I had slept through breakfast, but that didn't mean I didn't eat. Desmond had left me a tray of food on my dresser with a note that read:

Sera,

I didn't want to wake you up so I brought breakfast up for you. I won't be back to the cabin until dinner so please help yourself to anything in the kitchen. Mr. Chap will be here if you need anything until I get back later. You can usually find him in the kitchen or living room. I also wrote my phone number on the back of this note if you need me. Make yourself at home.

- Desmond

P.S. You might have to warm up the oatmeal, and no I did not make this. If I had the house would have burned down.

I placed the note next to the tray with a smile. That was nice of him, maybe this wasn't such a bad idea after all.

The spiced smell of cinnamon filled my nose as I looked at the cinnamon-covered oatmeal. Just as Desmond had warned me it was cold like the room. Not yet ready to leave my room I looked at what else he picked for me.

There was a red delicious apple next to the bowl of oatmeal, a croissant, and a small bowl of blueberries. Picking up the apple I took a bite of it as I tugged my blanket around my shoulders.

I gazed out of the window to the scattered people below. Most were men in their twenties and thirties, but a few showed signs of an older age. Their pepper salt beards and hair took away any illusion they were younger than forty.

Not all of them were men though. There were a couple of women, most of them either carried fruits and bread or looked like Amazonians. Those that looked nothing like a housewife towered over the rest of the women, some were close to the height of some of the men.

A woman with short natural red hair was laughing alongside another woman. Her lightly freckled face and dark green eyes reminded me of Mara. I missed her and I made a mental note to call her and tell her I was alright and not to worry.

Lost in thought I hadn't noticed that the two women had stopped laughing looking back up at me. The taller of the two kissed the redhead before telling her something and walking away. The redhead still gazed up and I waited for her to give me a glare of some sort, being that I was so used to it, but I was stunned when she offered me a warm smile.

Shocked, I backed away from the window, and just before I backed away to the point I could no longer see her I caught her frowning. I wasn't sure what that was about but I forced myself not to dwell on it finishing up my breakfast.

I sat on my bed rubbing my hands through my hair as I debated what I was going to do next. Desmond wasn't in the house, I didn't know anyone and though Desmond did say I could wander around the cabin I decided against it.

Osiris's voice warning me against talking to anyone was like an alarm in my head. I didn't want to cross him, he didn't seem like a forgiving man and I wasn't about to test the waters and find out if he was.

Deciding that now that the cabin was quiet it was probably the best time to let everyone know where I ended up. I pulled open my backpack throwing the little clothes I packed onto the bed. Finding my cellphone I tapped the screen to unlock it but immediately frowned when I realized the phone was completely dead. I rummaged through the backpack in search of my charger and cursed when I couldn't find one. I had forgotten it.

"Damn it," I whispered trying once more to turn on my phone, I knew it wouldn't magically turn on, but a girl could try. Biting my lip I contemplated on what to do. Desmond wasn't around and I didn't want to leave the cabin, but how else was I supposed to keep myself busy and charge my phone?

Maybe I could ask the man Desmond told me to go to if I needed anything. I was never a people person, my pack didn't give me a reason to be, and the more I thought about finding the man the more I felt unsettled.

Decided against going downstairs I put my phone on the nightstand, I'll wait until Desmond comes back and I'll ask him then for a charger. Listening closely to the creaks of the wooden floorboards it seemed that the cabin was empty. There wasn't a footstep to be heard nor a murmur of a voice. It was dead silent.

I pondered a little more about what to do next. With my curls looking a bit knotted I thought it was a good idea to hop in the shower. I gathered the few hygiene items I threw in my bag and padded my way to my bedroom door.

My hand hovered over the handle for a second nearly going back on my decision before I grabbed it and pulled the door open. I looked down both hallways, checking to see if I saw anyone before rushing into the room across the hall.

Shutting the door quickly I looked around the room. It was a simple bathroom, standard in most houses. There was a sink a tiny square mirror embedded in the wall above it, a tub and shower head, everything that I needed.

I hopped in the shower letting the hot water wash away the tension I'd felt since yesterday. There was dirt under my fingernails and some rough scratches on the palms of my hands from my clumsiness.

As I washed I overheard the echoing footsteps of someone climbing up the stairs. My back stiffened at the sudden noise and I stopped all my cleaning to listen closely. Their footsteps stopped just outside the bathroom door, I swallowed the nervous lump in my throat as my heart hammered against my chest.

