The Blind Werewolf Princess (1st book of Werewolf Series)

Chapter 8

I woke up to the sound of silence and the soft touch of the sun, warming my skin. The air around me wasn't as heavy as the air at the orphanage, and for a minute, I kind of missed it. I closed my eyes and sighed, enjoying the bliss and aloneness that I was receiving, even if it was only for a little while.

There was a knock on my door before it opened. Two different sets of feet padded into my room, each trying to be very silent.

"What if she is awake?" one of the twins asked, and the other shushed him. "But, Vallum," the brother, Valen, said.

"You are going to wake her, Stupid," Vallum hissed. "And then what are we going to do?"

"Leave," I replied, and both of them jumped and looked at me. I opened my eyes and sat up when there was this loud thud, and then the boys going 'cold,' 'cold,' 'cold.' "What was that?"

"We... were going to wake you up by dumping really cold water on you," Valen said.

"Dude!" Vallum exclaimed, smacking his brother across his shoulder. "Why didn't you just lie?" he asked.

"She can tell when we are lying," Valen said. "Remember?"

They both paused and looked at me. Both were very silent, but I could feel their presence and knew that they were still there.

"What?" I asked, narrowing my eyes at them. I didn't trust them. I could tell that they were troublemakers. "Why are you two even here?" I asked, changing the subject.

"Mama said to go wake you," Valen said.

"But, not how we should wake you," Vallum added.

"So, Vallum decided to get a bucket of water with ice and was going to dump it on you."

"With Valen's help."

I stayed silent for a minute and raised an eyebrow. "Why?" I asked.

Vallum and Valen moved, and I could tell that they shrugged. "It was the only way we could think of to wake you up," Vallum said.

"That Vallum wanted to do. I just went along for the ride."

"Well, since you two made a mess, you can clean it up," I said. I took the blankets off of me and turned to the edge of the bed.

"But, Carley," they groaned out in unison.

"No, buts," I warned. "If not, I will tell your mother. I am sure that she has no idea?"

They shrugged. "I think you mean our mother," Vallum said, and Valen nodded.

"You are our big sister," Valen added.

"So... just think of that as a welcoming gift."

"From us to you."

I shook my head and smiled. I felt like I truly belonged when they said that they accepted me, disability, and all. "Thanks, guys," I said.

"Does that mean..."

"No, you still have to get it done," I said, and they groaned. I stood and looked way and this, trying to sense where the mess was made and how close it was to the door where my staff was located.

"Oh, ya, you are blind," Vallum said. "Oops."

"Here. Did you want this?" Valen asked. "It's your staff." He held it out, and I took it from him, the cool wood giving me the comfort I needed.

"Thanks," I grunted, flicking it around. "Now, get to it."

"Fine," they groaned and went into the bathroom to get towels and stuff.

I rolled my eyes at the two of them and made my way to the closet to change. I pulled out a dress, which was the easiest for me to put on. I was also lazy and didn't really have that many clothes, so this would have to do.

***

"Morning," Kat said when I made it to the kitchen. "I was about to go collect you. Did you have a nice sleep?"

"Yes, Ma'am," I said, nodding my head. I looked this way and that, trying to sense everything around me. I could tell that someone was staring at me from the table that was there.

"John," Katherine said, scowling. "Stop staring." She paused in whatever she was doing and looked at him.

He grunted his response and set something on the table, the vibrations going down the legs of the table and traveling up my body. He was annoyed about something, and I couldn't help but wonder what.

"It's fine," I said, used to people staring at me as if I was some freak. I licked my lips and flicked my eyes from side to side. I was nervous and insecure about being blind, and I couldn't help but wonder if it was because of John. "Is... there a seating arrangement?" I asked, not knowing where I was supposed to be seated.

"No, no," Katherine said. "Just take a seat, and I'll get you some food."

"Do you need some help?" I asked.

"No," Katherine said as she started to become busy again with whatever she was doing. "Thank you, though."

I nodded my head and made my way to the table, using my other senses. I hesitated more often than I had been at the orphanage, but I knew it was because I had been there for such a long time.

"Would you like some help?" Katherine asked. Again, she stopped what she was doing and looked at me.

I shook my head and felt John in front of me. I knew that I was close to the table, so I turned to the side and took a few steps in that direction. I clicked my tongue near the top of my mouth and felt that I was going in the right direction.

His hard gaze was on me as I made my way to a seat that wasn't occupied and pulled it out. He ignored his wife going 'John' because of his staring.

I sat down in the seat and pulled myself to the table. I was proud of myself for getting a seat without any help.

John hmphed and finally tore his gaze away from me. Pride came off his body, and I could tell that he was proud of how I navigated my way to a seat. "Well done," he said.

I nodded my head and smiled, setting my staff near the table. I was grateful that he was proud of me, and I couldn't help but wonder why I craved it. I had no idea why I was seeking his approval, but I wanted it. I wanted to earn his respect.