Lily had returned that evening with a handful of books about Werewolves for her to read. The next two days were filled with her doing gentle stretches to loosen the muscles around her injured joints and reading.

Everything was so surreal, and Grace was still half expecting to wake up in her bed only to find out everything had all been a dream.

The doctor was friendly. He had told her that Werewolves usually healed quickly unless they were injured with silver, and that having her in to treat had been a very interesting experience for him. His wife was incredibly attentive, helping her stand up from the bed and walk around so her muscles could move.

She reminded Grace of her grandmother, who had passed away when she was 9. The caring presence was a welcome addition, along with the abundance of knowledge and longing to pass that information on.

She had learnt that Werewolves had soul mates, paired by the Moon Goddess herself, and that the bond between them was so strong they knew of their immediate connection and marked each other within a few days of knowing each other.

Grace had been horrified to learn that 'marking' each other didn't mean showing off rings like normal and sane people do, but meant the Werewolf in question bite to the neck of their partner.

A knock on her hospital room door in the late afternoon on the third day brought Grace out of her reading. With a shout to enter, Lily walked in with a small duffel bag and set it on her bed.

"I know you want to go home, but I'm going to ask you again to please consider staying a little while longer." She said, sitting down next to her.

"Thank you, you have all been so kind, I really don't want to intrude! I know from the books that it's rare for humans to come into a pack, I don't want to cause any trouble." Grace replied.

"It would be good for them to see you, I don't like that we are a secretive and separate. Plus, I don't like the thought of you going home, especially as the doctor tells me that you aren't walking very well." She said.

"I'll manage, I always do." Grace replied, smiling. Though she wanted to stay for her own curiosity, she didn't want to outstay her welcome.

"I don't want you to just manage! In fact, I won't hear of it. Your staying. At least until your walking better." Lily stood up, setting her hands on her hips looking defiant.

Grace chuckled, holding her hands up in defeat "If you insist."

The thought that she would be staying, and around far more Werewolves, brought a thrill to her. Her mind wandering to whether she would see Brandon there or not.

"Good." Lily said, breaking her from her thoughts to soon. "Here, I brought you a change of clothes."

Unzipping the duffel bag, she produced a pale blue summer dress and some slip on shoes.

"Your clothes were beyond repair I'm afraid. I checked your size, these should fit."

With help from Lily, Grace swung her legs over the side of the bed. Unlacing the hospital gown she had been forced to endure for the past few days the dress was a pleasant relief.

"Thank you, it's beautiful." Grace said, slowly standing and limping to a mirror on the wall next to her bed.

Her eyes both had fading dark rings around them, her lips swollen. The blotchy black and blue bruises glaringly obvious on her arms, torso and legs stood out against the pale blue of the dress. She knew from experience that they would be gone in a month or so.

"There is a wheelchair just outside, I was going to push you to the pack house. It's a little far to walk with all of your injuries, is that ok?" Lily asked, draping a white knitted cardigan over her shoulders.

"That's fine- thank you."

A gentle breeze picked up her hair as Lily pushed her down a paved path through a cluster of trees.

"Did you enjoy the reading?" Lily asked her

"Yes, very much!" Grace replied, scanning her surroundings trying not to miss anything.

"Do you have any questions?"

She thought for a moment. There were lots of questions she wanted to know the answer too, though figured she should probably start off with the simple ones.

"Every pack has an Alpha or Luna, right?" She asked, wanting to know who she sould be thanking for allowing her to stay.

"That's right. My husband, Thomas is the Alpha." Lily replied.

"So that makes you the Luna?!" Grace replied, swivelling in the chair to look up at Lily in disbelief.

"I am." She replied with a laugh.

"Wow... Can you tell me more about this pack?" Grace asked.

"Sure. Let's see. Well the pack is called the Crescent Moon pack. It's one of two in this area, there are just over 2,000 wolves in it, though most of them live in a small town south of the pack house.

The pack house is the main hub. It's where guests stay, as well as anyone transitioning between homes. Meetings and pack business takes place there as well, so don't be surprised if there is a lot of people coming in and out.

My husband and I live in the house next door with Hannah. And the other houses there are for the Beta, and head warriors. There they are, just down the path."

