Alaska (Wolfstate Chronicles)

Picturesque, the term used by some to describe the raw, wintry, glacial State. The place Chloe Pryce now called home. She'd been expecting cold, but not this and the cherry on top – she was only looking out the window of a plane.

Her iced over eyes blinked, taking in her new habitation. The wind gusted across the frozen tundra, sending snow every which way. She shuddered at the mere thought of someone agreeing to live in Polar, Alaska.

Excuse me, Miss? a flight attendant chirped from behind.

Chloe lifted her hand in a one moment gesture, not able to peel her eyes off outside.

Miss, are you alright? she spoke with concern, We've arrived and are exiting the plane now.

Chloe turned to her, the corner of her mouth twitched, Yeah, I get it. Loud and clear.

The woman lifted an eyebrow at her but Chloe didn't care, she had bigger issues to deal with – like her new life.

She got up out of the seat and grabbed her purse from the floor as the flight attendant stood in the isle, waiting. Leaving the plane quick, it was a lonely walk into the terminal.

She stopped and scanned the emptiness in front of her. No people. Well, some, but not like Los Angeles. These people were slow and strange and the only logical explanation for it, the plane had been sucked into another dimension.

And her pit of dimension-hell grew as he spotted her.

Loe!

She titled her head of straight auburn hair and took him in, her father; Henry William Pryce.

He was thinner, older, and paler. Of course, he still had his same dark brown hair and widow’s peak. Thankfully, he wasn't dressed in his uniform and she was praying the cruiser was absent too.

Chloe! he called out again, but he must have known she'd seen him. She was staring right at him.

She walked over with a sigh and he gave her a tight hug.

Hi, Dad... she managed to squeak out as he cemented her to his chest.

He smiled at her with their shared ice blue eyes, How was the plane?

There were these annoying people beside me, they would not shut their mouths.

He laughed and walked over to the moving luggage belt, Well, at least you made it.

I suppose... She mumbled.

The bags began to fling from the machine and Chloe hoped hers would be first, just in desperation to avoid further awkward conversation with her father.

She wasn't about to get lucky.

Well, you look nice, Loe. I know you send me photos, but it's different seeing you.

She glanced at him, You too, though you're thinner.

Well, we don't eat a lot of junk out here. It's nice to naturally drop a few pounds.

Her eyes glanced around to see if there was a food stand, it didn't sound like her dad had much at his house. Her luck was zapped again.

Her bags appeared and she went to grab them, but her father swooped in.

She let him and followed him towards the exit, preparing herself for catastrophic cold.

As soon as they got out the main door, her preparations were blown to smithereens. She was bombarded with a crisp wind that cut through her tanned skin and victimized her core.

Holy! It's freezing! she yelped.

Her dad laughed and walked towards an older beige truck.

She covered her face with her un-gloved hand and swore under her breath, I'm going to die, I'm going to die here, Dad!

You'll get used to it, he laughed as they walked through the deserted parking lot.

She wrapped her arms around herself and jumped from foot to foot, Dad, doors! Come on!

He unlocked them and threw her bags on the back seat as she dashed inside, clawing her way into the truck – near on her death bed. Her bottom lip jittered, her California clothes beat by Alaska already.

Her dad pulled out of the lot, which joined the highway right away.

How... How do you live here?

He glanced at her and turned up the heat, Looks like you need some new clothes.

She stared at him, Y-you think?

He smiled his crooked smile and looked back to the road, Oh, Loe, you'll survive.

She wrinkled her nose, I r-really don't like that nickname, Dad.

He ignored her dislike of the nickname, Don't you think it's beautiful? He pointed to the untouched mountain scape.

Sure, whatever... The shivering had worn off and she relaxed into the seat.

He smiled, Well, you're enrolled in school. You start tomorrow.

Great... Staring out her window.

It's not as bad as you think.

She shrugged, not convinced.

He clicked on the radio – getting the hint and they drove in silence, listening to the soft lulls of country music for the next forty minutes.

