The Packhouse

Sylvia:

I nodded with a small smile, trying to be polite while my mind was racing. If someone attacked or tried to keep me here could I defeat them all? I probably could, but would I want to hurt them? My shields were up, ready to respond with a small patch of poison energy if something of ill intent touched them. 

I was being paranoid, they wanted me here, they wouldn't hurt me. As I took a slow breath in I pulled in peaceful energy from the earth and with the breath out I sent it my anxiety. I lowered my shields, taking another slow breath as I did.

The car door opened and I felt the wave of cold air that had been coming in through the windows now pour in filling the remaining space. It helped my mind refocus as Sinlan and Silas got out of their sides. Sinlan leaned his seat forward so I could get out more easily. I got out and took my first look around. Silas was handing his and Sinlan's bag to a male wolf who gave me a very quick look before turning away. Daniel was getting his own bag and went to hand me mine. I took it with a grateful smile, thankful to have my own belongings and not be relying on someone else to take care of them for me. 

The trees all had snow on their edges and the ground had a secure blanket around it. Even with footprints it was obvious the snow was fresh. I took another slow breath in and tried to get a sense of how far away other wolves were from the house we were parked in front of, the house I'd apparently be staying in for my time here. Smell wouldn't be strong enough but energy tracing was highly effective and could usually go unnoticed.

I could tell there were others scattered about with a group of them to the northeast and then another decently sized group to the south. There was the faintest trace of a mortal group to the north and then the refreshing call of water to the west. I heard a small group of wolves in their wolf form run around the back of the house, pause just to the side of us but back in the trees, and then turn to keep going on their way. "Defense detail?" I asked, figuring with the packhouse so close to the highway they ran constant details to keep the barriers secure.

"Yes it is. The northeast is where the farmlands and those who care for the farms reside." Sinlan said with a quick nod as he gestured to the direction I had sensed a wolf group before he turned to gesture behind us. "To the south, are the schools and a few homes for families that want to stay closer to them. We have an elementary and a secondary school. To the west, we have a few lakes just across the highway on the edge of the state border. Plus a few wolves and small clusters scattered about in the area of course. To the north there is the nature area but we avoid putting homes there since it's such a big draw to mortals." I nodded, following along with him as he pointed in the direction of everything I had already noticed.

"What about the group of mortals already positioned up north?" I asked with a small grin. They hadn't expected me to notice, especially since we hadn't really driven past them. I saw Silas and Sinlan both smile as they shook their heads and then shot each other a quick look I was starting to recognize. 

"There's a mortal trailer park and we run defense detail around it. They aren't aware and we try to keep it that way, but they are harmless." I just nodded as I looked up to the house I'd be calling home for my stay. It looked giant but it had a certain charm to it. The wood and stone looked comfortable amongst the snow and trees. "Let's get you settled in, I'm sure you're tired from the trip."

"You mean since you made it take so much longer than it had to?" I couldn't help it. The comments just kept coming to mind. I bit my lip to hide my smile this time and lowered my head as I felt their eyes on me. 

"Let's go." Silas said with an even tone that seemed to be masking something. I looked at him with an inquisitive glance, trying to decide if I should ask or try and push to find out what was going on in his mind. Then again, I probably would rather not know right now. The way his eyes burned into my own made my skin warm and as I nodded his eyes flickered between that of his wolf and back to their usual earthy brown. 

I followed them towards the building and noticed a barrier around it as we neared the stairs leading to the door. It was a simple protection shield, one that would put a small drain on anyone who interacted with it with negative energy. It also had a mirror component, meaning any spells cast by someone other than the barrier placer would bounce back on their caster. Silas went in first with Sinlan right behind him. Daniel and the other wolves who were holding bags and waiting to get in stood just behind me. 

Once they were inside Silas and Sinlan both turned and let their eyes meet my own. I looked from one and to the other and then back once more. "You may enter." Their voices spoke in unison and I felt the barrier in front of me lift as it opened a space for me to walk through. Now it was my turn to be impressed.

"A command release for the shield? That is pretty amazing, a very nice idea!" I walked through feeling the shield's energy just around the edge of the door. As I walked through the shield energy brushed my own and I noticed it seemed to be registering it. "It recognizes my energy now doesn't it?" I turned back to face the entryway once I was inside, watching the shield reclose over the entrance.

"Can't get anything past you can we?" Sinlan asked with a mischievous tone. 

"Not when it involves energy work." I said with all the confidence my skills deserved. 

