Chapter 7

Chapter 7

After a long night, with little sleep, I am woken up early in the morning by Claire.

Once I convinced the others, and they me, last night, Beth suggested we continue the conversation at the kitchen table so that Claire could sleep peacefully.

I was still suspicious myself, because what if they were just pretending and still wanted to take Claire away from me?

Fortunately, Bruce understood my distrust, and it took a long time for me to let the wall around me crumble. Little by little, I started to trust them again, and vice versa.

We talked until late at night. I told them in detail about Brent and what it was like for me as a human to be mated with a wolf, what our life was like, about my family and what they did. I cried, and surprisingly, Lucy cried with me. Halfway through the evening, she turned 180 degrees and mainly sympathized with me. I hardly dared to think so because I didn't want to rush things too much, but it even seemed like she was trying to be my friend.

Strangely enough, despite her behavior earlier that night, I liked the idea, and I could imagine us building a close friendship.

After I shared my past, they told me about theirs. Not only about the war of decades ago but also about themselves and their pack. The Blood Moon pack. Lucy talked a lot about their Alpha. Apparently, it's Lucy's high school sweetheart. They recently got back together. They were together for years until Dex started traveling around the country, hoping to find his fated mate. He didn't think it was fair to her to stay together. Unfortunately for Dex, his tour came to nothing, and he returned unmated.

When he returned last year, he was too busy taking over the pack that he didn't notice how hard Lucy was trying to get them back together. She is sure that they belong together, even though they are not fated mates. She is convinced that the Moon Goddess made a mistake, and that is why they have not met their fated mate, because they are already together.

Well, I don't know if that is true because, as I understood it from Brent, the Moon Goddess does not make mistakes. Bruce thinks so, too, because when she said that, he reacted quite strongly that it had never happened that the Moon Goddess made a mistake. That she has a reason for every match. And therefore also for everyone who is not mated. That earned him an angry look from his sister.

She asked him in a teasing tone what her reason was for him being still unmated, which earned her an angry look from Beth. Their typical sibling bickering made me chuckle. Until I saw the pain in Bruce's eyes, he tried to hide it and laugh off her comment, but I knew what I saw. It made me curious, but I didn't dare ask.

Bruce quickly changed the subject and suggested he show me around the city today. I gratefully accepted that offer. Exploring the city is a good idea. And with my sense of direction, a guide isn't a bad idea.

But, a city tour is the last thing on my mind right now. My head is pounding from lack of sleep as I get Claire ready to go downstairs. There is nothing in my room that I can use to make her bottle, so I have to make myself somewhat presentable to go downstairs.

When I arrive in the kitchen with sleepy eyes, Beth and Bruce are already sitting at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee in their hands. “Jeez, Lil, you look terrible,” Bruce says and takes a sip of his steaming coffee. Beth hits him gently on the shoulder. "That's no way to address guests!" She lectures him.

"Lil? Seriously, you've only known me for a day, and already you think you can shorten my name?" I ask, raising an eyebrow sarcastically. Brent is shocked by my comment and choked on his coffee. With a smug grin, I put Claire in the high chair so I could prepare her bottle. "Oh, I'm sorry, Lilly, I didn't mean to be disrespectful or anything." He quickly apologized. "It's okay; you'll get away with it this time," I answer and wink at Beth.

"Coffee?" Beth asks as I take Claire on my lap to give her a bottle. "Oh, yes, please," I answer gratefully. "Shall I look after Claire while Bruce shows you around the city?" Beth asks, her face and voice radiating hope. She can't wait to spend time with her.

"Um..." I don't know if I'm ready for that yet, whether I dare to do that. "Uhm, I don't know." I finally answer, and Beth looks at me disappointed. I immediately feel guilty because things seemed to go so well last night. "The thing is, I don't know if we should do it today. Explore the city. I feel really bad. I think it's better if we do it another day." I explain. "Maybe in a few days, when Claire and I are more settled and rested from the trip." I add. That may not be the reason I don't want to leave Claire with Beth, but it's not a lie, I feel really bad.

Beth's expression changes from disappointing to understanding. "Yes, of course, dear, that's understandable. Should I watch her so you can recover and take a nap?" She suggests. "Maybe another time," I answer with a small smile. "I think it's important for Claire that I'm around. She's been through so much in the last few weeks, and we're in a strange place right now. I want her to feel as safe as possible."

That is also the truth; we first have to get familiar with the new environment, and then we will see what happens.

