Mia's POV
His scent was all around me as I woke. It made me feel safe, and the softness around me engulfed me into a hug. Softness.. I'm on a bed again.
I opened my eyes and sighed out loudly. It's not fair that they keep putting me on beds and in all these situations where I would never dare break a rule but am forced to. I don't understand what the purpose is. What kind of training is this?
I looked around for the Alpha but the bed seemed to be empty. My eyes trailed to a door where I could make out various sounds coming from inside. He must be in the washroom.
I kept my eyes on the door for a while until I jumped seeing it open, breaking me out of my daze. My fear held me frozen for a few moments until I regained control. Quickly I leaped from the bed and crashed onto the floor with a groan. The beds are a lot taller then I keep expecting.
I wasn't sure where I should go or if I should even move. I saw his feet enter my vision and I decided it's safer to show my belly so I rolled over to show my vulnerability.
He knelt down to my level and I flinched away from him. "Love, I'm not going to hurt you. It's ok to be on the bed, I prefer it even. There's no reason for you to have to be uncomfortable on the floor."
I looked up at him but didn't meet his eyes. I felt like I was still in trouble. I shouldn't be breaking so many rules but a lot of them I can't control!
"I must leave for a bit, will you be alright? I'll have food brought up shortly" I gave him a small nod as I returned to a normal position. I couldn't help become excited to see if I would get more fruit. But instantly felt disgusted by my thoughts.
"Nate and Lily are going to come up later to spend some time with you." I watched him leave and oddly became sad. The room felt too big and empty without him. Nate was nice so maybe I will like having someone around.
I had nothing to do so I decided to wait patiently. I laid down more comfortably and rested my head on my paws while my attention went to the door. It wasn't long until I heard a pair of footsteps from down the hall come closer. I couldn't help but feel a bit excited that I wouldn't feel so bored and alone. Why am I feeling this way? I should be scared.
When I saw the doorknob turn, the excitement I was worried about soon fell and I was overcome by memories and the danger this often meant. I whimpered and got into my trained position.
"Mia, you're looking so well. Much healthier than when we last encountered" I glanced up at the feminine voice and saw the lady who was with me in the other room when I first woke up here. "We haven't been properly introduced. I'm Lily, Kayden and Nates sister" She said with a big smile and rested her arm on the man beside her. He groaned and she giggled.
"Still figuring out if it's a blessing or a curse" her smile grew and she plopped onto the floor many feet away from me. I instinctively flinch at her fast movement and heard her mumble a quick "sorry" I felt bad for bringing down her mood so quickly. It made me feel warm inside from her energy when I recovered from my fear.
"Don't bring too much energy into the room Lily, you're getting too excited" I really like her, I don't want Lily to be in trouble. My head lowered a bit but I kept my eyes on them.
Lily perked up again and gave a big smile to Nate, "She's fine doctor dog. You're too professional sometimes, lighten up" I gawked at her in horror. She's going to get herself really hurt talking like that. "I won't push her limits too much, no reason to tiptoe around her either though. She's a person who deserves an honest friend, not just a doctor and a protective mate" My heart pounded and hurt in a weird way from her comment. The same way it did with the stuffy in the white room. I couldn't take my eyes off her. She called me a person, but I'm a dog.
She looked to me and the warmth in her eyes, the brightness in her smile, everything about her lightened the room, she seemed to be speaking honestly. I realized I was staring into her eyes but I didn't care right now, I haven't seen this kindness in years since my dad died, and again when my Luna was killed.
I got up and took a few cautious steps towards her, that smile only growing softer. The nostalgic feeling gave me butterflies. I went to her and laid down beside her. There was no hesitation in her actions as she ran her hand down my fur and I felt no fear to flinch away.
I watched Nate hand her something and I tensed a bit wondering what it was, but I instantly melt into Lily's side when I felt the object brush through my fur.
"You're right Lily, she does need a friend. I suppose there will always be things I can't do, and neither Kayden can do. I guess that's why we have you, that Mia has you. This is going better then planned and since she's calm, I need to get some work done so if you're comfortable I'll head over to the desk if you wanted to stay with her?" "Of course!" I heard the scoff in her tone while I watched Nate walk away from us before I closed my eyes to take in all the sensations. I loved how soft and light my fur felt. It reminded me of when the Luna of my pack would take care of me. She would brush my fur and was so gentle around the knots.
"Mia" I looked up at Lily expectantly. "Your old pack, what they did was wrong. I don't know everything you went though but who I see right now is someone who went through too much then what they should have had a happy carefree life. Not torture. You didn't deserve what happened to you at all" I felt uncomfortable by her words, but her tears hurt me most. I wasn't sure if she was lying or not. I feel like I deserved what I went though, I broke too many rules and the punishments were my consequences.
"I want you to know that we are your family now and we'll do everything we can to help you. You're safe here, no rules, no commands. Just be your own person. This is your home" she gently grabbed both sides of my face and leaned her forehead to mine. It didn't scare me like I expected, it made my heart ache.
I felt her tears fall on my head and I wasn't sure what to do. Tears were always a sight of weakness so I've never encountered this, but Lily is not weak. Her words were hitting too deep and the seriousness of her emotions made me want to believe her. If she's telling the truth, does this mean I'm not going home with Alpha again? That maybe it won't be so painful anymore? No more punishments? My mind become puzzled and once again I feel into a grey area of confusion. I didn't seem real, it was too good to be true and I should know better.
