Chapter 24

As Aunt Penelope gestured for them to sit down, a blur of black fur bounded into the room. Oakley, usually wary of strangers, rushed straight to Achilles with his tail wagging furiously.

"Well, I'll be," Aunt Penelope chuckled, surprise evident in her voice.

Shea watched in amazement as Oakley pressed his nose against Achilles' hand, demanding attention. A smile tugged at her lips, softening her features for the first time that day.

Achilles, his usual stoic demeanor cracking slightly, knelt down and scratched behind Oakley's ears. The old dog's eyes closed in contentment, leaning into the touch.

"He's not usually this friendly with new people," Shea remarked, her eyes darting between Oakley and Achilles.

Aunt Penelope nodded in agreement. "That's true. Oakley's always been a good judge of character, though. Seems he's taken quite a shine to you, young man."

Achilles glanced up, a hint of warmth in his typically cold eyes. "Animals tend to like me," he said simply, continuing to pet Oakley.

Shea couldn't help but smile at the scene before her. There was something endearing about seeing the cold Achilles interacting so gently with Oakley. It made him seem more... human.

As they settled onto the couch, Oakley refused to leave Achilles' side, resting his head on the young man's knee. Shea found herself stealing glances at them, a warmth blooming in her chest at the unexpected connection between her family's loyal companion and her protector.

Aunt Penelope, sensing the shift in the atmosphere, cleared her throat gently. "So, Shea tells me that you've suggested she move into the Von Lunar Mansion for her safety."

Achilles nodded, his hand still absently stroking Oakley's fur. "Yes, ma'am. With the recent attacks and the unknown faction targeting her, it's the safest place for her to be."

Aunt Penelope looked thoughtful for a moment before turning to Shea. "What do you think, dear? Would you be comfortable living with the Von Lunars?"

Shea hesitated, biting her lower lip. She glanced at Achilles, who met her gaze with a steady, reassuring one of his own. "I... I think it might be for the best," she finally said, her voice barely above a whisper. "At least until we figure out who's behind all of this."

Aunt Penelope nodded, her expression softening. "I understand, sweetheart. If that's what you think is best, then I'll support you."

Shea let out a sigh of relief, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders. "Thank you, Aunt Penelope."

Achilles, who had been silent during their exchange, spoke up. "I'll make sure she has everything she needs and that she's comfortable. Our home is well-guarded and equipped to handle any threats."

Aunt Penelope smiled at him, a hint of gratitude in her eyes. "I appreciate that, Achilles. I know Shea will be in good hands with you and your family."

As the conversation continued, Shea found herself growing more and more comfortable with the idea of moving into the Von Lunar Mansion. With Achilles by her side and the protection of the powerful werewolf family, she knew she would be safe.

And maybe, just maybe, she could finally get some answers about her father's death and the mysterious faction that seemed determined to harm her.

As they wrapped up their discussion, Aunt Penelope stood up and walked over to Shea, pulling her into a tight hug. "You be careful, sweetheart," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "And don't hesitate to reach out if you need anything."

Shea hugged her back, feeling a lump form in her throat. "I will, Aunt Penelope. I promise."

With a final nod to Achilles, Aunt Penelope released Shea and stepped back, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "Take care of her," she said to Achilles, her voice barely above a whisper.

Achilles nodded solemnly, his expression serious. "I will, ma'am. You have my word."

As they made their way to the door, Shea couldn't help but feel a sense of trepidation mixed with excitement. She had no idea what the future held, but she knew one thing for certain: she was ready to face it head-on, with Achilles and the Von Lunar family by her side.

As Shea and Achilles made their way to her cabin, the memory of the previous night's attack weighed heavily on their minds. The moon cast long shadows across the forest floor, and the crunch of leaves beneath their feet seemed to echo through the stillness.

Shea glanced over at Achilles, who walked beside her with his hands shoved into his pockets. "I still can't believe what happened last night," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "If you hadn't been there..."

Achilles' jaw clenched, and he looked away. "I should have been there sooner," he muttered. "I should have known something was off and gotten to you before that thing did."

Shea reached out and placed a hand on his arm, stopping him in his tracks. "Hey," she said softly. "You saved my life. That's all that matters."

Achilles looked down at her hand on his arm, then back up at her face. His expression softened, and he gave her a small nod. "Thank you," he said simply.

They continued walking in silence, the tension between them slowly dissipating. As they approached the cabin, Shea couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness at the thought of leaving it behind. It would have been her home for the time she would stay at Lockewood. It had just been a day and she had already grown to love the cozy little space.

Inside, they quickly gathered her belongings and packed them into a duffel bag. As they worked, Shea couldn't help but steal glances at Achilles, who moved with a quiet efficiency that she found both impressive and intimidating.

When they were finished, they stood in the middle of the cabin, surrounded by boxes and bags. Shea looked around one last time, taking in the familiar sights and sounds of the place.

"I'm going to miss this place," she said, her voice thick with emotion.

Achilles placed a hand on her shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. "You'll be safe at the mansion," he said. "And we'll figure out who's behind these attacks, I promise."

Shea nodded, feeling a renewed sense of determination. Picking up her duffel bag and heading towards the door, Shea relayed, "Let's do this."