“And you’re a terrible driver.”
It took me a little while to get used to driving, but my new beauty of a car was built for the snow. Her heated seats and steering wheel were just the cherry on top. When we got back, Thane gave me a phone with his and Kole’s numbers already programmed into it. He made me promise not to switch off the tracking, which I agreed to. Although, if it ever comes down to it, that request wasn’t in the contract, so he can’t really hold it against me if I change my mind.
Sienna had to go handle some wolf business, but she told me she’d be back tomorrow for Christmas Eve. I haven’t thought about Christmas in years, and the thought of celebrating it with a hybrid, a vampire, and a werewolf is beyond weird, but she insisted that it would be a good way for us all to commemorate this fresh start, so of course I agreed to go along with it.
Shit! It’s already six o’clock?
I had laid down for a nap, but since I barely slept last night, I guess my body needed the rest. Seeing as how I don’t have any plans for the rest of the evening, I suppose now’s as good a time as any to do some exploring around here.
I venture out into the hallway and head toward one of the rooms I’ve been eyeing since I first got here. I’m pleasantlysurprised to find it unlocked, though I guess the contract did say I’d have free rein of the place. At least, aside from the east wing, which won’t be necessary, since this room is practically a replica of Thane’s library.
Shelves and shelves of books line the room, and there’s even a little alcove by the bay windows with a raised platform and a built-in cushion. Several pillows and blankets are sprawled out, making the area look extra cozy, and when I plop down, my body melts into the padded bottom as if this little slice of heaven was made for me.
The view of the white blanketed garden is perfect from here, and there’s even a string of dim lights hanging just above my head to complete the whole ambiance. It’s beyond perfect, and I lay back a moment, taking it all in.
So much of me is resistant to accepting anything good, knowing it never lasts, but today it just feels like everything I’ve ever been through has led me here. To this room. These people. This life. I never could’ve had any of this in the world run by humans. I was destined to live at the bottom. Invisible and alone.
Now, I’m here. In a world full of monsters, feeling more at home than I’ve ever felt in my entire life. For the first time in a long time, I have a friend. Someone who I’ve grown to care for. And although she’s a freaking werewolf, she has a kind soul and pure heart. A lone wolf, overlooked by her peers just like me. We’re opposites in so many ways, but also one and the same. Brought together by a hybrid who found us lost in the world.
Maybe after everything that has happened to me, this is my compensation. An unconventional life that somehow offers me the things I could only ever dream of. Twisted as it is, whatif this is the best possible outcome for what my life could’ve been?
As I try to accept that truth, I make my way to the next room. It’s just as massive as the last one, with a large L-shaped couch, an oval coffee table, and a comfortable-looking chair. Along the left wall are shelves and cubbies full of puzzles, crochet kits, drawing pads, board games, paint, blank canvases, journals, scrapbooks, cameras, and so much more. There’s so much to look through that I know if I start, I won’t be able to stop, so instead, I decide to come back to this room another day when I have more time to drown myself in all the activities.
The door at the end of the hall is also unlocked, but when I walk in, I get an overwhelming feeling I’m not supposed to be in here. All around are painted canvases. On each one, a stunning woman with shoulder-length blonde hair and piercing blue eyes stares back at me. She looks to be in her mid-to-late thirties, but her skin looks practically flawless, though maybe it’s just because they’re paintings.
“This room was supposed to be locked.” I spin around to find Thane standing in the doorway with pursed lips.
“I-I’m sorry. I’ll go.” I move to leave, but he steps wide, blocking the entire space with his broad frame.
“Wait. You don’t have to go. I just… I usually keep these private.”
I glance over my shoulder at the room full of canvases before turning back to him.
“You painted all of these?” He nods, running his hand along the back of his neck. “They’re incredible.”
“You think so?” He’s looking at me, nervously waiting for my answer, like he actually cares what I think. It would be endearing if it wasn’t so weird.
Before it gets any more awkward, I turn my attention back to one of the canvases, running my eyes over each detail. “They’re impressive. I wish I could paint half as good as this.”
“I could teach you.”
I whip back around to look at him, surprised to see the serious expression on his face.
“It’d be a waste of time. I have zero artistic ability.”
“Anyone can learn how to paint, even talentless humans.” The corner of his mouth hooks up just slightly, and for a second, he doesn’t look like the guy who has made my life a living hell.
“Who is she?” I ask, feeling the need to change the subject.
Thane’s smirk falls, and he takes a couple steps into the room. “I’m not sure. She shows up in my dreams almost every night. It’s the same thing each time. She looks utterly terrified and whispers, ‘He’s coming,’ right before she screams, and that’s when I wake up.”
I walk over to another one of the canvases perched on an easel, and my eyes catch on her necklace as my fingers trace the image of a round pendant with two upside-down triangles connecting in the middle.
“This necklace,” I say, turning to face Thane, who’s watching me intently, “I used to have the same one.”
His brows furrow. “You did?”
I reach for the empty space on my chest where it used to lie. “It was the only thing my birth mother left with me when she dropped me off at the fire station when I was a baby. They said it had been wrapped around my hand. For years, I wore it every day, hoping it would somehow lead me to her.” I pause, looking down at the floor while idly running my foot across the light beige carpet. “Eventually, when she never sought me out,I got rid of it. By then, it had just become a painful reminder that she wanted nothing to do with me.”
