Alec
There's even more food than last night!
The dining hall is more crowded, too. Seeing all these people and all the different spaces I'm starting to think calling this place a house or pack house or whatever is poorly termed. It feels like a hotel or country club.
Last night at dinner, I was holding back yawns and trying to chat politely with all of the new faces that came up to me. Even though I slept most of yesterday, as soon as we got back to Christopher's room I was crawling back onto the sofa. I remember trying to ask him what happened with my clinic but fell asleep soon after he said Dee handled it.
Even now, I still feel a little tired but when I woke up earlier, I was determined not to sleep the day away again. My clothes had suffered from being slept in so long and were wrinkled and sweaty. I took another shower and had to borrow some sweatpants and a tee shirt from Christopher.
When Christopher and I walked down to breakfast the halls only seemed vaguely familiar but most of what I was shown to me last night is a blur. We did pass the large family room, the one that had been filled with families in all different types.
It actually almost feels like one large family reunion every room I go past and the way they all interact with each other is something very new to me. The time and attention spent together definitely isn't like my parents and I. When I studied abroad, I learned a lot about how families could be close and enjoy being with each other from my South Korean family. However, this loud, boisterous affection of those around me now is extremely unfamiliar.
A lot of different families, and some individuals, have been coming up to the table to say hi, just like last night. They spend a few minutes talking with us, well, mainly to Christopher but I feel like a hundred curious eyes are on me. And each time they leave, my plate has more food on it than before. I'm packed to the gills with delicious food.
After the current group of people say their good-byes and head off into the room of crowded tables, I gently proof Christopher's leg under the table. Immediately, he gives me his attention and I look meaningfully at my overflowing plate. Like he has at least twice this morning, he scoops most of the food onto his plate, leaving me about a bite of each thing to try. He digs into the food and I don't know where he is putting it anymore.
"Dr. Alec," a familiar face comes and plops down at the table across from me.
"Dee!"
"I finally get to see you here. How are you feeling?"
God, I regret fainting. I mean, Christopher is the one who was seriously injured but everyone keeps asking me how I am.
"I'm fine but what about the clinic?"
Dee waves one hand through the air, "Taken care of. I canceled all of the appointments through the weekend and I left a message on the outgoing voicemail. I had to give some reason so I said it was because you had a personal emergency. I'm sorry, I wasn't able to ask you first."
"No, I understand and thank you for taking care of everything." Looking at Dee with her obvious compassion showing, her voice gentle and soft, makes me almost forget that she is a werewolf.
A large plate gets set down in front of Dee, following the large and also heavily muscled arm up to the food bringer I see a very tall, scarred man dressed like a biker. He places another plate and some silverware down before seating himself next to Dee.
"Thank you, darling." Dee gives the intimidating man a wide smile. "Oh, this is my m- my husband, Jake," she introduces.
"Hello." Jake greets me perfunctorily before turning all of his attention to his food. I'm not even sure if he heard my hello back.
"Anyway," Dee says, "I thought we'd sit here and keep some of the gawkers at bay." I see Dee give a pointed look at Christopher, who returns the look. They're having a conversation without me.
"Hey," I whisper, elbowing him. "I don't think I like that."
"She's scolding me," Christopher turns to me. "She thinks I should have warned everyone away from you right now."
"Oh," I turn back to my plate, scooping up one of the bites and preparing to stuff myself more. "Okay, then."
Dee stifles a laugh and I smile, too. We carry on with the meal, Dee keeping up most of the talking while her and the other two werewolves do most of the eating. The presence of Dee and Jake does seem to keep the others away while I finish eating. Or, Dee is warning them off herself. Either way, my plate stopped refilling.
The other three finish eating way before me as I try to finish the little amount left on my plate. A lot of the others have finished and left the dining hall already. I didn't want to waste the delicious food and I also didn't want to insult any werewolves in here, either. Dee and Jake say goodbye and take off together. Christopher clears our spots for us while I try to digest.
"Do you want to see the rest of the house?" He asks when he returns.
