Mia's POV

I liked Lily a lot, she was nice to be around. Nate left a while ago and once we finished our book, Lily started telling me about her own stories. The adventures she's been on and the trouble she's gotten herself as well as both Kayden and Nate into. We didn't have a quiet moment since Lily always had more to talk about. I really enjoyed hearing her go on though, she looked so happy.

We had both moved to the carpet by the bed  at this point. I think she was starting to get uncomfortable on the floor and I felt bad about that. Humans shouldn't be on the floor so I'm not sure why she doesn't sit on the couch or the bed, but it's also nice having her stay by my side.

We've been on our backs looking up at the ceiling while she went on about her past and childhood, talking about Kayden a lot too. Currently she's telling me about the time when Kayden made her sneak freshly baked cookies from the kitchen and how she got in trouble for it.

"He still owes me for that, next time mom makes cookies I'm gunna set him up, tell him to go grab me a bunch and make sure he gets caught! He may be the alpha but you don't mess with our moms desserts." She erupted in laughter and I couldn't stop my wolf smile showing through.

I jumped when the door opened, both me and Lily sat up to see who it was.
"If I remember correctly, you were the one who wanted moms cookies and couldn't wait tell dessert, then tried to blame it on me!" he clutched his shirt by his heart and made an exaggerated face as if he was hurt by the betrayal. He couldn't hide his playful smirk as Lily went red. "That's besides the point" she muttered before laughing, knowing she got caught.

I couldn't imagine doing anything like that now, but I remember I used to sneak a piece of bacon every time my dad would cook it with breakfast. He would always laugh when my secret attempts failed and would pretend to sneak a piece himself as if he wasn't the one who cooked them. I smiled at the memory and wondered if me and Kayden would be like that too.

"How are you guys getting along? Is the carpet really that comfortable?" I looked up and felt a slight wag in my tail seeing Kayden. The damn thing can't be controlled! But thankfully they don't seem to mind. It just made them both smile when they looked at me. Kayden wasn't as scary as he used to be, my body keeps wanting to be near him and to trust him. It was strange and scary, but I decided to try and welcome the good things while it lasted.

"I must say Kayden, you do seem to have quite the cozy carpet, I might have to come and hang out with Mia here more often." She smiled bright again answering his question. I felt warm with how happy she looked. But I knew this time Lily wasn't telling the truth, she kept adjusting and moving around in different positions. It couldn't have been easy to stay on the floor so long. I bowed my head feeling bad that she did it for me.

"Hey don't look so down, I enjoyed it, really" she ruffled my head fur and I flinched away but recovered quickly when I realized she wasn't upset. "How about I leave you guys be, I wanna go see Jackson"

I started getting nervous when she said she was going, Lily made me feel different, like I didn't have to be scared all the time. It was getting easier with Kayden but his power still scared me. It's like I was drawn to him but afraid of him all in one. It made me feel conflicted and confused, which makes me want to avoid the entire situation.

Lily got up after on last pet on my head and started walking to the door. She paused and glanced at me "I'll see you soon, probably tomorrow ok Mia? I'll have to find another book we can read together." She gave me another warm smile before she left. I watched the door for a few moments kinda wishing they both could stay here.

"Are you ok with that Mia? If Lily came over again tomorrow?" I shifted my eyes from the door to Kayden as he spoke to me.. asking another question. I don't like questions, I'm not allowed to answer and it means I have to choose. What if I choose incorrectly and they get mad, it's too much pressure. I tried to think what they would both want and decided to nod yes. Maybe a bit because I also wanted to see her again..

When it sunk in that Lilly had left I started to feel slightly sick. I was trapped in a room with an alpha, but almost content to be alone with him. My head kept giving me mixed signals. I wanted to get closer like I did yesterday but I don't know what came over me then and I don't want to risk it.
"Do you want to go outside? Maybe we can go for a walk in the forest near the pack if you'd like? You've been inside all day."

I looked at him surprised like he read my mind about feeling trapped. This was an easy question to answer. I nodded my head excited until I remembered eagerness often means I don't get what I'm looking forward too. I calmed my movements and tried to act normal hoping we could still go. All Kayden did was laugh and grab some shorts from the drawer.

I watched him walk to the door to open it while I waited for a collar and leash or command. We stayed there awkwardly while he seemed to look confused. I've been getting these looks a lot, do they really not understand my rules? I cocked my head a tad while keeping it low. Hoping to show my own confusion but not frustrate him.

"Are you coming Mia? You looked like you were excited to go, did you still want to? We don't have to if you'd rather stay." I didn't respond, it was up to him, I bowed my head hoping it would tell Kayden that. I felt his energy turn increasingly more upset and I knew I messed up. I shouldn't have responded or did anything out of order, I should have just sat there and waited, letting him decide completely.

"I get it now, let me guess, you're not allowed to walk or move, or do anything out of command huh? Everything seems to need an order" I pressed my stomach to the floor as his words came out. His tone wasn't angry but still tense. I made him upset, he's going to finally punish me now. I tried to keep my whimpers quiet as I prepared for all the nice things here to end.

