Chapter 6
CHAPTER SIX
Jin opened the door and walked out. She’d pulled the string as tight as she could on the joggers and folded the pants up to help fit her body, but there wasn’t much she could do about the shirt.
She looked like a small child wearing her father’s t-shirt.
She glanced up at the two guys and then giggled as she held her arms out. “At least I’m clean now.”
Hunter chuckled. “Sorry. I don’t have anything smaller, and Chasen’s clothes would fit even bigger. I can send Sam to get something from Renee tonight, if you want.”
“No, this is fine. Thank you.” Jin flexed her fingers in front of her as she glanced between the two men awkwardly.
Hunter cleared his throat. “Okay, I’m going to get showered up real quick.” He turned and gave Chasen a look of warning before he disappeared into the bathroom.
The sound of the shower running filled the empty room.
Jin glanced around her new home. On the far side of the room stood an expansive window, its glass panes glistening in the fading sunlight.
Next to it, an elegant door opened onto a spacious balcony, offering a sweeping view of the territory.
Her eyes lit up at this and she made her way over to it, placing her hand on the cold handle and pulling it open.
Immediately the evening air hit her, and she closed her eyes to breathe it in.
She looked up at the tiny dots that invaded the night sky.
Everything seemed very peaceful here. They were all happy and got along well.
She felt his presence first, then saw him lean his arms on the banister beside her.
“It looks like this was a happy place to grow up.” Jin smiled, looking out at the distant sky.
Chasen glanced at her, then looked ahead. “It was. And it is. It’s always been like one big family here.”
“That sounds nice.”
“What was it like where you grew up?” Chasen watched her immediately tense. Her lips curved downwards, and her gaze dropped to her hands.
“It was nothing like this.” Jin focused on her hands in front of her. “But that’s the past. Maybe I can have this in the future?” She sighed and turned to look at Chasen. “Do you think I can?”
Chasen met with her green eyes. “I guess time will tell. I don’t like secrets, and you are riddled with them. Right now, you are an unknown, and I’m going to protect Hunter. I’m going to protect this pack. Do you want to clear the air with me?”
“Why do you have to know my past to know who I am now? Does it matter?”
“It does if it bothers you.” Chasen watched her tense up. Her tiny fists squeezed together.
“I don’t want to talk about my past. I’m sorry.”
“Where are your parents?” Chasen ignored her and continued to pry.
“They’re dead.” She met his gaze blankly.
Chasen nodded his head. “When did this happen?”
“When I was a child.”
“I lost my parents, too. My biological ones. I was adopted by Lita and Asher. They are my parents. They raised me since I was a toddler, me and my twin brother. What about you? Who raised you?” Chasen watched as she began to tremble. She bit her bottom lip and she looked like she was about to cry.
“Raised me …” she said in an almost bitter voice. “I survived. I wasn’t raised.” She closed her eyes and wiped the dampness that was forming away.
“Chasen, you need the shower next?” Hunter walked to the edge of the doorway.
Chasen sighed and then looked at Jin. He would have to leave her alone with Hunter in order to shower. Though he was feeling more and more relaxed around her. Now he was just curious about what she was hiding. What had her life been like before?
Jin knew exactly what he was thinking, and she giggled. “You want me to come into the bathroom with you so you can shower? You can’t possibly leave this evil demon alone with Hunter.”
Hunter snickered. “Go get your shower, Chasen.”
Chasen walked out from the shower and looked over to see Jin and Hunter laughing on the couch.
“And get this. Then he tried to destroy the whole rosebush with his bare hands. He got all cut up and caught in the thorns. Mom had to come and free him.” Hunter laughed loudly as Jin giggled.
“Not that story again.” Chasen sighed in annoyance.
“And then he just looked up at mom because he was stuck.”
“Aww, I bet that was adorable. Those big brown eyes peering up, looking for help.” Jin smiled.
“Do you think he’s adorable now?” Hunter teased and Jin giggled.
“His eyes are.” Jin shrugged. She loved chocolate and had associated his deep brown eyes with it.
“He’s a fun guy, once he loosens up. You’ll see.” Hunter smiled back at Chasen, who rolled his eyes.
“So how are the sleeping arrangements going to work?” Chasen grumbled, less than amused at being the topic of conversation.
“We can give Jin the bed—” Hunter started.
“No no no. I don’t need the bed. The floor is fine with me,” Jin answered quickly.
Hunter laughed. “I’m not about to have you sleeping on the floor.”
“Honestly, I don’t mind. The carpet is so soft in here anyway. It wouldn’t bother me in the slightest. I’m not taking the bed.”
“You’re not sleeping on the floor, Jin.” Hunter shook his head no. There was no way he could sleep if she was sleeping on the floor.
