Chapter 5

**Amelia**


Aniko continues working on my feet as I watch.

“Why were you given a name that means actor?” I ask after several minutes of silence.

He laughs. “Natalia said you were good with names. Actually my name was going to be Alexander but my father said whenever he would set me down in my crib or walked away for even a second I would start crying. Then stop the second he picked me up again. He teased that I was a little actor, so that’s what he called me.”

I smile at the cute story. “Your dad sounds like a good man.”

“He was.” His voice becomes sad and my smile falls. “He was killed during one of the attacks you saw today.”

“How long has this been going on?”

“Many years before I was born, but it’s becoming more widespread, so it’s gotten media attention.”

Wow. “I’m so sorry, but wait those wolves protect you? How do they know to do that? Why don’t they eat all of you?”

He laughs. “They are a lot smarter than most people think. Like I said, we live peacefully together. They have been close to our people for a long time. To them we are part of the pack.”

“That’s pretty cool. Although I’m not sure how I’d react to having wolves walking around all the time.” I say it with a weak laugh, but he doesn’t join.

He shifts uncomfortably and continues working in silence. Did I offend him? I seem to have foot in the mouth disease with no sign of a cure.

“Finished. You have several cuts from the glass, so you will have to stay off your feet for a little while until they heal. Make yourself at home and I’ll call Natalia to come stay with you.” He stands and is about to walk away but I reach out and grab his hand.

“Isn’t she hurt? And she has a young child that needs her. I’m fine on my own. Is there a hotel or something nearby that I can stay in?” I am not sure if I should stay here much longer.

I appreciate that these people helped me, but they clearly have bigger problems to deal with and I don’t want to be one of them. That man earlier offered to take me away before he was a brutally attacked by a giant wolf….

“I’m afraid the closest hotel is off the reserve and about an hour away.” He doesn’t look sorry for the fact that I’m stuck here.

“Okay, is there some form of transportation that can get me there?” He said no one is keeping me here but it doesn’t exactly seem like I can leave either. “A bus or maybe a taxi.”

“You wish to leave already?” he asks, looking at me like I just kicked his puppy.

Something I would never do by the way! I’m not a monster.

“Well, this isn’t my home. I had to have come from somewhere and if I want to figure out my past, I can’t stay somewhere I don’t belong. Right?” I don’t know if leaving will help my memory, but I don’t think staying here will help either.

“You don’t remember where you used to live. We can’t leave you somewhere and hope you find your way. That could put you in a lot of danger.” He has a point there.

“I know but I’ll figure something out. You guys don’t need to worry about me, you’ve all done so much already.”

He walks back to the table and sits in front of me again. I hadn’t realized I was still holding his hand until he twists his hand in mine and places his other hand on top of mine sandwiching it with his much larger hands.

“Would it make you feel better if I said I want you to stay?” He asks.

My eyes widen and I think my heart skips a beat. Why would he want me to stay?

“You want me to stay? Why?”

He smiles at me, and I could melt from how handsome it makes him. “Because you are very special, and I want to know more about you. You don’t remember your life before coming here, but you can build a new one here. With me.”

That last part comes out of his mouth a little quieter than the rest, so I’m not sure I heard him right but the rest was clear as day. I’m not sure what I think about his…interest…in me, but he’s been kind so far. They all have, and I don’t have anywhere else to go. It makes me uncomfortable being someone else’s burden, but do I have a choice? My feet are all cut up which would make it hard for me to get far, also I don’t have any clothes. I might get some help from someone because of the fact that I’m mostly naked, but it could come at a cost I’m not willing to pay. He’s right…it would be dangerous for me to try to make my way on my own.

“Are you sure? I don’t want to put anyone out.”

He tightens his hold on my hand and smiles down at where we’re touching. When he looks back up at me there is something in his expression that reminds me a lot of how Alo looked at Natalia, but I must be imagining it.

“You don’t have to worry about anything. I will take care of you.”

My breath catches at his promise and warmth floods all over my body as if his words have a life to them. Like a bond that can’t be broken. It’s the strangest feeling.

“Thank you, but-“

He shakes his head before I can object again. “I want to do this. Please let me.”

Why is he begging to take care of me like I’m a lost puppy? He must have a million other things to worry about! But he isn’t asking anything from me that I can’t give, which is saying something since I literally have nothing to give.

“Okay, I’ll stay but not as a freeloader. I expect to help in some way.” I say this with a firm voice and an even stern expression.

“Very well. I’m sure we can find something for you to do that doesn’t require you to be on your feet for too long. Now, are you hungry? Alo said you are cleared for eating and that all your tests came back normal. You have been given a clean bill of health outside of the memory problems.”

I let out a sigh of relief. I’d forgotten all about those tests, but I’m glad to know I only have one medical condition to worry about.

“I’m really tired. Can I rest for a little while and eat later?” I ask.

“Of course. I will help you up the stairs. You can use my bed.”

He releases my hand and leans closer to pick me up but I lean away from him and wave my hands in front of me. “That’s okay! I can sleep right here. I’m sure you have other things to be doing, so don’t worry about me.”

He sits back down and studies me. “Are you certain? I don’t want to leave if you need assistance.”

“I promise I’ll be fine.”

He runs a hand through his hair which isn’t as long as his brothers’ but long enough to be pulled back into a low ponytail and fall down his back. Wow, I bet women would kill for that kind of hair.
“Okay. I need to meet with my brothers and the others to discuss what happened at the hospital, but I’ll leave you the number for the main house so you can call me if you need anything.” He stands and walks over to one of the kitchen drawers.

I watch him as he moves and notice like his brother and Natalia’s, he has a natural grace when he moves. His footsteps are also silent like he is barely moving at all. When he turns around, he has a small piece of paper in his hand and what looks like a wireless phone.

“Call me if you need anything. Nothing is too small. Okay?” He holds the two items out to me and gives me a serious look.

“I promise. Thank you.” I say softly.

His whole aura is a little intimidating right now. That serious look on his face is so different from the gentle expression he has been wearing since he found me.

“You are welcome. I’ll be home before dark. There is plenty of food in the refrigerator so feel free to eat if you get hungry.” He says and then stands silently for several long seconds. “Stay inside for now as well.”

Yeah like I’m going to go venturing out in an unknown place where ravenous wolves walk around freely. That would be suicide! Yeah, no I’m good here.