I spent the night in fitful, restless sleep. I dreamed over and over again of that cold hard heartless look in Declan’s eyes as he tossed me down the staircase. If I wasn’t reliving that awful moment, it was my bloodied father, unconscious, hanging from my window, and my poor mother desperate to save him. It scared me to see Luna Cassidy hold him. In my heart, I knew her love for my mother outweighed the current dislike she had for me, but in my head, I worried she would toss his body just that I would turn back and Declan could have his way with me. I shudder to think how things could have gone if I didn’t make it out in time. Would he have killed me? Forced his mark? Thank goddess, I didn’t have that mans mark. I would have been trapped forever. I have never been so afraid of anyone in my entire life. I will make sure I am never so vulnerable again.
When I awoke in the morning to the soft knock on my door, I was even more tired than I was when I first went to bed last night.
“Are you awake, sweetie?” Amy’s voice called gently through the door. I groaned as I rubbed that icky dry feeling out of my eyes. She was lucky I was already coming around because it took a lot more than a soft knock to get me out of bed.
“Morning, Aunty”, I called, my voice croaky and thick with sleep. Goddess, I hated waking up. She opened the door and popped her head through the crack.
“Do you mind if I come in?” She asked cautiously.
“No, of course not” I sat up, and I swung my legs out of bed and patted the now vacant spot next to me. She pushed the door further open and took the spot on the bed I left for her.
“How did you sleep?” She pushed the hair gently from my eyes. I wonder why she chose not to have children. She was so motherly, but that was her choice, and I respected it. I wasn’t going to ask questions that weren’t any of my business. As long as she and uncle Amelio were happy, then I was happy for them.
“Honestly”, I tried to bite back the wobble in my lip, the same image of Declan throwing me down the stairs like I was weightless or something painfully came to mind. I hope there comes a day when I don’t even think about it anymore, but for now, it was still too fresh.
“Not good”, I exhaled. I quickly wiped the tear in my eye away. I didn’t want to cry. “I just couldn’t stop thinking about it. I had nightmares all night” I was doing much better now, physically at least. I was fully healed, but I could still feel the pain in my legs. Was it mental? I think so.
“Is there anything I can do?” Amy pulled me in for a hug, and I obliged. Her hand stroked my hair, and she peppered kisses intermittently on the top of my head.
“No. I just need time,” I assure her. They say that it heals all wounds after all.
“Okay. Well, I just came here to remind you that we have to see Alpha Kyle. He wants to see you first thing.” She told me. Good, I wanted that too. The sooner I could become a member of this pack, the better. I could already feel my grip on reality slip. I didn’t survive Declan, and all that bastard put me through just to go bat shit crazy now.
“Alright, I’ll be down in a minute”, I promise. I still have to get dressed first. I didn’t mind my Aunty Amy seeing me like this, but I did spend the night in my underwear. I hated sleeping in clothes. They were so confining.
“Would you like me to prepare you some breakfast, honey?” She offered. I hated the idea that I might be taking advantage of my beloved Aunty, but she was a fantastic cook, and I could hardly turn down anything she made. Plus, I was starving. Dinner was great, but there wasn’t nearly enough of it.
“If it’s not too much trouble”, I smile.
“For you, baby, nothing is too much trouble; what would you like?” She paused at the door and waited for me to answer.
“Just some toast or fruit, please. Oh, and a coffee. In the biggest mug that you can possibly find?” I was going to need a butt load of caffeine to get through this morning. If I didn’t feel so guilty taking advantage, I would have asked for a lot more.
“Okay. Toast and coffee I can do that”, and she left me alone in the room.
I brushed out my hair and put on a clean outfit. I considered dressing up and applying a touch of makeup, I was meeting the Alpha for the first time after all, but I just couldn’t be bothered. Besides his rank, there was nothing special about this man. Why did I need to dress up? I’m just too damn tired to care about all that at the moment. I’m sure he will accept me anyway. Who would deny a new pack member just because they weren’t pretty enough?
After I was finally able to talk myself into accepting the way I look today, I forced myself to leave the safety of my room. I wonder if Aunt Amy will let me change a few things? It was a little plain Jane for my liking.
I was pleasantly surprised when I walked into the kitchen. Amy hadn’t just made me toast. There was bacon, fried eggs, hash browns and roasted tomato halves, and my personal favourite pork sausages.
“I can’t believe you did all this”, I exclaimed with excitement. All I asked for was toast or fruit. She was the best.