He pulled into a gas station around a bend, Just going to fill up the truck. I don't like having less than half a tank.

Chloe nodded, her eyes focusing on the chips and chocolate bars galore inside the store. She jumped out, trying to preparing herself, it hadn't worked.

Dad! She skipped around the vehicle, I'm just g-going to get...

Henry!

Her dad turned away, Oh, hey, Roger!

She peered around her dad to the approaching stranger of worn skin and grey hair. She had no interest in meeting him and booked it towards warmth.

Walking into the small run down store, she took a moment to let the numbing subside, checking her money situation. She stopped in front of the chocolate bars as she found ten dollars. That would suffice. Grabbing her three favourite, she moved on to chips.

The ding of the bell sounded as she pulled a bag of salt and vinegar into her arms. A gust of Alaskan wind hit her and she prickled with goosebumps.

She wiggled in her multi-sweater contraption from the uncomfortable sensation.

Hey, man.

She looked up to the sound of the deep voice across the store. Her eyes fixed on the back of the board shouldered, six foot huge boy at the counter. Watching, he pulled out his wallet from his back pocket, and she noticed how massive his hands were. Never having seen someone so cumbersome, she kept staring like he was side-show freak.

How's it going, Grayson? said the older man at the register.

It's alright... He twisted around, his eyes connecting with hers. His moment of hesitation caused a bile in her stomach to rise as his brow creased.

Her eyes snapped back to the chips, grabbing another bag and adding it to her stash.

What was the total on the diesel?

Still listening to his deep voice, she did not dare to look at him. After the look he'd given her, it left her bothered. She became determined to give him it back.

With a steadfast step to the counter, she threw down her items and bumped his large arm with her slender shoulder.

He grunted, Hi.

In an involuntary action, her eyes met his, Uh... She took in his height, her five foot six stance pathetic next to him.

Handing cash to the cashier, he kept his gaze with her. The same tightening goosebumps plagued her as he said thanks to the man behind the counter. His longer brown hair brushing across his brow as he ran a hand over his stubbled cheek.

Chloe looked away, needing to break the eye locking. She came to the conclusion, he was weird. It didn't surprise her, considering it was the middle of no-where.

Hey... she stuffed back and organized her items on the counter, hoping he'd leave. He had finished paying, he should have been walking out the door.

Er... Can I... She tried to move around him, her cold fingers pushing the items towards the clerk.

Sorry. He grunted and left.

The door chimed and he was outside, his dishevelled hair catching the blistering wind.

She watched as he walked across the icy pavement to where her father and the older man still stood talking. Realizing they all knew each other, she devised a plan to avoid any introductions. Her hands snatched the bag from the counter.

Have a nice day!

Jogging towards the truck did not work – yes, it had been her devised plan. She slipped on some ice, about to fall and it was enough to plague her.

Chloe! Henry called her over.

She groaned, her feet shuffling along the slippery ground towards them.

Chloe, this is Roger Holtz and his son, Grayson.

Chloe looked to the boy staring her down; again, she creased her brow at him. Her auburn hair whipped around her from another gust, Hi... again.

Hey. He looked away from her.

His father was more warming and he smiled at her, Nice to meet you, Chloe. We've heard all about you!

Chloe tried to smile, really tried, I'm sure. The cold had already seeped her Californian skin and was driving her bottom lip into convulsions.

Cold? Grayson asked her.

She held back her wanting sneer, "It's a bit different than what I'm used to."

Henry patted her back, My daughter's never left downtown Los Angeles.

Her displeasure surfaced, Yeah... well, why would I, Dad?

Grayson let out a chuckle, You'll get used to it, but you might want to invest in some winter clothes. Might end up frozen like that.

She stared at him, unsure if he was joking around or just being a tool.

Thanks. She hissed, Note taken.

He chuckled, We better go, Dad. I told Mike, I'd hang out. He smiled at her before turning, See you at school, Chloe.

Her eyes bulged as they left, I go to school with him!

Henry snapped the gas cap back on, Oh, yeah, he's your age. I'll just go pay, Loe.

