Aida POV

I wake up for the first time in my whole life feeling as though I am home. I mean, not in this room exactly because I'm still in the hospital. But if I had to move in here to be able to stay in this house, with this family, my family, I would. Anything to stay here.

Marcus said I can move out of the med centre and into an actual room today. James and Arge have been working on setting up a place next to Amalie's for me. So, we will be neighbours when she wakes up. If she wakes up.

James. My brother. My big brother. It is still so unbelievable to me. He is kind and sweet and funny. He's already protective. He is literally everything you want in a big brother. He is everything you ever watch on cliché TV shows or movies where the big brother is stern but loving and generous.

That's James but in real life. In My life.

And then there is Argent.

I must have hit the life jackpot this year. Maybe all the years of foster care, tests and being unwell, if I ever was unwell, have all been me earning the right to have these two amazing guys in my life.

Argent has been teaching me slowly about what it means to be a werewolf and more importantly, what it means when you are someone's mate. It's a strange concept but one that apparently everyone here takes very seriously. It's a sacred bond.

That's what the text says, anyway. Words like Sacred, eternal, and enduring. Argent brought me a small library to read while I am resting up. Marcus has me on restricted outings for now until we know more about my physical state. And we have no clue about my mental state. So, while Argent and James are busy, I read up on werewolf folk law.

It's fascinating and daunting at the same time. As soon as he left last night, I went straight to the "Mate" section. I just need to know more about it, namely what is expected of me. Does it mean we have to get right to it? The "mating" part of the relationship? That part scares me a little. It's not that he isn't literally the most attractive person in the entire world, though. It's that intimacy of any kind scares me.

Because I have never been close to anyone.

The buzz we get when we touch is enough to make me rethink everything. It's thrilling. It's addictive. Just being near him sends my body and thoughts into overdrive! That inexplicable feeling I got when I first saw him in the art room was a mate recognition reaction. And it just gets better the more time I spend with him.

I have much to learn about being a wolf. It doesn't help that my wolf is still dormant for now. It would be easier if my wolf was a part of my learning, but it's like she isn't there or that she can't hear me. There's still something missing. A disconnect, as Argent calls it.

Marcus says it may just take time for whatever Jasper has been treating me with to wear off completely. I can already hear the link, and he believes that in time, the rest will follow. Marcus has been reading all the notes and books from Dr. Jasper's office that the packs took when they rescued us. They have since been back and confiscated Jasper's entire office and computer.

Argos has wanted to shut it all down, but there are so many sick kids there. The institution is still open but is human occupied only for now.

Marcus has figured out that the medication I have been taking my entire life has been to stifle my wolf traits. And the tests I had to have each week were to check for the effectiveness. To hide me. To protect me. But why? Why did Jasper do this to me? His own child?

My pack believed me dead this whole time. My brother has been alone.

My thoughts have been like this. Jumbled and complex. It's so much to take in. And now I must leave the safety of the tiny medical centre where I just interact with a small few to join the wider community of the pack house.

A knock sounds at the door, and Arge and James walk in. Thank goodness because my thoughts are making me rethink my big move today. My upbringing has made me a solitary person, and I'm about to be thrust into a loud and bustling wolf community.

It's my dream and a nightmare all at the same time.

Arge comes over to the bed carrying a shopping bag while James plonks himself down on the bed next to me.

"What's in the bag?" I ask, too curious to wait for him to explain.

"Have a look for yourself." He smiles and pushes the bag towards me. I take it and turn it upside down on the bed. It's a collection of new clothing. All brand new, tags still attached. There are leggings, jeans, track pants and some t-shirts, hoodies, and tank tops. Some underwear too, which I quickly throw back into the bag though I suspect both have already seen.

"What's all this?" I ask Arge, holding up some of the items.

"Well, I realised today when we were getting your room done that you have nothing here with you. You can't start your time in the house in hospital gear, so Jemma ran and grabbed these from the local store." he explains, gesturing to my patient scrubs. "You can go with her in a few days and get more. This will do for now." He smiles. How can I ever begin to repay this boy?

