Chapter 5

Clara stuck with Suzy the rest of the day. Everything went smoothly, except for dinner. She preferred to be lost in a crowd, not the focus of one.

The members seemed to sense this and none approached her directly. She met the other two who sat at their table, but forgot their names already.

Clara felt like she had to pinch herself to keep from having a break with reality over how bizarre her situation had become.

After dinner was social time, which seemed to mean everyone went into the basement to play some form of sport or went outside to shift and take a run. Clara didn't feel like either.

"Do you play volleyball? I've got a game going tonight if you want to join."

"Thanks for the invite, I'm not very athletic."

"You are now," Suzy said. "I bet you have way more skills than you realize."

Clara let out a yawn.

"I think I want to lie down. It's been a long day."

"I bet," Suzy said. "Do you need me to walk you to your room?"

"Clara how did your day go?" James seemed to have appeared out of thin air. "I see you've met Suzy. Did she tell you she's our volleyball superstar? You should come and play or at least watch her. She really is amazing."

Suzy smiled and dropped her chin, trying to hide the pride she felt at James' compliment.

"It was fine. I'm exhausted though, I think I'm ready for bed."

"I will walk you to your room."

"That's not necessary."

Clara was hoping to spend some time looking for where the van might be parked, or any other vehicle in this place, but James already had his hand in the small of her back and started guiding her towards the stairs.

"I've heard lots of good thing about you. Roxy said you are very intelligent. It made me think of the perfect job for you. Teaching the pack's children. I know it's not museum curator, but the current instructor is ready for a new challenge and I think you will be perfect at the position."

Teaching meant people staring at her, paying attention to her. Clara felt a knot in her stomach. There was no way that was happening.

Rather than point it out she nodded her head, telling herself the Beta was due back tonight with a van. She would steal the keys and get out of here as soon as possible.

"Wonderful," James said. "It really is a blessing you've joined us. I want you to feel at home, but I know this is an adjustment for you. To make your first few nights extra comfortable I've asked for everyone to keep a close eye on you."

They rounded the stairs onto the bedroom floor. At the end of the hall Clara spotted a man sitting in a chair. Her heart sank when she saw the door was to her room.

 

"There was a flood of volunteers who agreed to watch your room tonight, in case you wake up and need anything."

"How thoughtful." Clara let the annoyance drip from her voice, but James smiled and kept walking, either unaware or choosing to ignore her obvious distaste for this development.

They stopped in front of her room and James pulled her in for a tight hug. He swayed back and forth with her in his arms.

Clara tried to fight it, but she couldn't shake the safe feeling he gave her. She let herself go and relaxed in his embrace.

"You did wonderful today," James said. "Tomorrow we will spend some time on your fighting assessment and then I'll show you where you'll be working."

If they did put that much emphasis on combat, they were in for a surprise at how terrible Clara's skills were. James let her go and she let out a yawn, realizing now that she wasn't faking exhaustion.

As soon as the door closed to her badly decorated room Clara fell straight into bed, asleep by the time her head hit the pillow.