Chapter 12

I couldn't take a step that I didn't run into a guard. It was getting ridiculous. The only peace I got was when I went into the bathroom or bedroom, and even then, I felt like I was still surrounded.    

        Riley and Fletcher had called in more markers to get more protection. I was starting to feel claustrophobic with all the people surrounding the house and now inside. There were three inside at all times, not counting those of us who live here, and there were anywhere from four to six outside the house at all times. They kept the number random so that there would never be a routine for the wolf to learn.   

        There was still no word of my sister Krissie, and we had run out of places to look. We suspected the worst.    

        We couldn't figure out how he was doing it, but the wolf kept losing them once he hit the human communities. We were starting to suspect he had the ability to smell like a regular human, or he was using something to mask his scent. Either way, we were all getting pissed that we kept losing his tracks.   

        Riley was contemplating contacting one of the local witches for a spell or charm to hit the wolf with to make it easier to track him. He wasn't sold on the idea yet, but I suspected it wouldn't take much for him to change his mind.   

        He wanted to keep this within the Were-Animals, and not bring in outsiders.    

        I was having trouble adjusting not only to all of the guards but also to causing so much trouble. I didn't like being the center of attention like this. It tended to make me anxious and bring back bad memories of other times I had been the center of attention.   

        I wasn't even allowed to go out and train anymore, just in case the wolf decided to attack during the day. So I had to spend my time inside. Bless Jaime's heart, he tried to distract me with console games and movies, but it was starting to wear thin on both of us. He and Riley were both still teaching me to cook, and that was one thing I still looked forward to.   

        But Jaime, the lucky bastard, got to go home to the Alpha's when he was sick of being surrounded by the guards and my grumpiness.  

        And, boy, was I becoming grumpy. I rarely spoke anymore, mostly I grunted or groaned. Even Riley was starting to avoid me sometimes. When I was being particularly irritable, he would go hide in his office on the pretext of having to work.   

        I flopped down on the sofa with a groan and glared at the guards as if it was all their fault.   

        "I have an idea," Jasper said. I turned to look at him with a raised brow.  

        "If you can't go out to train, how about we train you in here?" He suggested.  

        I perked up, then slumped down again, "uh, how?" I asked.   

        "We just move the furniture out of the way, bring in a mat from the gym, and voila!"   

        I started to get my hopes up. Then they were dashed when I thought of what Riley would say.   

        "What I would say about what?" I heard Riley in my head. I explained Jasper's idea to him, and I could tell he was thinking it over. I was sure he would tell us we couldn't do it because he was taking so long to answer.   

        I turned my head when I heard the office door open, and Riley came out. I sighed wantonly at seeing him dressed in his normal slacks, with a tank top and opened silk shirt. Damn these guards. Riley chuckled aloud, causing a couple of the guards to look at him like he was losing his mind.    

        He walked up to Jasper, "I hear you have an idea on how to relieve some of the boredom in here."    

        Jasper nodded.   

        Riley nodded back and looked around at us all. "What do you all think?"   

        "I think it would do us all a world of good. Keep our skills fresh and help Poppy at the same time," Jockey said, his accent making my name sound like Papi.   

        The guards all acquiesced by nodding. I noticed a lot of them had hopeful looks on their face. I guess I wasn't the only one not liking being idle.   

        "Then, so be it. We will train here in the house. Guards on duty will take shifts between those inside and outside." Riley set about calling someone to bring over a few things we could use from the gym, including a mat.  

        While we waited for the items to arrive, everyone set to clearing the area. The coffee table, and other items like it, went out into the garage for the time being. The other furniture was pushed back against the walls. The TV didn't have to be moved since it was attached to the wall.   

        I was starting to get excited. It was something to relieve the boredom, something I needed and enjoyed learning, like cooking. Speaking of which, I went into the kitchen to make lunch. It was a fairly simple meal, something even I could master. Sandwiches with various meats.   

        As I was making them, there was a commotion at the door, and in came Devie with several people behind her carrying assorted things.   

        "Did someone say 'Let the training begin?' cause here I am baby!" she called out in laughter.  

        Everyone seemed to be in a better jovial mood, and it was a relief. It was amazing what doing something different could do to the atmosphere.   

        I made more sandwiches to compensate for the new people. I set them on the table in the nook and let everyone grab what they wanted, making sure I grabbed four of them for Riley and myself.   

        I was getting used to having to eat three large meals a day plus little ones in between. Though there were times I still felt like a pig because of how much we had to eat, I was starting to get over it.  

        Riley and I sat on the couch to eat our sandwiches and watch everyone else set up the training area. It was good to delegate, I thought with a smile, even if the house was near fit to bursting.   

        There was a good deal of bash talking and laughter from the guards as they ate and set up the area.    

        Things were cleaned up after everyone had eaten. As I was putting the trash away, I heard a couple of thwacks and thumps and went to investigate.   

        I saw Devie and Jasper circling each other on the mat. They had decided to try it out to see if the padding was adequate.    

        They ended up deciding to add another mat, just to make it a little less hard, though I didn't see a point, even if it was softer, it still hurt like a son of a bitch to get thrown onto.   

