Marisol’s tour felt more like a guarded march than an exploration. There were so many eyes on her that she couldn’t even relax enough to really take anything in. The pack members who trailed behind her at a safe distance maintained a stifling silence, their eyes avoiding hers as they moved through the confined spaces of the pack house.
“Um… So, can you tell me more about Redwood’s history?” Marisol finally spoke, attempting to break the awkward silence surrounding them, and at her words, there came an unmissable shift in the already tense air.
The pack members exchanged hesitant glances, their lips remaining sealed. It was not very hard to understand that the question wasn’t a very welcome one, but Marisol kept an open mind, still waiting for an answer.
“History?” one of them finally said, the voice barely audible amid the otherwise pin-drop silence maintained in the room. Marisol nodded at that, expectant.
“Yes. I mean, there have to be stories for your guests, right? Like how did the pack come to be, its successes and achievements, all that?” Marisol pressed, ears and eyes wide in wait for any information at all.
The silence lingered for a while longer, the previous pack member looking around almost nervously before another one burst through the crowd and began ushering her toward her room, “We… uh, we should get you back to your room. It’s almost time for your welcome meal.”
“But—” she tried to protest, but the pack member interjected quickly.
“That’s not something we talk about much here. I hope you understand. We hope that’s not a problem and that you continue to enjoy your stay,” the pack member finalized, glancing back at the others who looked everywhere except at both of them.