"Shit" I heard him whisper under his breath but I didn't dare look at him, I instead shut my eyes tightly. If he was going to hurt me I didn't want to see it happen. Packs follow their alphas so surly Lily and Nate, and everyone else would start punishing me too. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to get upset, I'm not mad at you Mia. You didn't do anything wrong" I didn't believe his words. What else could be wrong except me?

"I'm frustrated with how your alpha or your pack treated you, you shouldn't have to be like this. I'm going to help you through it" This was the second time it was mentioned how I shouldn't be like this. What does that mean? Is that not how packs work? Aren't they all the same scary wolves who want to hurt people. Is this pack not ordered from Alpha to hurt and punish me? No, they are. This is my punishment, feeling people who care for me then having those feelings ripped away and them turn on me.

"How do I get you to come with me, you obviously want to go outside right?" I gave the tiniest nod, not caring what would happen as long as I could leave this room for a while and be in the open.

"Ok.. let's go?" Another strange informal command but enough for me to think it's ok to follow it. I slowly get up and make small movements towards him. I didn't want to anger him further. We walk into the hall and he closes the door behind me, taking a slow pace while I follow beside him.

"Mia, I want you to know that there aren't any rules here. You don't have commands you have to follow. This is your home and no one is going to hurt you. But we'll work on that trust." I felt him looking at me as we continue walking. I couldn't believe him though as much as I wanted to. I knew this would all end eventually. To think, having a life with no commands? I'd be completely lost.

We came to the stairs and a feeling of instant fatigue fell over me as I thought about all the steps I went up when first coming here. "We can go slow it's alright" I was surprised Kayden noticed my hesitation but I was thankful for it. It's nice not being dragged behind someone. I made sure to let Kayden go first so I could follow in his steps and be out of the way for anyone coming up. He oddly kept looking back at me like he was confused which brought on my own confusion yet again. My minds been in a maze lately, not knowing where to go, what to do, and just feeling out of place.

To my surprise, the stairs were easier to walk then what I was expecting, I could almost feel the strength returning into my limbs and body. Even my sight was clearing up from the exposure to light. When we reached the bottom I wanted to move more quickly, eager to get outside. To smell the air again and feel the breeze in my fur. The numbing cold on my body I missed too. It eased my pain. Winter was definitely my favourite season.

We finally made it to the door and I felt the odd wag in my tail again as it swayed slightly. Was this recurring feeling really happiness? Was I happy here? It made me even more scared to loose what I was experiencing, I never wanted it to end and return to what I knew was coming. The pain and punishments. I know I've broken so many rules and when I go home it's gunna be suffering to a degree I'm not sure I, or my body could handle. Josh and Alpha especially will enjoy reteaching me everything I've forgotten.

I felt the cold of winter hit my face, my breath hitching for just a moment while I got used to the ice entering my breath and exhaling in clouds. After only seconds I opened my mouth to taste the air and it's chill. We stepped onto the cold ground and the stinging in my paws comforted me, knowing the numbing would come soon after. There wasn't much breeze to my disappointment but I was happy enough just to be outside.

It was beautiful, the few tall grasses that survived the cold were encased in a layer of frost, as well as all the branches of the trees and bushes. Everything is a blanket of white except the blue sky and warm setting sun. Spring was coming soon but I still loved the flowers and sun bathing.

"I'm gunna warn you now so you don't get as scared, I'm gunna shift into my wolf so I can walk with you closer to your level and let him out." I glanced at him already nervous he was going to attack me when he shifted. "And I wont hurt you, I promise." I'll see if he holds to that. Promises are meant to be broken, they're just a false hope so it hurts more when they're broken.

We continued to the tree line before Kayden stopped before some buses. "Wait here, I'm gunna shift then if you're up for it we could go for a slow short run" I stared at him with wide eyes, a run? A leisure run is forbidden for me, the only running I do is during training. Is that what we're doing? I knew it. I felt my body start to shake as he disappeared into the foliage. Was he going to jump out at start to chase me like prey? Is that what he wanted?

I couldn't take my eyes off where I last saw him, expecting him to come out teeth snapping and claws stretched out. I could hardly breath trying to anticipate the attack. Except when I noticed the bushes moving he only poked his nose out slowly before emerging. When he saw my panicked state he almost cowered his body to appear less threatening. I was conflicted again but didn't want to be fooled, I lower myself to my belly and got ready to turn over showing vulnerability.

I shut my eyes giving up on being prepared, I didn't want to watch my good things come to an end. I heard him approach slowly before jumping and opening my eyes when I felt a cold nudge. His nose was in the scruff of my neck as his wolf form whimpered. My heart ached to see him like this, I felt an urge to see him happy again, I couldn't stand how sad he looked. Maybe he was keeping his promise after all.

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Part 24 is complete!! I hope you guys liked this chapter. I think we're seeing more progress with Mia. She's becoming a bit more comfortable and starting to accept her surroundings. I know it's a slow process but I don't want to rush it and lose the details.

Also thank you to everyone who helped with the new cover!