40. A Bacon Butty

Casper

I blinked my eyes, looking around the darkness.

Where was I?

I could see I was in a bedroom, but not much else made sense.

I couldn't move and I wasn't sure why. I didn't mind though. I was very comfy....and warm.....and happy?

That was weird, because I'm sure I wasn't supposed to feel happy.

I needed more sleep.

__________________________

It was light when I opened my eyes again.

My eyes briefly scanned around the room.

There was a small sofa next to the bed, but it was empty.

It wasn't my bedroom, but I was sure I had been in here before. Maybe I was at Worthington Manor, or Highfield Hall?

It was hard to concentrate when I just felt so warm and comfy.

It was like the bed was giving me a hug. Yes, that was what it felt like. It was an amazing bed. Maybe I could take it home. It even felt like it was breathing in time with me.

Wow, I could just sleep here forever.

___________________________

I stretched as I rolled over.

I couldn't get comfy.

I opened my eyes and remembered that I wasn't at home. I was .....I looked around and saw Nathan's mate, curled up asleep on the sofa next to the bed.

I think this must be Highfield Hall.

I slowly sat up. I ached a bit, but everything seemed to be in working order.

What happened? I couldn't remember.

I remembered that we were at Blackwood Manor and the hunter's were attacking. And I remember waiting for my cue to go and start leading Kane to our meeting point. But I don't remember actually doing that.

But even though had no memory of it, I was almost sure it all worked out alright. It must have right?

I looked at the small clock on the wall and saw that it was 8am.

Something wasn't right. I couldn't put my finger on what it was, but I felt.....empty, like something was missing.

Maybe I was still grieving for Emily? That would make sense but I was almost sure that was not it.

I wanted someone. I wanted them badly. But who? Maybe I just needed to be around my family and with my pack. I had an overwhelming need to see my pups as well.

I noticed that my phone was placed on the bedside table so I picked it up and texted Jamie.

Can you come and pick me up? I'm at Highfield Hall.

The reply came back almost immediately.

Jamie: Sure, but where's Joe?

I frowned at his reply. Why would I know where Joe was? Maybe he was the person who brought me here?

I quickly tapped out my reply.

I don't know. What time will you get here?

Again the reply was instant.

Jamie: About 10 mins. I'm in a guest room just down the hall from you. I just need a quick shower.

I felt a sense of relief that Jamie was here. Maybe I'd feel better when I got home.

I quietly got out of bed and looked around for my clothes. I was dressed in some baggy shorts and a t-shirt. Probably Nathan's. There were no other clothes in the room anywhere.

Maybe I should ask Cole.

"Cole," I said gently while tapping his shoulder.

Cole slowly opened his eyes then he shot upright on seeing me stood over him.

"Casper! You're awake!"

"Yes, and I need some clothes. Do you know where mine are?"

He blinked at me a few times, like he couldn't quite believe I was here.

"Errm, your clothes were kind of ruined. I can get some of Nathan's if you want."

I screwed my nose up at the thought of wearing another werewolf's clothes.

"Or, I suppose you could just go out in your underwear," Cole said, folding his arms across his chest.

He had a point.

"No, sorry, some of Nathan's clothes would be great," I said, as Cole hopped off the sofa and headed to the door. "Just make sure they're clean," I said, and Cole turned to glare at me before he left.

I chuckled to myself. He'd take some getting used to, but I kind of liked Cole. He was ok, for a human.

I walked over to the mirror and took off my t-shirt to inspect the damage. I could see a mark on my side and two more on my back. They were slightly painful to touch, but not that bad.

Cole came back in and handed me a pair of jeans and a clean plain black t-shirt.

"Can I make you some breakfast?" Cole asked.

"No I'm fine. I'm heading back to Blackwood Manor with Jamie in a few minutes."

"What?" Cole said, his eyebrows shooting upwards in surprise.

"I'm going home," I repeated.

"But you were unconscious just a few minutes ago," he said, looking rather baffled.

"I'm fine now, I promise," I said smiling at him.

It was only partially a lie. Physically I was fine, mentally I wasn't so sure. I still felt uneasy, and vulnerable, and sad. Why was I sad?

"Yes, but Joe will want to see you," Cole argued.

"Well where is he then?" I said, getting a little fed up of hearing about Joe.

"He's gone into work with my dad and Nathan. They had a few loose ends they needed to sort out."

"Well then, I guess he'll miss me. I'm sure he'll survive."