“I know my niece, and I know werewolves. Toast was not going to be enough. You don’t need to be so polite. Seriously we want you here. I want you to think of this as your new home.” She handed me the tongs so that I could serve myself. Amelio entered the kitchen. It was weird to see him first in the morning with his knee high thick woolly grey socks, tight tank top, and loose bright green boxers.
“Good morning”, he chirped as he sat at the table.
“Thanks for coming and getting me yesterday.” I hadn't thanked him yet, and I should have. I would still be lost in the woods, or worse, dead if he hadn't risked his own life to come and get me.
“Of course, faith. Anything for family.” He swore.
Amy grabbed two more plates, one for Amelio and one for self before joining us for breakfast.
At first, we mostly ate in silence. The cutting and scraping of knives and forks as they clattered against the plates was becoming increasingly uncomfortable. For me, at least, it didn't seem to bother Amelio or Amy. Did they usually enjoy their meals in silence? Hopefully, I could change that.
“What’s this Alpha Kyle like?” I asked. Amy never talked about him when she called. Then again, why would she? They weren’t mates, and as far as I’m aware, they weren’t friends either.
“He is a good man”, Amelio answers.
“I have known him since we were pups, and we were in school together. We grew apart as our duties slowly became our lives, but I have always respected him.” Amelio was extremely kind, too kind sometimes, but his respect was incredibly hard to earn. I was officially interested in this Alpha Kyle. In a platonic way, of course.
“Why do you ask,” Amy asked as she took a sip of her juice.
“ I am about to swear my loyalty to the man, and he will officially become my Alpha. I just want to make sure he is a good man first.” Unlike that last one I had, I thought bitterly to myself.
“Well, in that case, you're in good hands. He's been through a rough time of it lately, but he's held his own. As I said, he is a good man, and he is a tremendous leader. The people are lucky to have him.” Amelio assures me.
“He sounds nice,” I say. I could be reading into things again, but Amelio almost seemed defensive of the Alpha. It wasn’t abnormal for a wolf to be protective, but he said he and Kyle used to be close. I wonder what he means by rough time. I hope rogues haven’t been a problem.
“He is. Are you ready to go?” Amy leaves the table and places her plate in the sink before grabbing the keys from the bench.
“Yes.” I could personally sit here and eat four more servings. I was still so hungry, but I could tell that Amy was eager to leave, and I didn't want to be the one holding them up. I could eat when I got home.
“Let's get this over with, shall we.”
Amelia and I dumped out plates into the sink and followed Amy out the door.
Our walk to the Packhouse was enjoyable. Amelio was a warrior and often on duty patrolling the boarders, so he requested a place right on the tree line so that here and there while he was on patrol, he could still be close when needed but say hello to Amy. They were just too cute.
They took their time to show me around. The reserve was stunning. The houses were all in neat little rows, and the paths were lined with beautiful little gardens. We met a few wolves on the way, and Amy took the time to introduce me to all of them. I had met the occasional weary wolf, but in general, everyone had been friendly.
By the time we got to the Packhouse, we were running a little late, so we didn’t have time for a tour, but I didn’t mind. I had all the time in the world for that later. Besides the occasional pack meal, I will likely hardly be at the packhouse anyway. If this Alpha Kyle was as friendly as my aunt and uncle say, maybe he could give me a job.
“This is the alphas office” we stopped in the middle of a white hallway with several mahogany doors. This one had a gold engraved place screwed into the expensive wood.
Alpha Kyle Vasey.
Are you ready Sapphire? I hadn’t heard from her all morning, but she would need to swear her loyalty to this morning, and so I needed her present.
I feel. . . . Different She says. Okay, what?
What do you mean, you feel different? Maybe turning rogue was affecting her more than we thought, or perhaps it was Declan. Did the bond not sever, right?
The bond is broken. She reaffirms. Well, that’s good.
So what is it? I ask again.
I don't know Faith but I think it has something to do with being here, at this house. She complains.
Before I could go any further, the office door swung open.
“Beta David”, Amelio shook hands with the man in front of us, they said something to each other, but I was too distracted to care.
It can’t be, can it? I reach out to sapphire, but she is as surprised as I am.
Beta David leads us into the room. I’m barely aware of anyone else around me. It’s like I’m walking through a dream. I am me, but I am not. I’m a puppet that just looks like.
Alpha Kyle stands behind his desk, and our eyes lock.
MATE! MATE! MATe! Sapphire howls.
“EVERYBODY OUT” Kyle orders everyone out of the room. I go to leave. How did I find myself here?
“Not you.” I freeze in my tracks.
Amy and Amelio stared at me. I could tell they were confused. If only I could mind link them.
The doors slams closed behind them, and it’s just me and Alpha Kyle in the room.