done the same. Good job Dad. I nodded my approval. Stoopid River! I know you can't help but get into trouble but why did you have to drag my sister in with you?

"Also, the rogue puppy by the name of Daisy is now in our packhouse dungeons." Ki continued.

My hair flared, "WHAT?"

Ki was quick to reassure me, "She is safe although quite frightened. Your special team seem to be acquainted with her. I've put Barry on guard duty."

"Does my Mum know?" That was my first question.

"Not yet goddess." Ki reported, "Luna had been quite emotional at your sister's return."

I remembered all the times Mum cried whenever I returned from something she thought was dangerous, and then I mentally triple the effect because you know, Savy never got in trouble before. I imagined the first time was always the hardest. Mum would probably get used to it if Savy kept it up. I mean look at me... no wait, Mum cried every time like it was the first time. I shook my head.

"Don't tell my mum about Daisy." I instructed Ki. If Mum saw Daisy, it would be Sabre all over again, and in Daisy's case, I knew we had to return her. Daisy's family would be looking for her.

It's not that I didn't understand Mum's heart. If I had a choice, I'd never return Fluffy either, but no matter how cute, you need to return the lost puppy to its real owner. I felt a small sigh escape my lips.

"Goddess?" Ki asked tentatively, his gentle cautious smile in place.

I shook my head, "It's nothing. How.. how did she end up in our dungeons?"

"Prince River rescued her from the Rogue King's base." Ki explained.

Ah... River. That would be EXACTLY the kind of thing River would do - he wouldn't care if it were rogue, wolf, human, vampire... at least it wasn't a vampire that River met. And that incredible luck! I bet Daisy was praying or what were the chances of River meeting her? What was she doing in the Rogue King's base in the first place? Didn't I just see her on Monday? How did she end up captured by the Rogue King 3 days later? Coincidence? I frowned, "Tell me what you know, Ki. What happened in the Warlock Forest?"

"The story might take awhile, goddess." Ki told me.

"I suddenly feel like ice cream." I told Ki.

Ki flipped the indicator light to turn right, "Perhaps a detour to buy some is in order."

Yeah. Because I needed to know now. And ice cream was always welcomed.