Chapter 23
THREE DAYS LATER I stare at the bedroom door. I haven’t left the room since I came here. I leaned back on the headboard and sighed. The thought of being with my mum scared but also angered me. I wanted nothing to do with her or Josh. I haven’t been down for food. They placed food on the bedside table for me while I was asleep, but I kept busy when it came to lunch and the other’s meals. I didn’t unpack much, only my clothes. I didn’t fancy looking through bags to get to them. I also took out the photo of my dad. I left it on my bedside table. I hear someone outside, but no one comes in. I stared at the door, holding my breath. The door opened, and there was my mum, who looked around the room, but her eyes landed on me. She smiled. “Hey, you’re awake,” she said with a hint of a smile. “Would you like some food?” I stared at her but shook my head. My mum stared at me as her smile faded. “Leah, you need to eat,” she said. “You need to keep your strength up.” “I don’t want to go downstairs,” I murmured. “I want to eat up here.” My mum looked at me and sighed. “That’s fine,” she said as she walked away but stopped. She looked over her shoulder at me. “I know this is all new to you,” she said. “Josh is out today; it’s just you and me.” I stared at her. My mum stared but turned and walked away, leaving my door open. I sighed. “Great,” I said under my breath. I moved up slightly. Maybe it being just my mum and me, I can look around more but… I was deep thought when I heard a noise coming from downstairs. I leaned forward and listened out. I could hear the radio being played and someone pottering around. I looked over to the clock on the side. It read ten am. I moved off the bed and walked over to the window. No one was out there, but I always sensed someone lately, especially at night. It was a weird feeling but not scary. It felt like whoever it was looking out for me or something and not out to hurt me. I felt safe. I sighed and turned around. I grabbed a hoodie and threw it on. I walked closer to the door. My mum wouldn’t lie to me, not about Josh being, right? I walked out and headed down. I went straight to the kitchen, where I saw my mum flipping pancakes. She looked over at me and stared, slightly stunned to see me, but quickly recovered. She smiled. “I thought you were staying…” she said, but I cut her off. “I decided to come down,” I said. “Since it’s the two of us.” My mum looked at me, and her mouth dropped slightly. “I want to make this clear,” I said, moving toward the table and pulling out a chair. “I will try, but how are we supposed to try when you are with Josh?” Mum looked at me and placed the pancakes on a plate, stacking them up high. My stomach growled. I missed dinner last night. “That’s fair,” she said, turning around and placing the plate of pancakes. “How about we make most mornings about us? Just to get to know each other or even just being in the same room.” I looked at the pancakes but looked up at her. “I can agree with that,” I murmured. Mum took the chair opposite and sat down with a small smile. “Have some pancakes,” she said. “I made enough for both of us.” I moved and grabbed one, and ate. We sat silently for a few moments, and after the third pancake, my mum spoke again. “Have you decided on what colour you would like to decorate your room?” she asked. I shrugged. “I’m not really into decorating,” I said, looking at her. “I usually place posters or photos up.” My mum nodded. “We could do that,” she said. “What posters?” I stared at her. “I don’t know,” I said. “I will have to think about it.” I looked around the kitchen and then back at her again. “So, where is Josh?” I asked, even though I didn’t care where he was. “Working,” she said. “He will be back late this evening.” I didn’t really care. “What about you?” I asked. “Do you work?” Mum moved in her chair and leaned back. “I look after the boys,” she murmured, “But I do some odd jobs in the hospital occasionally. I have been trying to become a nurse.” I stared at her. That was news to me. When I was a child, my mum used to work, but the whole nursing thing was something different, not what I remembered. “I only been training for the last few weeks,” she said, but I said nothing. I wanted to know something, but my head felt weird. I cleared my throat as my mum looked at me with concern. “You okay?” she asked. “Do you have a headache?” I shook my head, which was a bad idea. “No,” I whispered. “I think I might go and lay down for a bit.” I went to move but had to use the table for support. My mum shot up and went to come closer to me, but I stopped her. “Don’t,” I said, looking at her. “I’m fine. I just need to rest.” My mum nodded and stepped back slightly. I moved away and slowly walked back upstairs. I could feel my mum’s eyes on me. As I got to the bedroom, I closed the door, walked over to the bed, and lay down. My head was heavy, but it wasn’t pain I was feeling. It felt weird. I felt like taking a nap. As my head hit the pillow, my eyes fluttered shut. TALA Why do people feel the need to lie to my human? I could hear everything that her mother was saying. She was never a nurse, but I guess telling your human daughter that you are a trained warrior for the pack is out of the question. I have felt everything, even heard some conversations while Leah is asleep. It seems her mate is only working today as her mum told him she needed to spend time with her alone, which was understandable, but what did the woman think would happen, Leah, to accept her after one conversation? Sorry, but no. I had to take her and get her back to the bedroom to rest. I needed to calm down, and being around her mother wasn’t helping me. I sighed as I opened my eyes. I could sense her mother downstairs, pacing and worrying about Leah. I didn’t mean to get angry, but I was losing my patience. I sighed and closed my eyes. I push Leah forward to take over as I head further back into her head. I was getting sick of being stuck here. I flop down in Leah’s head, but mere seconds of doing so, a light comes through, but no one appears. “It’s time,” my mother spoke. “Reveal yourself to her. She will need you.” I felt my heart beat faster as a slow smile tugged the corners. “I’m here, Leah,” I muttered, “You’re no longer alone.” I sit back and wait until Leah wakes up.