Finding herself

Chapter 4: Unexpected turn of events

When I woke up, the sun was already shining. I could hear birds singing outside d someone was mowing a lawn. I felt like I was dreaming. It was perfect. Waking like this you could only dream of. No responsibilities, no yelling, just nature, and a very soft bed.

I don't know the last time my back didn't hurt. But today was that day. I felt like I was floating on clouds. I wish every day would start like this.

I sat on the bed and stretched my legs. I stood up and walked towards the bathroom to brush my teeth. After I was done I put water on the stove for coffee and went through my bag. I pulled out some leggings and a T-shirt, put them on, and fixed my hair in a bun.

I grabbed some cereal from the bag, just as my stomach began to growl. I looked for a bowl and spoon. After I found them I put cereal and milk in, sat down, and enjoyed. I have never eaten breakfast like this. My breakfast routine usually consisted of me inhaling my food as soon as it was cooked so I got to eat something still warm and went to prepare for the family to come downstairs to eat. I would put all their food on the table and go to my room so that I wouldn't have to see them and I would stay there until lunchtime. That's when they would find me and give me all the chores I would have to do for the day.

I enjoyed my food and when I was done, I washed the dishes and put them on the rack to dry.

I decided I would go look around town since everybody was so amazed by it. It wouldn't hurt to see what it has to offer. I would keep my head low so no one would see my face and it would be ok.

I picked up my hoodie from the chair, put it on, and zipped it up. I put the hood on my head and took some money from the bag.

I put my shoes on and was just about to open the door when I heard talking. If not for my great hearing, I wouldn't know what they were talking about, but I heard it.

"Hello ma'am, we are looking for a girl, that might have gone through here in the night or very early morning. We were wondering if you might have seen her, her parents are very worried as she escaped from home." the male said.

"Of course. Well, I haven't seen any girl come through here, as we don't get a lot of visitors. Do you maybe have a picture, so that if she comes in the future, I would recognize her? And a contact I would call if so?" I heard miss Lorena say to him. At that moment I was so happy to have someone like her keeping me safe. It was the first time I felt safe since my mother was killed. I felt safe then too, knowing she would protect me, no matter what. And I know I can trust miss Lorena now.

Wait what about Maya? Would she do the same if they go to her? I felt myself starting to get anxious and I couldn't wait for the man to leave.

"Here. Don't hesitate to call if you see her. It would mean a lot for her parents and you would be rewarded for your kindness. And keep the picture." the man said after a couple of moments of silence. He must have been writing a phone number down on a piece of paper.

"Well, I will surely do that. Hopefully, she is found sooner rather than later. And I sure hope nothing happens to her. And please tell the family that the people of West Side City will be on the lookout for her. And send them our regards. Have a nice day now." Lorena said and I heard her closing the door.

I heard her walking towards my door and I stepped away, so she could come in. She didn't even knock, just came in and closed the door quickly behind her.

"You have some explaining to do missy. I have the whole town of people lying for you, so you better have a good explanation of why they are looking for you." I suddenly felt guilty because of my escape, what if they hurt the people trying to help me?

"Please sit and I will tell you everything, just don't call them," I said as I pulled her chair and walked to the stove, and started making coffee. As I did, I told her everything. From my mom and dad being killed to me running through the woods, to a man picking me up and taking me home, to all the abuse and work I had to do as an 8-year-old girl. And now me running again and going as far away as possible, towards a better life, or a life at all.

She just sat and listened without saying anything. We drank the coffee and I cleaned the cups. When I was done, she still didn't say anything, for what felt like 10 minutes. Then she just stood up and hugged me. I haven't felt a hug in so long and I needed it. I hugged her back tightly, tears streaming down my face.

We stood there silently crying until there was a knock on the door. Lorena went and opened the door. Maya jumped in and closed it behind her.

"Girl you're lucky you know me." she had a huge grin on her face

"Why, what happened?" I asked while I knew what she talked about.

"Some werewolves came looking for you," she said while sitting down.

"Wait how..." I started but she interrupted me.