Cole looked at me with wide eyes but said nothing.

Jamie suddenly appeared at the door.

"I'll just get dressed," I said to Jamie, holding up the clothes that Cole had brought me, "then we can head off."

"Can we grab something to eat first?" Jamie asked.

I rolled my eyes, not wanting to delay setting off, but also realising it was unfair of me to expect him to drive all the way home on an empty stomach.

"There's no staff in today, but I can make you something," Cole said.

Jamie looked at him in amusement. "You know how to cook?"

"Yeah," Cole said, as if it was perfectly normal to cook.

I guess for other people, maybe it was.

"Great then," Jamie said turning to me, "Casper, go and have a shower cause you stink, and then meet us downstairs and we'll have some breakfast ready for you."

He then bundled Cole out of the door before I had chance to argue.

I sniffed at myself, and yes I did smell. But it wasn't all bad. There was something on me that smelt really good as well.

Once I'd had my shower the smell had gone. And I felt lonelier than ever.

I really needed to get home.

I went downstairs and found Cole plating up some bread with meat on.

"What's this," I asked, pointing to my plate.

"It's a bacon butty," he said.

"What?" I asked.

He looked at me like I was stupid.

"A bacon butty. You know, like a sandwich with bacon on."

"Oh, ok," I said, looking at it suspiciously.

"Oh my god, have you never had a bacon butty before?"

"No, I haven't," I replied.

"Here, you need to put some sauce on," Cole said, "red or brown?"

"Erm, red."

"Please..." Cole said, but putting some on my sandwich anyway.

I heard Jamie sniggering next to me so I shot him a glare that shut him up instantly.

I picked it up and took a big bite of the sandwich.

"Wow, it's really good," I said, after I had swallowed.

Cole just smiled and continued to tidy up the mess he'd made while cooking.

I devoured the rest of the sandwich in just a few bites, realising that I was actually really hungry. No surprise really, considering I'd been out of it for a while.

Once we'd finished, I thanked Cole and headed out to the car with Jamie.

It felt good to be finally going home. I was sure I would feel better once I was there.

"So, how long was I out for?" I asked Jamie once we were on our way.

"About a day and a half," he replied.

I nodded, seen as it was the answer I was expecting.

"What happened?" I asked, "I don't remember anything after the hunters arrived. Did it all go to plan?"

Part of me was afraid to ask this question, but I knew I needed to know.

"Yes, it all went according to plan," he replied, "well apart from the bit where you got injured."

"So who took my place then?" I asked.

"Mark. You remember Mark? He's the head waiter at the manor."

"Yes, I know who Mark is," I said, surprised that he was even involved.

"He was brilliant! He played being you really well," he said laughing.

"So did Kane shoot him?" I asked.

"Yes, it all went perfectly. Kane dropped his gun when Mark attacked and so Joe easily swapped it with one filled with blanks. And Mark went down like a sack of spuds. It was brilliant. Then the rest of the hunters all panicked and fled. We caught most of them, although some got away. I don't think they're going to be bothering us again though. Kane was arrested. You should have seen his face when Mark got back up! It was hilarious!"

It was great that everything had gone to plan, it really was, but for some reason I couldn't feel any excitement.

I asked the question that had been playing on my mind most since I woke up.

"So what happened to me then?"

Jamie shot me a worried glance, before looking back at the road ahead of him.

"Apparently Matt got caught by a hunter and you went and saved him. But then the hunter stabbed you. Once in the side and twice in the back."

It all sounded vaguely familiar.

"I thought I'd died," I said quietly.

Jamie shot me another look, but I had my gaze fixed firmly ahead of me.

"You nearly did. If it wasn't for Joe, you probably would have."

Joe again. So to add onto the list of things he was supposedly 'brilliant' at, I could now add on 'medic'.

I felt that empty feeling wash over me again and I wrapped my arms around myself as some sort of comfort.

"Jamie, did something bad happen that night?" I asked, wondering if he was keeping something from me.

"No," he said, "the only bad thing was you getting injured. Why?"

"I don't know," I said, shrugging my shoulders, "something just feels, I don't know, off."

Jamie smirked at me. "Trust me Casper, you're going to be fine."

I opened my mouth to say something, but then quickly shut it again.

There was no point in arguing. He just didn't understand. How could he when I didn't understand it myself?

All I wanted to do was get home and get into my own bed. And maybe then I could get that feeling back. That feeling of warmth and comfort. That feeling that I was no longer alone.