Chapter 12
*Samantha's POV*
I yawned and stretched my arms up as far as I could. I glanced at the bedside clock. 11:28. A car's lights flashed through the curtains, and I almost ran to it in hopes he was home. But the car kept driving past. Maybe he wasn't coming tonight. It had been months since he had a guy's night so I shouldn't be so on edge. They were probably just having a good time and celebrating our good news.
Something tickled the back of my neck, and I scraped my nails across it. It was time for a haircut. That would at least keep me busy. I walked to the guest bathroom and picked up the razor off the sink. I flipped off the guard from where I had cut his hair and popped on the three guard. Pieces of hair fell onto the floor and into my t-shirt making me itch. Next, I grabbed the four guard and faded the style further up to the crown of my head. After a quick buzz I turned off the clippers and picked up my shears. I shaped the layers back at the top of my head. I kept it just long enough to cover my forehead and then began to rinse off all my supplies and pack it away.
I turned the hot water on in the shower and began to strip out of my clothes to wash the hair off. I poured the shampoo into my hands and lathered before scrubbing my head. Tiny bristles of blonde hair were almost invisible against the shower wall, but I knew they were there. If I showered in our shower, he would know they were there. He had better things to worry about than having to clean up after me.
I scrubbed the bar of soap across my body leaving bright red spots on my pale torso. For the most part I was small and frail. It frustrated me how much so. He got to go out and spend time with his friends, but I was too weak. If something happened, then I would be a liability to the pack, so I stayed here.
I gently rubbed my stomach and sighed before rinsing off the soap.
"Sam?" His voice carried through the house, and it was quickly followed by the sound of his boots coming up the steps. I shut off the water and wrapped a towel tightly around my body.
"Coming!" I stepped out of the shower and barely caught myself as my foot slipped on the tile floor. I stepped out of the bathroom to find him leaning against the wall in the hallway. His arms were crossed but his shoulders were relaxed.
"Henry." My shoulders dropped and I couldn't stop the smile from spreading across my cheeks. "How were Noah and Adam? Were they excited about the news?"
"They were thrilled babe. What's for dinner?" My smile dropped and a lump of panic settled in my stomach.
"I'm sorry. I just assumed...it was late, and I thought you would have eaten with your friends."
"Yeah, well you assumed wrong." I dropped my eyes to the floor and made my way to the kitchen still wrapped in a towel.
"Why don't you relax and take a shower while I make your dinner? I'll have it on the table in a few minutes." He nodded and I heard the door to our bedroom click shut. The water turned on within the next minute.
I pulled a small pan out of the bottom cabinet and placed it on the stove. I scooped a pad of butter and flipped on the stove and watched as the butter began to bubble around the pan.
I had just placed the two turkey melts on the dinning room table when he walked down the stairs. "Why are you still in that towel? The last thing we need is a trip to the ER because you got burnt cooking with nothing on."
"I'm sorry Henry. I'll go change now."
"You're done cooking now. Might as well just sit down until it's time for bed." I nodded and pulled the chair out and sat down. The seat was cold against my legs, and I was fighting not to shiver. The hair on my arms pricked as the AC turned on.
"So how was your night?" He glanced up at me as he spoke in between bites.
"Uneventful. I just gave myself a quick haircut and started putting some of the furniture together."
"That's good. Will do you good to stay busy."
"Did Adam happen to mention us being able to move back with the rest of the pack? I'd love to meet some of the moms." He slammed his hand on the table and blood rushed to his face. I couldn't help but jump slightly.
"I told you that we are here for a reason. That place isn't safe. We are the future of the pack. They wanted us here to keep you safe. Is this not enough for you? This entire area of land away from any danger so you can have a happy family?"
"Of course, it's enough Henry. That's not what I meant."
"Sure, sounded like it. I came home tonight when I could have stayed out all night like they wanted to, but instead I came here to apparently be grilled. I'm going to bed." He got up from the table and climbed the stairs before I could even think of responding. The bedroom door clicked closed and I picked up the plate with a half-eaten sandwich. I dumped it in the trash and sighed.
I wanted to go for a run more than anything. I could feel the forest calling me, but I had to stay here it wasn't safe. He just had a bad day.
I tiptoed up the stairs and walked into the guest room. I pulled a pair of long plaid pajama pants and a plain long sleeve sweater out of the drawer. I had set up a bench in front of the large windows. I couldn't do much during the day, but I could curl up and watch the cars go by.
The plot of land we were on was a couple of acres large and back in a wooded area. A tall fence separated us from the outside world. There were two other houses on the property. One was set up for a future descendent and another for our protectors. Three men and two women all lived in the two-story home that sat beside ours. I could see them circling around the house all day. Sometimes at shift change the first shift would stand and laugh at the front of the house where I could see them.
I imagined backstories for them all, but Henry wouldn't let me have any contact with them. Trust no one he would say.
I sat on the bench and watched them circle the house until the routine of it let me drift to sleep.