The footsteps just as suddenly as they had stopped started again until I could no longer hear them anymore. The sound of a door closing was the only thing that told me I was safe enough to release the breath I was holding.

It was probably just Mr. Chap checking up on me, I thought, it was only thought I wanted it to be true, as the other dark one made me unease. Though Desmond said that he wouldn't be home didn't mean that Osiris wasn't either.

Osiris made my skin crawl anytime his shadowy eyes landed on mine. He was a monstrous height with a menacing scowl that drew lines in the middle of his forehead as if nothing was to his satisfaction.

But, above all it wasn't the stare, or height, or his menacing face, it was the way I felt the none stop fascination I found in him. It was like he was a beautiful flame and I was a moth, drawn to the innocent light that I knew would burn me with the slightest touch.

That foreign and alluring sensation was terrifying. The saying curiosity killed the cat couldn't have been more sound than it was now.

Wanting nothing more than to wash my shameful feelings I hurried my shower along. There was no reason for me to feel this way, I had a mate, and he wanted me. My thoughts were twisted and wrong, I shouldn't find any other man or woman attractive like I did Desmond.

I groaned turning off the water, there was a lot that I didn't understand about mates and the fact that I wasn't a normal wolf made it all ten times more complicated. I should probably talk to Desmon about this, but how do I exactly bring up the fact that though I find his brother terrifying I still find him... enticing?

I gathered up all my dirty clothes in my feet hand as I clutched the towel to my body with the other. Taking a deep breath I opened the door half expecting there to be someone there but mentally slapping myself for my jumpiness when I discovered no one there.

Relax, Seraphina you're safe here. Your mate wouldn't put you in harm's way but then again what person would think their brother was a threat.

I jerked my head side to side cautiously, when I felt like it was safe to walk out I padded over to my room. There was the sound of a door opening down the hall and in rush to hide in my room feeling exposed I pushed my door open quickly, slamming it shut behind me.

My back was pressed against the cool wood panting to catch my breath. Footsteps were approaching and they sounded the same, the same gate to them, the same weight, the same everything. In my paranoid state, I had somehow memorized the sound.

The footsteps ceased just outside my door. I looked down at my bare feet at the dim light that seeped under the crack of the door. The shadow of feet paused.

Flying thought after flying thought caused my stomach to knot and become unsettled. They wouldn't come in, would they? Of course not.

Staring still at the floor the shadow moved away, the sound of the creaking wood steps sounded in my ears and I could finally relax.

What the hell?!

Now I was stowing away in my room until Desmond returned. I didn't care if I didn't eat a thing I wasn't leaving.

Time passed and I grew bored. I had counted every wooden panel on the ceiling and made countless faces from the intricate swirls in the wood. To pass the time I would sometimes get up out of bed and look out the window. It was the only source of entertainment I could find other than counting the same fifty-two wood panels.

That's until there was a knock on my door. I gasped at the sudden noise, it had been so quiet in the cabin that the noise sounded extremely loud though it was a rather soft knock.

"Come in," I spoke up turning around to see Desmond open the door. My heart did a little flutter when I saw him and I felt like a little girl gushing over her favorite boy band member when he cracked a sweet smile.

"How was your day?" He asked closing the door behind him.

I wanted to tell him I felt like I was being watched but I refrained from spilling that detail. I didn't want to cause issues already, I know how werewolves could be in a pack. It was like a big family. If they saw me as a weak link like my last pack, which is highly likely, they probably don't trust me either. Families don't easily trust outsiders. It would make sense that they wanted to keep a close eye on me, I was used to it from my previous pack.

Their harsh and unwelcoming glares made it clear I wasn't wanted, so I avoided them whenever I could. Mara thought I was being dramatic but there had been a couple of close calls, most were open threats but a few times it was more than just a couple of hurtful words. There had been times I came home with a busted lip or bruised ribs.

Again, I'd rather stay quiet and avoid poking any angry bears, than try and right the wrongs of people.

A hand waved in front of my face. Somewhere between his question and getting lost in my anxious thoughts Desmond had closed the distance between us. He was now standing before me, he towered over me but that came to no surprise but his face did. Did he look...concerned?

"Mr. Chap told me you didn't come downstairs at all. Have you eaten anything today?" His voice was filled with concern. He scanned his eyes over my body as if my ribs would suddenly start showing.