Apologetically, I look at Bruce, but he doesn't seem to mind and shrugs his shoulders indifferently. "Sure, just let me know when you're ready. Then I'll see when I can fit it into my work schedule." he says. "Oh yes, as head trainer of the pack, you must be very busy," I say. I hadn't thought of that at all. "We will figure it out. Apart from the mandatory morning training, I have quite a bit of freedom in how I divide my days," he says.

When Claire finishes her bottle, she becomes restless and eager to explore. I keep an eye on her with a satisfied smile while I sip my coffee. She soon demands the attention of Bruce, who is more than happy to follow her, luckily because I don't have the energy for that at the moment.

I'm relieved when Claire shows earlier than usual that she is ready for her nap, and I can go upstairs with her. Fortunately, she cooperates well, and I can also sleep for a while.

When I wake up after about 2 hours, Claire is still sleeping. The poor thing must be overtired from all the impressions of yesterday because, normally, she only sleeps for an hour in the morning.

The nap did me good; I feel a lot better than this morning. Since Claire still seems to be in deep rest, I decide to take a, hopefully, relaxing shower.

I turn on the tap and set the temperature to extra warm. Before I step into the shower, I check on Claire again, but she's still in the same position.

I leave the door ajar and step into the shower. For a while, I just stand still and stare into space while the warm water helps my muscles relax. Claire still doesn't make a sound, and I lower myself to the floor and lean my back against the wall. Now that I kind of allow myself to relax, I notice how tense all the muscles in my body are. I think back on the past few days and consider the choices I have made.

Did I do the right thing by leaving? I wanted to get far away from my father and brother because I will never forgive them. But my mother, that's a different story. I know she knew what my father's plans were, but I also know there was nothing she could have done about it. Or dared to. Did I do the right thing in depriving Claire of her grandmother? Claire adores her, and she adores her.

I'm pulled out of my thoughts by Claire's babble. I hope I made the right choice and that we are safe here. I'm sure my father will do everything he can to find us. The worst part is that he won't want to find me just because I'm his daughter, but mainly because of the things I know. I'm sure he's terrified that I might pass on some information that could jeopardize his organization if it falls into the wrong hands. Not that I would ever do that, because I would never want to put my mother in that position because it would be dangerous for her, too.

Claire looks at me with a big smile when she sees me. I stroke her head and place some toys next to her to entertain herself while I get dressed.

When we come downstairs, there is no one to be seen, and it seems as if everyone is gone. While Claire drinks her bottle, I think about what to do. I decided to just walk around the block later, hoping to come across something like a park.

I'm just putting Claire in the baby carrier when the front door opens, and Beth walks in.

"Hi, Lilly." She says and smiles at Claire. "I see we got back just in time." I look at her without understanding. "I was just going to take Claire for a walk. Just around the block." I respond. "I can see that. That's why we got back just in time." She answers, at first, I don't understand what exactly she wants to say, but then Bruce pushes a stroller inside.

“Oh, you guys didn't have to do that,” I say in disbelief. "Since you said you wanted to stay longer, I thought it would be helpful if you had one available," Beth says with a smile. "It's a second-hand one; we borrow it from a pack member. You can use it as long as you need." Bruce adds. "Thank you," I answered gratefully.

I take Claire out of the baby carrier and put her in the stroller. "Shall I come with you? I can show you the neighborhood." Bruce suggests. I can just see Beth looking at him warningly; he pretends not to see it.

"Yeah, sure. Is your Alpha okay with you being absent so much? Shouldn't you be giving training or something?" I ask as I put care supplies for Claire on the bottom of the stroller. “Nah.” He waves away my comment. "I told you that I could plan my day myself. And the Alpha is busy in the company; he doesn't even notice that I'm gone."

"Okay, because I don't want you to get in trouble because of me." He shrugs. “I'm sure he'll understand when he sees you and little Claire.” I look at him in horror. I've never met an Alpha before; the idea makes me nervous.

"Don't worry, I'll protect you from the big bad wolf." He chuckles and puts an arm around my shoulder. Beth coughs, and he quickly withdraws his arm. "Don't worry, Lilly. Dex is a reasonable Alpha. To outsiders, he may seem ruthless, but he has a heart of gold." She assures me, and I nod.

"I'll come with you if you meet up with him," Bruce says, and again, Beth looks at him warningly. "What? For moral support." He says defensively, Beth doesn't say anything and just stares at him.