Great! She blurted out as a big black truck rumbled past her. Grayson was driving and his eyes met hers one last time, his face indifferent.

She snorted in annoyance, What is that guy's deal? Turning, she got back in the truck. Deciding to ignore all pressing thoughts that had to do with the tall boy or her impending first day at school, she began to wolf down her junk food.

Her dad jumped back in the truck minutes later, Doing alright?

Fine, she said simply, swallowing a last bite of chocolate bar.

Alright. He pulled the truck back out onto the road, So, that's Roger. He's a good friend of mine.

Yay... Chloe looked out her window.

His wife is nice too – her name is Beth, you'll meet her soon.

Uh-huh.

I know all this seems different to what you're used to, Loe, but everyone is pretty nice and it's not all that bad here.

You're a cop, she snapped, Everyone is probably just afraid of you.

He smiled, It's not really like LA, Loe. There are only three Troopers in the town and I'm one of them. She rolled her eyes and he continued, I'm not a bad guy here.

Chloe wasn't about to be sold on the Alaskan wilderness so easy.

If anything – it's a lot calmer and nicer here.

She didn't believe him though, because as they got to the big sign on the side of the road that was plastered in ice and snow, she knew that calmer and nicer translated to boring and alone.

Here we are, he smiled, pointing to the town on the side of the highway. It branched off and looked to be fairly decent size but in reality, it was the size of a neighbourhood in Los Angeles.

Welcome to Polar, Alaska, Loe.

She looked away before becoming depressed.

The silence left her to think over the next year of her life. Going to school, grad, living with her father, surviving the great north?

Oh, she was in for it – she just had that feeling.

The truck passed the exits for town, another ten minutes and Henry pulled into an icy driveway. It was long with dense forest on either side that peeled away to reveal an old two storey log home, unfortunately, it was her home too.

She stared at it, studying its quaintness.

Well, here we are, Loe. He turned off the truck and jumped out.

She followed but slower, taking in the new surroundings.

Her dad waited at the front door, Come on! I have stew in the crock-pot.

Chloe stood as snow started to fall. A crisp wind shot against her and she lunged forward, coming to his side.

He opened the unlocked door and dropped her bags to the entry way, which entwined into a large living room with two old couches and a cast iron wood-stove.

Her father shut the door and shook off his coat, It's an old home, but the log homes keep their heat when their built right. This house is decent. The upstairs can just be a bit draft ridden from time to time but you just double up with blankets on those real cold nights.

There was no escape, the heat and sun had been replaced with eternal winter in her life.

So, are you hungry after all that junk on the ride home?

She could smell the stew and it did smell darn good, Sure...

Alright, he clasped his hands, First, I'll show you the bedroom. It's just up here. He grabbed her bags and trudged the stairs in his worn out wool socks.

She followed close behind, almost afraid.

He led her down the hall and stopped at the last door on the left. He swung it open, one rickety lamp in the corner providing dim light.

She looked over the small single bed and one lonely window.

I put a desk in here for you. He dropped her belongings near the closet, There are some hangers in here and if you need a dresser, I can get you one.

Chloe winced; she'd left LA for this?

No correction... She'd been forced to leave.

She nodded her head, Thanks, Dad.

Now, let's go have some stew. Been waiting all day... He exited the room and she heard him rambling about getting off shift and coming to pick her up but she stayed put – his voice fading away.

She looked out the window and crept towards it, night had fallen and the snow, swirled in its blizzard. The dead silence in between the creaking of the house spooked her and she bolted from the room.

She squinted at her class schedule. It was soaked, ruined, dropping it in a puddle as she had got out of her dad's truck was a true testament to her lethargic being. Between having no cars outside her window, sirens, yelling and the lack of cell phone reception, any possible sleep had been robbed from her.

The number three or what she thought was a three – sort of looked like a nine or even an eight...

Grinding her back molars, she walked forward, looking aimlessly for some sort of life in the halls. She couldn't believe how dead it was and a tiny building at that.

Hey! A small brunette jumped out at her.

