Chapter 10. Alone Again.

It had only been three days since Brodie left me at the edge of the woods but it felt like an eternity.

My mother tried to ask me what had happened between us but I sat silently whilst pushing my food around my plate. The glances shared between her and my father did not go unnoticed, just unacknowledged by myself.

My appetite was gone, but I intensified my running routine, secretly hoping to bump into Brodie. So far it had been pointless.

As I went on my third run of the day, I wondered why it bothered me so much. Brodie was the future alpha and up until a few days ago he didn't even know I existed. I'm sure he would forget about me in the same space of time.

As I approached the edge of the forest I slowed my pace. The combination of more exercise and less food was making me tired. I stopped and rested against a tree, bent over slightly with my hands gripping my thighs.

With my eyes closed and my head bowed, I focused on my breathing and the slowing beat of my heart. The strange sensation of being watched started to creep through me.

Not wanting to appear that I knew that someone or something was there I continued to slow my breathing then decided I needed a natural way of looking up to have a look without making it obvious.

I had a water bottle with me that I'd dropped when I stopped to rest. Picking it up, I straightened to take a deep drink, my eyes sweeping the area around me. For an instant I swore I saw a shadow moving out of sight. Shaking my head at the thought I took off again, ready to go home.

Stripping off and stepping into a hot shower, Talia felt the anxiety of being watched and the knots in her muscles flow away with the water. She took her time washing and rewashing her hair. Before long her stomach started growling at her.

Sighing, she stepped out of the cubicle and wrapped herself in a towel. She dried herself quickly and through on some shorts and a tank top. She sat in front of her mirror to dry her hair.

Talia combed out and tangles and reached over for her hair dryer. As she did, she caught sight of her reflection. Her healthy skin looked a little sallow and her bright eyes were dulled with dark circles framing them underneath.

Pursing her lips at the unwelcome sight, Talia quickly dried her hair and went down to eat something. She would not let some argument with someone she barely knew affect her this way anymore. Talia was not wired that way.

Violet and Lachan were in the kitchen when their daughter appeared. She grabbed a plate and started piling her plate high with chicken, potatoes and several different vegetables. At the table she poured herself a glass of water, sat down and started eating heartily.

Her parents watched her then looked at each other, bewildered by the sudden turn around in Talia's attitide.

Talia had her fork midway to her mouth when she noticed her parents looking confusedly at her then each other.

"Guys, are you eating or what?", Talia asked. "This is really good Ma.",she started eating again, which seemed to unfreeze the stunned Violet and Lachan. They filled their plates and joined Talia at the table.

"So...... Ali? I take it you're feeling better?", Lachan started, unsure of what to say.

"Did you and the young alpha sort everything out love?", Violet tentively inquired.

Talia snorted at this and replied, "There was nothing to sort out Ma.", She gestured with air quotes when answering. " I'm feeling much better thanks dad. Just over doing things I reckon."

"But Ali......surely something happened. You've been... Well.. You haven't been yourself.", Violet sighed but continued on, "Did he do something or say something to you? You can tell us we won't..."

Talia held up her hand to her mother mid sentence to stop her, " Nothing happened okay. He obviously decided that he didn't have time for someone like me and I'm fine with it. I'm used to it. "

Violet looked sceptical but held in her opinion. The rest of the meal was ate in silence. Talia cleared away the dishes and went back up to her room. Her exams were only a couple of weeks away and she wanted to study as much as possible for them.

She pulled out her biology notes and put in her earphones, picking a random playlist, she settled in for a  night of anatomy and plant life.

Talia was singing along as she read and took notes on anything she thought might be in the exam. The eerie feeling of being watched made the tiny hairs on her arms prickle but she ignored it. She was safe in her room with her parents just down the hall.

Hours ticked by and Talia had fallen asleep with her music still playing and her notes all around her. She was oblivious to the shadow that was lurking in a nearby tree watching her. 

She turned in her sleep so that she was facing her window. The shadow lingered, taking in the peaceful features of the slight girl in the bed. Soon, almost grudgingly, the shadow decided to climb down and leave her to sleep.