Once again, Callie woke up and groaned. She knew the stress of her chaotic evening, coupled with her exhaustion, had caused her fainting spells. She glanced around the comfortable living room, taking note of the fact that James was no longer sitting across from her. She seemed to be alone for the first time in hours, and Callie breathed a sigh of relief.
Now that she had a second to gather her thoughts, she recalled her conversation with James. He was convinced that he and his family were werewolves. Hell, he was convinced that Callie and her brothers were werewolves! The sheer ridiculousness of the conversation caused her to giggle, before growing pensive.
Outside the doors, Jordan and Aiden raised their eyebrows at the soft laughter coming from within. Both men were feeling entranced by the young woman inside the lounge. It had been so long since someone new had come to Rockford for more than a gas fill-up and a quick bite to eat. They knew that Callie wasn't at their compound on her own terms, but James had convinced them that bringing her family to their home by force was necessary.
The story that the pack understood was that Callie's mother, Cassie, had fallen for a human man from the town nearby. Before the pack caught on, she and her lover had eloped and were pregnant. For a few years, the pack allowed the couple to live nearby. However, when it came to light that Cassie did not plan to raise her children in pack life, the tides of favor turned against them. The family and their young children had left and never returned.
It seemed like fate had brought the Cooper children back to the Rockford pack's lands.
As much as Aiden and Jordan wished to join Callie in the living room and try to woo her, James had forbidden it. The boys were strictly sentries to ensure that Callie stayed put and didn't make another run for it. James had a suspicion that Callie would be reluctant to leave her brothers, but he wasn't ready to trust her fully.
Meanwhile, Noah and Mason's first experiences with the pack could not have been more different than Callie's. After the scuffle in the diner, they had been left in the care of many of the young males of the pack. Currently, the Cooper boys were screaming at the TV while they shot at each other in Call of Duty. Younger than Callie, the boys were always inherently more trusting, and they couldn't deny the sense of belonging they felt with the pack males around them.
A soft knock on the door broke Callie out of her reverie. A lovely woman entered the room and looked to Callie. Callie rose to her feet and quickly looked to the door.
"Hello, I'm Amy. James's wife and mate. I'm guessing you'd like a chance to shower and get cleaned up. We thought you could join us for supper, then James will resume answering any questions you may have." "Where are my brothers? I need to see them. You're all acting ridiculous." Callie replied. She was pissed that these people continued to treat her like a guest, rather than their prisoner. She wouldn't nod along and act like she wasn't here against her will. She wouldn't soon forget the way she was brought to their "pack" and how they had separated her from her family.
Amy nodded, unsurprised by Callie's outburst. "I promise your questions will be answered. Your family is safe. In fact, after your shower, you'll see them at supper. If you'll please just agree to get cleaned up and meet us in the dining hall."
Callie paused to study the woman in front of her. Blonde hair fell to her shoulders and laugh lines around her mouth and clear blue eyes made her look warm and charismatic. Callie begrudgingly admitted that she certainly didn't look like a crazy person.
Finally, Callie agreed and followed Amy into the hall. There, she ran into what felt to be a solid wall of muscle.
"Oh god! I'm so sorry!" She stuttered out before glancing up into the face of the man she'd run into.
Jordan laughed and showed her rows of perfect teeth. "It's okay. I'm Jordan. I've been dying to meet you anyway, so I guess the time is now!"
Callie shook his proffered hand and turned to follow Amy without a second glance. Jordan was attractive, tall and solid, with thick dark brown hair and a kind smile. But dating or meeting someone was literally the last thing on her mind. She had more important things to deal with, like getting out of Rockford and on with her life.
Avery led Callie to a snug, woodsy looking bedroom. Though furnished, the room seemed empty and Callie had the uncomfortable feeling that maybe they were expecting it to be her bedroom.
She pushed the thought from her mind when she entered the en-suite bathroom and set to work looking for soap. Some generic shampoo and conditioner sat on the counter and she gladly took it. She was looking forward to the shower, but not to putting her dirty clothing back on. Callie wondered where her truck was, and whether or not she would be able to get her bag.
After a quick, refreshing shower, Callie stepped out to see that someone had left clothing on the vanity for her. It seemed clean, so she slipped into the jeans and top and was pleasantly surprised at how well they fit. Amy was sitting on the bed when Callie emerged. She smiled and stood, gesturing for Callie to again follow her. Callie appreciated her quiet demeanor. It was a pleasant respite from all of the overcharged testosterone she seemed to be bombarded with since arriving in Rockford.
Amy and Callie soon found themselves in what appeared to be a large dining hall. Callie felt like it was a scene from a movie when the people filling the long tables fell silent upon her entry. She had never felt more scrutinized or examined in her life. There were probably 30 to 40 men, women, and even a few children staring at her with blatant curiosity. Callie was relieved to see her brothers, apparently unharmed, sitting amongst boys they acted like they'd known their entire lives. Noah and Mason waved at her excitedly. Callie inwardly rolled her eyes at her brothers' naivety.
Amy patted her shoulder and led her to a serving line. "Don't worry, they'll get over it. We're just surprised to see Coopers after so long."
The two women were served plates of barbecue chicken, green beans, and cornbread by a series of young women. Callie followed Amy to where James and a few others sat at the head of one of the tables. By the way the group deferred to James, it was obvious to Callie that he had some say around them. He stood and welcomed the two women to the table, and chatter resumed around them.
Amy slid into a seat next to James and gave him a chaste kiss before smiling at Callie and gesturing her to the seat across from them.
James smiled widely at Callie and encouraged her to eat up. Evidently, everyone looked forward to the barbecue chicken. Callie wasn't exactly interested in glib small talk. She leveled a glare at James and cut straight to the chase, "When exactly will you be letting us leave? I don't plan to stick around for the next chicken night."
To her frustration, James chuckled. "I see you've got your wits about you again. I just knew you'd be sharp as a tack. You'll be such a valued member of the pack when you come into your own. And so, if that doesn't answer your question, you will not be permitted to leave. This is your new home." Sickeningly, his wife nodded along with a smile on her face.