Chloe stumbled back, tripping and landing on her bottom. Her annoyance etched as she stared the girl down, Hi…

The girl bustled forward, Sorry! Helping her up.

It's fine. Don't sweat it. Chloe breathed, brushing off her leggings.

I'm Annie Elk.

Chloe... Is all she got out, before the ball of energy cut her off.

Yeah, I know! You're supposed to be in my English class right now. I was sent down to the office to see where you were!

Umm... Chloe made a face, Huh?

Come on. Annie wrapped her arms around her's, tugging her forward, So, you just got here?

Chloe nodded, Fresh off the tarmac.

From where? I heard you're from Texas!

No, err... Chloe made a face, I'm from California.

Cool! Annie drooled, Wow...

How'd you know I was coming?

You're dad came and registered you the other day.

How'd you know that! Confused and then the word stalker came to her mind.

You moved to Alaska. To a small town... plus, your dad is one of the town's Troopers. So, pretty much wildfire news when his daughter was coming to live with him.

Chloe blanched, Jeez.

So, why did you move here?

Chloe rolled her eyes, "Forced extermination."

Annie blinked at her and said nothing.

I killed my mother's dog. Chloe admitted, Sorta...

Annie let out an abrupt laugh then paused, Wait, seriously?

She was aware it sounded ridiculous, "Yeah... Seriously, but it wasn't my fault. It's was a stupid dog and I may or may not have left the balcony door open... by accident! What dog – in its right mind – jumps off a balcony!" Her anger and defensiveness hit her – just like when she'd begged her mother forgiveness.

Oh, man... She pulled her to the left and Chloe didn't have much time to prepare, This is our English class! Welcome to our School. We don't have dog's that jump off balconies, just wolves. She giggled.

Wait, what... Chloe stumbled inside and the chatter in the room dropped off. She looked around, twenty – maybe twenty five students. She was used to stuffed classes and no elbow room; this would be a definite change of pace.

Miss. Pryce! Annie found you, the middle-aged balding teacher came towards her. Pencil behind his ear and an awful sweater vest that screamed burn me.

Chloe tried to sound chipper, Hi, I'm Chloe.

Yes, yes... please sit. He motioned to the many empty chairs and desks.

Sit with me. Annie ripped her across the room.

Chloe looked up, her eyes pulling her to the back of the class, where the monster of a boy from the day before sat. She stopped dead, even with Annie tugging at her.

He made brief eye contact with her and looked to his left where a bleach blonde boy sat, talking to him. She watched him pull at the collar on his white shirt.

Chloe, sit! Annie coaxed her and she sat, which led to her being introduce to three others.

The first, another giddy brunette.

This is Dayna. Annie bubbled.

Chloe nodded to Dayna, Hey.

Annie continued, And Bruce and Scott... The other two were decent looking boys – who beamed at her. They seemed fairly welcoming and not agitated, like some people in that room.

Bruce stuck his hand out first, You're tanned.

Chloe smiled, You're pale.

He laughed, You'll soon be pale too, don't make fun.

The teacher dropped a novel in front of her and tapped it, We're on page fifty seven, Miss. Pryce. Chapter eight! He headed back to the front and turned on the over-head projector.

Chloe flipped the book open; looking over her shoulder to him.

Still, he kept a conversation with the blonde and she wanted to know what they were so deep in conversation about, but then again, she didn't.

His eyes snapped to Chloe and she shot around, telling herself not to look at him anymore.

Annie chatted up Dayna as Chloe tried to focus on the book, her stomach knotting.

She wrapped her arms around her upset stomach and spent the next forty minutes listening to the frazzled English teacher drone on about the point of character motive and how it drove plot forward.

Of course, she hardly paid attention, convinced she was about to spew her guts.

The shrill bell for class to end rang.

What's your next class? Annie asked as the teacher yelled out a homework assignment.

Umm... Chloe scribbled down the note and rummaged for the now crumpled and still damp class schedule through her pain.

Luckily, she could make out her next class, It's gym... She threw it back in her purse, it would be in pieces by the end of the day.