I reply, "Thank you. I swear, I will start to earn my keep and figure out how to repay you for this."

He merely laughs and shakes his head. "It's nothing, Aida. Now change into some of this and let's get out of this room. I can't wait to show you around."

James grins and gives me a wink. I take the bag and go into the small bathroom at the end of the room, watching briefly over my shoulder as the boys turn to look over Amalie.

Still no change with her. Nothing at all. No decline, no improvement. I overheard Marcus and Argos last night, and they were worried they were too late treating her. It's just a waiting game now.

A small pang of guilt hits me. I'm better and she's not. James gained a sister and Arge might lose his. It's not fair.

I change into jeans and a t-shirt and put the hospital flip flops back on. I try to fix my hair, but I need a brush badly. I just put it into a loose plait for now and give myself the once over in the mirror.

Not great, but better than the scrubs. Here goes nothing.

I step out of the bathroom and head back to the boys. Argent gives me the once over and smiles. "That's better. You look great."

"You have to say that because you're my mate," I say, giving him a small smile.

"No, I'm saying it because you would look beautiful in anything. But this is a nice change from scrubs." He gives me a wink and I feel a small blush fill my cheeks.

James pretends to gag behind him. I laugh at them both and put the bag back on the bed. I love this. The three of us. I hope that it doesn't change when we get out there into the house.

I gather up anything that I have been using since I arrived. It's not much, just my toothbrush and my werewolf homework, and throw them into the bag with my clothes.

"Let's do this," I say giving the boys a nod. James takes the bag from me and starts towards the door. I whisper a goodbye to Amalie, and we head out. Argent takes my hand, as always.

James holds the door open for me, and we head up the stairs.

I stand frozen in the stairway looking at everyone as they pass by and nod their greetings to James and Argent.

"Don't worry, you'll love it here. And they're all going to love you," Argent says, squeezing my hand. He gets me, and he's here for me. That's all I need.

We start forward, and Argent leads us up the steps to the girl's floor. We walk down the hallway, and I take note of the doors with numbers on them. We stop at room number 18. Argent announces, "This is yours."

He opens the door for me, and I step in. It's not a huge room, but it's more than I've ever had to myself. The door is directly opposite a window that has a cute little seat along its length. To my right is a bed decorated simply in a light grey cover, and to my left is a small desk, a chair, and set of drawers. A door is open just next to where the chest of drawers sits, and I see a small bathroom with a shower and simple amenities. Another matching door is on the other side of the room, and I find an empty wardrobe. It's nothing fancy, but it's mine.

I walk around in the room, taking it all in.

Argent adds, "This is yours now. And When Amalie wakes up and is feeling better, she's right next door in 16, and Jemma just moved into 20." He comes and puts his arm around my shoulders.

James puts the bag on the bed and comes to stand by my other side. "I got you this. If you like, at lunch I can teach you how to use it. I have already put my number and Argents number in for you." He hands me a new phone. I've never had my own phone. My own anything, really.

I take it and turn in over and over in my hands. "This is all mine?" I ask, and they both nod at me and smile. I sit on the edge of the bed and feel tears starting to well up in my eyes. They both rush to my side and plop down next to me on the covers.

"Babe what's wrong?" Arge asks with sincere concern. And he said Babe.

"No, nothing's wrong. I'm just being stupid." I wipe the tears away and smile at them both through my fog of tears. "It's just that I've never had anything that was truly mine before. It's all amazing."

James lets out a relieved sigh, and Arge just shakes his head.

I laugh out loud at him and feel myself start to relax. I wipe my face and stand up. "So, who is going to show me the rest of this house then?" I ask.

James stands up and gives me a hug. "I'll let Arge have the honour, and I'll catch you at lunch, okay?" He gives me another squeeze and walks out.

Arge takes my hand and leads me to the door. "After you, gorgeous," he says with a wink, ushering me out.

I take a deep breath and follow him. This is going to be interesting.