Chapter 4. Hesitant.

As tempting as the bath was, Annalise was unsure how long Etta would be or if she was even going to be allowed to use it. With sigh of longing, she made her way back through to the bed.

She had just settled back in and adjusted the covers so it appeared like she had been there all along when there was a soft knock on the door.

Etta was holding a tray with both her hands. She had managed to open it and was pushing it the rest of the way with her foot.

"Pancakes and milk. I didn't know what toppings you liked so I took a selection." Annalise saw several small bowls in a circle on the tray, each filled with different sweet treats.

Etta placed the traydown on the bed beside her and from somewhere behind her, produced a can of spray cream. Annalises eyes went wide. She was used to preparing meals and snacks but never for herself.

"Go on," Etta encouraged, "While the pancakes are still warm." There was a plate nestled in the middle of all the bowls with a stack of three fluffy pancakes.

"I don't think I will be able to eat all this, Etta. There's so much here!" Annalise was practically salivating at the idea.

"We're wolves, Anna. This is barely a snack." Etta wondered to herself if her new friend had been denied food. This plate should be an easy eat, especially for an alpha born.

Taking a sip of the ice cold milk, Annalise licked her lips as she decided on which bowl to pick from. She settled on strawberries, chocolate chips and a couple squirts of cream.

She lifted her fork and knife tentatively, cutting off a small bite and half a strawberry. Popping it in her mouth, Annalise let it sit for a second before slowly starting to chew. Her eyes closed in delight.

"Oh my gawd! This is so good..." She spoke mostly to herself, almost forgetting that she wasn't alone. She took another bite, this time with some chocolate chips.

Etta chatted away as she ate. What she was studying, her parents, her brother, the boy in on of her classes that she really hoped turned out be her mate. She was still only seventeen so would have to wait until she turned eighteen in a few months.

Annalise listened as she ate. Was this what it was like to have a friend? A warm spark ignited in her chest, spreading throughout her body. She clung on to that feeling, knowing all too well that it could be ripped away again at any moment.

Etta stopped talking when she noticed that Annalise had set down her cutlery and was sitting with her hands folded oer her stomach, a mix of contentment and sadness on her face.

"Are you okay? You've only eaten one of the pancakes." Concern laced her tone as she turned her focus to Annalise.

"I'm so full, I couldn't eat another bite. Thank you so much. It's the best thing I've ever tasted." Annalise replied with a satisfied smile.

Etta studied her for a moment, then gave a small nod of her head. "So You've heard so much about me and I only know a little about you. A bestie is supposed to know EVERYTHING."

Moving the tray over to the desk, Etta waltzed back to the bed, plopping herself down beside Annalise, taking her hand in hers once more.

"There's not much to tell, honestly. I mean I haven't been in school for years and you alresdy know about my parents." Annalise bowed her head slightly, " Sorry , I don't really know how to do this?" her free hand gesturing between the two of them.

"Let's start off easy." Etta tapped her chin, "Favourite colour?"

Annalise smiled a little wider, "Hmm... favourite colour? Green, like the forest at the height of summer. How about you?"

"Oh that's easy. Purple. Bright purple. There is a corner of the gardens here that is full of nothing but purple flowers. I will show it to you once you're fully healed."

The thought of getting out and seeing the garden filled Annalise with pure joy and reminded her about all the bottles in the bathroom. She wasn't entirely sure how to ask but took a deep breath and opened her mouth.

"I would really like to take a bath. I feel so dirty. At my pack there was a stream I was allowed to use and wash my clothes in. Is there somewhere I can do that here?" Even with all the kindness she had been shown, Annalise was wary. Kindness could be used as a weapon to trick her.

"A stream?! Anna, there's a bathroom right there. Why would you..." Etta trailed off, realisation dawning on her. "Ofcourse you can. Everything here is yours to use freely." She spoke softly and squeezed Annalises hand reassuringly.