Yellow Pages Long Awaited

She'd stayed as a wolf longer than typical for her, pushed past the limit just a little before relenting to the pressure of returning to her human skin.

She'd wake, and while it took some time and a great deal of thinking, she'd eventually acquire all the items that her guard had left at Outlaw. It would be from there, that she'd call him, back at that bench that she'd sat at earlier the sun now sinking, that she'd call him.

incoming call

It was a number that had not graced his phone in quite some time.

Having just gotten out of work, walking through the garage to his car, he wasn't going to put her off.

Zelda.

Tone light, like she hadn't gone off like too many others had before.

The moment she heard his voice, her chest would swell with guilt once more, tears already pooling in her eyes as she said the words that he had deserved to hear months ago. Words he should have received after all the trouble that she had caused and after she'd taken for granted all of the help that he had offered her.

I'm sorry, I've been a really bad packmate...

It was enough to put a twinge in his own chest. A little regret. A little wishing she had come to talk to him in person. He stopped beside his truck without opening it, leaning on it. Thinking... there wasn't a rubric for how to best be a packmate. He didn't want anyone to think there was. Zelda was just young, and...

If that's how you feel, maybe it's really I've been a bad king.

A soft attempt to take guilt he did not think she needed to feel. Zelda had been through so much upheaval. And he knew he could have done more. After all, she'd taken a while to reach out again, but she'd still beaten him to it.

It was not the reaction that she had been expecting, and not the one that she had been wanting either, head shaking in denial before realizing that Dakila wouldn’t be able to see that.

No. No not at all, you’ve been great. I just. I just let my petty feelings rule out everything that you’ve been trying to do for me. I’ve been avoiding the pack, and none of you have done anything to deserve that.”

It was very self-reflective of her. Not that he cared for her conclusion entirely, but... it wasn't a little tantrum that she was throwing at herself, or at him, or at anything, really. It seemed a sincere and well reasoned basis for feeling...

...like she ought to do better?

Okay, he could work with that.

You had some things to work out, but you have been missed. You alright?

Was she okay? In most ways, yes, but in others not so much. The guilt still ate at her, and even with Dakilas assurance that she had been missed, and his understanding on what she felt she had to do, there was not much that could be done to rid herself of the nagging feeling.

I heard about Newt today.

Ah...

It was the sort of information that naturally they would have liked her to have before now. But with no contact? Difficult. It had been a terrible, sobering time as it was.

Quiet for a moment, he unlocked his truck and got himself inside.

I'm sorry. I wish you'd known sooner. Who did you talk to?

She wasn't angry with the pack, or Dakila for not having known. She recognized that she was the one that had cut the contact, the only anger she held was for herself.

She could have known sooner if she'd only been more mature.

I'm sorry for not being there for you all.

As for who told her...

I actually don't know the name of the guy. He wasn't wolf.

Ah...

Who, then? Dakila had no way of knowing, and it didn't sound like Zelda knew much, either? Or at least she wasn't being forthcoming, and he didn't want to go into twenty questions when the 'who' of the matter wasn't nearly as important as the 'what.'

It's not been... it's different, when we lose, lose someone. Holly's been having a hard time of it, I don't know if you knew they were dating?

Sometimes when things became fact for him, it became difficult to remember when they started and who would be aware. The forever mental juggle of keeping things straight.

I knew.

A soft pause.

Is there anything I can do to help? You? The pack? Holly?

Anyone?

Being here is a start, it's nice to hear from you.

Which was a sentiment that gave him pause.

You could reach out to Holly, perhaps. Offer to bring her lunch. I've been trying not to crowd her, but she really has needed company.

She could do that!

I can do that, definitely! Do you know what she likes?

She was honestly just happy for any sort of direction, and eager for anything that her leader could offer.

I haven't found her to be too particular. Mostly just want to make sure she's eating at all. You could always ask.

Another one back on the pack's roster. It felt better this way, especially after such a loss. Their numbers had surged and then dwindled, and while Dakila didn't much mind that in the technical aspects, he did find comfort in knowing he had a gaze on so many wolves. That they could help each other.

Just let me know how it goes. And come by and see me sometime--Natalie would like to see you, too.

I will.

A promise to herself just as much to him.

Thanks for being patient with me. I won't say that I won't keep messing up, or anything, but I'll try and be better. Just thanks for being there.

When her parents couldn't, when her grandpa couldn't.

If there's anything I'll always have for you, Zelda, it's patience. Don't worry. And welcome home.

Even if she hadn't really gone gone. Even if she'd simply sidelined herself. Ultimately, Dakila was just touched that she was reaching out like this at all.

Growing up was hard work, but Zelda was actually managing it better than she realized.

She was going to cry all over again, but this time it was happy tears so that was a plus.

Glad to be back.

Call, text, show up--anytime.

Maybe Zelda thought she had been a bad packmate. Maybe some would have agreed with her. But you know, whatever the answer, he would give her every chance to be a part of this thing that really did want her.

It had been very sad around here lately. Zelda would be a bright spot.