The Darkness Within

05 - Breakfast and Dreams

The next morning, Ciara got up and put her shoes on, preparing herself for the morning. Her head no longer hurt from her panic attack and her throat was feeling a bit better now. The Alpha had said her guard, whose name she learned was Oliver, would accompany her around to make sure she didn't attempt to escape. Other than that one thing, she would be given every other necessity and luxury they could provide. The Alpha also promised that his daughter would come to show her around the packhouse and pack grounds, as the Alpha had called them. It had been late into the night when she had woken up and talked with the Alpha, and she had gone right back to bed after their talk, exhausted still from her panic attack. 

Despite her captivity, she had wanted to explore and learn more about the wolf-people even before being forced to stay, or werewolves as Alpha Wilson had stated. She had wanted to laugh and probably would have if it were not for the fact that she had seen them change between wolf and human form. So, werewolves were real and the wolf-people were werewolves. Now, she was being given a chance to learn more about these strange creatures, and if she had to stay here she didn't necessarily mind all that much so long as they were not like the people in her small mountain town. The Alpha had assured her that everyone would be kind, and she hoped it was true. She was human, and interaction with other creatures was in her nature so she missed it even if she hated the people she had once known.

Not needing another shower so soon, she merely climbed out of bed, put her wolf-fur shoes on, and opened the door to the hall. Sure enough, Oliver was waiting for her.

"Good morning" he greeted with a warm smile. "Hungry?"

Ciara nodded her head, throat still sore, but did manage a very small smile in response to the kind male werewolf. Her smile practically made him beam and he began to lead the way.

As they walked, Ciara saw many more people than the night before. She wasn't sure how many she had seen the day previous when carrying Clay, but she hadn't been paying attention much. The five-story building that she now knew was called the packhouse, was apparently an especially popular place. She saw a number of werewolves leaving their dorm-like rooms as they walked down the hallway, some friends chatting with each other, some couples attached at the hip, some sending greetings to passing friends. A few people sniffed in Ciara's direction and glanced questioningly at her, but their looks were simply curious and not hateful or judgemental.

When they reached the living room on the first floor, Ciara found it to be very busy, more so than she was expecting. It had been so long since she'd been with a large group of people that she stopped for a second before continuing to follow Oliver. The atmosphere in the room was very friendly and those conversing seemed happy and excited about the new day.

As Oliver was leading her through the room, a bell rang and everyone turned to walk in the same direction that they were headed. As soon as they entered the room, Ciara saw that it was a large dining room, more like a dining hall. There were five or six long tables placed in rows throughout the room. At the furthest one, she saw the Alpha, the female called Luna, and other more dominant people in the pack sitting at one of the tables. She also noticed three of the five teenagers she had seen sitting with them as well. People were still being seated but no one reached to eat anything, despite the mouthwatering display of food placed before them.

Oliver led her to the head table, and the Alpha motioned her over. This drew a couple of gazes, and Ciara was somewhat uncomfortable with it but did not feel any ill will from them.

When they reached the table, Alpha Wilson dismissed Oliver with a wave of the hand and then motioned to a seat across from him with one of the female teenage werewolves at her right. As she sat, Tala climbed under the table to sit comfortably at her feet and put her head in Ciara's lap. Ciara gave her an appreciative pat.