He is the Bad Wolf

MORNING WOLVES

Exactly two days had passed since The Countess spoke with Sia and she had not yet sent her lap dog to collect the expected response. Sia decided that it was best to extend her stay as long as possible while analyzing the situation from all possible sides. It was quite evident that she did not trust anyone in this place and was defenseless as she did not have the powers - yet - to defend herself. Five hundred years ago she had exploited the knowledge and wisdom of the forest spirits who trusted her blindly. Sia was never very powerful to say the least but in her - according to her mother and some people in the village - there was a strength of steel, an indomitable will and a heart as big as the ocean itself. Yeah right. To another dog with that bone. She wasn't such a thing, but she didn't consider herself weak either. "This is nonsense." She muttered as she dressed after waking up. Sia glanced at the pair of dark blue pants made of a strange material ... denim was the fabric, according to Caden. Everyone was wearing very strange clothes nowadays. What had happened to the simplicity of life? Sia struggled with the denim monster by forcing it up her thighs and jumping up every now and then to tug it past her hips. After buttoning it up and zipping it up, she let out a sigh of relief. "Who created this crap?"

She turned her head looking for the huge clock over the bathroom entrance. It was barely eight in the morning but if she didn't hurry there would be no more food until two in the afternoon. Here they were all pigs. Before leaving she took a white sweater that she had left lying on the floor the night before and put it on as she walked to the door, she still refused to wear the shoes that Caden had brought for her. Sia left her room barefoot and calm with her head held high, ignoring the murmurs and curious looks around her. Some men had tried to talk to her but Sia simply pretended not to speak the language and also, she did not want to interact with any other rabid wolves unless necessary.

The property was huge and lavish in luxury. Too many rooms, too many chandeliers, and just too many wolves. Sia strode down the stairs as she let her hand slide over the wooden rail as she went down, she jumped the last two steps and staggered a bit but recovered before anyone noticed. Most of the men heading in the same direction as her looked sleepy, tired, and disheveled. Apparently, no one liked getting up early here, but it was better that way since no one would disturb her at breakfast, Caden had told her that breakfast was served at eight fifteen and the kitchen closed around ten until lunchtime. He had also said that most of the pack woke up at nine o'clock and took everything down in less than twenty minutes, so this time was perfect for Sia.

Sia stood in line happy to be the fifth to be served. She felt a slight, warm draft of air over her shoulder. “Good morning, sunshine.” Caden cooed, sarcasm oozing off his mouth.

“Would you mind washing your mouth before talking to me? I don't know if you've noticed but your breath stinks horribly.” Sia addressed him with an accusatory edge while covering her nose with the back of her hand. She heard the man before her chuckling as he leaned to the left to grab a tray from the pile.

“I think you should be careful in the way you address me in the future.” He grumbled behind her. She waved him off as she grabbed a tray. “Just because I’m calm most of the time doesn’t mean you get to step over me. I will not allow it.”

“You’re quite tall, I’d be having trouble stepping over a tree. Don’t you think?” A laugh now overflowed from the man before Sia. He shook his head as he approached the bar. She watched the young man as he took a little of everything. Sia thought about copying him as soon as it was her turn.

“Shut your mouth, Silver.” Caden growled the guy only laughed even louder as he made his way to an empty table near the ceiling-window by the corner. “You are a cancer. I don’t want my men thinking I’m a clown.”

“You wouldn’t be their clown, just mine.” She grinned wide at him now that they were side by side. She filled her tray until there was no sign of the bottom and walked away from a very angry Caden. Sia considered sitting alone but instead took a risk and went to the table where the young man who had laughed was sitting. He looked extremely concentrated as he read a book, ignoring - for now – his untouched breakfast. “May I sit?” At first, she thought she’d spoken too low and he hadn’t heard her. Before she could ask again, he leaned back from the table and glanced up at her. “Hi…” She smiled down at him unsure if she should walk away or let the dirt swallow her right there.

“Hello,” he flashed her a wide grin, “Sure. Take a sit.” He motioned for her to be seated across from him as he popped an apple cube into his mouth. This young man was a little shorter than Caden, his hair was straight and reddish and a bit long. Dark eyes watched her playfully, evidently enjoying Sia's discomfort being here. “You made the alpha a tad angry.”

“Did I?”

He nodded slowly. “Be glad you’re under The Countess’s protection.”

“Or what?” She inquired; curiosity piqued.

Before he answered Caden hit him on the head and took a seat next to him. "It's none of your business. What are you doing sitting here with this good-for-nothing?"

“Why do you have to be so rough with me all the time?”

“Why are you complaining?” Caden countered smacking him again. “I wouldn’t treat you this bad if you weren’t such an i***t, Silver.”

“Silver?” Sia interrupted them. “That’s a strange name.”

“So is Sia.” Silver teased leaning forward. “Where is it from?”

“How do you know my name?”

“Oh well… my man here talks about you nonstop.” Did Caden talk about her with other people? She supposed it made sense. He had to take care of her and her needs sometimes as they were instructions from The Countess. But ... if Caden was the alpha then who was she to them? Where she fit into the hierarchy of wolves.

“Caden if you are the alpha… who is The Countess?”

Caden frowned but remained silent. He either chose to ignore her question or was not interested in disclosing this matter with her. Before she could ask any more questions, Silver chimed in and started chatting with her while they ate. At breakfast Caden did nothing but watch her from time to time and she found herself wishing she had sat alone.