I sighed and burrowed back under the sheets, pulling them up over my head. They smelled like fresh laundry and felt so impossibly soft I might as well have been sleeping on something alive and warm.
Then something nagged at me.
My bed was never this comfortable.
I sat bolt upright and stared around the bright, unfamiliar room. Had I dreamed it? Had any of yesterday actually happened?
I pressed my knuckles to my eyes. This was not my room.
Oh; it happened alright.
I flinched at the voice and the memories came crashing back in one wave. I sank slowly into the sheets as the tears started. I was really here; in this strange room, in a strange house, surrounded by people I didn't know.
At least you're not dead. My wolf sounded thoroughly amused with herself.
I made a dismissive noise and wiped my face. I felt grimy all over.
Scanning the room, I caught the faint trace of Phoenix's scent (old, faded) and then noticed the small folded note sitting on the bedside table.
Nova; Clean towels and soap are in the bathroom. The door is directly ahead of you. Make yourself comfortable. Phoenix
Simple enough.
I hauled myself out of the absurdly tall bed and stretched; something I made a point of doing every single morning. Everything protested today. I had no memory of actually getting into this bed and could only hope I'd been alone in it.
My bones popped and clicked through the stretch and I let out an involuntary groan of relief as the stiffness gave way. My muscles made the decision for me; shower, immediately.
My muddy feet left faint prints across the cream carpet and I cringed at the thought of what the sheets must look like. The room itself was enormous (nothing like anything I'd ever slept in); the bed wide and dressed in crisp, clean linen. The furniture was solid wood; unmarked, well kept, not a scratch anywhere.
The bathroom stopped me in the doorway. A claw-footed freestanding tub sat at one end and a walk-in shower took up the other wall. I turned the shower tap tentatively; then nearly wept when actual hot water came out. Not lukewarm. Hot.
I brushed my teeth with a still-sealed toothbrush before making the mistake of looking in the mirror. I looked awful. My hair was caked with mud; barely blonde anymore. Dirt and dried blood were smeared across both cheeks.
I stripped off, dropped everything into the basket by the sink and rinsed myself down in the shower first; shampooing and soaping quickly, too eager about the bath to linger. Once I felt clean enough I shut the water off, stepped onto the bath mat and went to fill the tub. While it ran, I looked around at the little soaps and decorative bottles arranged along the shelf. All of it was genuinely lovely; and I was determined to enjoy every bit of it while I could. Knowing my place in this pack (Omega; always Omega) I doubted this room would be mine for long.
Impatient, I climbed in before the tub had finished filling; still damp from the shower. In my enthusiasm I forgot entirely to mix in the cold water and stepped straight into what was essentially boiling.
I shrieked and lurched backward; my wet foot hit the tile and shot out from under me. The resounding smack of my bare backside meeting the floor echoed off every surface. I managed to save my head; my thigh and everything below it were already throbbing. Leave it to me to end up naked on a bathroom floor.
Cursing under my breath, I peeled myself off the tiles and turned on the cold tap. I spotted a bottle of soap nearby and squeezed a generous amount into the water. An actual bath; I had never had one and I could hardly stand the wait.
I was just leaning over to test the temperature when a knock at the bedroom door made me freeze.
I straightened up and peered around the en suite doorway.
"Are you alright in there?" A soft voice; small and careful.
I hesitated. "Y-yes. I just slipped; I'm fine."
"Alright, Miss. If you're sure." A pause; then retreating footsteps.
Strange.
I went back to the tub and lowered myself in. The heat wrapped around my muscles and I let out a long breath; my eyes closing on their own. Birds were calling somewhere outside. The slow, heavy breathing of wolves in the garden drifted up through the walls. Downstairs; the clatter of cutlery against a tray, the thud of cupboard doors. Ordinary sounds. Almost peaceful.
It really was something.
I lost track of time entirely; only noticing when the water had gone cold around me.
Clean at last, I stepped out and caught the scent of summer berries rising from my skin and coconut from my hair. The towels were enormous and plush; they snagged gently on the dry patches at my elbows and heels as I rubbed myself down.
I went looking for clothes and found a chest of drawers against the far wall. The bottoms were jeans and leggings (nothing else); that would have to do. The tops leaned feminine but I pulled out a butterfly-sleeve blouse that actually fit; not tight, falling neatly to my elbows.
I had only socks on my feet and stood there debating with myself; pacing back and forth across the carpet, chewing the inside of my lip and staring at the door.
What was on the other side of it?
More to the point; was I even allowed to find out?