Northwood

Adline moped around the room, every time she was around Kane it brought out the worst in her as thoughts of the previous night played around and around in her head like a scratched record. She thought he was lightening up but as soon as any kind of warmth was shown he seemed to douse it and regain his ice-cold composure. She didn’t like that he couldn’t let any kind of warmth shine through. It made her uneasy and uncomfortable but what she had seen of his warmth she knew that when he let his guard down it would make many people happy.

Resigning herself to spending another day cooped up in her room Adline jumped on to her bed face first letting out a scream as she did so, the monotony of her new life got too much. She wasn’t used to doing the same thing again and again, before her pack had been destroyed she’d had a freedom not even her brothers could have dreamed of. She realised as she lay there wallowing in her own grief that she had completely and utterly taken her previous life and all its liberties for granted.

A loud and insistent knock came at the door. It almost sounded excited. Like always Adline tried to ignore it but it didn’t stop and it only served to worsen her mood.

Jumping from her bed she answered the door in a huff, “Jesus!” She exclaimed as she pulled the door open and found herself face to face with Kane’s mother.

Realising what she said was not at all appropriate Adline’s face reddened as Myrna looked her over from head to toe with a look of wonder and disbelief on her face, “well I have been called many things in my time.” She replied with the hint of a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. Her eyes danced with amusement but deep down she was worried and concerned about the girl’s well-being. She would be the Alpha female of the pack, she needed to be healthy and strong and what Myrna had seen the previous night with Victoria impressed her.

“I’m sorry....I was expecting you to be someone else.” Admitted Adline quickly as she took in Myrna’s presence. The old woman was judging her silently, Adline could see her eyes scrutinize every part of her and seemed to search for something deeper.

“You were expecting Kane?” Myrna responded leaving very little room for Adline to even think about what she wanted to say, “Unfortunately my son is otherwise occupied in meetings this fine morning.” Another small smile hinted at the corners of her lips but she seemed to supress it and Adline was beginning to see that it was a commonality between mother and son.

“Actually I was expecting Harvey, he’s usually the only one trying to knock the door down.” Adline said with a smile. She stood eyeing Myrna waiting for her reaction, she didn’t know what to expect and what she could expect. She didn’t know what made her tick and what made her feel at ease but resigning herself to the fact that she would be stuck with the Northwood brutes for the rest of her life Adline knew that if she could at least get Myrna on her side then it wouldn’t be so bad.

All Myrna could do was roll her eyes at Adline’s words, “yes well,” she began sharply, “unfortunately Harvey takes after his big cousin in many ways.” Her words drew a curious look from Adline, she wasn’t too sure that if what Myrna said was entirely what she meant.

“Cousin? You mean Kane and Harvey are cousins?” She couldn’t help but seek to clarify what she was thinking.

“Oh my......perhaps I have underestimated you,” Myrna suddenly had a disapproving look on her face which confused the young woman before her. “I suppose I can’t blame you though, my son has been difficult of late. Especially when it comes to you.”

For a moment Adline was lost for words. Myrna was honest and seemed she was even blunter than Adline had guessed the previous night and she didn’t know what to think. People like Myrna were both good and bad to be around, they said what they were thinking but never really gave too much thought about how it affected the people around them. She reminded Adline of an aunt that used to visit her family long ago.

“In any case you will learn all that you need to in the coming weeks and months but for now I would like you to join me. I imagine being stuck in this room isn’t doing you any good.” She smiled warmly at Adline and motioned for her to join her. “We’ll do brunch in the garden and maybe some shooting if you feel up to it.”

Adline didn’t wait to be asked twice, she stepped from the room and pulled the door closed behind her, “right now I am up for anything!”

“Good,” smiled Myrna, “I was hoping you would say that.”

Before they left a thought struck Adline, “oh but what about Kane? Won’t he disapprove or be mad or something?” The thought of him made her fret, what if he kept her locked up for longer? What if he did something to make her life even more miserable? In that instant she realised that no matter what he did to try and make her life worse nothing would work. She was miserable enough already.

“Worry not dearest. If my son has anything to say he’ll have a hard time saying it........” she trailed off slightly, “besides he’s in meetings all day.” At Myrna’s words Adline felt much better about leaving the room.

Before long the pair made their way down the stairs and out through a door she had not seen before. It seemed that every time she left her room she was introduced to a new part of the mansion, it was enormous!

Arriving out on the large rear patio she smiled warmly at the new found freedom she had, though it was a small amount it was better than being cooped up in her room all day staring down at the yard from two sides.

