Chapter 27
Today was my first day back at the Pack house to resume my usual job in the kitchen. I was greeted very kindly and warmly by the kitchen staff I have befriended over the past year of working there alongside them.
Sometimes I did breakfast entirely by myself but today we had a full kitchen. I was asked to make omelets so I got to dicing the veggies and grating the fresh cheese so I could prepare fresh omelets as people began to come down from their bedrooms.
I wasn’t immediately seen because we were in the back kitchen. Someone would have to actively come here to know I was here. Only Jasper did that.
“Morning sunshine” I heard his cheerful voice as he came up from behind me. “Ooo, omelets. Make me one” he said while pointing to everything he did and didn’t want. I shooed him away after that and started cooking. The kitchen was a place I felt at ease.
“Mira” a cheerful deep voice entered the room. I glanced back to see Alpha Conan with a grin. He had somewhat sleepy eyes but that’s probably because he gets to sleep in more now that his son has taken over most responsibilities.
“Welcome back” he told me and I thanked him.
I was glad he didn’t mention anything about the incident. I know they had a council meeting about me. That’s what I had walked in on when I heard Devran make his speech about being too good for a human mate and how I would weaken this pack blah blah blah.
It hurt so much to hear but again I compartmentalize. That’s stored away in a tiny box somewhere amongst many other boxes.
Conan left just after his greeting and I was back to cooking. After all was said and done the cleaning crew came through and grabbed all the dirty dishes and cutting boards and all the utensils as I wiped my hands dry and left the room.
I was meant to head out but I paused in my tracks when I saw who was in the foyer. “Mira, I’m glad I caught you here” the raspy voice of Nealin Sr. spoke to me.
“Me?” I was confused. Then I was worried. Would he kick me out? My eyes did a double take when I saw him. His scars...they improved.
“Yeah, I went by the house but you weren’t there. I just wanted to let you know that I spoke to my son. He knows you’ve been living at our place and he’s totally fine with it. He’s returning tonight” he told him. I was shocked to hear it.
“Tonight?” I swallowed.
“You can stay, Mira, that’s what I came to tell you. You’ll see my son is polite and kind. He won’t bug ya” he told me. My eyes flew wide.
“Of course not. I didn’t think your son was a bad guy but I feel odd taking over his home...” I wasn’t sure what else to say about it.
“How about you two meet and we can see from there?” He asked me. I nodded. If it doesn’t work out, then what? Misfit Mira displaced again.
I couldn’t help but be distracted by his less severe looking flesh that had scarred over many years ago when he fought to save his wife.
“Yeah, that stuff ya gave me worked wonders. Thanks again, whatever it is, well...I’d like more of it” he confessed.
“Of course” I choked out. I was so overwhelmed with pride that my concoction worked. It wasn’t gone or anything but it was less and that was enough for him, and me.
I remember knowing what I should do to make him a cream. I just knew it. My mind wandered back to my meditation in this forest.
“Well, I’ll see ya tonight then” Nealin Sr. nodded to me. He was still such a gruff guy, spending most of his time in wolf form. It’s why his hair was shaggy and uncut and why his fingernails always had dirt beneath them.
I nodded my head like a bobble head toy and watched the man walk further into the house while I aimed for the front door. I would be meeting Nealin Jr. tonight and I wasn’t too excited about it. Not because of him but just because my peace of having a space of my own was now gone.
My people pleasing skills flared the moment I walked outside and realized that my ‘home’ was going to be visited tonight by the two men who actually own it.
I rushed off to go clean everything from head to toe and to make sure to restock the fridge entirely so Nealin Jr. could have a home cooked meal after his journey back. I wasn’t sure where he had been training or if it was far away. I didn’t really know anything about them.
I only knew that his mom died and his dad was head warrior and lived in those huts out on the borders as basically an almost full time wolf. I needed to show these men the warmth of a home. Maybe they’d let me stay then.
-
The house smelt like the fresh candle I got in town today. The flame flickered against the living room wall from where I kept it on top of the miniature bookshelf.
On the coffee table was a fresh bundle of wildflowers in the vase. Everything was spotless aside from the pot on the back burner which had the stirfry I made for dinner.
I wasn’t told an exact time but I knew tonight was the night Nealin would be home. To help ease my anxiety Jasper and Melanie came over and stayed with me for a while. I was glad they came.
Lyson, Mel’s boyfriend, ended up mindlinking her to meet up and she left us a while later. Still no sign of the Nealin’s.
“Don’t be so nervous. From what I can remember that kid’s really quiet and to himself. I never really paid attention to him but I feel like you’d get along. He won’t kick you out” Jasper tried to soothe me the longer the clock ticked on and nobody was knocking.
“If I don’t have a home again I literally don’t know where I will go. And don’t even say the Pack house because you know that is no longer an option for me, so..” I trailed off, sighing.
