CHAPTER 15 – Pack

Their cards were returned, and the guards carried their bags as they headed towards the shop's exit.

“And you are right, the guards are boring,” She turned to the guards behind her, “No offense, people.” She nervously opened her teeth.

“Trust me, they weren’t offended, they know it’s true,” Phil said.

“You went on a tour around Mexico and the only thing you bought were cookies?” Brynn asked, looking at his phone, as they were in the jet, heading back home.

“I was more into the sightseeing than the shopping aspect of the tour,” Aurora answered, “I hope you aren’t offended?”

“Not at all, as long as it makes you happy,” Brynn said, “Hope you weren’t bored?”

“At first I was,” She said, “But then I met a guy in a shop, his name is Phil. He says he knows you too well.”

“Yes, his late father was a good friend of mine. He is a good kid. Did he bother you?”

“Not at all, he was extremely fun throughout the tour.”

“Good.”

“Father?” She called.

“Yes?”

“What’s a pack?”

Brynn paused in surprise, but his face was unhinged.

“Because Phil said something about a pack, an alpha, and being unmarked,” She said, “At first it made me think of him as a freak, but after that, he was entirely fun. So Dad, what’s a pack?”

Brynn looked at her, “It’s nothing important, it’s a term we use in my world, same meaning as elites.” He said.

“Oh, so he was the leader of their elite group?”

“Exactly!” He answered.

“Your world is strange,” She said, “But fun. I enjoyed my tour, thank you, Dad.”

“You are welcome.”

A minute of silence passed, and Brynn asked, “You must have heard of werewolves.”

Aurora nodded.

“What’s your idea about them?”

“Don’t tell me you believe in werewolves, too.” She said, and Luke’s head snapped and turned to look at her, and Brynn rested fully into his seat, to view and listen to his ignorant daughter.

“You don’t?” Brynn asked.

“No,” She answered, “I think that the word is being used to manipulate the public; nothing like ‘werewolves’ exists.”

“Hmm,” Brynn looked at Luke and looked back at Aurora, his lips twitched slightly. She didn’t know about werewolves, well, not yet. “Okay then. I would advise you to take a rest; you have had a long day. We would be home soon.”

Aurora got back to the mansion and hurriedly went to her room, not to fall into Bianca’s sight.

She went into the room and greeted her mother, who greeted her back.

“How was your day, child?” Moira asked as they both sat down on the bed.

“It was fun,” She answered, “I’m sorry for leaving without telling you first, you were busy with work and I didn’t want to disturb you.”

“It’s fine,” She said, holding her daughter’s hands tightly, “I am just glad that you are back here with me.”

“Does it mean that you are okay with me staying for a month?” Aurora asked, her eyes fixed on her mother’s, searching for answers.

“Of course I am,” Moira answered, “The master favours you and has given you not just a title, but also his protection.”

Aurora furrowed her brows,

“How did you do it?”

“I don’t know, it just happened.”

Moira bit her lower lip, “There’s nothing to be scared about,” She said, “But that is not a yardstick to go out of line. He might have given you a title, but don’t forget that blood is thicker than water. You must be careful, because I don’t think that the rest of the family accepts you.”

“I know that, mum,” Aurora said, “And I have heard you.”

“That’s my child.” Moira said, “Now tell me about your day.”

Aurora had gone to the kitchen one early morning to get something to ease her sweet tooth. She opened the cabinet as usual to get a pack of chocolate chip cookies. Brynn had noticed her love for it and ordered that the cabinet never run out of cookies for as long as she stayed in that house.

She jumped when she closed the cabinet door and saw Theodore’s figure right behind the door.

“You have to stop doing that.” She retorted, but he kept quiet, with a disdained look on his face, glared at her, and left.

“Chicken.” She silently said.

“What did you say?” Theodore asked, walking back to the kitchen.

Aurora was surprised; she had been cautious not to be loud, but how come he still heard her?

“What did you hear?” She asked, turning around to grab a glass cup so she could make a glass of milk.

Theodore abruptly stood in front of her, stopping her move.

‘Goodness me, he is very tall from up close.’ She thought to herself as she craned her neck to look at him.

Compared to his height, she was average; her head was the length of his chest, just right below his perked chest.

“Y... you’re very tall.” She gulped, looking up uncomfortably, staring at Theodore.

It was a bit difficult to see his face, as shadows partially obscured it.

“You make my neck hurt.” He said, “For someone with that kind of mouth, I expected an intimidating height.”

“So you stand in my front just to spew that boring line?” She said, trying to keep her eyes up, “I definitely thought you were going to do some real damage.”

“I would’ve loved to.”

“Then what’s stopping you?” She asked, “Do you want to know why I decided to stay for a month?”

Theodore stayed quiet,

“Hold on a second.” She said, lifting a finger.

She dropped her head to ease her tired neck and did a few head turns. “There, much better.” She said and went back to looking up at Theodore’s face.

“Let me answer that for you, because who better than me?” She said. “I decided to stay for a month, so that I could pay you back for ignoring me in the mansion’s prison.”

“Pathetic.” He scoffed.

“That’s what you are going to feel like by the end of my one month in this house.” She said, “I am going to make you pay for what you made me go through in prison.”

Theodore looked at this daring woman in disbelief, but she couldn’t see it because of the shadow covering his face.

“Go on,” She said, “Say something. Don’t tell me that you feel threatened by my presence already.”

“Threatened?” Theodore said, “What kind of harm could someone like you possibly do?”

“Oh... you have no idea,” She said, “Don’t underestimate the power…”

“Of a short woman?” Theodore asked.

Aurora’s eyes widened,

“You are asking for it, Theo.” She said, lifting and twisting her fist.

“What could you possibly do?” Theodore asked, folding his arms on his chest,