Those In The Forest

Part 33: Iris

"We need you to talk to Reagan for us," I said to Celia when she walked into the kitchen.

          She went to the fridge, not looking at us. It's been three days of Reagan ignoring us, only talking to us when she was hungry or tired. It was torture.

         Celia pulled out a block of cheese from the fridge and moved it to the counter, heading over to the cabinet for a cutting board.

          "Why can't any of you talk to her?" Celia said, setting the cutting board on the counter and starting to slice a few pieces of cheese.

          For one, she seems to need someone to talk to, and it clearly isn't us. I get we pissed her off by telling her she couldn't go on a run by herself. However, that shouldn't warrant her being like this to us.

          "Because we think we'll just make it worse. Actually, we know we will. All we want is for her to feel like she belongs with us, and yet something is telling us she feels like she is still an outsider." Rose said sadly.

          Celia popped a piece of cheese in her mouth and then looked at us. "What exactly do you think I can say that will change her mind about anything? She is her own person, and she will do what she thinks is best for her."

          "That doesn't help us," I grumbled.

          Celia shrugged. "It wasn't supposed to help you. Look, she seems like a smart girl. She is just... conflicted with all of this. Honestly, you four should be thrilled. Her biggest issue right now is her emotions on you all romantically instead of you all being werewolves. It's honestly shocking how well she is taking all of that." Celia frowned and ate another piece of cheese.

          Yeah, that's true. When we first met her, I really thought we would have her running for the hills when she found out we were murderous beasts.

          "Exactly our point. She knows what we are. She isn't scared. She's actually fearless. You should have seen how she stood up for us in front of Dean. She doesn't fear our kind, and we love that about her." Ivy said proudly.

          "There is a life here for her, but we don't know how to communicate that to her without it looking like we just want her here for our selfish needs," Hazel added.

          Celia leaned on the counter. "What do you want me to tell her that you all haven't already?"

          "Anything!" Rose grumbled. "We are going to lose her!"

          "How are you so confident you already haven't?" Celia asked cooly. I didn't know my heart could shatter more than it already had. "What if she is pretending because she's scared? What if this isn't a life she wants because she's confused?" Celia awaited our response, but we had nothing for her. "You four are being selfish. I mean, she isn't any better, but in her case, she gets a free pass. You all know this life. You've lived with love surrounding you for a long time. She hasn't had that luxury."

          "What do we do then?" I asked sadly.

          I thought coming to our Elders would be beneficial, but it hasn't helped in the slightest.

          Celia sighed. She looked down at the floor and then back at us. "I'll talk to her, but I doubt it will help. You all have to understand this is all extremely stressful for her."

          We all let out a sigh of relief. "Thank you," we said in unison, bowing our heads.

          She waved us off. "Yeah, yeah. Now, leave me be. Karina is in a mood, and I want some time to decompress before she comes in here all grumpy." Celia said, eating another piece of cheese.