Whitney’s p. o. v
“She’s still watching us from afar.” Leo whispered softly next to me.
I smiled widely as I continued to cut the grilled meat into small pieces.
“She’s been patiently waiting for her share for the past few days. By now she should be used to us.” I answered.
Then glanced behind at her for a second.
“She’s still in your dress though and it doesn’t look good on her anymore, because it’s very dirty.” He whispered softly.
I turned and looked at her seriously. She was hiding behind a huge tree.
“If you want to eat some of this meat, come and sit down next to us. I won’t bring you food this time.” I said seriously.
She hesitated but moved from behind the tree and approached us.
“By now you should know that we mean you no harm. If we wanted you dead we could have tried to kill you one way or another.” I said once she was standing beside me.
“I’m hungry.” She whispered softly.
We both looked at her in shock.
We weren’t expecting her to say such words.
“That’s not how they ask for food.” I pointed out calmly.
She put her hands together then looked at the meat for a second before turning her gaze to us.
“Please, I’m asking for some food, I’m very hungry.” She said softly.
“Good, see that wasn’t so bad at all was it?” I asked as she shook her head.
“Here, sit next to Whitney.” Leo said as he pointed at a spot next to me.
She stayed still for a few minutes then slowly moved and sat down next to me.
I lifted the leaf which had meat on it and handed it to her with a smile.
“Eat as much as you want. I and Leo have already eaten our share.” I said then gasped loudly when she quickly grabbed a handful of meat in her hand and ate messily.
I watched in astonishment but chose not to say anything to her. She was eating like a child, her mouth was covered in oil and tiny pieces of meat.
“Do you have a name?” Leo asked simply.
She stopped eating for a second then nodded and continued devouring the meat.
“If it’s okay with you, we would like to know.” He continued.
“Lexi.” She said as she chewed.
“That’s a pretty name. Lexi I am….”
“Whitney, I know. And he is Leo.” She said cutting me off.
“No he is not Leo, he is Leomord.” I said bitterly.
I didn’t want anyone other than me to call him that.
She stopped eating then swallowed hard.
“I understand.” She whispered.
“Good, now then after eating we are both going to take a bath. There is a beautiful stream right up ahead.” I said.
She looked at Leo seriously then at me.
“Why do I need to bathe?” She asked a little loudly.
“Because we can’t be dining or eating with someone who hasn’t taken a bath in weeks or is it months?. If you want to eat with us everyday day, be it morning, afternoon or evening. You will need to take a bath at least once a day. Do you understand?” I asked with emphasis.
“Yes.” She answered in a disappointed tone then went back to eating.
“Also, if you bathe I’ll give you another beautiful dress to put on.” I said as her face lightened up.
“Really?” She asked cheerfully.
“Of course, you will look beautiful in a clean dress.” I answered then kept quiet and watched her as she ate happily.
“Would you like some snacks after eating the meat?” Leo asked softly.
She put the empty leaf on the ground then shrugged.
“Are they as good as meat?” She asked.
I looked at Leo who was calmly observing her.
“They are sweet and nice.” He answered.
“Then I want some.” She said while she extended her hand to me.
“Sure, right after you finished bathing and dressing up.” I answered then got to my feet.
“Why can’t I have them now?” She asked in a whining voice.
“Because you haven’t taken a bath yet. Now get up and come along.” I answered.
She got to her feet and followed me behind as we walked to the stream.
“How old are you?” I asked softly.
“I’m seventeen years old, although I will be turning eighteen in a few weeks.” She answered.
“How have you been surviving so far?. I mean what do you eat?” I asked curiously.
“I eat barriers and fruits whenever I am starving.” She answered then waved her hand in the air weirdly.
“You mean you eat them once in a while when you get tired of eating meals right?” I asked seriously.
“No, it’s been years since I had eaten something as nice as meat. When my mother was around I ate barriers and fruits. She always forbed me to cook useless things such as food. The only thing she permitted me to cook were herbs and other things for the ritual.” She answered as I felt my heart ache.
She was just a kid yet she went through so much hardship to the point of seeing it normal.
She said she was turning eighteen years soon when she looked like a sixteen year old girl. She was too slim and looked very pale.
“Have you ever come across any supernatural beings in this forest?” I asked in concern .
When she didn’t respond I stopped walking and turned to look at her.
“Well, I saw a few werewolves and vampires crossing this forest a long time ago but luckily they never saw me.” She answered then frowned.
“What, what’s wrong?” I asked in concern.
“How do you know that there are other supernatural beings besides witches?. Are you perhaps one of them?” She asked.
She really was clueless, even with such powers she couldn’t detect what I was.
“Me, I’m a Werewolf.” I answered, then turned and began walking again.
“You are not joking are you?” She asked as I chuckled softly.
“I am not Lexi because I really I’m a Werewolf.” I answered then rushed ahead when the stream came into view.
“But mother said werewolves are very dangerous and they should be avoided.” She muttered under her breath.
“Do I look dangerous to you?” I asked when I reached and stood at the edge.
“No.” She answered in a soft tone.
“See, not everything your mother has said to you is the truth. As much as I am a Werewolf, I do have human emotions. So don’t ever think us werewolves are bad hearted or cold, because some are very kind and pure hearted.” I said then quickly took off my clothes and got into the water.
“Are you not coming?” I asked.
“I am.” She answered then took off her clothes revealing a few scars on her body and dark bruises.
I closed my eyes for a second then opened them.
“Hurry, the water feels amazing.” I screamed on top of my voice then swam ahead with laughter.
I didn’t want to make her uncomfortable by asking her how she got those or looking at her with a sad expression. I was going to make her a part of our family so she could experience what living with others felt like.