I looked down at my nails. Long and naturally strong, I crossed one problem off my enormous list. My healthy hair and nails I could thank my mom for. I designed not to reply and went back to my sandwich.
In response to all the friendly people I had met so far I figured keeping a lid on myself was my best survival option at the moment.
"Mia, I don't think Cassie has adjusted to everything yet, maybe some actual advice would be helpful," Elise advised.
"Right, sorry Cassie. I can't really fathom what you're going through right now, but I'm willing to answer any questions you have."
"What's up with all the women?"
"Oh, well Kane sent most of the guys off the property in light of your problem. A few of his strongest enforcers are still patrolling in the woods, but as long as you stay inside it should be fine."
"Well what if I don't want to stay inside?"
"Cassie, it's not really about what you want at this point. If Kane has to stick you in one of the cages downstairs to protect the pack he will, it would be much easier if you chose to remain indoors of your own free will," Elise replied.
"Mom! Jeez take it down a notch. We're not going to shove you in a cage," Mia shot her mom a frankly entertaining look of admonishment.
"Not again I hope."
I shuddered to remember my time in that cage. Now knowing that the change had actually begun I had a little more respect for Kane since he still let me go. But just a little respect, I still couldn't stand the guy.
"Who put you in the cages!?"
"Your brother, isn't that like standard procedure?"
"No, no it is not," Mia looked aggravated, but I knew Elise was aware I had been held down there. Something told me she had a large hand in how things were ran around here.
"Mia relax what exactly were we supposed to do?"
"I don't know mom, you and Kane could have taken a little more time with her! Helped her to understand maybe?"
"Hey, it's fine I was pretty set on the fact that I wasn't a werewolf."
Oh the days when this had supposedly been a drug induced hallucination. I subtly pinched myself, nope still my reality.
I stood with a stretch, happier and calmer now that my stomach was full.
"What was in that sandwich? I feel great."
"Your body is still adjusting, but with a much higher metabolism than normal humans, you'll find food can affect your mood severely."
Hm, Sierra hadn't been wrong, food and I had been friends for a long time. A higher metabolism I could get used to.
"Mia why don't you start off by showing Cassie around, she can have the room beside yours. Cassie I'll have someone run into town to pick you up some clothes, what size do you wear?"
"A six usually, but while I would love to have the grand tour I do have a boyfriend, a job, and a best friend who, along with her child, has recently been kidnapped. I might need to check up on all that."
"Kane has already taken care of your job and your friend. Your boss thinks you have the flu and the blonde woman is at one of our safe houses along with her son. As for your boyfriend, he is no concern of ours," Elise dismissed me casually.
"I understand that my boyfriend isn't your problem, he is mine, and I will be dealing with him unless you want the cops showing up at your door?"
How I was going to deal with Aidan I didn't know yet. I couldn't use my dad as an excuse again, but I had no idea how to explain why I hadn't talked to him in twenty-four hours. Has it really only been a day since all this!?
"I didn't realize that this man was a cop, fine I'll go get your cell, but under no circumstance are you allowed to tell him where you are or what you are," Elise replied slowly.
"Right, no, don't worry the word werewolf will not be leaving my mouth."
Elise walked off to get my cell phone, leaving Mia and I alone together.
"I want to apologize for my family. Mom and Kane have been like this ever since dad died. I know it's not an excuse but it has been hard on them both."
If there was one thing I could relate to it was the colossal change that came over people after the death of a close family member.
"It's fine Mia really."
"No, it's not, but I think some of it is your personality, they just don't know how to handle you."
Coming from anyone else I would have taken that as an insult, but the way Mia said it made me laugh.
"Here is your phone Cassie make it quick."
Elise handed me the phone and left again with hurried instructions for Mia to take care of me and keep me inside.
He answered on the second ring.
"Aidan hey-"
"Cassie! I'm so sorry."
What?
"What?"
