Bree watched wide-eyed as the little girl stared down at the bed for a moment. When she looked up, her formerly dark eyes were glowing green and a dark layer of hair covered her cheeks and forehead.
Bree moaned quietly and shifted backwards until her back hit the headboard. The little girl frowned and shook herself all over.
“What’s wrong?” Her eyes had returned to their normal colour, and the hair on her face had disappeared.
“I – nothing.” Bree whispered.
The door to the room opened and a woman, her hair the same shade of red as James’, walked into the room.
“Leta, my love I asked you to leave her alone.”
“I just wanted to see what she looked like.” Leta said cheerfully. “She’s really skinny. And she’s dirty and kind of smells bad.”
“Leta.” The woman chastised gently. “You’re being rude.”
“Sorry mama.” Leta looked sufficiently chastised as the redhead stood next to the bed and smiled down at Bree.
“Hello Bree. My name is Avery.”
“Hi.” Bree whispered as Avery sat down on the bed beside her.
“How do you feel?”
“Fine.” She felt better than this morning but the constant pain in her side was still there. She wondered if it would ever go away.
Leta squirmed her way onto her mother’s lap. Avery smiled down at her. “Soon you will be too old to sit on my lap.”
“Nu-uh.” Leta disagreed. “I’m only ten mama.”
The little girl stared at Bree. “She’s a human.”
“I know my love.” Avery kissed the top of Leta’s head. “Will you run to the kitchen and ask Marian to make up a plate of food for Bree? Have her put lots on it.”
“Okay.” The girl slid off her mother’s lap and skipped to the door. She paused and smiled shyly at Bree. “Your dog likes me. She sat on my lap earlier.”
Before Bree could reply she had slipped out of the room. Avery smiled at her and reached for her hand.
Bree snatched it away and Avery frowned. “I won’t hurt you my sweet.”
Bree didn’t reply, and Avery stared thoughtfully at her for a moment before asking, “Would you feel better if I told you that I was as human as you are?”
Bree visibly relaxed and stared at the woman in front of her. She was wearing a plain white blouse and a long dark, green skirt and she was beautiful. Her skin was as pale as Bree’s and smooth and unblemished. A small smattering of freckles covered the bridge of her nose and her eyes were a clear green.
“Are you – are you James’ mother?” Bree whispered, her eyes traveling over Avery’s red hair.
“I am.” Avery confirmed.
“But he’s a Lycan. Was he bitten?”
“No. His father is a Lycan.”
Bree’s mouth dropped open. “You are married to a Lycan?”
Avery laughed at her surprise. “Yes. His name is Tristan and you’ll meet him soon. But first, you need a bath and some food.”
She held out her hand and after hesitating for a moment, Bree took it. Warmth and tingling started in her hand, and Avery smiled at her as she tugged her to her feet. “Come my sweet Bree. The tub awaits you.”
Bree took a step and stumbled, falling against Avery. Immediately, the redheaded woman put her arms around her and held her tightly. She stroked Bree’s back through the shirt.
“Are you alright my love?”
Bree’s entire body was tingling now, and she couldn’t stop herself from putting her arms around the woman’s waist. She leaned against her and rested her head against her shoulder.
Avery rocked her back and forth gently. She stroked Bree’s hair, picking out bits of leaves and twigs as Bree fought to keep from crying. The last two days she had been touched and held more often than she had in her entire life. Before James and now Avery, the only person she had really ever hugged or been close to was her brother.
It felt strange and uncomfortable, but it also felt unbelievably wonderful. Avery’s body was soft and warm, and Bree thought she could hug the woman forever and still not tire of it. Tears began to leak from her tightly-closed eyes, and a soft sob escaped her throat.
“There, there sweet Bree.” Avery murmured. “You’re safe with us. I promise you.”
The door opened and Nicholas stuck his head into the room. “Mom, have you – “
He stopped as Bree pushed away from Avery and stared at him.
“Hello Bree.” He waved at her.
“Have I what Nicky?” Avery asked.
“Have you seen dad and James?”
“I believe they’re at the barn.” She smiled at Nicholas, and he blew her a kiss before closing the door.