Being Both

Chapter 3

The next day passed by in a flash. I was up for a while before Imogen came to fetch me and we spent the day wondering around the territory. I was also introduced to a number of people, but was too occupied with memorising where I was and getting used to all the new smells to remember even one of their names. They all complemented my ability to speak their language, however.

The pack didn't know yet, that my mother originally came from this area and we both were lynxes. Killian had made a difficult choice when he decided to keep that important information from his pack. Neither one of us was sure if it was the right call, but it would give the pack a chance to get to know me without disliking me for the simple fact of being a cat.

During the time I spent with Imogen I learnt that the pack was pretty much spread out over the entire territory. Even though the majority lived close to the main house, there were also little complexes close to the border. According to Imogen, most of the complexes were occupied by the men and women entrusted with securing the borders.

The entire territory also contained multiple meeting spots for young and old. We looked at a couple of them. There were playgrounds, benches, large open fireplaces and even a pack-style coffee shop that appeared to be terribly cute.

But most important were the pack school, training grounds and doctor facility. Killian had told me in advance that he planned for me to start physical training soon after I arrived and that I'd need to catch up on some local history once I officially joined the pack. To make sure that I knew where those three things were we went back and forth a couple of times.

During the day I hadn't seen Killian at all, but his father had planned a family dinner to introduce me to the entire family. It was going to be interesting to see them all for the first time after I'd already heard little bits about them. But I worried that Killians father would recognize my scent and my features instantly.

Every time I faced another person that I needed to hide from, I wondered whether it was really worth it. I was never good at pretending to be something I wasnt.

With those thoughts I followed Henry who'd come to pick me up in the evening. The Alpha's house was larger than most other houses I'd seen. But it was to be expected with five children to raise and an entire pack to run. What surprised me more was the simplicity of it. The exterior was simple woodwork with no extra decoration that seperated it from all the other houses.

Henry let us both in without using the knocker on the door (there wasnt a doorbell). I stepped in behind him, taking a deep breath and looking around for a moment. There was a simple entry area to hang jackets and take off shoes. Behind it there was a spacious living room with three long sofas, a wide table and a big TV.

To the left of the living room was a bright wooden stairs and a dimly light corridor pretty much next to it. I could sense people close by, but they were silent for a moment.

I hesitantly followed Henry's lead and took off my shoes. During the time it took for me to follow him he'd already walked through the corridor and dissapeared from my view without a word. I heard him quietly greeting everyone and then whisper something that I wasnt able to understand.

As I got closer to the corridor I picked up on his scent right before I heard his steps coming closer. I stopped for no proper reason and he appeared in the corridor only a second later. I felt my heart beat increase involuntarily.

We stood appart like that for a couple of seconds, just looking at one another. Then Killian slowly came closer until he stood right in front of me. He still looked just as tired as the day before as I watched both him and his wolf. His wolf was excited, but Killian held him in while gently smiling at me.