"I kind of do but, more so, I'm wondering when I can go home?"
"I think it will be soon."
"Today?" I perk up. Christopher looks unsure though.
"Maybe."
"Do you think it is still dangerous?" Do you think the one who shot you is gone? Or just waiting for another chance? I really want to ask but my throat gets tight when I think about Christopher being attacked again.
Christopher looks down at me before offering me his hand. "Come here."
Unsure but taking his hand anyway Christopher helps me rise to my feet. He holds onto my hand even after I stand up. "You don't have to worry. Something like what happened the other day is really rare. I promise that you're safe."
I stare at our hands, his larger, rougher one entwined with mine. Like always, his body heat is higher, warming my skin. And I believe him.
"Let's go." He starts to leave, tugging me along. "We don't have to see the rest of the house, but I do want to show you my office. We can find my dad, too and ask about when the lockdown will end."
"Lockdown?"
"That's what we're in right now, it's why the pack house is so crowded. It'll be a little thinner once we have the all-clear."
"Hmmm." I murmur, just following his long strides. I'm not sure how to react to that.
Walking through the wide halls, we pass plenty of others going here and there. Some of the faces are starting to be familiar but I think...
"I think I've seen some of these people in town?"
"Sure, some live there and work there."
"But none of them have come into the clinic."
Christopher stops to look at me. "Like, a check-up?"
"What? No!" I swat his arm with my free hand. "I don't treat people. I meant, like, aren't there any pets here?" With all of the excuses that Christopher used to come and visit me, I know he never had a pet to bring in.
With everyone so curious about who Christopher is dating, I would think more than a few would have brought a pet in. Or would that be forbidden, too. I can't quite grasp the rules around here, it definitely seems a little one for all.
"Pets? I don't think so, maybe some have had a fish or hamster?"
"Wow, I really thought you all would be cat people for sure." Christopher's eyes laser into mine. "No? Well, okay,"
Christopher turns on his heel and strides off. He's still holding my hand tight and I have to double-step to keep up with him. I was just joking around a little!
"Hey, Chris, I was just kidding," My breath catches with the increased pace. "It's just a joke- Oh, my god!" Rounding a corner and we both halt in our tracks at the sight of a tan wolf, his mouth clenched over a small, gray pup.
"BRaden!" Christopher barks.
Like magic, the tan wolf's body bends and snaps out of shape to stand as a naked young man with floppy curls, now cradling the wolf pup in his arms.
"Oh!" I slap my hand over my eyes.
"Sorry, A-ahhh, Christopher." I hear the man called Braden say.
"I asked for no shifting."
"I know! But, I can't keep the pups from shifting and it's easier to wrangle them in my wolf form. I'm sorry, I didn't realize you were heading this way. Did I startle you, Mr. Alec? I'm sorry."
Keeping my eyes closed, I tug on Christopher's arm until I feel him move closer. "Why isn't he supposed to shift?" I whisper. I really don't understand this place.
"I didn't want you to be too...alarmed if the pack shifted-"
Mission failed.
"-as much as they normally would. We're mostly in our human form inside, but when we can't go outside just yet..."
"Because...of the lockdown?"
"Right."
"Oh, well, I mean, it's fine." I was definitely startled but there wasn't any real fear in it.
"Cool, thanks, Mr. Alec. I'm going to get this one back to the others."
"Just Alec is fine," I call out but footsteps are already passing us in the hallway, the solid footfalls turning into double, soft-padded ones as they head out of earshot.
"He's gone." Christopher says.
Lowering my hand, I cautiously look around but we are alone in the hallway.
Christopher nods his head down the hallway where Braden went. "You think I need pets to handle, too?"
Are we still on that? "It was just a joke." I huff softly.
Christopher leans forward towards me. I freeze as his face comes closer and I feel his nose bump against my forehead in a quick tap before he straightens up again. "And I'm teasing you."
I raise my arm and gently swipe at the spot he touched because it feels hot and prickling.