Grace looked to where the Luna was pointing, only to see five of the biggest houses she had ever laid eyes on loom into view.

"The pack house is the biggest one in the middle, I'm just next door to the left if you need me for anything.

"This place is incredible!" Grace said, openly gawking at the space in front of her.

"If you like this place you should see the town." A voice from her side said, startling her.

With a small jump she whirled her head around to see Brandon stood next to her, looking down at her with a small smile on his lips.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. I forgot that you don't have Werewolf hearing." He teased, reaching over to take the handles of the chair from Lily.

"You know, it's rude to push someone's wheelchair without asking for permission first." Grace retorted.

He pulled the chair to a stop, walking around to face her.

"I'm sorry. I didn't think. We don't have many people in wheelchairs around here... If it's ok with you, I would like to push your chair?" He said, with what Grace was surprised to see, regret and sincerity.

"No, I don't mind you pushing me." She replied, smiling as Brandon's face lit up with a grin. "Though no racing or wheelies!" She said laughing as he took off with her quickly.

"Sorry." He pulled back, slowing down to a slow walking pace.

They reached the door to the pack house. Seven steps to the door.

"I guess you didn't think of needing wheelchair adaptations when this place was built?" Grace joked as Brandon walked to her side trying to figure out how to get her inside.

"The only way I can see is if Brandon picks you up." Lily said, smiling at Brandon.

Looking up to Brandon, her heart sank. He was scowling.

"No, no. I can walk up them, just give me a hand and some patience." She said, pushing the brakes of the wheelchair down so she could stand.

"I'm not having you struggle up the stairs. Either Brandon lifts you or I go and get Jake, I'm sure he's close by."

Though Grace was sure Lily was talking to her, she had directed the sentence to Brandon, who was currently standing up straight and stiff, refusing to meet her eyes.

"Fine."

With one swift motion and unexpected motion, he wrapped her hands around his neck and lifted her out of the chair into his arms bridal style.

"Please, you don't have too." Only managing a whisper as her heart rate had quickened at the surprise of now being in his arms

Though apparently he was now ignoring her.

He strode up the stairs and began to walk through the corridor, turning right and then left and left again.

Grace tried to remember what path he had taken, and what the house looked like, but Brandon seemed eager to get her to where she needed to be. And it wasn't like she was distracted.

Lily was close behind them, and opened the door when Brandon finally stopped outside one.

However as soon as the door was open, it seemed he was reluctant to enter.

Slowly he walked in, his gaze still firmly fixed ahead.

Looking around the room, Grace saw a comfortable looking double bed piled high with pillows, a dresser and wardrobe, and wall mounted TV.

"There is a bathroom just through there, and your wardrobe and dresser is full of everything you will need. I'll be just down the hall for the rest of the evening if you need anything." Lily said, smiling mischievously as she backed out the room and shut the door.

"Um... Brandon? Can you set me down on the bed?" Grace said, looking up to Brandon to find that was where his gaze was fixed.

Her voice seemed to snap him from whatever daze he had entered into, and with the speed of before, he walked around to the left side of the bed and set her down. Backing off to the door.

"Do you need anything?" He asked, his hand already on the doorknob as though he couldn't get out of the room fast enough.

"No, no. I don't want to keep you from anything. Thank you for carrying me! I hope I wasn't too heavy!" She replied, patting down the pillow behind her as she settled into the bed.

"Werewolf strength. You weren't heavy." He replied bluntly, his eyebrows creasing and face becoming almost pained.

"Good to know... Are you ok?" She asked, noting how his knuckles had started to turn white from squeezing the door knob too tightly.

"What? Oh... Yes, I'm fine. If you need me, I'm in the cottage to the left of the sign that points to the training field." The door was pushed open, Brandon almost falling forward. Instead he caught himself and with a fleeting look back at her, disappeared into the hallway.

Standing in the doorway, apparently having no idea that Brandon had been stood in front of the door when she pushed it open, was a girl around her age. Her curly red hair piled up on top of her head, the escaping tendrils making her look wild.

"What on earth did you do to that poor man?" She asked, laughing as she met Grace's confused gaze.

"I have absolutely no idea!" Grace replied, smiling back.

