Hunter's Wolf

Chapter 012

Karen

We returned to town the next day. We went straight to Oscar's residence. I was giving a room on the first floor where the live-in workers slept. It was comfortable but not as luxurious as having an apartment all to myself, but it was much better than my old apartment. I also knew I was safe. My safety trumped luxury anytime.

As I sat on the bed in my new room, I began to wish we were still in the house that was in the woods. Although I was hiding there after having a close to death experience, I liked that Oscar and I were in the same place. I had noticed his attitude changed towards me the moment we arrived at his house in town. He was a bit formal and less caring. I didn't know if it was for show or that was his new attitude towards me, but I decided not to let it bother me. I wondered how my life would be, looking onward.

I remained in my room all day. Soon it was dinner time, and a young man came to call me.

" Miss Karen, you will be having dinner with the family tonight. Please come with me," he said, not bothering to introduce himself, and ushered me to the dining room. 

I had a problem with people that knew my name, and I didn't know theirs. It felt like they had power over me.

When I got to the dining room, Oscar was there, along with three other people. One of which was the blonde lady he made out with, in his office. Another was an older looking brunette roughly in her late fifties, and lastly was a blonde man that looked like the blonde woman.

" Please have a seat." Oscar offered me a seat, and I sat.

" Mother, meet Karen, she is my new assistant, and she will be staying with me for the meantime till I have my obligations towards her sorted out." he introduced me. I noticed he left out my last name, which was for obvious reasons. After seeing those werewolves, I never wanted to introduce myself as Miss Hunter ever again. A name change was definitely in my plan book.

" What is the meaning of this nonsense?" The older lady, obviously his mother, said. She didn't seem too pleased that I was joining them. The blonde and her maybe-brother did not seem too thrilled either.

" I cannot sit and dine at the same table with a human. It is bad enough that we have to deal with them out there, but here should be our sanctuary, where we can spend time with our kind," she complained.

" Mother," Oscar began in a stern voice, " This is my house, and Karen is my guest. She can sit at the table," he explained, but I didn't like the vibe I was getting, and I was hungry. Something told me that if I remained at that table, I would not enjoy my dinner, and I would be hungry later.

" It is okay Mr Wilde, I will eat in the kitchen," I said getting up.

"Sit down Karen, " he ordered me. " You will eat with everyone."

I honestly didn't care where I ate. As long as those werewolves could not get to me, I was fine. Since the mother did not object, I figured it was okay. I was invited by the owner of the house. I intended to enjoy my stay.

I noticed Oscar's mother and the blonde were picking their food. It didn't bother me at all. I ate my fill and even went for second helpings. Everything tasted perfect.

While eating, I never looked up for once. I wasn't part of the family, therefore, I wasn't interested in whatever looks they were giving each other. I finished eating and tried to excuse myself, but Oscar won't let me leave

.

" Karen do you like your room?" He finally asked me, and I nodded.

" Of course she will like her room, she is obviously from the streets and has never been afforded any luxury." the mother said, and the blonde laughed. I didn't let it bother me because it was true, and I did not care.

" Mother, I will not have you insult my guest," Oscar warned.

" Don't use that Alpha tone with me. Remember I was married to one. I have the right to say whatever I please, especially if it is the truth. How can you spoil our family dinner by allowing this human at our table? How many Alpha's dine with humans that aren't government officials in their homes? I know you have a fetish for humans, but why bring them home? Why ask your plaything to join us when you know Tabitha will be here? It seems like you take pride in hurting her feelings?" The woman asked and looked right at me.

" Arent you ashamed of yourself. Coming to live with a man that isn't your husband. That woman is his fiancee." She pointed at the blonde, whom I now knew her name as Tabitha. " How can you be so shameless?" She asked me, and I choked on words.

Oscar dropped his cutlery, looking angry.

" Leave her alone, mother, and stop spewing lies. I do not remember proposing to Tabitha." He said, sounding very angry. What his mother said had upset him.

" Well, I suppose you don't know that you are getting older, and you will need someone to take over from you. In the absence of a fated mate, you are to chose a wolf from the pack as your mate and mark her. Moreover, Tabitha reeks of you already. Since you do not concern yourself with pack business and have left the running of things to your uncle and me, I figured it was best to choose a mate for you, and I favoured Tabitha. You are already sleeping with her. It shouldn't take too much for you to mark, and claim her as yours," She said, smiling at the blonde. 

The blonde didn't seem comfortable with the conversation either. I couldn't tell which bothered her most. Was it what the mother was saying, or Oscar's response and reaction?

I wondered what my business was in all this. Why I had to sit through Oscar's family issues? I bet this wasn't part of the contract, neither was living with him part of it. I just looked down at my hands, trying to focus on anything other than them.

" Karen, join me in my room tonight." Oscar requested. I knew he had done that to spite his mother, but I couldn't say no.

" Not in my presence. You will not disrespect me, or your future mate like this." The mother argued, and I figured she did not know her son well enough to know that he does not care about anyone's feelings but himself.

"If that is the case, I think you all should leave, so Karen and I can have some peace," He announced and stood up. His mother was still dumbfounded when he motioned me to join him, and I stood up eagerly. I would do anything to leave that place.

Honestly, with the way the woman was looking at me, I didn't know whether to follow him or not, but I knew that I didn't want to be there. I had never had parents before, but I knew what disrespect looked like. I stared at him and then looked at the woman.

" Come on. I don't like sleeping alone," Oscar beckoned me, and then I slowly went to him.

" You will not disrespect me, Oscar, I am still your mother. That human has no business being here. Your father and I had always allowed you have your toys and playthings. I will not allow you to ruin the future of our pack with your spoilt behaviour. I invited Tabitha here so we could discuss the future together, and that is exactly what we would do." Mrs Wilde said, and I saw Oscar smile.

" The house is all yours, mother. Feel free to discuss whatever you like with Tabitha. I have a date to keep with Karen," he said and carried me bridal style up the stairs.

"Human women will be the death of you, Oscar!" she called out as he carried me up the stairs.

Secretly, I hoped she was wrong, because I did, unknowingly, bring a lot of baggage into his life.