Jasper opened his mouth to respond but suddenly snapped his jaws shut. With wide eyes he tipped his chin towards the door. Of course with his supernatural hearing he had heard them coming long before I did. Then there was a knock.
The two of us stood up and I smoothed myself over before answering the door. The first pair of eyes I saw were of Nealin Sr. I quickly moved out of his way and waved them inside their own home...which felt odd.
The second man to walk inside didn’t look too much like a man at all. He had a baby face. Nealin Jr. had dark hair long enough to touch the back of his long tan neck and slate grey eyes. Cute guy. By the looks of it he seemed to have a skittish disposition.
“Wow, the place looks great” Nealin Sr looked around in surprise. I was still shocked at how great his scars had turned out after using my serum. Nealin Jr was also looking around the room but silently.
“Hi, Nealin, I’m Mira, the, uh, human” I chuckled awkwardly. His grey eyes snapped over to me and he extended his hand just as awkwardly to shake it.
“That’s Jasper, I think you guys know each other or maybe you don’t” I waved between the two of them. That’s when I noticed Jasper’s stiff body language which surprised me because he’s usually so easy going.
He didn’t make eye contact with Nealin Jr at all. Nealin Jr also avoided eye contact so I just cleared my throat and started talking to fill the void.
“I guess we should just get right to it. I know this is your home and if I need to leave I understand” I said outright. My heart was beating in my chest at the thought but I knew I had no right to claim this space as my own.
Nealin Sr looked at his son then me.
“It’s up to my boy but I have no problems with you staying here. Help take care of my boy while I’m on post” he nodded to me. I smiled politely and looked to his son to see his reaction.
“Hm? Oh, yeah, I don’t mind being, Um, roommates” Nealin Jr finally spoke for the first time. His voice was small and cute.
“Are you sure?” I asked again. His eyes wandered to Jasper but then snapped back to me. “I’m trustworthy” he told me, thinking my hesitance was with him being here.
“I don’t doubt it. Well then...are you hungry?” I decided to move the topic along. They’re letting me stay and I shouldn’t push it. Everyone’s body language changed to one of intrigue. They’re hungry alright.
I pulled plates and gave a generous portion of the stirfry to each of them. We all ended up around the coffee table and Nealin Sr and I led most of the conversation.
We talked about where Nealin Jr had been training and I found out he wasn’t training to be a warrior fighter but a warrior strategezist. He’s smart. Really smart.
Jasper addressed Nealin Sr several times but didn’t make an effort to talk to his son. Maybe because the boy was utterly silent and possibly overwhelmed. I’ve been overwhelmed enough to know when someone else might be.
When the meal was done Nealin Sr told us he had to head back to our borders and thanked me for taking care of the home before he slapped his son on the back and disappeared outside.
Jasper was in a rush to leave too. I gave him a questioning look but he blew it off and after a quick hug to me he was also gone.
“So” I said, now that it was only the two of us. Nealin seemed to release a long held breath. “If you’re uncomfortable with me being here-” I didn’t get to finish my statement.
“I’m not. I’m just like this” he waved over his awkward disposition. I nodded. “I’ve been staying in your room. I can move my things out of there tonight” I told him.
“Don’t. Stay there. I can take over my parents’ bedroom” he offered. After we went back and forth a few times, politely offering over one another several times, we finally just agreed. I’d stay where I am and he’d take over the other room.
We’re both too skittish and polite. We just fumble over one another. Nealin was a cutie though. He really did have a baby face for his age. He’s got to be 20 or maybe soon to be 20 if he is the same age as Jasper and that group, but still he looked younger.
I had washed the bedding of the other room in anticipation of Nealin’s arrival today so I helped him with his bags and we sorted some things out for him to unpack and settle in. That’s when we finally began talking at a more comfortable pace.
“That guy, uh, J-Jasper..is that your boyfriend?” He asked me. I chuckled which caught his attention.
“No, he’s my best friend here. My story is a long, twisty one” I gave him a small smile. “I’d like to hear it,” he told me.
I didn’t mind sharing the story of how and why I got here, so I told him everything, and he nodded along to all of it. By this time we were already back in the living room having late tea before bed.
“Wow” was all he said in response to my long story.
“I’m sorry, I just spoke so much. Sorry” I shook my head at myself and cringed. His eyes widened and he sat straighter from his end of the sofa. We were on either side.
“Huh? No, no. It was interesting. Ugh, I’m so awkward. I’m sorry...I just-” he sighed at himself. “I’m just quiet and extremely awkward. You seem really nice, Mira. I was glad not to come to a cold empty home. I’ve been very alone for a long time. A real long time” he told me honestly.
I saw kindred spirits playing in his eyes. I was very alone for a really long time too. All my life really. And so was he.