        "Come here, Poppy, and let's practice what you know, then we will see about adding more."   

        I sighed and rubbed my hands against my shorts nervously. I had trained in front of people before, but not ever this many. I stepped onto the mat and got into my defensive stance, and the fight was on. I, of course, lost again, but it was close. I had nearly beaten her a time or two with the new moves she had shown me.   

        I flopped onto the couch next to Riley and Jaime. I was sweating buckets and sore as hell. It had been exhausting and fun to be on the mat. I could tell I was getting better, even faster, and I was proud of myself. I could see myself becoming a damn good fighter.   

        I watched as a couple of guards practiced with each other, and I got tips as I watched. It was nice to have other people to train with. This way I could learn different techniques for the different people and situations I could end up in.   

        The house still felt full, but at least we were now doing something besides sitting around.   

        Someone made dinner, not sure who what with all the people around. Whoever it was made hamburgers, and there were enough to feed a small army, and they were delicious.    

        The day had felt a bit more productive than previous days, thanks to Jasper's idea.    

        We decided to just leave the living room as is while this business with the rogue wolf was going on. We all needed to be at our best when he showed up again, and I knew he would show up soon. I just had a feeling. I just hoped it would all be over soon. I was tired of being cooped up.   

        We did our normal of watching a movie as we ate, and this time it was a movie set in the old west. Something about a masked hero trying to save Mexico or California. I was getting tired after my match and dinner and wanted to nap, so I wasn't paying as much attention as I normally did to the movies I enjoyed watching.   

        I was learning a lot about the world I lived in, thanks to these movies and TV shows. Of course, it was nothing like being able to go out and experience it for myself, but I guess beggars couldn't be choosers.   

        I got up to go take a shower and see if that would help wake me up. I yawned as I undressed, and I set the shower to a cooler temperature than I normally would. Stepping in, I shivered.   

        I had my head under the spray when I felt hands grab my waist and lips on my neck. I leaned back into Riley and sighed as his arms wrapped around me.    

        I turned in his arms and wrapped my arms around his neck. He nuzzled me before kissing me deeply.   

        We made love before washing and drying each other off. I dressed in my typical nightly pajamas, and Riley just put on a pair of shorts before we went back into the living room.   

        The guards there were all sitting and chatting when we showed back up. I squeezed myself onto the couch between Jaime and one of the Were-Leopards.   

        The guards were talking about past fights and battles they had been in. I was soaking up the details. I've found out that I am not only eager to learn to fight but love hearing people talk about it too. From someone who came from a violent background, I sure was bloodthirsty.   

        A phone rang, and I looked around to see whose it was and saw it was Riley's. He said a few short words then hung up and looked over at me, something indescribable in his eyes.   

        "Come here, Poppy, you're going to want to see this." He held out his hand to me, and I grasped it. He drew me out of my seat just as there was movement at the door, and I looked. A couple of guards entered, followed by a small figure. The figure seemed familiar, but I couldn't place them.   

        Not until they walked completely into the living room and drew back the hood of the jacket they wore.   

        I gasped in surprise. It was Krissie. She was filthy and scraggly looking and a lot thinner. I was in shock, part of me happy to know she was alive, part of me not. I had gotten used to the idea of her being dead, just like Mother and Leah.   

        I blinked at her several times, as an awkward silence fell in the house.   

        "Not happy to see me, sis?" She asked. I blinked again because she had never once acknowledged me as her sister in the past.   

        I stuttered, "yes, yes, I am happy to see you. We had just thought the worst when we couldn't find you is all."  

        She nodded jerkily as she looked around the house and the people in it.   

        "Looks like you've done well for yourself. I wouldn't have wanted to go back to Mom's either if I had this house and man to come back to."    

        I didn't know how to respond to that, so I said nothing. Another awkward silence fell. Riley took it upon himself to relieve it.   

        "Are you hungry? Would you like a shower?" He asked her. Something I should have done.   

        She looked at him. Her eyes lingered on his bare chest before moving up to his eyes and answering him. "Yes, I would, to both."   

        He nodded and turned his attention to me, "Sunshine, show her to our room and let her shower. I am sure something of yours should fit her." He then turned to one of the guards, "if there are any hamburgers left, warm up a couple for her."   

        We both nodded and went to do as told. I motioned to Krissie to follow me and headed to the bedroom. I showed her the bathroom and went to get her a couple of towels and some clothes.   

        We didn't say a word to each other, neither of us knowing what to say. There was too much between us to make polite conversation.    

        I grabbed her a pair of denim shorts and a tank top and placed them on the bathroom counter as she showered.  

        I sat on the bed to wait for her, thoughts racing through my head. What was I to do with her? Why did she come here? Where had she been? So many questions raced through my brain I couldn't keep up. I was more upset that she had turned up than her being alive. I felt heartless, and maybe I was. I didn't know and didn't really care when it came to my blood family.   

        I heard a noise and looked up. Krissie was standing in the bathroom doorway, holding up the shorts I had given her. She had lost a lot of weight, and she didn't have that much on her to begin with.   

        "I think I have a belt that will work," I told her and went into the closet. I was looking for a belt that would fit when I heard her walk up behind me.   

