Liberty POV
Between the run-down apartment, the warehouse and now Reuben’s house, it takes me a few moments when I wake up to actually remember where I am.
I blink my eyes a couple of times when I originally wake up. There’s never been anything wrong with my vision but now I can actually see each and every white paint dot on the ceiling. As if they were in HD.
A scent enveloped me, coffee and cinnamon. Deep with spice, I wonder what was being prepared for breakfast.
My face reddens when I realise, too slowly, I am tangled in Pierce’s massive arms. Massive was an understatement, surely he could pull a bus with those arms. He’s asleep and thank the lord. Because my legs are practically straddling him, I’m completely embarrassed, even though he seems none the wiser. At least he can’t see my bright red cheeks.
I manage to break out of his cocoon in search of the coffee and cinnamon rolls that were being made for breakfast.
6am? Was that too early for the household? I seemed to be the only one awake, then again we did have a late night and, with me sleeping well for once, I felt rested. As if I was back at Father’s.
I found the kitchen, the only light coming from the morning sunrise. There was no sign of coffee or cinnamon rolls. In-fact, the smell has gone completely.
I was in a bit of a panic. Should I cook breakfast? Everyone was kind enough to take me back last night, they didn’t leave me in the warehouse. I’d like to show my gratitude. But then again is it considered rude to start searching through other people’s cupboards? I’m not sure with the correct etiquette is on this, maybe I’ll lay back down with Pierce, pretend to be asleep? I seemed to be pinning for his touch already.
How old was he exactly? I’m not sure how Father would feel about me dating such an older man. Oh hey Father, sorry I ran away, but I’m back now and here is my boyfriend. He’s like thirty! Hhmm maybe not a conversation that would go down well.
I find myself staring down at him, watching him sleep. If he woke up he’d shit the bed seeing me. I was creeping on him completely. He was movie handsome. Carved to perfection. Like he belonged on a red carpet.
He’s probably already got some hot girlfriend, or a girl at every port as they say. How could he not? Look at that face. His cheek bones alone were enough for me to pass over my virginity. Yep, six years living pretty much alone…I was untouched as they say.
I flirt like hell with the guards but Father has them on such a short lease they wouldn’t dare cross him.
I continue to watch Pierce, as he turns completely spreading out on the sofa. I must have squished him, laying that close to him. He seems to be enjoying the space now.
I’m not keen in being found watching him sleep, so I decide to head off into the pretty back garden. My body wasn’t as hot now, but the morning cool air brought a welcomed freshness to my skin.
In the garden, I find evidence of children living here. Does Reuben have kids? Is he a Dad? If so, and that I am really his sister, I’d be an Auntie? Why wouldn’t Father tell me that, why not let me live with Reuben?
“Maybe he had an affair with Mum?” My subconscious talks to me. Gosh, yes that would make sense. If Reuben’s Mum was married to Father…maybe Mum and he had an affair. Hence why I’m only just meeting Reuben. That’s a shame though, it’s not my fault. Why would Reuben’s Mum punish me? My only crime was being born, something I couldn’t even control.
I start to hear moans at a short distance, my ears seeming on point, as well as my eyes, this morning. I follow the noise, happy to know I wasn’t the only one awake. As I continue to walk I find a group of men training together… shirtless.
Oh heaven help me.
I’m not sure exactly what they are doing but I don’t care. Maybe crushing from a distance is considered okay? I watch them for say ten minutes until I feel eyes on the back of my head.
The group of men training seem to sense it too, as they all look up in my direction at the same time. Their body’s now tensing and their efforts waning. Did they think I would steal ideas? That I was sent as a spy? What exactly was this place? A retreat for health and training? I’ve never seen a layout like this before. I wonder if they do yoga, maybe this was a yoga retreat too?
Those eyes are still burning into the back of my head and I know exactly who it is. I ignore him, deciding to watch the show instead.
That is until Pierce calls for me at a distance. He must have gone around the back looking for me. I thought he would be asleep for longer.
He groans something inaudible at Reuben before storming over to me and placing his hand around my waist.
“Put some clothes on!” He shouts at the men, earning a roaring laugh by Reuben.
“I don’t like you looking at other men!” His voice is tense but there’s no malice behind it. Was he jealous?
“Don’t worry Pierce, they’ve got nothing on you.” I wink, even cheekily checking the width of his bicep for good measure.
I wait at breakfast for not only cinnamon rolls but Reuben’s child to appear. Neither appear at the breakfast table. I was pretty certain Reuben and Evelyn were together, was she the mother to his kid?
It’s very tense over the breakfast table. My only cheerleader Pierce, is staring daggers at Reuben, as Reuben chews on his food with a big grin on his face. They’ve got an odd relationship, like an old married couple that like to bicker.
Evelyn’s eyes seem to be un-focusing again, is she alright…does she need caffeine? Or does she suffer from seizures and me mentioning it out loud would be big social no no?
You can tell I’ve not really been around people for so long, I’m questioning every thought or action I make. I think I’m socially awkward!
There’s another woman, I’m not sure of her name yet, she prepared the breakfast and is now tidying it up as everyone sits and stares at me. I can’t look up at them, my eyes busy reading a magazine, supposedly. I haven’t read any of it, I just can’t meet their eyes. If I do, I’ll say something socially awkward.
Doctor Noah walks in and places a piece of paper down in front of me. I’ve got no choice but to look up now. His eyes hold some kind of sympathy, something I haven’t experienced in a while.
“Liberty…” He clears his throat, before placing his hand on my shoulder. I look at where his hand is, my eyes flickering to Pierce, something inside of me didn’t like someone else touching me when he was with me. How bizarre. I’ve not even known Pierce for twenty-four hours.
“I have something to tell you, something that might be a bit of a shock.” Noah softly starts.
“Okay…”
“The bloods I took last night?”
“Yes, you said you were going to send them off for analysis?”
“Yes Liberty, the results came back quite quickly. Your bloods have traces of wolfsbane and mercury.”
“Right…” I hate it when people do this.. It’s like my ex when I was younger he used to go on about his game console, talking about the games and the graphics. Sometimes he could be speaking a different language to me.
“Libby…” Pierce’s gentle voice sings to me, his hand resting itself on my thigh under the table. I should protest but I find it surprisingly comforting.
“The daily injections, they weren’t insulin.” He coldness to it. says, his voice holding a
“I don’t understand…”
“Libby, your Father has been drugging you.”
“Drugging me? Whatever for?” I burst out into laughter, what a strange thing to say.
“The wolves last night…” Reuben starts but is cut off by Pierce.
“Do you mind!” Pierce snaps, resulting in Reuben just placing his hand out, gesturing that Pierce now has the floor.
“As Reuben was saying…the wolves last night. They aren’t just ordinary wild wolves…”
“No, you were one. You turned into one in-front of me.”
“Yes Libby, yes we are werewolves.”
“There’s no such thing.” I scoff, I I don’t know what last night was, but I know such things don’t exist.
“Well there is, you saw it yourself last night.” Reuben comments, as he sits back in his chair, he seems impatient with this conversation. I think he wants me to fear him, but I don’t. I enjoy the way I prolong my glare at him. He doesn’t know it yet but I can make his life a living hell.
“Liberty, these shots…you’ve been taking them since when? Since your turned twelve?” Noah tries to regain my attention.
“About then, yes why?”
“The drugs, they are designed to suppress your wolf.” Noah’s confusing me, making my head hurt.
“My wolf?”
“Yes, Liberty…you are a werewolf.”
