She flushed at the compliment, busying herself with her wooden made cup full of freshly squeezed juice, "Um...thank you."
Following his stare she noticed the people had all but died with the birthday girl and her father gone, and those that were left seemed to be staying just for a bite to eat and some healthy conversation.
"Yeah it's rather dreary now. I should find my parents, before they come looking for me. I'll see you later Ven...and Otis."
Finally.
"Why was it so damn hard for you to admit one truth," she shook her head, ignoring his question, were you going to wait till I chose you and we bonded, then find out?"
Wolves who mated could sense and talk to one another, but since the connection was through the mind they could also see partially into it, meaning most if not all secrets were exposed.
Shaking her head she rubbed her temple, a headache was starting to set in from the week she'd been having. Why did her father force her to be Katerina? It had been so much nicer as Kayden.
"I need air," she announced, leaving the sheet of paper with him, "There's too much to think about, and I need air. Enjoy the party Dominik. And don't go moping in your room. Actually go enjoy something."
She strolled out promptly, weaving through the halls and to the cave's entrance. Kayden had never been more than a few feet out of the den, even when her need to Change came. Every wolf had to Change at least once every couple weeks, or the need for it could make them irritable which eventually would evolve to actual pain rippling within them if they fought the Change too long. When Kayden needed to transform she often did it within her room or the Pit to let off steam, as she had never been trained to handle the woods alone. Even though it was their territory animals still ventured through and lived within freely. There was a particular flock of deer Katerina always used to mention, that would show up in spring. There were also many bears, badgers, foxes, and whatelse living within the woods.
Because of that Kayden had been told to stay within the den to keep safe from the bigger creatures that could trample and kill a small lonely wolf. When she asked for hunting lessons so she could explore the forest she'd been turned down with every other answer except a clear no. But now...now Flynn had given her fighting lessons, and in the last few days he'd been teaching her how to fight as a wolf, not in her humanoid form. Kayden felt confident enough to slip into the trees, her heart racing as she found a trail and stepped along it. The trail took her along the ravine, which made her heart fall as she stared at the roaring water below, thinking of her sister. Then it dipped into the trees, making many loops and turns before finding herself on a beach, staring out at the lake in the heart of the territory. She had been out well past an hour, but Kayden didn't mind, wanting to clear her head and think.
Sitting down on the dirt beach she stared out at the reflection of the moon on the water, thinking about her sister. So lost in her thoughts Kayden barely saw the wolf approaching until it made a chuffing sound, startling her.
"Uh," she craned her head to stare at the blonde wolf, a indication he or she was from the River Pack, the pack her father had been struggling to get word from.
The wolf stepped closer then dropped its head and from its mouth placed a letter in the sand. Stepping back it howled, then turn and fled. Ever curious, Kayden picked up the letter which surprisingly had a lack of drool and opened it, staring at the familiar handwriting, unable to put her finger on why she recognized it.
Please forgive the lack of formality. Do not tell your father of this. The River Pack no longer pledges its allegiance to them, but to the rightful Alpha of this clan. If you have questions, which I know you will, you can find me at the Oak Tree tomorrow and sunfall. If you bring another I will not appear.
P.S. Do not trust his words, or his lies. He is no wolf, but a demon paid to cheat.
Staring at the parchment she read the cryptic words over and over, trying to discern what it all meant. Why was the River Pack suddenly against Issac, or for that matter Kayden? Who was the rightful Alpha in their eyes. And who was the demon disguised as a wolf? She had more questions than answers, and the only conclusion was meeting this mystery person tomorrow...alone. Kayden was never fond of talking to her father, it was one of the reasons she had handled Dominik's matters without involving the Alpha, so she felt no qualms keeping this from him. She just wished she knew who wrote it. Perhaps one of the written books she read had the same writing, or she'd seen the handwriting from the river Beta?
"Or maybe I'm overthinking this," she sighed, folding the letter and stuffing down her dress to her bra, so no one could find it, "Who is this demon?"
She mulled over that the entire way back, trying to understand why they hadn't just given her a name. Perhaps they weren't entirely sure if he was indeed a demon, or maybe they thought Kayden wouldn't believe them if they outright accused someone. Or maybe they enjoy being cryptic."
When she got back to the den no one was looking for her, as expected, making it easy for her to slip into Katerina's quarters and lock herself within, retiring for the night as her mind raced with a million questions.
Hayley laughed as he tried to apologise, "Have you ever known me to be soft Flynn? C'mon."
She still had specks of blood splattered across her face, dry and peeling now as she continued to attend to him. A little gore barely made her bat an eye, she just wasn't the kind of girl to get queasy. If anything his show of strength and possession to her had turned her on more, making her want him ever worse.
"You know what I like," she murmured, eyes dancing as she finished cleaning his almost healed wounds, hoping the herbs would kick in soon and rid him of his concussion. Wolf healing worked fast, but it was no small concussion and any medicine would help the process, "I like a man who will stand up to my father and say he owns me now. I'm sure he's just boiling from that statement. That you possess me."
Hayley giggled, her freckled cheeks turning red as she bounced away to the bathroom to clean up the bloody clothes and wash her face clean. When she came back she started undoing the corset on her dress, wanting to dispose of the now bloody cloth and change into something more comfortable. As she finished the last string the dress dropped and she stepped out of it, now dressed only in a pair of simple black panties and a bra. Kicking the dress to a corner she danced over to the wardrobe, waiting to see if Flynn would request she remain partially nude, or if he'd just silently watch her get dressed. She knew he's concussion unabled him to jump up and pin her half naked body to the wall, although that didn't mean Hayley couldn't think about it, her cheeks flaming at the thought of his rough hands on her skin, ravishing her.