I wasn't stick skinny but I wasn't exactly a fit gym rat. I was just average Jane.

"No, I wasn't hungry." I lied, my stomach decided to make an uninvited invitation to the conversation as it growled loudly in the otherwise silent room. I nervously smiled knowing I had been outed by my own body.

Desmond furrowed his brows together trying to understand me. He looked like he wanted to ask me why but decided against it.

"Come on." He grabbed my hand and started for the door. "Dinner is served."

I let him guide me downstairs for dinner the moment we walked into the dining room I was stunned. It was a rather large dining room with six chairs. I found the number rather confusing as I assumed it was only Desmond and Osiris that lived here, I was wrong.

Desmond moved to the side revealing Osiris at the head of the table. He was scowling at his phone, scrolling through it without paying us much mind.

Sliding into the chair Desmond pulled out for me I stared at the items of food. I couldn't remember the last time I had sat at a table this full. My father was always busy on the training fields for my mom to spend much time putting a huge meal together for just us two. To be sitting here now made me feel out of place, there were too many choices.

"Can't decide?" Desmond questioned smiling. He sat down next to me waiting for my reply but it wasn't just his eyes I felt. There was another pair that drilled holes into the side of my face that sat at the head of the table.

I shook my head shakily trying to keep my heart from pounding out of my chest. At the rate, it pounded against my chest from his deep stare I wouldn't be surprised if it jumped out of my chest and onto the table.

I turned my head away from them both clenching my jaw tightly.

My mate was sitting between me and him. I was okay, I was safe I reminded myself. Sure, he's an alpha but my mate is just as alpha, right? He is his brother after all.

"Will you stop staring at her like that? You're freaking her out." Desmond scolded his brother.

Stunned I glanced over at Osiris waiting to see his reaction. Would he lose his temper like alphas are known for? Short-tempered and brute strength. Would he make Desmond get on his knees and make him apologize? Would he take his anger out on me as punishment for Desmond's rebuttal?

I swallowed at the last possibility but was surprised when Osiris moved his scowl from his brother to me. Instead of remaining angry, his eyes faltered and I could have sworn I saw a glimmer of sorrow.

I should have turned my gaze away but for some reason I found myself lingering longer than I intended. I pulled my eyes away and down to my plate but not before I made a mental note of his hazel eyes.

It felt wrong to have stared long enough to know the color of his eyes. I didn't dwell on it more as Desmond filled my plate with food.

"I'm having Ivy take you into the nearby town tomorrow." I perked up at Desmond's words. I was allowed to leave the cabin? I didn't question him though, I wanted out. "I can imagine you need some stuff seeing as all you had packed was a backpack."

I nodded holding back a grin. Staying in the cabin turned out worse than I had thought it'd be. The feeling of being watched kept me on edge and in a constant state of anxiety. Being outside the cabin and around another female would be better than staying inside.

"Ivy is a friend of mine and she'll take good care of you." He further explained placing my plate down.

There was a throat cleared and both Desmond and I looked down the table at Osiris. He looked irritated as his eyes fogged over. They were no doubt speaking to one another and being unable to hear I turned away, not wanting to get caught staring.

I picked at my food. They were lost in their mind link for longer than I thought they would be and started eating. The food was amazing. The steak was tender and savoring, and the fresh biscuits were buttery and soft. Whoever had cooked went to chef school or something.

Stuffing my face I lost focus on anything else so the sudden hand that touched my own made me jump. My fork fell from my hand and clanged loudly against the glass plate.

"Sorry." I blurted out swallowing my mouth full of biscuit.

Desmond's face looked serious as he stared at me. His once carefree demeanor was nonexistent and it was unnerving.

"Sera, I am going to have a few other people go with you and Ivy tomorrow."

I was a bit confused. Since when did going shopping call for security? Maybe he was just overprotective. I didn't mine I just thought this was a bit obsessive.

"Is the town... dangerous?" I asked biting my lip in a nervous habit.

Desmond shook his head quickly. "No, no not at all I... I just want you to be safe." He scratched the back of his head like the words he said weren't entirely truthful.

"Okay," I mumbled.

Though I wanted to press him further on his odd behavior on the subject I decided not to. The danger couldn't have been that bad if there was any. He was still letting me go out and a mate would never put their mate in harm's way. Right?