I want to appreciate everyone who has voted and commented on this story. I know build-up is a bit slow, but we're getting to the action. Please, continue to give feedbacks, I look forward to them. Thanks again. LS
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Kylie couldn't sit still the entire ride to the house, her face was either glued to the window, taking in the sights of Connecticut, or she was asking Rinaldi random questions, most of which sounded ridiculous to the ears of any right-thinking person. Kennedy had been largely silent since they began their trip from the airport, she sat a distance away from her and Rinaldi; the other two occupants in the limo, her face hadn't left the window, at no point had she interjected in their conversation. She was unusually quiet.
Kylie wanted to ask what had happened when Rinaldi took her into the room, but her sister looked much too shaken and she didn't want to bother her with what Kenny might call 'foolish' questions, she figured she would let her in on it whenever she was ready. Kenny never did anything on another person's terms, she didn't know a soul who could force her sister into doing anything she was deadest on not doing. The fact that she had willfully gotten off the plane and followed them to the car had surprised Kylie even. He must have really made a convincing argument.
She listened to Rinaldi with apt attention as he told her of the Duncan Pack, she had asked about virtually all she knew of werewolves, seeking confirmation of their truth and he obliged her, answering some of her questions in the affirmative and debunking others. She also noticed the constant glances he gave Kennedy, she could tell his attention wasn't fully on her, but he was quite good at masking his distraction. Kylie knew when not to meddle in other people's business and whatever was going on between Kennedy and Rinaldi was something she didn't plan on meddling on anytime soon.
She was eager to get to the house mostly because she wanted to see Cassandra, she missed her cousin deeply. They had a bond she sometimes feared she lacked with Kennedy. Cassandra entertained her ideas, she welcomed them and didn't shove her back to reality with harsh words whenever she would tell her of her many beliefs. Kennedy was probably the best elder sister anyone could wish for, but since the death of their mothers in a car accident three years ago, her sister had changed drastically. Sheh ad become distant, then gone all commando on them, she wanted to know their schedules, she checked up on them much too many times for it to be considered healthy, she scolded them if they forgot to tell her they had somewhere to be, she reminded her of a field marshal in her ways. On some days, she and Cassandra would joke about Kennedy's paranoia and laugh it off, Cassandra was great at mimicking Kennedy and made the funniest faces ever. Since her disappearance, Kylie had missed that bond, many times she would return home excited to talk to someone about her day or a new friend she met, but only Kennedy was home and Kennedy was barely approachable on such matters. If you weren't talking about how to pay the bills, Kennedy wasn't interested in what you had to say.
She had so much to discuss with her cousin, she had no reason to doubt that either of Caleb or Rinaldi was lying to her, yes, Kennedy had her doubts, but she believed Rinaldi the moment he told her of Cassandra's whereabouts. Maybe she was a little desperate to see Cassandra and took anyone's word for it, but beyond that, she had a feeling neither man was lying, besides, Caleb had described Cassandra well enough when she asked for some proof. She hadn't mentioned that to Kennedy because she knew well and good her sister would trash that too.
She scrambled to the window as the car slowed down, her eyes were the shape of a saucepan as she looked upon what had to be the largest gate she had ever seen in reality, "Waoh! Is this the house?" she asked, her voice filled with awe.
"This is just the gate Kylie, it's not the house." She just barely heard Rinaldi's humor-filled voice reply her.
Suddenly, the large golden gates began to part and the limousine slowly eased into the compound. Kylie knew she should expect an amazing house, these people had come to pick them up in a private jet and then a limousine, of course they had to have loads of cash, but nothing prepared her for this. She would never have been adequately prepared to see such splendor even if there was a yacht somewhere between their journey.
The limo drove past about four houses and then a stretch of road before it slowed down once again, the scenery in that distance left Kylie speechless. The compound looked like it belonged in a fairytale, the lawns were well manicured, there were gardens with colorful flowers, stone-paved walkways lined the street, it would pass for an estate rather than a compound as Rinaldi had constantly referred to it. she certainly had never seen a compound that looked like this.
Kylie was the first to hop out of the car as soon as it came to a stop. Her giddiness was only doused by Kennedy, who finally found her voice after an hour of silence, "Kylie, calm the fuck down will you?" her sister spat at her from inside the car.
There was definitely something wrong with Kennedy, for one thing, she was sure Kennedy had cursed more times today than she had for the past five years. She tamped down on her excitement, waiting by the car for the other occupants to step out, but she knew she would have to have a talk with Kennedy once they were settled, maybe she was overwhelmed by today's happenings and needed to get something off her chest/ Kennedy wasn't much of a sharer, but she would make her share just for today, and if Cassandra was here, then it would be much easier for that to happen.
"There's no need to be so harsh mi amor, you're the one who needs to calm down." Rinaldi replied softly
Kylie didn't hear a word of protest from Kennedy, which she found odd. The man had just called her his love, that in itself was odd, but the fact that Kennedy didn't have some scathing remark about his choice of words was what really caught Kylie's attention. What was going on?
Rinaldi stepped out of the car and turned a bright smile to her, "Are you ready, kiddo?"
"I've been ready my whole life." she beamed at him.
"Kennedy?"
"How am I sure there aren't a pack of wolves just waiting to devour us beyond those doors?" Kennedy spat.
Rinaldi lowered himself to look into the cabin where a stiff Kennedy sat, "So, you would rather sit here and do what? Wait for your turn to get devoured? It's a long way to the exit, imagine how many wolves would jump at you and eat you up before you get there, I'm quite sure you would taste muy deliciosa" he finished, he ran his tongue over sharp canines and made a slurping sound, a mischievous glint in his eyes, he grinned at her expression of shock, "I'll make sure to call dibs on ya." He winked at her
It took her a while to get herself, but when she did, she fixed him a glare, he slowly eased out of the car as she slid over to the exit, but before he could leave her line of vision, she grabbed him by the collar of his suit jacket and pulled him down until he was inches away, "Never threaten me, ever" she warned through gritted teeth.
"We're going to have so much fun together Kennedy, I can't wait." He said in a lowered voice.
His eyes flashed an amber color and she let go of his collar in shock.
"Now, we have eager hosts just waiting to meet us." Rinaldi announced.
He led both sisters to the house, all the while Kylie kept staring at the large building in awe while Kennedy kept up an aloof expression even though she was just a bit taken aback by the size of the building. She kept Kylie by her side, a reasonable distance from Rinaldi, just in case any surprises would jump at them, they at least deserved a head start.
Rinaldi had barely placed his first foot on the porch when the door was opened, Kennedy stopped in her tracks and held Kylie back as the large door opened up to reveal a rather tiny woman. She looked to be middle-aged, with dark brown hair and a lightly tanned skin. She looked pretty, even more with the smile upon her face.
"Rinaldi, welcome." She said gleefully as she opened the door wider to allow his entrance.