“Fine. Then I can sleep here on the couch. The bed looks big enough that you both can share it.” Jin glanced between Hunter and Chasen. This honestly made the most sense. Though she really didn’t mind sleeping on the floor. This soft plush carpet was an upgrade compared to what she was used to.
Her skin was on fire, yet she shivered from the cold.
The shredded cloth that barely covered her body couldn’t keep her warm.
A deep pain burned inside her stomach. She was hungry.
No, she was starving. She could feel the slow oozing of liquid running down her back from where she’d been lashed.
Curled up on the dirty floor, her body ached in agony.
She winced from the pain as she moved slightly, gritting her teeth but refusing to make a sound.
Making a sound would only end up drawing their attention to her, creating more pain for her.
She took in a breath through her nose. The stagnant air was not at all refreshing.
If only she wasn’t shackled in anti-element bracelets.
“We should probably feed it again. Don’t want our toy dying on us,” an eerie, sinister voice said.
Death. She actually wished for death. She would finally be free if she died. She’d accepted her fate already. The only way she would ever get away would be if she died.
She heard another set of heavy footsteps. “Have you gotten what I need yet?” a low voice growled out.
“No, not yet.”
“Go and get it now. And take that filth with you. I’m sure there’s someone there who would be interested in her for a price.” His low voice dripped in ice.
She felt herself being yanked up by her bonded hands. “No, please. Just let me die. Please. Please. Please. Please.”
“Please. Please. Please. Please.”
“Jin? Jin, are you alright?”
Her eyes popped open. Her body was still shaking, and she could feel the dampness on her cheeks.
She let out a breath and wiped her eyes.
Why did she dream about that memory, a time when she was at her lowest point?
It must have been from talking about her past a bit.
She looked up to see two sets of concerned eyes looking down at her.
She forced a smile and then sat up. “I’m fine. Just a bad dream,” she lied.
Hunter sat next to her. “You want to talk about it?”
That was the last thing she wanted to do. She swiftly shook her head no. “No, there isn’t anything to talk about.” She listened as Chasen heaved a heavy sigh. She looked up to see his slightly annoyed face. “Sorry for waking you guys up.”
“Don’t worry about it. It’s morning now anyway.” Hunter gave her a reassuring smile. “I have a meeting in town today. How about coming along and going shopping? Renee and Susan will join you. You need to get some clothes that are actually made for you.”
“Thank you. I really appreciate it. I didn’t come here to create a problem for you, but it feels like that’s what I’ve done,” Jin said with a small frown.
“No way. You aren’t a problem at all. You gave me an awesome gift that I can’t wait to practice with later today.” Hunter gently nudged her with his shoulder.
She smiled, glancing up at Chasen. She was sure Hunter was the only one who didn’t think she was a problem.
This shouldn’t shock or surprise her, though.
She was a demon after all. They didn’t have the best reputation.
She was guilty by association. A warm, heavy hand landed on top of her head and gently moved from side to side.
“I said you aren’t a problem, so stop overthinking it.
” Hunter flashed her his white, brilliant smile.
He knew she was hiding things about herself, and he figured the more comfortable she got with them, the more likely she would be to share.
If she didn’t want to share, that was fine, too.
But he wanted her to feel at home here. He could feel that she was a bit uptight.
Chasen and his discerning eyes didn’t help make her feel at home, that was for sure.
“I hate these alpha meetings,” Chasen grumbled, leaning back against the wall.
“Sorry, Chasen. I’d bring you in with me if I could, but only the alpha and beta are allowed in the meeting.
” Hunter stood up from the couch, offering his hand to Jin.
She slowly accepted, placing her soft, cold hand in his own.
It was so tiny. Maybe it was because she was so small, but he felt protective over her.
The irony of that was she was there to protect him.
He effortlessly pulled her up and swung his arm around her.
“Let’s see about getting some breakfast.”
When they entered the lower floor, their band of friends were already seated at the table in the dining area. There was another person there, though, who Jin had not met before. The woman bounded over to them and grinned.
“You must be Jin. I’m Kristen, Hunter’s aunt.
Here. I brought you some of my clothes, and these are some of Susan’s and Renee’s.
Try them on and wear what fits the best.” Kristen beamed at the girl, then tugged her away from Hunter.
“Come on, now. You don’t want to be stuck wearing Hunter’s clothes any longer, I’m sure.
It’s hard to wash all that male wolf scent out.
” Kristen giggled. She ushered Jin into the bathroom.
“I’ll be right out here.” Kristen stepped out, shutting the door behind her.
Jin smiled and stared down at the clothes in her hands. Now that was a bubbly personality. She liked it. She was so warm and never once made her feel like an outsider. Maybe, just maybe … she could finally feel like part of a family here.