        "You know, it's your fault, don't you?" She asked in a monotone.   

        I turned to look at her, "what do you mean?"  

        "It's your fault they're dead. If Mom had never stolen you when you were little, they would still be alive."   

        "What the hell do you mean, 'stolen me'?" I ignored the rest of what she said because I knew she was right. It had been my fault they died. Though I wasn't as sorry as I should be.   

        Krissie shook her head as if trying to clear her mind. "Mom stole you, and if she hadn't of done so, her and Leah would be alive." She pulled her hand from behind her back, something I hadn't paid attention too, and I probably should have because there were scissors in her hand.  

        Scissors she had gotten from a drawer in the bathroom. I stared at her then at the scissors. "What are you doing?" I asked her.   

        "I'm going to kill you. Because it's your fault. Maybe if I fix it, by killing you, then Mom and Leah will be alive."   

        She suddenly screamed as she ran to me, shock causing me to just stand there as she stabbed me deep in the shoulder. Pain quickly radiated through my body, but I pushed through it as she raised her hand to stab me again. I wrapped my hand tightly around her wrist as she brought it down again. She screamed in pain and frustration and scratched my face with her free hand. I growled as I snapped her wrist with the scissors, causing them to drop and pushed her away. I barely registered at how easy it was to break.  

        She stumbled into the closet wall and sat there, stunned for a second, before getting back to her feet. But before she could make another run at me, Riley was there and had picked her up by her throat. He roared in her face, which made her face whiten in fear, finally realizing she had made a serious mistake. I knew what he was planning, and before he could, I yelled.  

        "No!" I saw relief on Krissie's face, but it was quickly dashed at my next words, "Not in our home."   

        Riley searched my face for a moment before turning back to Krissie. He threw her to Jasper, who was standing just outside the closet.  

        "Take her outside and make it quick."   

        I had collapsed to my knees when he had entered the closet, and I was holding a hand to the wound in my shoulder, trying to stem the bleeding. My face was stinging badly, and I could feel the blood trickle down my cheek.    

        I sighed, another death that was my fault, and all I could think was, 'I gave her my clothes.'   

        Riley directed the guards on what to do before picking me up and taking me into the bathroom to tend to my wounds.   

        He cleaned and bandaged up my wounds, despite the fact they would heal within a few hours. He wanted me to have stitches put into the shoulder wound just to help speed things along, but I didn't want to deal with any more pain.   

        I looked at Riley, "she said Mother had 'stolen' me when I was little. What did she mean by that?" I asked as if he knew the answer.   

        "I don't know, Sunshine, but we will find out." He promised. He picked me back up, and I didn't even feel like protesting as he laid me on the bed. We curled up together, my head in the crook of his neck.  

        "I feel like I am cursed and surrounded by death. If it wasn't for you, I don't think I would know what love or joy was. Maybe this is a dream, and when I wake up, I will realize that I've cursed and killed you too." I whispered brokenly against his throat.   

        Riley pulled back with a growl and forced me to look into his eyes, shaking my head a little as he did so. "You are not cursed nor surrounded by death. You are my life mate, the love of my life, the other half of my soul. You could never be cursed. Do not ever say that to me again."   

        I searched his face, looking for a hint of mistruth and found none. I sighed and nodded, still only half believing him, the other half striving to believe.   

        I tucked my face back into the crook of his neck and fell into an exhausted sleep, only to be awakened sometime later by Riley. He was shaking me awake as I heard screaming. It took a moment for me to realize it was myself that was screaming. I looked up into his face hovering above mine, worry making his face pinched.    

        I started breathing rapidly as I tried to catch my breath from the nightmare. I was already losing my memory of it, but what I could remember was Mother and my sisters, rotting and zombified, torturing me.   

        I placed my hands on Riley's face and lied, "I am OK now. I promise."   

        He didn't look that convinced, and my rapid breathing wasn't helping. I could tell I still stunk of fear. It permeated the room. I jumped out of bed and started pacing. I needed to move.   

        I stopped and turned to Riley, who was just sitting on the bed watching me, "What the fuck happened tonight?" It was a rhetorical question. I growled and started pacing again.    

        "Did she really have the nerve to come here and try to kill me? ME!? After all the years of bullshit they put me through, she dared to come to my house and try to kill me!" I threw my hands up in the air as I continued my rage pace.   

        "And what the fuck is this about Mother having stolen me? From where? From who? Do I have a Mom and Dad out there looking for me, or did they give up hope?"    

        I stopped in the middle of the room and hung my head, "They stole more than just a happy childhood from me, filling it with darkness. They stole love and parents and kindness."   

        I fell to my knees, put my head in my hands, and cried. I cried for what had happened to me, for what could have been, the would haves, should haves, and everything in between.   

        I felt arms encircle me, holding me tightly to a rock-hard chest. Then I felt more arms encircling me and Riley. I was startled into quietness and looked up. What I saw moved me to tears again. It was Jaime, Devie, Jasper, and many of the guards who had been here for the fight with Krissie and had stayed after. They were all putting their arms around us, showing their love, support, and gentleness for a girl who had never gotten any before.