I ignore the thoughts for now and decide to take in this temporary warmth. I wanted this feeling to stay forever but I'd be ok with just a little while longer. I run my head against her stomach and her arms hugged around my head. I try hard to overcome the trapped feeling and just enjoy the moment. Thankfully I did until she let go continued brushing my fur.
I jumped away from Lily when a sudden knocking on the door scared me. I lowered myself to the ground and stared at the door questioningly. Food maybe? Fruit!! I hope there's fruit! No, no you don't. Human food is bad, you should never have eaten any.
I pretend to myself I didn't want food as the door opened and I helplessly stare longingly at the bowl the stranger held, my mouth watering instantly. I try to calm myself down with thoughts knowing it's not for me, the food is for Lily and Nate, I ate yesterday and all dogs are allowed is kibble.
"Thank you so much!" I saw Lily run up to grab the bowl then wave the other lady off. "Yummy, porridge with peaches Mia. Isn't that your favourite?" My head tilted and I sniffed at the bowl. Ignoring my past words, I really hoped peaches were fruit, they looked like the fruit I ate yesterday. Lily knelt in front of me and grabbed the spoon.
On cue my stomach growled and I lowered myself down worried she'd take the food away now.
"Looks like someones hungry" Lily instead chuckled as I made sure she wasn't upset at my eagerness.
We had the awkward process of her feeding me each bite by the spoonful. I tried to eat how I normally did but she preferred I didn't. The yellow peach slices were really yummy too! Just like yesterday. Nate is still sitting at the desk looking through the small computer he had brought with him. Only sharing small glances and smiles my way. They seemed to be happy I was eating, not upset they had to feed me or else I'd die.
I ate half the bowl and made sure I got all the peaches so my stomach was really full now, it was uncomfortable but it felt nice. My body had more energy and my mind wasn't as foggy.
Lily set the bowl aside and walked over to one of the bookshelves in the room then grabbed a book. I watched her make her way to the couch by the wall and we made eye contact when she sat down. She patted the spot beside her, I decided I was allowed to go to her, curious of what she was doing.
I went to her side and laid on the ground by her feet, though I chanced putting my head on her lap and she allowed it with a big smile. "If you want to come up beside me, you're more than welcome too. Can I read too you?" I felt my tail wag as I remembered how dad would read me to bed every night.
I nodded my head excitedly and stared down the book, but ignored her offer to go on the couch. Aside from elementary level reading and words I'm exposed too, I don't know how to read. Her smile grew brighter and she slid down the couch to cuddle next to me on the floor.
I closed my eyes, listening closely to the story she told. I could imagine every detail as it danced through the darkness behind my eyelids. This was a feeling I haven't felt in years and something I didn't know I had missed so much.
"Lily" Nate interrupted the storytelling and we both looked over to him. "I need to watch over Ka... the new wolf for a few hours. Jackson said everything went well overnight but I agree with him that it might be best if I can ask some questions and take the next shift. Are you comfortable staying with Mia tell Kayden gets back?"
I felt Lily's body stiffen and her energy was tense. I lowered my ears and slightly moved away from Lily, getting worried at what might happen. "It's ok Mia. Go ahead Nate, I'll stay with her until Kayden comes back" Lily rubbed my check in comfort and continue with the story as Nate exited the room. I was interested in what was going on but decided I liked the book more then my thoughts, curiosity was dangerous anyways.
Kai's POV
I didn't sleep well. Having the beta's stare burning into me kept me uneasy. He wasn't aggressive towards me or anything but the entire situation was uncomfortable. I hope soon I can have the room to myself overnight.
I decided I wanted to stay in my room for the first while so I've been sketching some backgrounds all morning while on my bed. I didn't want any angry wolves on my ass, I'm used to staying under the radar. Less attention the better.
"I'm going to be leaving soon" I jumped at his sudden words and looked at him. Few words were shared between us. "Another wolf will be watching you for a few hours, he's going to ask some more questions." I nodded and watched him stretch out his arms and body.
"Are.. you hungry? Or something?" He scratched his head, telling me he felt the awkward tension as well. I just nodded my head and he nodded back. "Let's go grab something, everyone's out of the pack house around this time." He got up and I followed as he led us out of the room.
After a few moments of walking down the halls, I saw people coming our direction and I could feel their glares. They passed us and I made sure not to make eye contact, pleasantly surprised they weren't more hostile. My pack would at the very least degrade you verbally if they didn't like you. More often then not though it would be physical fights.
"They won't be like that forever. The news of Mia's situation really shocked them, it's unheard of and shameful." I heard the disgust in his voice and felt defensive but then awful for Mia immediately after. I didn't want to make any comments because I'm not sure what's seen as normal and what's not. I was eager to see their schedule though. How they keep their pack together so well.
We made it to the kitchen and the beta grabbed some bowls before hesitating. "Is cereal ok?" I smiled and nodded again. He was very nice and it was odd to think of a friendly person in a powerful pack. He grabbed a box of Froot Loops and filled the bowl before pouring the milk. I thanked him when he slid it over. I smiled at the colourful circles and thought it was ironic how the all scary Blood Moon Pack is eating rainbows for breakfast.
"Beta Jackson" I glanced up and watched Jackson straighten his posture. "Nate, it's been a while"
"It has. Let's make sure to catch up, I can take over when you're done eating" Jackson nodded and gobbled his food before quickly leaving the kitchen.
I was left assuming this was my new babysitter, Nate.