4

After breakfast I was at a loss for what to do next. Besides hunting for food I have not had a proper pastime since I was a child. Now, it looks like I have plenty of extra time to spare. 

"Do you want to walk around the town with me? The entire town is made up of members of the pack so you do not have to hide here." Dante supplies helpfully. 

"I have not been around other people in years. That sounds like a wonderful idea although, I am a little nervous to do so." I admit. 

"This is my pack. There is nothing to be nervous about. Maybe we can stop at the coffee shop and get some drinks while we walk around." He supplies hopefully. 

"Ok I might like that. I have never had coffee though." I say sheepishly. 

"Well that is just a crime that I cannot allow. Come on, let's get out of here and see what all we can get into." He grabs my hand before we head out of the door. My hand tingles where he is touching me and I cannot tell if it is because I am not used to physical contact or maybe something more. Either way it is not unwelcome so I do not let his hand go. 

We walk down the road to a little coffee shop and while he orders us our coffees I cannot help but notice that everybody we pass is staring at me. I do not like all of the attention so I stare right back until they look away. When Dante returns and hands me a coffee he abruptly apologizes for all of the staring. "You made quite a stir last night. First, you show up as a cardinal which, I have never heard of another wolf being able to do. Next, you admit to living in the woods for years and then I call you my mate. Understandably, you are talk of the pack right now." He says.

We continue our walk around the pack's town for most of the morning. When we stop for lunch at a local restaurant Dante orders us both burgers and fries. I even get a Pepsi which I have not had in years. The first taste was divine. I smiled to myself while drinking it and watching everything happening around me. 

"I like taking you on this tour. You look at everything so freshly. Each thing you experience brings another smile to your lips. Is there anything else you want to see before we head back?" Dante asks. 

I ponder for a while before saying, "Well maybe the library if you have one. I have not read a book in ages and I would like to work on reading again."

"That sounds fantastic. Maybe I can help you pick out some of my favorites and then I can read it with you in case you need any help." He offers. 

The food arrives so I just nod my head while my eyes get big at the sight of how delicious this burger looks. I have not eaten this much in a single day in years though so I wonder if I will be able to finish it all. Slowly, I begin picking at the burger and find that they use homemade garlic pickles on it that quickly make me think this just might be the best burger I have ever had. I eat until I am stuffed and sleepy then we head over to the library.

"Personally, I have been obsessed with the books about witches lately." Dante admits. "They are not as fun to read but as I have had dealings with a witch coven recently I figured it would be best to research them. For fun though, I like to read fantasy books so that I can get lost in a new world."

He brings me to the fantasy section and I just stare at all of the amazing pictures on the front of these books. Forgetting that I am looking to read the books I pick one out judging by the picture alone. It shows a guy riding on the back of a golden dragon while another dragon breathes fire at him. 

"That is actually the second book in the series. Let me get you the first book and then we can come back for the second once you are done reading it." He helps. 

"Oh okay. I guess I forgot to even look at the title." I admit. 

We leave the library with the first book in the series and head back to the pack house. Dante walks me to my room before leaving me to read the book on my own. He informs me that he will be in his office on the main floor if I need anything. 

Opening the book I inhale the smell and smile to myself. I decide I will read while bathing so I run another bath and sink into it with the book. I know that books and water do not mix but there is something so relaxing with the thought. I struggle through the first couple of sentences before it begins to get a little easier. Then, I do not realize time passing as I lose myself in the story. When the water begins to grow cold I dry off and head to the bed. Even though it is still early I doze off while reading the book on the bed. I wake to the smell of dinner and the sound of many voices clambering for food.