Chapter 6. Meeting the parents.

Anna's POV

We made our way down a corridor, light and welcoming, paintings spaced along the walls. I wanted to stop and study each one but Etta was still holding my hand, urging me to ollow.

At he end of the hall, Etta turned to the left which opened out onto a sweeping staircase with a pale wooden bannister and a dark green runner down the centre.

Etta continued to pull me along, chatting happily but I didn't hear a word of it. The closer we got to her family, the more nervous I became.

On the last step, I stopped dead. The abruptness of it yanked Etta backwards. " Woah! What the hell Anna?!" It was almost comical watching Etta's left foot lifting into the air, her arms flailing, releasing my hand in the process.

"Sorry! I just...I just don't know if I can do this." I started tapping my thumb and forefinger together, a habit I picked up to control my anxieties.

"Let's just go say hi. If you want to go back to your room at anytime you can, no one will stop you." Etta caught her balance and took my hand again.

She led me through a lounge room and into a dining area. There was a noticeable lack of pack members. I wonder if they had been asked to stay away.

I took another calming breath as I entered the hall were only two people were sat, foreheads touching, fingers brushing together as they smiled at each other and talked quietly.

Something tugged at my heart at the sight of these people, so clearly devoted to one another. Now that i don't have a mate, I feel like I'll always be a spectator and not a participant.

The woman noticed us first, turning to look at Etta and I. She was an older version of my friend. Her hair still blonde but with highlighs of near white. Her blue eyes still bright and sharp.

"Greta! You've finally brought her to us." Her mother looked from Etta to me. " Hello, Annalise. I'm Stella, Greta's mother and this big beast beside me is Killian, my mate and the old Alpha of Mountain Ridge.

Killian stood when Stella introduced him. Beast was right! He was tall, like really tall and had broad shoulders.

His hair was a light brown with silver peppered at the edges. His jaw was sharp and firm looking. He should terrify me but his golden eyes were warm and kind.

"Hi Annalise. It's so nice to finally nice to meet you. You look much better than when we first saw you." His voice was deep and full of humour.

"Oh...yeah, I mean falling off a cliff will do that to do you, I guess" I rubbed the back of my hand and gave a small smile.

Stella and Etta had horrified expressions on their faces. the shocked silence filled the space for a long moment before Killian let out a sonorous boom of laughter.

"I knew I'd like you! You have spirit girl." The room appeared to take a breath after he spoke.

"Thanks Alpha. For taking me in and looking after me, " I said with a light blush. How do you thank the people who saved your life, literally.

"And...Luna. Thank you both." I bowed my head in respect. It didn't seem like enough but I had nothing else to give.

"Think nothing of it, sweet girl. Come. Sit, have something to eat with us." They both stepped towards me, hands out in a non threatening gesture.

Etta bounced on her heels. " YES!! Food! Come on, Anna. Let's eat. I'm wasting away here."

I laughed, actually laughed. This girl makes everything fun. A storm of emotions washed over me. I want to bottle all the good feelings before they disappear again. I have been so used to the predominant fear and anguish taking hold that I let it, riding it's wave until it calms.

I forced a cheerful smile and turned to Etta. "Well, we can't have that Bestie Let's go get you fed." Arms linked, we headed over to a buffet style table.

There were several pasta dishes, salads, meats and sides. I took a small helping of each, eager to try everything, while Etta piled her plate high.

We went and sat with her parents. I'm not used to eating in front of people but I managed to take small, controlled bites as I listened to them tell me about their pack.

"So, Annalise, Greta told us a little about you. I don't think she mentioned your pack though?" Stella didn't beat around the bush.

Clearing my throat and setting down my fork, I met their openness with my own. "My parents were the Alpha and Luna of Cold Claw. They died during the rogue rebellion. Their Beta took over and now his son is the Alpha. He was my mate but he rejected me as soon as I turned eighteen. They...they are not good people."

I could feel the anger rolling off Killian and Stella took my hand in hers. 'So that's where Etta learned that comforting gesture.

"Cold Claw? Your parents were Fabian and Grace? They were good to their pack. The rumours were that that their daughter died." Killian's voice was full of sympathy.

"You knew them?" My breath hitched. This is too much. "Then you know that I can't go back...they would kill me this time." Panic rose and tears spilled. I couldn't breathe. I knocked over my plate as I struggled.

" I'm sorry!" I squeaked, quickly getting on my knees to pick up the mess I made. Splinters of porcelain cut into my knees and hands, beads of blood forming lines all over them.

I didn't even register the footsteps approaching as I hurriedly picked up all the broken pieces. This was not the impression I had wanted to make.