There were six latches in total that led to where Thunder stood tall and proud. She watched me with something like amusement as I entered where she stood. Even up close her beauty glowed but she was not any less frightening.
“I do not know what to do with you, Thunder,” I said as I watched her from a safe distance.
“You know, I did lots of dirty work in my father’s house but I have never had to work at the stables,” I lamented.
“She’s so beautiful!” exclaimed Raven.
“Raven? I had thought you were dead,” I said.
“Dead? Don’t be silly,” she chided me.
“How am I silly? You were quiet when I needed you to encourage me,” I reprimanded her.
“I am here when it matters, dear, are we not facing death together?” she said, sweetly.
“What is wrong with her, Raven? She is only looking at us,” I was alarmed.
“Only looking at us? Do we not stare at our food before devouring it?” replied Raven.
“You are not helping matters!” I said.
“Apologies, but what am I to tell you?” asked Raven.
“Have you any idea what I ought to do?” I asked.
“Of course, you can brush her beautiful fur,” responded Raven.
“No, thanks. I am just going to lay in the corner, okay?” came my response.
I was rather tired as it was. I could use some sleep since it appeared like Thunder was not ready to devour me just yet.
Hours later, I was awoken by loud voices shouting my name.
I walked out of the stable where I had been sleeping rather peacefully to see Pete standing at a safe distance away from Thunder’s stable.
“You’re alive?” He was shocked to see me unhurt.
“What?”
“I… you should be… you, I…”
“I should be dead, huh? Thunder is not as frightening as she appears. She’s rather gentle like a dove and she makes such beautiful noises too. She neighed softly when I brushed her,” I said with pride in my voice. Of course I had made that last part up. There was no way I was going to brush her after all I had heard about her but no one had to know that.
“You have become quite the liar,” said Raven.
“It is called surviving,” came my response.
“I… I… see. Will you lock the stable then?” he asked me.
“Of course,” I replied with a smile and entered the stable to lock it up.
I returned to Pete with a smile. The fear on his face was rather priceless; it filled me with so much pride. Perhaps this would earn my respect among the werewolves here.
“Don’t be silly, Nydia will try to put you in even more dangerous situations henceforth. You should have injured yourself before coming out,” cried Raven.
“You always give me advice when it’s too late,” I said to her.
“So I am done with the stables for today?” I asked.
“Yes, but lady Nydia requires your assistance in the drawing room,” said Pete.
“Now?”
“She instructed me to take you up there,” said Pete.
“I see,” was all I said as I allowed him to lead the way.
When we entered the room, I saw Nydia’s face pale with shock. This brought a smile to my face. Her attempt to murder me had proved futile.
“Oh, my! You stink!” It was one of the ladies that had tried to bully me at the ball. In fact, they were all there. I could guess what this was. They had not had their chance then so they were here to finish what they had started.
“I apologize, my friends. I only thought it would be nice to include her in our tea party but I believe she does not understand etiquettes,” said Nydia in a sickly sweet tone.
If there was an award for most pretentious people, Nydia would easily win the award.
“You are such a saint, dear,” one of her friends bemoaned and her comment only made me roll my eyes.
“I am no such thing,” replied Nydia with a little laugh. On that I could agree with her. She was far from being a saint.
“Darling! You do not have to hide things from us; you embrace your lover’s mate and you remain nice to her even though she is always rude,” said another in a tone that sounded like she was about to cry.
Honestly, these women were wasting their talents sipping tea. They should all be in the theater making people laugh.
“I do all I can for Alpha Dagen’s sake,” replied Nydia as though in deep thoughts.
“It will pay off eventually. At least, Alpha Dagen recognises your hardwork and kind heart,” said another.
“Get us fresh biscuits, will you?” one of them commanded me.
They were all watching me closely to see if I was going to defy the order.
“I wouldn’t dare serve you fresh biscuits when I am such a mess,” came my smart response.
“What in heaven’s name were you doing to gather so much dirt on your body?” asked one of them, her voice filled with disgust.
“I was tending to Thunder; she is such an angelic being; a beautiful horse indeed,” I said, staring directly into Nydia’s eyes to let her know that I was not someone she could mess with so easily. If she intended to go up against me, she would find in me a worthy opponent.
“Thunder?” one of them shouted. Her shock was evident and it brought a smile to my lips.
“You must have drugged her! Alpha Dagen will be furious!” another said and the smile that danced on Nydia’s lips frightened me. Had she had Thunder drugged and was now going to place the blame on me?
It was unlikely though seeing as she had been shocked to see me still breathing.
“You tended to Thunder?” inquired Nydia as though she were surprised at this information.