"Noted." He said before gesturing to the stairs. "There are a total of six wolves that stay in the packhouse full time. Silas has the top floor usually to himself, but it is where we've made the extra room for you while you are here. I usually stay on the second floor with the Omegas, but while you are here I'll be staying with Silas." Why would he be staying with Silas? Was it just so he would be closer to me? "Both floors have a bathroom on it, either of which you are welcome to use as you wish. This floor is the den," I finally looked around the space I was in and noticed the three incredibly large couches, fireplace, giant television, and a doorway that led to another room, "through the doorway is the kitchen and our elder advisor's room." I loved fireplaces! I smiled as I pictured myself seated on the couch with a nice book just enjoying a warm fire and some quiet in these woods. 

"Simple enough, anything else I should know?" I saw their telepathy connection going but waited patiently. 

After a moment Sinlan nodded to Silas. When Silas spoke his voce was sharp, his face tense, "We have a cellar which is where we put special criminals who can't be in the general cells which is the stone building a few yards from the packhouse to the East." I nodded and kept my face neutral. They had cells for locking people away…was it only for criminals? 

"Let's show you to your room, we had the Omega's prepare it ahead of time." Silas smiled, his sharp tone gone and his face relaxed once more. I gave him a small smile and followed as he led the way up the stairs. As he did I noticed a large clock on the wall read just past midnight. They had earned a full extra two hours in their delayed drive. It made me smile just a bit, they had sat in an uncomfortable and restraining car for two extra hours just to get the chance to talk to me a bit more. It was really sweet when I thought about it, definitely cheating, but sweet. 

As we rounded the stairs and reached the second level I could tell which room was Sinlan's. His scent was coating the door and calling to me from behind the closed frame. I expected the same from Silas' room as we rounded the final flight of stairs, and I was not disappointed. As we walked down the hall Silas opened the doors to show me the rooms. The bathroom was probably the size of my bedroom back home, and then a bit more. My legs began to feel sore just at the idea of being able to soak and relax in the enormous tub. "This is the Alpha bathroom, but I often let Sinlan use it and of course you are more than welcome to it." I nodded with a genuine smile, knowing that tomorrow I would definitely take him up on that offer. When we reached his room he opened the door and I saw a room that could have fit nearly my entire apartment inside. The large bed seemed even larger than a typical king and the balcony doors were closed with the curtains pulled back showing the beautiful night sky. He had a desk with papers on top and a long lounge chair that looked more comfortable than my bed at home. 

I tried to keep my face from showing my awe at their home. It was beautiful and absolutely everything about it just made me want to settle in and start enjoying my time here. We reached the last room on this floor and I felt a bit of relief because it had to be my room. As the door opened I saw a still rather large room with a queen sized bed that looked so fluffy I bet I could sink into it and hide from all my problems. There was a small desk that had clearly been stocked with basic items including some notebooks and pens sat on top. This room also had balcony doors that were on the opposite side of Silas' room. The curtains were a thin black lace which matched the satin sheets and fluffy black rug on the floor. The closet was open and empty along with a small drawer. It also had a television hung on the wall and a remote on the side table. 

No one walked into the room, they just opened the door and then turned to me. I walked in and put my bag on the bed, letting my hand trace the comforter and then the bed frame which was definitely a solid wood frame that had energy left over like it had been handmade. The bed had tapestry sides that matched the curtains and were currently pulled back and tied to the four posts at the corners. "It's perfect!" I said with a smile that I couldn't hide from my face. 

Silas and Sinlan both let out a breath of relief. I giggled a bit at their anxiety just at how I would feel about my room. "Wonderful, and I do think they left a charger for your phone by the bed as well. We'll let you get settled in, if you need anything we are down the hall and there will always be at least one Omega on their floor as well. Lionel will most likely wake you for breakfast, he has a tendency to keep the pack house on a strict wake up schedule."

I nodded, still a bit in shock at how lovely the room was and honestly beyond ready to settle in for the evening. "Thank you." I said, fighting the sudden urge I felt to hug them, knowing it would risk setting off their wolves, especially after such a long time in close contact with one another.

"You're welcome." They spoke in unison again before giving me a quick smile each. "Goodnight." They said together as Silas closed the bedroom door.

"Goodnight." I said quickly to them as well as the three Omegas standing just behind them, still with stunned faces. 

I turned to my room, alone and in the quiet finally. I let out a big squeal of excitement before running and then leaping onto the bed with a small scream. It was definitely fluffy enough to sink into and hide all day. It seemed to cradle my body as I snuggled into it, just letting my body relax for a moment. After a few minutes, I sat up and found the phone charger that Silas had mentioned. I plugged my phone up and saw seventeen texts from Melinda asking where I was and for an update in some form. I shook my head at her overload of messages as I skipped past them all and just moved to call her instead. It hadn't even finished ringing one full time before I heard her voice on the other side.