Chapter 6. Nothing Special.

Talia looked up from her hands, "Is there? I mean, I'm just an orphan. There's nothing special about me at all.", tears were beginning to form in the corner of her eyes. This was so unlike her.

Dr. Stewart curbed his excitement as he watched her. He couldn't help wanting to discover why this girl was different. He never imagined that she wouldn't be intrigued. Most people of her age wanted to be special, wanted to stand-out, but not her.

"It's alright young one. I won't keep you here against your will but maybe if you could answer a couple of questions, just to satisfy an old man's curiosity?", he was gentle with her. Gaining any information was better than nothing.

"I'm not sure if I'll be able to help you any. Can I think about it?", Talia was conflicted.

The sudden attention that she was receiving made her uncomfortable. Apart from her adoptive parents, she wasn't used to any kind of affection or warmth. Talia liked being a non-entity for the most part, she could block out the negativity that was often thrown her way, well she used to be able to.

"Sure thing. Why don't you stay here and have something to eat while you mull it over?", the doctor shot the young Alpha a quick glance, it seemed to say 'help me'.

Brodie cleared his throat, his presence in the room had all but been forgotten by Talia. 

"How about I go and hunt and gather something for you? If I see your mother I'll ask her to come back in yeah?", he hated seeing her like this. 

She gave a slight nod in answer to his question. He got up and left them. Brodie was trying to work out what he was feeling right now. Focusing on a task, however simple, should help. 

Brodie pondered as he walked down the corridor. He didn't know Talia, he'd never looked her way before today but now he felt protective of her. The attraction he felt was almost overpowering. They weren't mates though. His wolf, Seff, didn't feel the mate connection. What was happening? 

He was so lost in his thoughts that he collided with another person's back. 

"Oof! Sorry I wasn't watching where I was going.", Brodie apologised quickly to the man in front of him. 

The broad shouldered guy turned and saw that it was the future alpha that had knocked him. He had been ready to tell whoever it was to watch it but changed his mind. 

"Quite alright young Alpha. I was actually coming to seek you out to thank you for helping my Ali.", Lachlan Christie stuck his hand out to shake Brodies.

Brodie's brow furrowed for a split second. Who was Ali? Then it clicked. This must be Talia's father. He had a rough idea who they were but with so many pack members it was easy to miss the ones that never made themselves known to them. 

"It's no problem at all sir. I happened to be there at the right time. Any wolf would've done the same.", a bit of pandering couldn't hurt after all he wanted to be closer to this man's daughter. 

"Being a busy Alpha in training makes  the time you have spent here with Ali even more admirable. If there's anything I can do for you please don't hesitate to ask.", Lachlan was sincere about his offer. 

'You could let me have Talia.' the wicked thought crossed his mind as he pictured her becoming his.

"Actually there is something you could help me with. I told Talia that I'd go and get her something to eat but I realised I don't even know what she likes. What's her favourite food?", Brodie acted a little bashful about this seemingly important dilemma he was having. 

Lachlan sized him up, then with a big grin he said, "Now that's a problem I can most certainly help with! My Ali may look small but she can eat as much as any man I've seen. Come with me.", he put his arm around the young man and led him out the door of the hospital and down the road to a small cafe. 

"This is a stomping ground of Ali. If you want her to be your friend for life get her the chicken and pea risotto, a slice of their homemade chocolate fudge cake and a latte.", Lachlan gave Brodie a conspiratorial wink.

"I've got to get back to work now that I know my little girl is being well cared for. Good to meet you properly Alpha Brodie.", Lachlan shook his hand again and left him to get Talia's food.

He went in and ordered. Soon he was stood in front of her door again feeling slightly nervous. Inhaling deeply, he knocked and entered.

Talia had changed into yoga pants and a oversized t-shirt with a superhero on the front. She had pinned her hair up off of her face and was currently sitting cross legged on the bed engrossed in a book. 

"Got your food. Hope your hungry.", Brodie put the take-away containers in front of her along with napkins and cutlery. 

He stood there watching her as she inhaled. Her eyes lit up as she lifted the lid to confirm that her absolute favourite comfort food was in front of her, she stomach rumbled loudly. Brodie smiled and silently chuckled, not wanting to embarrass her. 

Talia took a bite, her eyes closed and she leaned back slightly as she savoured the taste and warmth of the risotto. She stayed like that until she swallowed the mouthful. Her eyes opened and she blushed. She had totally forgotten that Brodie was still in the room. 

"Thank you... How did you know this was my favourite?", her eyes squinted questioningly. 

Brodie had the decency to look a little embarrassed. He ran his hand through his hair a couple of times before answering, "Ah... Yeah, I had a bit of help with that. Haha. Is it OK?" 

Talia's actions answered for her. She was taking a large drink of her coffee and tucking back into the risotto. 

She looked over to him. He was watching her like she was the most interesting thing he had ever come across. She felt bad about eating in front of him. 

"Sorry. You must be hungry too, do you want some?", she held up the container with both hands towards him. It was reminiscent of an offering to a god. 

Her big beautiful eyes were wide as she waited for him to reply. She looked so innocent. Brodie didn't have the heart to turn her down. 

He took the container from her and picked up her fork. Tentatively, he took a small bite. As he tasted it his eyes grew wide. "Oh my goddess! This is amazing!", Brodie took a bigger bite this time, he hadn't even finished swallowing before readying up another forkful. 

"Hey! I think you'll find that's mine!", Talia reached out jokingly to grab the carton back from Brodie but he turned slightly and clutched it to his chest, protecting the delicious contents. 

He laughed and snuck another mouthful before handing it back to a disgruntled looking Talia. Settling into the chair, he watched as she finished off what was left of the meal. 

"What are you reading?", Brodie was already reaching over for the book as he asked Talia. He held his thumb in at the open page and flipped it over so he could see the cover. 

"You like plants, huh? Is it because they're pretty?", he assumed with her being a girl that that would be a safe guess. 

Talia snorted at his question, "What because I'm a girl I like plants because they're pretty? Oh man! That's funny. If you looked closer you'd see that this book is about the medicinal properties of plants." 

She gave him a withering glance before opening the other box sat on her bed. Brodie felt a little silly but he shook it off as he saw her small features light up with pure joy as she saw what was inside. 

"Whoever helped you, you owe them big! This cake is the best!", Talia practically squealed. This is the most relaxed she'd ever felt with someone else. It was the first time she felt if she had a friend.

She forgot herself in her excitement and cut through the cake with a fork and reached over to Brodie. "You have to try it!", she held the fork up to his mouth to feed him. 

He was taken aback at her actions but took her offering gladly. The cake was soft and moist and the chocolate fudge frosting was sumptuous and rich. Being fed by this beautiful girl was something he could get used to. 

They sat in harmony together. Talia enthusiastically explained about plants Brodie asked about. She smiled more in this short space of time than she had her entire life. 

"I'll do it.", she said suddenly. "I'll help Dr. Stewart figure out what's going on with me.", there was a determination on her face. Brodie smiled and mind linked the doctor to tell him the good news.