4
I didn’t dream. Even after a shower and allowing my thoughts to wander, I didn’t once think of Tyler in a positive way. No concern for him. No desire.
For the first time in a while, I felt like myself. It was as if I was waking from a nightmare.
I walked into the kitchen where Sheila and the others were already eating breakfast. It was a bright and welcoming room with windows along one side and a table large enough for eight nestled near the windows. On the counter, several platters were set out, filled with pastries, fruit, scrambled eggs, and sausages. A pot of brewed coffee completed the spread. I wondered how Star got groceries in and who cooked everything.
I took in the sight of my friends seated around the table. Kyle and Malcom were speaking quietly, while Sheila stared into space. Alec was the first to notice me. “Good morning.”
“Morning,” I said.
“Nice dress,” Sheila called.
“This old thing?” I did a spin to show off the men’s shirt I was wearing. A tie acted as a belt and the sleeves were rolled up to prevent them from covering my hands. The shirt would have fit most of the male shifters I knew. Which meant it was huge. It did work nicely as a dress, though.
“There’s some women’s clothes in my room,” Sheila offered. “Though, they’re all tiny. They fit me, but you might be better off in what you’re wearing.”
“What a strange thing to be added to the house,” I said as I helped myself to a cup of coffee.
“There’s a bunch of random stuff in my room if you want to check it out later,” Malcom offered.
“How did you sleep?” Kyle asked.
“Great.” I made a plate of food and sat down next to Sheila. “Where’s Star?”
“No idea. And don’t ask me where the food came from. I think the house is enchanted,” Sheila said.
“That would explain a lot.” Sometimes it was better not to ask too many questions. Besides, I’d already let Star do a spell on me. I was basically jumping all in with the magic thing. What was some enchanted breakfast after everything else?
“What about Spencer?” I took a sip of coffee.
“No idea,” Malcom said. “But he knows we need a couple days to work with you before we go running off to challenge his brother.”
I recalled Star’s warning last night and suddenly, the coffee didn’t taste as good as it had. “I take it you have a plan for getting me up to speed?”
“Ideas more than plans,” Sheila said in what was probably supposed to be a reassuring tone. She started talking about shifting and using my senses, explaining a system of points, but my focus drifted to Alec.
He looked a lot better than he had yesterday, but he was deliberately staring at his food rather than looking at me. I wanted to ask him how he was feeling, and I wanted to talk about the cave and Tyler and the big, complicated mess between us.
Sheila elbowed me. “Lola?”
“Sorry.” I looked over at her. “Can we just take it one step at a time? You tell me where you want me, and I’ll be there.”
She looked from me over to Alec, then back to me. “Sure.” She stood. “Malcom, Kyle, why don’t you help me prepare?”
“You need to prepare?” I asked.
“It’ll be fine. Just meet us out front when you’re done.” She glanced between me and Alec again.
“Subtle,” I said.
She smirked and waved before walking out of the kitchen. Malcom and Kyle followed her, leaving me and Alec alone for the first time since everything happened.
“How are you feeling?” I asked.
“Better,” he said. “Next time I see that mate of yours, I’m going to rip his throat out.”
“Please do,” I said without hesitation. A flicker of elation rose in my chest. Not a single warm feeling for Tyler came to me. All I could feel was hatred and anger.