"You have better left your shoes by the door!" A women's voice called out as soon as Rick and I stepped through the threshold. "I've spent all day cleaning this house and I refuse to clean up any muddy footprints."

"That would be the wife," Rick laughed and slipped his feet out of his boots. I did the same and took off my soaked jacket.

"Nancy come down here, I have someone I want you to meet."

"I swear Richard," Nancy said as her voice drew closer, "if it is another one of your—" her voice cut off as soon she stepped in the room and saw me. Her hand went to her throat and I could see her visibly swallow.

"Richard," Her voice was strained now, forced, "Richard, what have you done? What have you done Richard?"

"Now Nancy—"

"Don't now Nancy me! Richard, do you know what you have done?!"

"Her car stopped in the road. It was raining. I couldn't leave her there. You know that."

She wouldn't stop staring at me as if I was the most fearful being alive. My skin crawled from her wide-eyed gaze and I couldn't help but feeling accused. I didn't want to upset the women and especially not in her own house.

"I don't mean to cause problems," I spoke up and she clenched her hand closer to her chest. "I can leave, it's fine. I'll just...go...somewhere...and..."

"Now none of that," Rick said. "Can't send you back out there, not with the rain and the wildlife out there."

Nancy stared at me for another moment before she hurriedly left the room.

"I don't want to cause problems with you and your wife," I said as he walked over to a reclining chair and sat down.

"Nonsense," He said. "She's got a bark but she aint got a bite that one. If you left she'd be out there searching to bring you back once she got her senses back. Just easily riled up and weary of strangers. Got to be out here. But she'll come around."

I nodded and took a look around the room. It was quaint, worn, and homey. There were a lot of pictures about, mostly of Layla.

"Bath's upstairs," Nancy said as she reentered the room. She stared at me before giving a click of her tongue. "This way. Before it gets cold."

Rick gave me a told-you-so wink as I followed her up the rickety stairs. She nodded to an open door.

"Baths all full. I put some clothes in there for when you're done." She eyed me. "We'll have to wash yours up when you're done. Bring them downstairs when you're done."

"Thank you, really." My sincerity rang out. "I don't want to cause you or Layla or Richard any problems."

For the first time I saw her smile. It was a small one, just a curl of the lip, but enough to show me how truly warm she must be when she fully smiled. "Not your fault dear. We just don't get many strangers round here. Now wash up, before you get yourself a cold."

The bath turned out to be just what I needed to calm myself down from all the odd happenings of the day. Plus it also was amazing to not be squeaking anymore as I walked. Nancy left me and pair of sweats to put on and I relished in their coziness.

I walked back down the stairs, tying my wet hair into a messy bun.

"El!" Layla greeted jumping up from her spot in front of the TV.

"Hey Layla," I said.

"Grandma said we couldn't eat until you are done so now we can eat!" She grabbed my hand and started hauling me towards the kitchen with hunger-induced strength.

"Layla, leave the poor child alone," Nany scolded as she placed the last dish on the table.

"You're in for some real good cookin tonight," Rick bragged taking a seat at the table and grabbing a dinner roll. "No one can cook as good as my wife."

"He's such a charmer." Nancy blushed.

"It all looks so good," I agreed sitting down next to Layla. Before my butt was even planted in the seat Nancy was dishing me a heaping chunk of lasagna.

"Eat as much as you want dear," She said, taking her own seat.

"Grandma is teaching me how to cook," Layla bragged as she took a bite. "She let me put the lasagna in the oven."

"Well it looks very good," I assured. "Thank you both."

"Not much to do around here except cook," Nancy sighed. "And lord with these two I cook enough to feed an army."

"Don't let her fool you," Rick warned. "She loves to cook up a storm even if we didn't eat it all. Problem is getting her to stop cooking. My pants only have so much room."

"Mine are stretchy so I can eat as much as I want!" Layla declared. "And Grandma says we need lots of food because we're—"

"Oh hush now both of you," Nancy squeaked giving Layla a stern glare. "The girl doesn't want to hear about your gluttony. So, dear, what brings you out this way?"

Oh great now I had to share my life. "Um, well my aunt died. I guess, not really my aunt, but my great aunt. I'm her last relative so I have to go settle the estate and plan the funeral and tie up all the loose ends." I stopped myself from rambling by shoving a forkful into my mouth.

"Bless your heart I'm sorry for your loss. Rick said your car stopped on one of these roads?"

"Yep." Old Faithful was no longer faithful.

"Not surprising. These roads tough on old cars like that," Richard chimed in.

"He said I could probably take it in to town tomorrow or the next day to get it fixed." The words vomited out of my mouth and I cringed. This was why I was never good at small talk, stating the obvious.

Nancy's eyes widen and she turned to Richard. "Oh—my—well I'm not sure if that will work. There's a very important event happening in town these next few days. It will have everyone very busy."

Well, damn. I was so hoping on getting out of here as soon as possible.

"Don't recall no event," Richard commented looking at his wife.

"The event Richard. The very special important visitor coming to our town?"

Obviously, she was trying to send some subtle code, but it didn't make any sense.

At least Richard looked as confused as I was. "What's that hon?"

"The visitor Richard," Nancy huffed. "The very important visitor coming to our town. The only important visitor who ever comes to our town!"

Layla leaned over towards me and whispered, "Grandma's talking about the Alpha."

Alpha? That didn't make any more sense.

"—have to ask Luke to help then," Richard said. "Weather should die down by morning and he and I can go get the car running without even needing Charles."

"Is that wise?" Nancy asked. "Luke, he's a good boy, I don't want him getting in any trouble."

"Nonsense he can help us out with a car at least. Ain't no point worrying about it now. I'll give him a call in the morning and we can sort this whole thing out before dawn."

"If you're sure then I guess that's what we'll have to do."

Richard turned to me. "You must be mighty tired. Layla, why don't you take El and show her the guest room, eh? Nancy got it already for you earlier."

"Thank you for the meal," I said as Layla started to drag me out of the room. "It was really delicious."

They smiled at me, but it didn't hide the uneasiness behind their eyes.

"Here's the room," Layla said. "My rooms the room right next door."

I hesitated as my curiosity boiled within me. It seemed to be too big of a mess for a broken down car. Did this town host a secret cartel?

"Hey Layla?" Oh good puppies on a rainbow, I wasn't going to do this. I was not going to grill a child for answers because of my overactive imagination. "Nevermind. Thanks. Night."

"Night El!"

"What a weird family," I muttered as I closed the bedroom door.