Morning, Chloe.

Chloe shot up from the desk, staring at the brown khakis in front of her. Her eyes travelled his form fitted white shirt to his stubbled defined chin and greener than green eyes.

Annie appeared stunned, H-Hi, Grayson!

The boy kept his gaze on Chloe, How was your first night in Polar, Alaska? Amusement caught his mouth.

It was fine, she lied, needing to get herself away from him. She grabbed the novel off the desk and went to exit the room.

He stepped in front of her, What's your next class?

She looked to him, Gym. Why?

He smiled, "No reason. It's down the stairs to the left, there's a sign; Gymnasium."

She snorted, "That's impressive. I didn't expect schools in the middle of no-where to have room signs."

He stayed quiet.

Annie grabbed her arm, We're gonna be late. Let's go.

Chloe glanced at Grayson once more, Thanks for the help.

He smiled this time, but it was quick to fade.

Chloe creased her brow and stepped back, almost into Annie. The girl hauled her away fast – attached to her like a bug on flypaper.

I can't believe Grayson talked to you.

Why? Chloe snapped as they walked.

Dayna pounced on her other side, "Annie loves Grayson."

What! Annie flushed, I do not!

Really? Dayna cocked her head, Because at the last party you told me you were gonna ask him out and then you failed! She laughed at her friend.

Annie sneered, trying to ignore her friend, Ready for our version of gym? It consists of nothing in particular and usually dodge ball.

Chloe shrugged, Sounds, alright. Her mind flipped back to California. That's where she wanted to be. Warm sun and no looming, thick headed gigantic boys.

Annie led them to the tiny change room, it had a few girls running around but otherwise it was quiet. Dayna and Annie pulled out their gym attire and stripped quickly.

Chloe hadn't brought a change of clothes, so she waited, looking down at the woven leather bracelet on her wrist.

Do you have a boyfriend? Annie asked, now dressed in skimpy shorts and a racer back tank.

Chloe looked to her, No. Not really.

Dayna smiled, What's that mean?

There was a guy, kind of. Doesn’t matter. She didn't want to think about Dodge or his pitiful face when she'd told him she was leaving California, to move to a state that was separated by another country.

Annie gripped her again, Well, do you like to party? Cause we like to have a good time every now and then! We're not totally boring.

Chloe shrugged, Sounds alright. She did like a good party, though her parents – particularly her mother, had never really been that keen. It had been part of the reason for her forced extermination.

The girls dragged her out of the change room, giggling about what was happening that weekend but Chloe wasn't listening.

She stopped on the side lines, twisting her bracelet over her wrist. The slap of a rubber ball beside her, broke her trance.

Like Dodge ball, Chloe?

Her eyes peeled to him, What are you doing in here?

Grayson played with the ball between his hands, Uh... gym?

It's co-ed? She hissed at him.

Welcome to Polar, Alaska. He laughed and tossed her the ball, Boys against girls.

She jumped forward and caught it as he jogged away. All she wanted to do was throw it at his head and she set her sights on doing so, once the game commenced.

Chloe!

She turned and walked to Annie and Dayna, gripping the ball, Let's do this.

Even less impressed by the end of the school day, she wanted out and she had a weird need to be back at the log home. People were friendly, but it seemed like a waste to live in a place so barren and boring. The day she figured out the appeal, would be a day she never wanted to see.

She couldn't blame her father completely, he had just taken the job for the money. It was the conclusion she'd drawn.

When the final bell of the day rung, she made a break for it.

Impatiently, she waited outside for her father and the police cruiser. She checked her phone as the minutes ticked, but she didn't have service. She lifted it up, patching in, out and dropping the signal.

Great... she breathed and put it back in her father's borrowed parka.

She became distracted, watching her breath crystallize in front of her and out of amusement, breathed out again to see if she could make the rings like they did in the movies. It didn't work out so well, but she kept trying.

Hey. Came his voice out of nowhere again!

Chloe snapped around to find Grayson standing behind her, Ugh. What? She wrinkled her nose at him.

