Chapter 12

‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾　A　☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙

The next few days were quiet around the house, thankfully. I'd been so busy trying to keep myself distracted so I wouldn't think about what happened in the woods the other night that I hadn't really had time to talk with Kieran and I hoped that he didn't think I was ignoring him. I'd spent most of my time outside in the mornings playing with the little ones in the yard. I'd always loved the pups in my own pack, not that I ever thought I'd really like any of my own, it was much more fun to get them wound up and set them loose on their parents. I didn't really see myself as motherly at all.

In the afternoons, I'd spend my time cozied up with a cup of tea and a book, in Kieran's massive library. I don't think anyone knew I was there, when I would be in there. I found a nice little corner to myself and would spend hours until I could smell the dinner that Sable would start working on, and I'd go see if I could help. Helping meant tasting, and Sable was a damn good cook so that was always pleasant.

At dinner, I'd make light conversation with members of the pack, especially Roxy, I'd become pretty close with her over the past few days. Kieran just seemed pretty busy with his own things. At night, he'd go out, and I'd wake just enough to hear him come in the room around 2 in the morning and I'd go back to sleep as soon as I knew he was settling in for the night, and I'd wake up and live the next day on repeat.

We had fallen into our own routines, but as another day passed, and I hardly spoke to Kieran, I'd begun to realize that I missed him, so last night, I told Robin I that I had other plans in the morning so I wouldn't be able to take the children outside to play. This morning I had every intention of spending the morning with Kieran, starting with me climbing into bed with him to snuggle, which I found it odd that me, of all people, craved cuddles, but I just wanted to be close to him.

However, Kieran was not in bed this morning. I knew he had come back last night after going out, because I had heard him come in. I frowned and walked out of the room creeping down the hall making sure not to wake those who were still sleeping. I bumped into Kenneth as he was coming out of his room.

"Oh, I'm so sorry." I whispered. Kenneth looked me up and down.

"Don't be." He smiled. "Little cold for shorts don't you think love?" He asked.

I looked down, I guess forgetting that I was in my pjs that consisted of a pair of short sleep shorts, and a tank top.

While it was a bit cold for these clothes, when I had packed my backpack while planning to run away from home, I honestly wasn't looking at what I packed.

"My other Pjs are in the wash." I shrugged. "Roxy's supposed to take me shopping soon." I said, I was hit with a sudden uneasy feeling, one that none of the rest of the pack seemed to give me.

"Uhm. Do you know where Kieran would be?" I asked.

"He gets really restless this time of year, since Michela. He comes and goes a lot so there's no telling really. Is there something I could help you with?" Kenneth asked.

"N.no. I was just wondering where he was." I stammered. "I'll keep looking."

"Well, there is a gym in the basement he spends a lot of time in. Maybe he's there."

Huge library, gym in the basement. Is there an aquarium in the attic too?

"Thank you." I said and walked away from him. It was amazing to me how much of this house I still had yet to explore. I felt a chill run up my spine and looked over my shoulder, Kenneth's eyes were watching my every move. I shuddered and walked faster down the stairs until I couldn't feel his eyes on me anymore, but the uneasy feeling remained.

I walked down another set of stairs to the basement, it wasn't like an old unused creepy basement, it was like an entirely separate house down here. It was well lit, there was a game room with a pool table, a dartboard, and a couple of arcade games, and a separate room, divided by a large glass window, and door. It had typical exercise equipment, like what my father kept at home as well as some punching bags and some other things that could probably be used for sparing, and practice. I watched Kieran walk out from what appeared to be a storage room, with a water bottle, and a towel over his bare shoulders. I bit my lip and cocked my head to the side watching his sculpted torso glistening with sweat as he moved.

He stopped suddenly.

Oh no, don't stop on account of me.

He turned his head and looked at me. Catching me in the middle of an intense stare. I only hoped I didn't have drool running down my chin or this would be even more embarrassing. He smirked and moved his finger in a come-hither motion, and Gods be damned if I didn't nearly skip to the glass door, the only thing standing in the way between me, and him.

Get ahold of yourself Mara. What is wrong with you?

I opened the door, and my ears were assaulted by the incredibly loud Rock music. Not that the music was bad, but I had no idea how he could listen to it this loud. I put my hands over my ears and winced. He cringed and went over to the radio in the room and turned it down a bit.

"Sorry love, if you aren't used to it, it's pretty loud. I have the room soundproof so I don't bother everyone else." He chuckled and scratched behind his ear.

"I like it. The music." I smiled slightly, nodding my head to the beat. "My father would have lost it if I played music like this. It's too noisy for him."

"No offense, but I'm pretty sure your breathing is too noisy for your father." Kieran said.

"None taken." I sighed. He was right. He cocked his head to the side and studied me.

"You alright? You seem unsettled." He said.

"I'm fine." I shrugged and smiled. He eyed me skeptically and took a drink from his water.

"I'm fine. Honestly." I sighed. I didn't want to bother him with the creeper vibes Kenneth was giving me. I was probably just overthinking it all things considered anyways.

"I just haven't really seen you in a few days is all." I said and approached him slowly. "What are you doing at night when you leave?" I asked curiously.

"Haven't you heard that little tale of curiosity and the cat?" Kieran said, raising his eyebrow.

"But we're wolves. And you have been up to something." I said.

"And since when, do you get to question what I do?" Kieran asked and crossed his arms. I scoffed, and glared at him, not prepared for his harsh tone. Kieran sighed.

"I apologize. I don't mean to be so..."

"Rude?" I sneered.

Kieran narrowed his eyes.

