Stand Off

Once they got to the hotel, the next part was the more troublesome one as Chester had to drive around the back to where the loading area was so that they could get the two wolves inside without being seen.

Timid was only slightly more relaxed after Apryl had explained the whole plan to her. At least enough so that she could move inside with Oreo and briefly handle both Jeff and Chester.

They couldn't all fit down at once, so Callum stayed up top with Jeff as Chester went down with them in order to unlock the door and let them inside.

Apryl could tell by the looks in their faces that they felt the same way she did when Jeff and Chester had shown her the space- it was almost too good to be real. Even if the smell of the plants and dirt was genuine.

"It's not quite as big as it looks, but there's enough space here for everyone to be comfortable once everyone has been shifted." Chester told them as started to sniff around tentatively.

"And this whole space is safe and ours to use?" Oreo asked, his ears perked up as he glanced behind him to look at Chester.

"Yes. There's a second floor as well but that one is still being put together." He replied.

"And tomorrow you can also talk with Jeff about work. There'll be a few things that you'll need to get taken care of before you can start, but it'll be relatively easy. I'm not sure about your friend though." He motioned to Timid who seemed less nervous now that she was around familiar smells.

"Eventually, yes. I don't think any time soon though." Oreo replied.

"Thank you though, it's rare to find wolves who are this understanding outside of one's own pack." Chester was quick to blow off the thanks however as he didn't see what he was doing as that big of a deal.

"It's how we work in this type of environment. Most of us are scattered and don't really have a pack to go back and forth to so it only makes sense for us to work together whenever possible to make sure we all have a chance to successfully navigate this world." He replied.

"If you two will be fine now, it's about time we head back before this Brian and his mate get back and something goes on." He told them as he looked over at Apryl who nodded her head in agreement. It would take about half an hour to get back which she thought would be plenty of time to return by without worry that they'd notice she was missing.

"There's a button by this elevator here you can press if you need anything. Jeff will be around since he's staying here while getting everything else finished up and he'll watch out for you guys." Chester explained as he pointed to the button that he was talking about so that Oreo would be able to see it.

"I'll stop by and check on you guys tomorrow since I don't have classes and figure out some way to get a solid method of communication until everyone has been moved." Apryl assured the other two wolves. The area really did seem safe enough so that she didn't worry as much, especially seeing how quick they were to get comfortable.

Apryl tried to thank Chester on the way back for his help, but he wouldn't accept it from he either and said that it really wasn't a big deal and to hold the thanks anyways until after everyone had moved.

It seemed that they managed to make it back in time because she didn't see any sign that Brian's care was back already nor did it seem as though there scent was fresh. This meant that Chester should be able to leave without suspicion and she could spend the rest of the night in with her family and not worry about anything at least for the night.

A small part of her had hopped that since everything had been taken care of before her aunt and Brian had gotten back that she wouldn't have to worry about anything being brought up about the matter. That hope was short lived however because Brian decided to confront her about it the next morning after she had gone up to her room to change into something different for the day with the expectation of helping her aunt get breakfast for everyone sorted.

"Did something happen while we were gone?" Brian asked after entering her room without knocking, this action alone put on her edge along with the fact that he seemed annoyed.

"What do you mean?" Apryl asked wanting him to explain what exactly he was asking about before she gave him any kind of answer.

"The tire tracks and the scent of unfamiliar werewolves around here? That's what I'm asking about." He replied as he crossed his arms over his chest. From her perspective he certainly seemed more on edge about it than she imagined it would be. What exactly was he hiding?

"Oh that. Nothing serious happened. I figured Lydia had probably told you already that I found someone who was willing to get Oreo a job since he's been in search of one." Apryl replied with a shrug of her shoulders.

"They decided that it would be best to pick them up last night as Timid wanted to go with him since they're such close friends. Moving at night was just easier since she also has a hard time shifting properly still. So that's all." She finished and moved to walk past him but he blocked her path.

"And you didn't think that this was something that you should've informed me about because this is my house you're staying at?" She could tell by his tone of voice that his temper was rising but she didn't feel intimidated in the slightest considering they were about the same height and build. Plus she got the feeling that he wouldn't actually do anything to her right now even if he was upset.

"As I had said, I figured that Lydia had already told you about that and that there was no reason to inform you further. It wasn't like they needed to come inside the house or anything, just to where my family is staying." She replied holding her ground as she fixed him with a level stare and slightly narrowed eyes.

"And yes, while it is true that you've given us a place to stay for longer than expected with everything that's going on, it doesn't mean that we're under your authority nor do we have to account to you for our every move. I think it would be good to remember that going forward." She could tell that he wasn't pleased by the way she was handling this, but she gave him a look that said she dared him to challenge her authority on this matter.

"I would just like to be informed in the future neither me nor my mate is around in case anything unexpected happens that I might have to deal with when I get back." He told her, holding her stare for a while longer before he turned around to leave when he could tell that Apryl wasn't going to back down.

Once he was out of range, she huffed. That certainly was far more of an intense reaction than she had expected for something as small as that. What exactly was he hiding that made him react that way?