"I know you must be upset with me, but I have been working on a huge case. I left my phone at home yesterday morning and I just got back in. I haven't slept at all I was just about to call you once I came up with a sincere enough apology."
I blinked. Surely I wasn't that lucky.
"A big case?"
"Yes, I can't say much about it, it was a little out of town around the area where the abandoned warehouses are."
My blood ran cold. I should have known. I had never been lucky and it seemed luck wasn't about to start smiling on me now.
"Oh, right. Aidan look it's no problem. I was actually calling to tell you I had to leave town for a few days, my, my uh sister is having some problems with her husband and asked if I could come and stay with her for a while."
"Your sister? I didn't know you had a sister. I thought it was just you and your dad?"
Mia looked up, clearly able to hear the both sides of the conversation. I tried not to be annoyed at the bit of personal information she now possessed.
"I don't really talk about her, we aren't very close, but she is family."
"Of course, I understand. Do you need me to come pick you up and take you to the airport?"
"NO, no. You've been up all night, and I already scheduled a taxi. You just need to get some rest and I will call you when I can and let you know how everything is."
"Alright, well I'm going to go lay down for a few hours, I have to be back in tonight. This case is... it's something else. Be safe and let me know when you land. I'll see you soon, sweetheart."
My heart stuttered a little at the last bit. That man was swoon worthy. I said goodbye and shut the phone sliding it into my back pocket.
Mia opted not to comment on the conversation, and I wasn't offering up anything.
"Follow me and I'll show you your room."
I followed silently behind, content for now to go along with everything. I had given myself a few days to figure everything out before Aidan would expect me back.
I paid more attention to house we walked through than I had before. It wasn't what I expected to see in a house this size. All of the furniture looked well loved. The hardwood floors were worn down from years of footsteps, and the rugs frayed and soft.
Instead of heading toward the staircase I was familiar with that led up to the infirmary and Kane's bedroom Mia led me toward the entry way and another, grander, set of stairs. These let up to a landing and a hallway in either direction. We took a right and headed down the hall.
Mia stopped at one of the giant wooden doors, second from the end. Across from the last door was another staircase leading to what I assumed were more rooms. She opened the door and stepped aside to let me walk in.
The room was beautiful. It was furnished with a dark wood I knew would be hard to leave behind. I loved darker woods, but Jason damn him liked lighter colors in our house. In the middle of the room was a queen bed piled high with pillows. The walls were a light gray color that matched the duvet. There were two doors, one that let to a walk in closet, the only clothing in there a few pairs of sweats which Mia explained were good for before and after a change.
The second door led to a giant bathroom with double sinks, a tiled shower, and clawed foot bath tub. I noticed another door at the end of the room. It opened into another bedroom, this one clearly lived in. I inhaled. It smelled like Mia.
"I didn't realize we would be sharing a bathroom."
"Yeah well I'll be honest I'm sure mom wanted me to keep an eye on you. Normally no one stays in the adjoining room unless we're all here, but the entire pack hasn't been brought in in a long time."
Mia strolled past me and into her room, plopping down on the bed. I leaned against the doorway taking in the mess in front of me. Clothes and shoes were strewn everywhere and her dresser was scattered with jewelry and make up. It was all very normal. Nothing to indicate a young werewolf lived here.
"Look I get that all this is new and confusing, but I'll level with you. Don't fuck with Sierra she is a serious bitch and she has been after Kane since her first change. Listen to what my mom tells you to do, until Kane takes a mate she's our alpha female. Avoid Kane when you can, he's pissy and stressed out right now and from what I can tell he seems to take that out on you for whatever reason."
"Wait Sierra isn't mated? Isn't that like mandatory to do after your first change?"
"What? No. Where did you get that idea?"
"Kane told me about how the pheromones work, and that after the first change the females give them off sending the males into like a mating frenzy or some shit."
"Is that all he told you?" Mia asked looking annoyed.