"The Luna asked me to come and say hello! I'm Amy!" She walked forward, flopping down onto the bottom of her bed

"Three hours of mandatory exercise, man this bed looks good right now." Amy said, sighing in appreciation as she relaxed back onto the soft quilt.

"Be my guest." Grace laughed, curling her legs so Amy could have more room.

"So, Brandon huh? I would say that he seems nice but as I have only seen him fleeing from this room I have to wonder what horrible things you did. We hear stories you know, of humans." Amy said, rolling over to rest her head on her hands, a teasing smile on her face.

"Hey, it's me against 2,000 here! And I grew up hearing stories too!" Grace replied.

They laughed, both seeming to realise the unexpected situation they were in.

Two more girls walked past the door to her bedroom, which Amy had left wide open. Stopping and backtracking, they stood in the door way.

Whereas Amy had been instantly friendly, these two seemed to be the complete opposite. The small girl on the left, with bleached blonde and over curled hair stared at her with a scowl and angry eyes. The other, a taller girl with matching bleached over straightened hair was stood with her hands on her hips, a nonchalant and superior look on her face.

Compared to Amy's their designer workout gear didn't look used at all.

"Danielle, Casey. Always a pleasure." Amy said dryly, begrudgingly sitting up.

Grace looked back and forth between them both, waiting for them to say something.

"Hi?" She said, not liking the tense silence.

"It speaks!" The shorter one said, and evil smirk twisting onto her lips.

Raising a bemused eyebrow Grace just stared back at her.

"Go away Casey. If you haven't got anything nice to say. You know what the Luna said." Amy retorted.

"Oh please. The Luna has obviously lost her mind if she thinks we would be ok with letting a human into the pack! I mean look at her, she is weak and sick. As if the Luna let her stay." The taller one snapped back, raking her eyes over the bruises that marred Grace's skin.

"I reckon with some adjustments the wheelchair could cause a lot of damage. What do you think?" Grace said, ignoring the girls and looking over to Amy.

If she was worried about her being offended and bursting into tears, just like the two girls wanted, then they were mistaken.

"Sure, perhaps if we timed it just right I could use you as a bowling ball, with a few certain Wolves as pins." Amy replied, grinning back.

"Oh please. Get over yourself. You will never be welcome here." Danielle said, venom dripping from her words.

"You know, it's funny, Brandon said he didn't know any witches. I guess he's never met you. There's a cold draft coming from the door, would you mind shutting it Amy?" " Grace said, rolling her eyes at their attempts to get a reaction from her, deciding she had had enough.

"It would be my pleasure."

Amy hopped of the bed and skipped to the door.

"Jake! Jake! Did you hear what that human said to us? Can you believe it?" Danielle screeched as a man passed by the door, stopping as Danielle stepped in front of him.

"Yes, I heard what she said." He replied with a disinterested sigh.

"Well do something about it then!" Casey retorted. Grace's heart sunk. She should have known to be more careful, wolves usually banded together, especially against humans. Perhaps she would be leaving today after all.

"I also heard what you said first. Get over yourself you two and go and put on some more make-up, or whatever it is you do." He nodded hello to Amy who was stood next to the door not bothering to conceal her grin as the two girls walked off with a huff.

"I'm Jake, the Beta. I live just next door if you need anything. I'll also make sure these two don't bother you again." He said to Grace.

He was about ten years older than her, with buzzed cut black hair and a strong build. If it weren't for the smile he was giving her, she would definitely feel intimidated by his presence.

"Thanks, it's nice to meet you."

"You too. Amy, if you hurry, you might get to the kitchen before the new shopping order has been claimed. I'm sure I saw all sorts of goodies." With a wave he carried on down the corridor.

"Bad food and movie night?!" Amy said, looking at her with so much gusto and promise that Grace didn't have the heart to say no.

"Sounds good!"

"Be back soon!" Amy said, shutting her door. Grace could hear her running down the corridor, laughing as Amy's shouts of 'get out of my way!" made it to her room.

---

What is this sorcery!? Nearly 3000 words?!

I can't believe I'm nearly at 10,000 words and I'm only on chapter 4... oops!

Casey and Danielle are based on real people. Just saying. I really need an Amy...