Chapter 15

I didn’t recognize the person looking back at me. My hair was pulled up and braided down the middle with several long braids done separately on each side. The makeup Willow had put on was light and not too noticeable but made my skin looked flawless.

Laila did not pass up the opportunity to embarrass me. “Dang girl we look good. Shake your booty! Do it!” She insisted.

“I absolutely will not.” I replied. Still feeling far too naked to be out in public. I know lots of girls, especially ones like Danielle went out like this all the time. They all possessed a confidence I would never have.

Beta Lucas seemed to sense my hesitation. Placing his hand on my back, he looked down at me. “You look amazing.” He smiled and gently guided me to the door. Grabbing the handle and holding it open he motioned for me to go first.

I hadn’t made it two steps in the door before CeCe spotted me. She squealed with excitement and ran over to me. Her shoes making loud clicking sounds on the linoleum floor the whole way.

Wrapping her arms around me she whispered in my ear. “Are you ok sugar? Do we need to call the police?”

Her embrace felt uncomfortable, and I wiggled out of it.

Beta Lucas answered before I could. “She’s fine. Get Tommy so he can see for himself and you two can stop bugging Mr. Graham.”

My forehead crinkled as I looked at him. I hadn’t heard anyone refer to him as Mr. Graham but then again, I doubted they ran around telling everyone what they are.

CeCe took my hands in hers getting my attention again. “You sure?” The concern in her voice made me question if I was or not.

I hadn’t had a chance to let everything settle in. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to stay with them or if I really was a prisoner. Beta Lucas brought me here and afterwards we were supposed to go shopping. They hadn’t treated me badly and I could feel Laila wanted to know more about what we are.

Not sure if I was alright or not, all I know for sure is I feel more at home with these strangers than I ever have before.

Forcing a smile, I knew either way I didn’t want CeCe and Tommy to worry about me. “Yes, I’m sure.” I finally said.

Unlike her usual way of calling Tommy, and by that, I mean yelling at the top of her lungs. This time she quickly walked back to the kitchen and disappeared for a few minutes before she reappeared with Tommy following closely behind her.

Beta Lucas’s way of behaving completely changed. His voice was stern, he stood tall and straight, his sentences short and to the point. He acted like a completely different person than the man I had just been in a car laughing with.

Tommy looked at Beta Lucas with contempt before pulling me to him in a big hug. The same big arms that brought me comfort just a few days before now felt suffocating.

A thousand thoughts and doubts ran through my head all at once. What if we had changed and hurt one of them? What if they saw what I truly was and wanted to kill me? Would they have helped me if they knew? They took me in and gave me hope. Could I really turn my back on them?

Laila tried to calm me, but it was too late I was completely overwhelmed. I felt her moving forward, Beta Lucas took a step towards me at the same time. I released control and felt Laila shift her weight putting a hand on Tommy’s shoulder.

“Colton has requested I stay in the community for a while.” Laila told them. She was doing great at getting her voice close to mine.

Tommy looked at Beta Lucas suspiciously. “Is it some kind of cult?” He asked me just above a whisper.

Beta Lucas moved closer; I could feel his breath on me. Laila burst out laughing at Tommy’s accusation. Which was probably a good thing considering I could hear Beta Lucas growling.

“No, no. Nothing like that.” Laila told him. Looking at Beta Lucas she realized they weren’t lying. She was a wolf. That’s why when she took over my body if always felt wrong somehow. Although the circumstances were not ideal this was our best and possibly only chance at finding out what we truly are. Maybe one day finding our parents or someone who knew them.

“Really Tommy, I promise I’m fine.” Laila reached up and gently gave him a kiss on the cheek. “I’ve come to get my things and pay you whatever I owe. I will come visit often.”

At that Tommy and CeCe seemed to relax a little.

Laila turned placing her hand on Beta Lucas’s chest. “Can you wait for me in the car?” She asked.

A low rumble of a growl came from his chest. Leaning down as not to be overheard he said, “The Alpha would not approve of me leaving you alone.”

“I won’t be alone, and I think they will feel better if I can talk to them without you.”

Beta Lucas lifted his eyes and took a long look at Tommy and CeCe. “Fine, but don’t take too long.” He turned walking out the door and leaned against the car.

Laila took CeCe’s hand. “Will you help me pack?”

“Of course, sugar. If you’re sure that’s what you want.” Her concern was still obvious.

I had no way of explaining what had happened since they had taken me that night. I couldn’t tell them the truth, but I owed them some kind of answer.

As we walked around the restaurant to cabin 4, I felt considerably calmer. Feeling Laila give back control mid step I almost tripped. Hopefully I could learn to switch a little more gracefully.

That thought made me giggle. CeCe did not let it go unnoticed.

“What’s so funny dear?” She asked.

I decided to be as honest with her as I could. “They are helping me figure out who I am. I always felt alone, like an outsider. It’s funny to think that there are other people like me.”