Taking a seat opposite Myrna beneath a large umbrella Adline looked at the spread before them, it was fancy and more than what she was used to. Little pancakes and scones were accompanied with jams and preserves. Large amounts of fresh fruit were cut in to small pieces and there were fancy pots of what she hoped was coffee.

“Please help yourself Adline. I want you to feel at ease and comfortable. This is unfortunately your home now.” Myrna poured herself a cup of tea and sipped it like the dainty woman she was. There was more to her than met the eye and Adline knew she would enjoy getting to know her new mother in law but the way she spoke almost made it seem like she too didn’t willingly marry in to the Northwood pack.

“Unfortunately?” Adline began carefully as she searched for the coffee pot and was guided by Myrna, “you sound like you have some experience with what I’m going through.” Pouring herself a cup of strong black coffee she inhaled the familiar scent. Adding sugar and milk quickly she satisfied her sudden craving by taking a large gulp.

Myrna and Adline’s eyes met and the gaze as intense. “Well I know my son wouldn’t like me telling you this but I wasn’t always as happy as I am now.”

Adline was more than a little stunned at the revelation as she picked pieces of fruit from the large platter and placed it in to the small bowl in front of her, “what changed?” She asked curiously.

With a smirk on her lips Myrna shrugged her shoulders casually, “my husband died. Hah!” She laughed with great enthusiasm which seemed a little off to Adline. Before long Myrna calmed her laughter and shook her head, “oh I shouldn’t be so mean. I loved my husband very much but when we first started courting he was worse than my son is with you.” She recounted the memories of the early days with her husband with fondness. “I can laugh about it now but he was a terrible bastard!” She laughed again, “he warmed up and let his guard down eventually but it took time. Lots of time.”

“So you’re telling me to give Kane time? I tell you he hasn’t exactly been charming........” she thought carefully about all her interactions with Kane, “You know he threatened to kill me when we crossed the border?” Adline didn’t know why she said it, part of her was hoping for sympathy.

“And?” Myrna gave her a sharp look. “Are you going to let that define the rest of your life? If you are as smart as I think you are then you would use it as an opportunity to encourage my son in to claiming the lands that I am sure were once promised to you by your parents.” Although her words both shocked and amused Adline there was much truth there.

In her time being with Northwood Adline had only thought of the negativity that went with it, she had yet to think of all the possibilities. She had only focused on mourning. “Sorry to disappoint you but I wouldn’t have a clue how to approach your son in a manner that doesn’t irritate him.” Adline was not at all experienced with the ways a woman could entice a man but no one had bothered to ask her about it.

Myrna eyed the young woman carefully before it hit her like a ton of bricks. She chocked on the mouth full of tea she had which caused alarm in Adline. “No, no I’m fine.........” Myrna held her hand up as she regained her composure.

“I didn’t think it was that big of a deal,” moaned Adline as she felt more than a little bothered by Myrna’s dramatic reaction.

“Well,” she began slowly. “It isn’t that serious at all but I thought a young woman such as yourself would have had many suitors by now, you’ve not had any practice?” Myrna questioned further.

Shaking her head Adline suddenly felt awkward at the entire encounter, was that the only reason Myrna had invited her out? “My two brothers had all the attention. I read more than anything. If anyone had any interest in me then I didn’t notice.” She thought it was more than a little embarrassing that she was having this conversation but her mother was no longer alive to give her guidance.

A look of understanding washed across Myrna’s face as she took in what Adline said, “say no more sweet heart. Tell me about your family.”

The sudden question completely and utterly knocked Adline left of field. She was not at all expecting it.

“I don’t think she’d want to be talking about her family mother. Leave her be.” She smooth familiar voice danced through her ears like the sweetest sound in the world, then she saw his face and frowned.

“Oh my darling son! I thought you were in meetings today?” Myrna smiled mischievously at her son who pecked her cheek and sighed. “Well in any case I should be leaving. I have work to do.” Kane helped his mother up from her seat. She turned and winked at Adline, “don’t make it easy sweetie.” She finished with a wink. Myrna left quickly which made Adline feel as if she had planned the entire thing.

Once she was gone Adline stood from her seat and looked at Kane who seemed a little perplexed by what his mother said.

“I’ll just go back to my room, you don’t need to call anyone to escort me.” Adline muttered grumpy, she knew that Kane would shout something at someone.

He held his hand out to her and motioned for her to sit. “Please don’t rush off because I’m here, you looked like you were rather enjoying your breakfast. Do you mind if I join you?” He was almost amicable. What had happened to him?