Four

It only took half an hour before I got bored of the TV, and hobbled upstairs. Deciding on a nice hot bath, I turned the water on, adding some scented oils and bubbles, enjoying the smell of sweet cinnamon and vanilla as I stripped off my clothes and unwound my ankle bandage, dumping the lot into the clothes hamper.

I stepping carefully into the hot water, sinking down and relaxing back as it rose around me. Turning it off when the tub was almost full, I closed my eyes, breathing in the slowly rising steam, and enjoying the heat as it penetrated deeply. It might not be as good as the natural hot springs, but it certainly wasn't bad.

I felt a pang of loss, as I thought of the springs. It wouldn't be safe to go back there again, and not just for me. The Nightfall Lycan pack would almost certainly dislike werewolves so close to their border, even if it was technically our land, and it would be unwise to gain their attention. Given their brutally savage reputation, it wouldn't be all too unexpected for them to send a very violent message, reminding our pack to stay away.

Hopefully the Lycan that discovered me there considered that a message already sent, and didn't bother letting any others know. I shuddered as I thought of them, the feeling of their tongue, and teeth on my neck, right at that spot, their hot breath on my skin, as I stood so close to a beast of such immense power. My eyes widened as I realised the thought was actually kind of.. arousing.

Maybe it was more just the steamy hot bath, and the sultry scents I'd added to the water. I decided it must be. There was no way I could possibly be thinking those kind of thoughts about a damned Lycan otherwise. Could I? The uncertainty was uncomfortable, and I began washing and massaging my skin all over, eager to get away from the heat and start thinking clearly again.

Stepping out, I dried off and wrapped the towel around me, searching for a clean bandage and grabbing the ointment Doctor Mike had given me. I rubbed it in firmly, massaging the muscles in my ankle, then wrapped as he had, before scrubbing it off my hands thoroughly. It was a not so pleasant scent, and those were bothering me significantly more the closer my birthday came.

I pulled on some clothes, choosing longer jeans to cover the bandage, but frowning at how much tighter they were since the last time I'd worn them. It seemed all the extra training was making me put on more muscle mass, which didn't bother me at all, but the skin-tight feeling of the jeans kind of did. It would probably only get worse as I got stronger after I turned, so I decided to look for a larger sized pair or two while we were out.

It helped lift my mood a little too, getting stronger felt good. I pulled on casual black top, and some low top shoes that wouldn't bother my ankle too much. I have my dark waves a quick brush, and headed downstairs, smiling as I heard Sam at the front door.

Only he wasn't alone. I noticed Sarah come in after him, and gave her a small wave of greeting, which I extended to Trev as he followed her. My hand froze as I saw who was behind him. Alpha Jaiden. He smiled as he saw me, though it didn't reach his sharp, icy blue-green eyes. It never did.

"Laila," he said, frowning at me in a way that I think was supposed to seem sympathetic, "What have you done to yourself, poor girl?" I looked between them, a little shocked that he'd come all the way out here for an ankle injury. Sarah mouthed a, "Sorry!" at me, giving me an apologetic look.

"Oh, Alpha Jaiden, welcome," I said, even though no one had invited him in, "I.. uh, it was silly, just a sprain. I'll be back at training in a few days." I hoped that the non-explanation would suffice, I really didn't want to have to lie to the pack's Alpha.

It seemed to be enough though, as he stepped forward, offering me a hand as I descended the last few stairs. When I stepped to the floor beside him, he snaked an arm around my back instead, making me tense. "You'll need to be more careful, my dear," he said, and reached to brush some hair back from my face and neck, his thumb hovering over my marking spot for just a moment too long.

"You'll be turning soon, your first time, we don't want you hurt for that," he continued, smiling at me again. This time, something reached his eyes, but it didn't seem like anything good. I swallowed, feeling incredibly uncomfortable with him this close, then forced a smile, and a casual voice.

"Oh, that's nearly a week away yet, Alpha, I'm sure I'll be fighting fit by then." I smiled again, and he looked me over from head to toe, seeming approving, "Yes, I'm sure you will." He grinned at me, and his hand trailed a little too low, brushing my ass as he stepped away again. "You'll look after her for me, won't you Sam?" he said as he moved towards the door again.

Sam's face was dark, and I could sense his underlying fury, but he didn't dare disrespect the Alpha. "Of course, Alpha Jaiden, I'll always keep her safe," he said flatly, making Trev's eyes narrow. Trev was loyal to a fault, and he likely sensed Sam's underlying meaning. Jaiden, however ignored it, grinning at everyone and giving a short wave, as he left, Trev following.

Sarah suddenly caught me up in a hug, whispering softly enough that only I could hear, "I'm sorry! Trev asked about last night, and I told him you'd hurt yourself. I think he mentioned it to Jaiden, I had no idea he'd come!" I squeezed her gently, and smiled as she pulled back, "Don't worry, I'm fine," I said, as Trev gave her impatient looks from outside. She gave Sam and I a quick wave and went after him.

After Sam closed the door, he was silent a long moment, staring at the floor. I went over and grabbed his shoulder lightly, and he looked up at me, a deadly serious look on his face. "If it turns you're mated to that sadistic bastard, or he tries to claim you after you turn, I'll get you out of here myself or die trying," he said, his voice heavy.

I stared up at him, my eyes wide as I studied his face. He was so much like me, we both had our mother's square jaw, petite nose, and high cheekbones, dotted with faint freckles. And her large almond-shaped eyes, a deep green, with flecks of gold in the centre and a darker rim around the pupils. Everyone said the colour was so unusual, and immediately knew we were related.

The only real difference was his lighter, redder hair, though he usually died it black with streaks of whatever colours he felt like that month. He'd always needed to find some way to add colour and fun to his looks, but right now, his look was completely serious, and it only made me love him all the more.

I hugged him tightly, whispering, "Thank you, but I'll be okay, Sammy, no matter what. I'll be okay." He squeezed me back for a long moment, then stepped back, tapping my nose like he always did, in his annoying big-brother way, and smiled. "Let's go buy you some new jeans before you split these ones, and Alpha Jaiden loses his mind," he said jokingly.

I feigned a shocked look, and he laughed, "Giiirrll, did you really think I wouldn't notice?!" he said with a playful, amused grin, and I couldn't help but laugh with him. I grabbed my phone and wallet and followed him out to his car, a restored vintage that our mother had always adored.

Soon enough we were on the road, music up loud, us either singing along or talking and bantering as siblings do, the whole way there. These were my favourite kinds of days.