"Look, just because you don't want to talk about what happened out there in the woods the other night, doesn't make it disappear and it doesn't make the fact that it was my fault. You don't have to tell me what he tried to do Mara; I could smell him all over you. I could tell by the look in your eyes, and he wouldn't have even gotten the chance to touch you if I hadn't lost my temper." Kieran said with his fists clenched at his sides.

I put my hands over his. He was trembling with rage.

"I don't blame you for what he tried to do, Kieran. But what is leaving every night going to do?"

"I'm making sure those two stay on their side of the river. They cross that line again and I will kill them." Kieran vowed.

"I'm not asking you to do that." I said. Hunters were one thing, but killing our own kind? I wasn't sure how I felt about that no matter how horrible they were

"And I don't need your permission. I am keeping you safe, no matter the cost. That bitch tried to gut you, and he..." Kieran growled and turned away from me. "If they have no problem harming you. I have no problem killing them."

"Okay." I said softly. "But... maybe stay home tonight. You want to keep me safe, but lately I only feel safe when you are around. Please." I said. Kieran turned back around with a much softer expression. He sighed heavily.

"I'm sorry. Tonight, I'll stay." He smiled and twirled one of my curls in his fingers.

"Promise?" I asked and bit my lip. He put an arm around my waist and pulled me close to him.

"I'm a man of my word, Darling." He smirked. I grinned and walked my fingers over his dark wiry chest hair.

"You know, I'm not quite finished down here. Why don't you go hang out with Roxy? I'm sure that would be more interesting to you. Just change your clothes first, I don't like the idea of you roaming around the house like this." Kieran smiled looking down at my legs.

"Oh, no. I think I'd like to stay." I said. I was after all enjoying the view before he caught me staring at him.

Kieran smirked and raised his eyebrows.

"If you insist. Just give me a moment, I'm going to at least get you some pants because you are a five-foot two walking distraction. Roxy is going to take you shopping this weekend." He chuckled. "I'll be right back" he said and walked out of the room.

I wandered around the room looking over all of the equipment he had listening to the music coming from his stereo. I walked over to the stereo and looked at the iPod that was hooked up to it. I'd always wanted one, but my father didn't really like cellphones, and gadgets. He was very traditional and set in his ways. I clicked through Kieran's playlist, just to see what kind of music he had. It was mostly rock, but I stopped suddenly, at something very different from the rest of the tracks. It started with a very poppy electronic beat that had me instantly swaying my shoulders.

‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾　K　☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙

I walked back down to the basement with a pair of Amara's sweatpants that had just come out of the dryer. I looked up and chuckled at the view I had in front of me. On the other side of the glass window, separating the game room and the Gym, Amara was carelessly dancing and swaying around the room to whatever was playing on the stereo.

She had practically no rhythm to her dancing. It was blocky, and awkward, and I honestly had no idea what kind of dancing she'd ever seen to get these moves, but at the same time It was beautiful, I was seeing Amara in perhaps her truest form. She'd always been raised to keep quiet and out of the way, and now that she was far from her father's grasp, she was able to be herself for the first time. She was free, and she was happy. She twirled around the room with the biggest smile on her face and I couldn't help but smile myself. I crept towards the door and opened quietly so I could hear what had inspired her to strut around the room like a baby deer having a stroke.

Oh no.

I felt embarrassed that she had found my guilty pleasure track. It was catchy as hell, with an 80s pop tune that just made you want to move.  and I listened to it often while working out. There was no way she was going to let me live this one down.

...but that embarrassment faded as she continued dancing like no one was watching. I leaned against the doorway just watching.

Amara spun around and opened her eyes. She let out a startled yelp and stumbled backwards falling over my treadmill.

"Ouch!" She groaned and stood up brushing herself off, her face was crimson, knowing she'd been caught.

I pushed myself off the door frame and approached her.

"Don't stop on account of me, love." I chuckled. She reared back and punched my shoulder.

"Jerk..." She mumbled. "I've never really danced before." She shrugged.

"Well, I could tell." I said and rubbed my shoulder. She glared at me, and I caught her fist before she hit me again. I laughed.

"I was teasing Mara."

"Yeah, well it's your playlist." She smirked.

"Aye. Listen. Let's just agree that this doesn't leave the room." I said and scratched behind my ear.

"Maybe." She grinned with a mischievous spark in her eyes. I narrowed my eyes and handed her the pants and turned around so she could change.

"You know, I've been thinking." Amara said.

"That's dangerous." I mumbled.

"Hah. Hah." She snorted.

"What have you been thinking?" I asked.

"I want you to teach me how to defend myself. So, you know... I don't always have to rely on someone to be there to save my ass."

"But that would strip me of my chance to swoop in for a dashing rescue." I turned back around and smiled at her. She just rolled her eyes and shook her head.

"If you honestly want me to teach you, I can. But..I'll warn you now, I trained Roxy when she first came to the pack, and she hated me for weeks afterwards." I shrugged.

"Well, I hated you for weeks, and I've just begun to tolerate you, so what's another few weeks of hatred?" She asked with a sly smile.

"Oh, so you tolerate me?" I asked, approaching her with an eyebrow raised.

"A wee bit." She said and bit her lip.

"We'll start tomorrow morning then." I said and turned from her to walk over to the stereo and restarted the song. She gave me a curious look.

"First let's work on your dancing skills, or rather your lack of them." I smirked.

She put her hands on her hips and glared at me as I held out my hand.

"Just dance with me you stubborn little thing." I sighed.

She rolled her eyes again and took my hand and I began to move us around the room twirling her about. I pulled her back to me and she let out the most beautiful jovial laugh as we swayed together to the music.