Smiling now, Christopher starts walking again. "You did good at handling that."
"Everyone here seems to listen to you, are you, like, in charge or something?"
Christopher comes to a stop at a door, opening it and letting me go inside first to find an office with a large desk taking up the focus. A couple of chairs and a large, lived-in sofa are the only furniture aside from overstuffed bookcases lining the walls.
"I am, kind of in charge, yes. Also my father. My mom and a few others are also high ranking."
"High ranking?" Turning, I see Christopher leaning against the now closed door.
"Order is important to us, wolf and human." Christopher's eyes slide along my face and appear to scan over me while he talks.
I want to ask more about order and rankings mean but under his intense stare all I got out is, "I guess that makes sense."
Christopher doesn't elaborate, just remains silent and staring. Is it just me or are his eyes...roaming me? It makes me very aware of my skin and where my clothes brush against it.. Looking around, I clear my throat. "So, this is your office, huh?"
"Yup." Christopher steps closer.
"Um, are you still mad?"
"Mad?" Christopher stops in front of me. I have to tilt my head up to look into his predatory gaze.
"Yeah, about the cat thing?"
"No," Christopher takes a step in towards me and I shuffle back to keep my space. "In fact, I think it's a good idea."
"Good, ahem, good idea?" I have to keep taking small, awkward steps back as Christopher keeps stalking me. When the sofa hits the back of my knees, I have to stop and sway to keep my balance. "What do you mean?"
Christopher is right in front of me, his feet are pressing up close to mine. He places one hand on the sofa's arm and leans towards me.
"Chris! What are you doing?"
Christopher straightens up and gives me a small smile. He steps around me and sits down casually. I can breathe a little easier and feel a little relief until he snatches my hand and pulls me down onto his lap.
Rocking into place between his thighs, my body presses against his chest. His hands catch my arms that flailed out in surprise, pinning them between us with his arms wrapped around me tight. I try to sit up but I can't even shift away. "Hey!"
"I think there is one cat that I like."
"What?" Stopping my useless attempts to shift into a more upright position, I look into Christopher's face. The indescribable look in his eyes make my limbs feel heavy. My brain feels like it's slowed down.
Christopher wraps one arm around me tighter, moving his other hand to cradle my cheek. His thumb strokes mesmerizingly across my heightened skin. "Cat's don't usually like me because I'm a werewolf. And there is one high-tempered, skittish cat that really didn't like me before."
Oh.
"I, I mean..." I don't know what I'm supposed to say. "I...like you now."
Christopher's lips turn into a smile. My pulse dances a little and beats faster.
"I tried sweet talking it but feeding it seemed to be more effective." Hey!
His warm hand cupping my cheek moves slowly behind my neck, anchoring me in place. His arm that was holding me in place loosens. Completely entranced, I remain still, even when his other hand moves to rub one, long, slow stroke from my shoulders down my spine to my waist.
"Hm." Rolling my bottom lip inward, a small little breath of sound escapes me. Every cell on my body seems to be alive and buzzing.
Christopher applies pressure at my neck, pulling my cheek forward nearly to his lips. His breath sends a hot wave across my skin. When he leans forward, his cheek brushes against mine and the hot wave moves to my ear. My hands unintentionally flex open and closed, clenching down on the material of his shirt.
"I really do hope this kitty cat is starting to warm up to me. I want to pet it and bring it home."
The hand at my waist moves for a second, before reappearing at the same spot underneath my borrowed shirt. The heat is incredible but makes me tingly and uncomfortable at the same time.
"Can I?" Christopher breathes against my ear.
"Huh?" My brain is completely overwhelmed. The shirt underneath my fingers seems to feel warmer and I unconsciously stroke the fabric, feeling Christopher's muscle bunch and tense beneath. What are we talking about?
"Can I pet you, Alec?"
A/N: Am I just influenced by Bed Friend? I want to say I don't care but there were several spots I had to stop and sit in shame. Yet, there will be more shame next chapter. /á ｡ê｡á\