The boys head downstairs & Michelle & I stay with Rowan for a bit, sitting on the bed together. Mostly, Michelle & I talk about what our next plan is gonna be. Rowan just watches. Her stunning eyes flickering between us with cautious curiosity. She occasionally nods, but besides small attempts like, 'mhm' Or 'mnn' she doesn't really say much.
Then, finally, Zeno calls, "Food's done! Come eat!" and we all file downstairs she he's made stuffed Fluffernutter french toast. Rowan takes no time to hesitate before absolutely destroying it. Which makes me glad she's willing to eat. Even if she won't open up just yet.
Somehow, the small girl gets like six of them into her. Along with a couple sausages. But mostly she was interested in the overly sweet french toast. Which Michelle & Zeno also seemed to like. The difference between them was that Michelle grabbed 2 french toast. Zeno grabbed like 8, piling on like half a dozen sausage patties on top along with some bacon. Cecil grabs nearly the same amount of food, but he doesn't seem to like the sweetness of the French toast, like Noah and mostly eats eggs, sausage and home fries. Lots and lots of home fries. Which was also on the table.
Something I've noticed about the werewolves is that they eat. A lot. Like… an annoying amount of food. I wish I could eat as much as they did & look as good as they do. Maybe werewolves have amazing metabolism?
Lucky bastards.
I'm taking a bite of egg while helping Rowan focus on her food & not her anxiety. Which seems to make eating difficult for her. But, she was willing to work with me pretty easily thanks to Zeno's cooking.
"Do you like to dip your sausages in your maple syrup?" I ask, doing exactly that as I take a bite. She nods, taking her own bite.
I try to give her a smile, in hopes that it might help calm her down. Passing her some of my own sausage off my plate. She was so skinny. Painfully skinny.
I hated it so fucking much.
"Did you like the Fluffernutter french toast, Ms. Rowen?" Zeno asks.
As she nods, a knock comes at the door. Rowan flinches, covering her ears as we all exchange glances.
Both of the werewolves scent the air as Fletcher gets up. Cecil grabs his wrist. "Seriously? Again with that, even the sun is up?" He grumbles.
I roll my eyes & get up to open the door. To my surprise, it's Isaiah. Everyone stiffens. Zeno gets to his feet so fast, the chair nearly knocks over. But my dumb ass just stands there frozen.
He looks awful. Like, horribly awful. His hair's a mess, his face is red and splotchy. His eyes are swollen & red. He'd clearly been crying recently. His clothes are dirty. Smeared with dried blood and dirt.
"Isaiah! What happened?" I gasp, horrified by his state. "You look like shit."
"I can't do it." He whispers.
I look back at the others. Zeno and Fletcher are slowly easing closer us with worry plastered on their faces.
I look back to Isaiah, "What?" I ask quietly.
"We were attacked again last night. I… I lost 72 civilians." My stomach drops and I hear a collective gasp from behind me.
"Jesus. I'm so sorry, Isaiah." I whisper.
"I lost four of my fighters." He whispers. I realize then that he hasn't actually looked at me. My eyes widen slightly; He's in shock.
"Isaiah." I say gently, placing a hand on his shoulder.
He flinches violently, jerking back and reaching for his weapon before freezing. At that same instance, Fletcher grabs my arm, tugging me back and Zeno comes and stands protectively in front of me.
I quickly manage it, "He's not gonna hurt me! Stop! Please! Back off!" I snap, pushing Zeno to the side. He moves without a fight, stepping aside. But he still looks on edge.
Isaiah's eyes flicker up and look right at Zeno. We all freeze.
Then, Isaiah says something that shock us all, "I'll do it. I'll allow you to help me get the civilians into the hospital." He says with a sigh of defeat.