"Hi," she waves.
"H- kit. How- -ur day?" It looks like Jack is on one of his out of treks out in the middle of nowhere. The cell phone reception is bad, causing interference on every other word.
She musters a smile even though she's not sure if he can see anything on his side. She only sees his profile picture on hers. "It's alright," she says. "Something happened at work today," she starts carefully, wondering if she should tell him her odd encounter with Mateo. His words, 'there you are', echoes in her mind and she can't make head of tail of it. Has he been looking for her? Why on earth would he say that?
"Wa- wait-," he says and she hears a static sort of noise from his end of the phone for the next several seconds. Jack has been travelling the world ever since she landed the job. He's one of the best Wildlife Biologist in the country and he have had to put his career on a back-burner in order to raise her. She's pleased that she convinced him to take the job. "Tell me," he says, the reception suddenly much clearer.
Her smile is genuine this time. He's turned the camera on and she can see the view from high up. Trees for miles. "Did you scale a tree, Jack?"
"I'm closer to a radio tower today," he says. "I wanted to show you the view. So, tell me about your work. Anything new?"
She tries to feign nonchalance and doesn't do a good enough job.
"Tell me."
"I saw the CEO today," she says, biting her lower lip. "I think he knows something."
He grimaces. "You know we don't have to hide anymore, don't you, kit?"
"I know." She also knows he feels bad for how paranoid she is about being found now. It's not his fault they were hunted for the better part of her life. Things only got better recently and it's hard to adjust to the idea that she's not going to get gunned down when people find out she's a werecat. Sometimes, she envies her brother. He remembers better times when they didn't need to hide and it is easier for him to go back into the world because of that. His ability to hide his more cat-like features also plays a part.
"Did you tell anyone what you are yet?" he asks. "We could find you a therapist, kit."
"I don't need a therapist," she crosses her arms and tries not to pout. Fails spectacularly. "I'm just- it's weird. Have you met anyone else like us?" she wants to know.
"Not since that old lady I saw in Lithuania," he confesses. "That doesn't mean there aren't anyone like us out there, kit."
"I'm not a kit," she murmurs.
"Tell me about the CEO. Mateo Kenzo right? What's he like?" He switches to the front camera so she can see him. Jack hasn't aged at all, though his brown hair has gotten a lot longer and he could definitely use a shave.
"You look homeless," she says with a shy smile.
He rolls his eyes. "Don't try to change the topic. How did you meet Mateo?"
Heat rushes to her cheeks. She can still feel the phantom sensation of his hand on her arm, his strong grip around her torso, pinning her to him. "He's intense," she murmurs. "He fired Mike." She's glad for that, at least. Maybe they'll have someone who knows what they're doing now and update their draconian system.
"About time," he says. "Maybe now you wouldn't have to work so hard."
She blushes. "It wasn't so bad."
He huffs. "You were taking your work home. Don't think I don't know that..." After a pause, he adds, "You should talk to Mateo. If he wants to talk to you, you should do it. There aren't many of us left. It'll make me feel better if I know there's someone taking care of you."
She shakes her head, looking down to hide her eyes. "I'm fine," she insists. "And he's a werewolf. He wouldn't like me."
He shrugs. "It's worth a try. There's not that many wolves left either. You could have him as your Alpha, kit. It'll be safer for you."
"You're my Alpha," she says softly.
He seems to preen at that for a second before sighing. "I'm too far to be a good Alpha for you right now."
She shakes her head.
"You should also get rid of those contacts and buy clothes that actually fit you. There's a clothing line that's specifically catered for people like you and me now. It's very cute. I'll send you some if I see them, okay?"
Her eyes widen, "I wouldn't- you don't have to waste money on me, Jack."
"It's not wasting money," he sighs. "Look, I'm sorry we had to hide who we are for so long and I fucked up a lot of things for you, but I wish you'd be less-"