"You are lucky I said I saw you walk on a bus that drove on the other side of the country. You're safe here now. And how do I know about werewolves? Well, because we are ones too." she exclaimed, leaving me with my eyebrows furrowed and mouth slightly opened.

"But.." I started, again and again, but she interrupted me.

"How you couldn't smell our wolves? Well, we keep our scents hidden. It's the only way we keep our peace with neighboring packs and keep out of trouble. They think this is a human town and they leave us be. And since you are already heading out, you'll come with me and get your scent covered too. And you don't have to worry about getting found out here, nobody will tell a soul. We don't help other wolves and we keep ours safe. So that kind of means you are one of us now and can't leave or they will find you. But if you want, you can still go, nobody is holding you captive here. We don't do that." she answered most of my questions.

I don't know what to do. I would be perfectly safe here, maybe find my mate in this pack and start a life. But at the same time, I have never traveled and seen the world. Well if you don't count the two times I ran through the woods. I guess that could count as seeing the world. Better than the house prison I was in for the last 14 years.

Thinking about it, it would be nice to be safe for once and do something I would want, not be afraid someone would catch me and take me back there.

"Okay fine. But I want to do something with my life. I want to have fun. I haven't had that for a very long time. You would have to show me everything there is to know about being an adult because I know nothing. And also it would be nice if someone showed me how to shift and tell me about what it's like to be a wolf. Nobody told me to s**t, all I know is my mom told me about mates and that is it. at least what I remember." I sat back down on the chair and waited for their response. They just looked at each other and smiled.

"That is amazing to hear. Of course, we will teach you everything there is to know about werewolf life, the good stuff and the bad. But first, we have to get you settled somewhere and get you something to do. And don't worry about money, we have funds for newcomers in situations like yours, and everybody pitches in. Let's just go talk to alpha Jeremy and sort things out. I'm sure he would be happy to find you someplace to live. And work. But do you maybe have a preference for what you would like to do?" she asked me and I knew my answer already.

"Seeing how all I know is how to take care of people and their needs, maybe some dinner or something to do with catering. I didn't go to school past third grade and I wouldn't know what else to do, except what I have been taught." I knew where my limits were and I wasn't going to do something I knew nothing about. It would be a waste of time. Mine and theirs.

"No problem honey, let's get to alpha Jeremy's place and talk to him first, let him know where we stand and get him to help us, it would be a lot quicker than us just doing it by ourselves." she gestured for me to follow her, and I stood up from my chair and walked after her through the door.

We were walking away from the bus station and I felt more relief with each step I took. I just hope this Jeremy guy doesn't call those guys that were looking for me before. I don't want to go back there. They could rot without me and I wouldn't care a single bit.

We kept walking in between trees and I could see all the houses scattered between the trees and occasionally a path leading from the main road towards the houses. It was even more beautiful than at night. I could see myself living here and enjoying life. Helping others, building myself a career or something.

We kept walking by the main road and I started to ask myself where it lead. And then I saw the biggest house I have ever seen. The sight kept me open-mouthed. It was 5 stories, it looked like an apartment building. There were a lot of windows and on every window there were flowers. It was truly an amazing site.

Maya walked first towards the big door and opened it, and I saw it was even prettier on the inside. There were plants everywhere, but it wasn't too excessive. The place looked alive, but not like a jungle. Right ahead of the door was a big staircase. We walked up the stairs and I couldn't help but wonder. "Is this the pack house? Why is nobody guarding it?"

Maya answered as we were ascending. "You don't need to have guards if nobody knows you are a werewolf. We don't have any enemies. And don't be nervous, alpha is already waiting for us."

How could he? Did she call him? But I didn't see when. Maybe miss Lorena did.

We came to the 4th floor and to the door that had a name written on it. It said Alpha Jeremy Grey.

Maya knocked and we heard a voice say "come in."

This is it. Now or never. Maybe he will laugh in my face and kick me out. That would hurt the most. Honestly, I didn't know what to expect. But Maya opened the door and it was too late to turn back now.

I took a big breath in and out and walked in.