How was the rest of your day after pelting me in the back of the head?

Oh, She smiled in triumph, You felt that?

He grunted, Well, it's not like it was a real hit. It was only my ankle.

She snorted, Whatever.

Diversion became him, So, the rest of the day wasn't as eventful?

It was okay, she said, turning back around and looking down the road for the police cruiser.

Waiting for your dad?

Uh... yeah, she buried her lips in the front of her jacket as it got colder.

He didn't seem bothered by the sudden dip in temperature like her.

Her phone rung in the pocket and she pulled it out, fumbling it between her freezing fingers to the ground, Darn! She swooped and picked it up, answering the call, Hello?

Loe, it's Dad... I just got caught up. I'm hoping you can hang out there a bit?

Huh? Chloe rolled her eyes, What could possibly be happening in this town?

Her father laughed at her, I'll be there in a bit, Loe, go wait inside. We're supposed to have a snow storm coming in.

Really! She looked up to the clouds and noticed Grayson still standing beside her. She whipped her auburn hair off her forehead and turned away, Dad...

I have to go, see you in a bit, he hung up the phone.

Chloe groaned and put the phone back in her pocket, Damn.

Something wrong?

Chloe tried to figure out why he was hanging around her like a lost dog. She didn't want to answer him so she questioned him back, Don't you have better things to do?

No, not really. Need a ride home? I live past your dad on the highway.

She laughed, Yeah, right... I don't even know you!

Your dad does, he explained with an obvious tone.

What does he know about you? Chloe looked up at him, raised eyebrows.

I'm not going to bite, Chloe.

Their eyes locked. He was a bit funny, but not funny enough to take her out of the mood she'd been in most of the day.

Thanks, but I should really wait for my dad.

Are you sure? He pulled his keys out, trying to tempt her.

Chloe began to entertain the idea and kicked herself mentally.

It got colder as the seconds passed. She glanced back at the school and thought of the somewhat warm house of her father's awaiting her. Okay, fine, she grumbled.

He smiled and walked forward, My truck's over here...

She followed, adjusting her purse on her shoulder. They came to the big, black truck awaiting them. She couldn't believe she was about to let him give her a ride home, however their Dad's did seem to be decent friends, so that settled her.

He beeped the truck open and climbed in.

Chloe groaned, assessing how she had to climb into the monster of a vehicle. She ripped open the passenger door and hauled herself up the steep incline of the raised truck.

She shut the door and the big diesel came to life after a few seconds of protest.

Diesel trucks don't like sitting in the cold weather, he explained.

Chloe nodded, whatever that meant. It was an older truck with one long lonely bench seat, that's all she knew.

He flipped on the stereo and some country music came on.

She wrinkled her nose, Country?

You have a problem with country?

You strike me as a heavy metal type.

He smiled, What?

She stayed quiet, the snow starting to fall, This white stuff scares me.

You haven't seen snow?

From afar... I mean, I've seen it, just not on this level. She explained.

He laughed, Get used to it.

His mannerism were unsettling, first grumpy, then pushy and now amused? He confused her.

Was there a reason why you looked like you were going to kill someone in English, when I walked in?

His face hardened, I was annoyed with Mike.

Mike? Chloe thought, no – she hadn't met anyone named Mike, yet.

He's my friend, the tall, weird looking bleach blonde, sitting next to me in English.

Chloe nodded, Oh okay.

He pulled the truck onto the highway, What did you think of Polar High?

To be honest... it was pretty boring.

He grunted, You don't like it here, do you?

"Well, I got forced to come here. I have less than a year left till I graduate and my mom just couldn't deal with the fact that I killed her dog."

Grayson smiled and looked to her, You killed your mom's dog?

Well, kinda... she rolled her eyes, He committed suicide off the balcony.

He laughed loud – one that twisted her nerves.

She looked down to her nails, It was stupid dog anyway. I hate dogs.

Grayson looked to her quickly, You hate dogs?

Chloe creased her brow at his mood shift, "I don't really have an opinion... Do