Keith stood in the luxurious bedroom, still trying to process the events that had led him to this mysterious place called "The Sanctuary." The aroma of the room and the grandeur of its furnishings filled his senses, momentarily distracting him from his hunger and confusion. He couldn't help but feel a mix of anticipation and unease about what lay ahead.
As he stood there, lost in his thoughts, the door swung open, and Olivia reappeared, carrying a fresh set of clothes and a towel. She looked at Keith with a warm smile, her eyes filled with a mix of compassion and understanding.
"Here," Olivia said, handing him the clothes and towel. "Take a shower and change into these. You'll feel much better afterward."
Keith nodded gratefully, realizing that he desperately needed to freshen up. He headed towards the built-in bathroom, closing the door behind him. The warm water cascaded over his tired body, washing away the grime and sweat from his recent escapade through the forest. The feeling of cleanliness brought him a sense of relief, and as he changed into the new clothes, he couldn't help but appreciate the comfort they provided.
When Keith emerged from the bathroom, Olivia was waiting for him outside. Her eyes scanned over him, noting the transformation from the disheveled and bloodstained werewolf to a cleaned-up version of himself. She nodded approvingly.
"You look much better now," Olivia remarked, her voice filled with genuine concern. "Come with me. It's time for you to meet the others."
Keith followed Olivia through the mansion, their footsteps echoing in the hallways. They descended a grand staircase and entered a vast room that seemed to serve as a gathering place. The room was adorned with intricate tapestries depicting wolves in various forms of power and grace. The air hummed with electric energy, and Keith could sense the presence of others nearby.
As they entered, heads turned towards them, and the room fell into a hushed silence. There were quite a number of them in the room, staring at Keith with a mix of caution and curiosity. Olivia stepped forward, her voice commanding attention. "Everyone, this is Keith. He is like us, a werewolf. But he's new to this world, and he needs our guidance and support." A murmur of conversation filled the room as the werewolves exchanged glances and whispered among themselves. Keith felt a mixture of nervousness and excitement. He was surrounded by his kind, others who shared his struggles and understood his primal urges.
One man approached Keith, his aura exuding strength. He had a dark long beard and piercing blue eyes that seemed to carry the weight of countless experiences. "I am Xander. You are welcome to the family, Keith," he said in a husky voice.
"He is very intimidating, be careful of him," Olivia whispered to Keith and Keith smirked at her words. While Keith was meeting the rest of the pack, he got a hit from the back. His wolf instincts suddenly kicked in and right there, in that spot, he transformed into a werewolf. "I see, it's the violent one, always ready for trouble. Bring it on, boy!" a guy looking in his late 20s said.
Keith dashed at him angrily but he was met with a punch at the side and landed heavily on the ground. "You are going to need to learn to channel that anger elsewhere not in here," the guy said.
"Keith, take it easy,' she said as she knelt to pat him and immediately he became human
"Hmm," Xander scoffed. "She gave him the touch, how interesting!' Xander added causing the others to laugh at the comments he made.
"You just met my brother, Kage," Olivia said to him as she took him away from the room.
"Who is the pussy?" Kage asked.
"Some guy she brought from the streets, wandering," Xander answered.
"Hmmm. We need to get his story though. You know my father doesn't tolerate outsiders that much. When he is settled, someone better question him. Olivia would only keep treating him like a kid," Kage said.
"I understand. I will handle it," Xander responded.
"Okay then. I have to head to the bar now. It's a crowd tonight. Are you guys still coming?" Kage said.
"Sure. We have to run first. There is a challenge between the boys," Xander said, caressing his beard.
"You running too?" Kage asked, excited to hear about the run.
"Nah. I will be judging," Xander answered with a serious look on his face.
"Gotta go now. See you guys later," Kage responded as he walked out of the room.
After Kage left, Xander made his way back to where Keith was resting on the bed, his body still aching from the impact of Kage's punch. Olivia was sitting beside him, gently tending to his injuries.
Xander approached them with a serious expression on his face. "Olivia," he said firmly, "we need to talk about Keith. I want to know more about him and why you brought him here."
Olivia looked up at Xander, her eyes filled with a mixture of weariness and determination. "Xander, I understand your concern, but Keith is different. He has had a tough life, and he needs our help. I believe he has the potential to become a valuable member of our pack."
Xander crossed his arms, studying Keith intently. "I'm not questioning his potential, Olivia. But we can't afford to bring in someone without knowing their background. We have rules and traditions to uphold. We need to ensure the safety and stability of our pack."
Olivia sighed, her gaze shifting back to Keith. "I know, Xander. But sometimes, we have to trust our instincts. Keith has been through a lot, and he deserves a chance to find his place among us. He's lost, and he needs guidance."
Xander's expression softened slightly as he observed Olivia's determination. "Alex won't be happy with this, Olivia. You know what I am saying," Xander said.
"I can handle my father, Xander,"
Olivia spoke in a loud tone.