This happens a day after what happened in the last chapter.

When I woke up Derrick wasn't there, so my day was going great already.  Then there was a knock on the door and, before I could even register what was happening, Thalia was in the room.

"I brought breakfast," she said, setting down a tower of waffles, maple syrup rolling down the sides, fresh fruit cut and arranged on top.  It was even dusted with some powdered sugar.  "Hungry?"

"Not really..." I answered, not letting my voice portray any emotion.

"You didn't eat dinner last night, you're hungry.  Eat."

"No."

"Eat."

"No."

"Eat."

"N-'' I was cut off as she shoved a forkful of waffle into my mouth.  I was forced to chew and swallow.

"Eat."  This time I just shook my head no.  I didn't dare open my mouth again.

"You realize there are people here that would die- no- kill to eat this, so why don't you want to eat?"

"I'm not hungry," I mumbled, opening my mouth to the minimum.

"But why aren't you hungry?" she insisted.

"Don't know, don't care.  Food just doesn't look appetizing anymore."

"If you're really not hungry I guess I'll just take this to Chris..." she trailed off.

"Okay," I monotoned.

"You don't even care the slightest bit?"

"No, I really don't."

"Fine, but I'll be back.  And next time you will eat," she huffed before leaving.

So I sat there.  I didn't see the point of doing anything.  The world seemed so boring when all there was were hallways.  So I just stared at the wall.  Exciting.  Eventually Thalia came back.  This time with stew.

"So are you hungry now?"

"Nope."  And then my stomach growled.

"I'd say 'yep'," she snickered.

"I just don't feel like eating, okay?"

"Nope, you're going to eat."

"No, I will not eat."

"I'll force feed you if I have to."

"Good luck."

And so she did as she warned, spilling almost everything over the bed.  But it did end with both of us laughing so she counted it as a win.  She was about to try and lunge at me with the last bit of stew that was left when she froze.

"I have to go.  Now," she said and disappeared out the door.  My laughter died as I looked at the now closed door in confusion.  What could have come up to make her have to leave so quickly.  And then I found out what this thing was.  Derrick walked into the room with another bowl of stew.

"You haven't been eating," was all he said before sitting next to me.  I stiffened and tried to move away but he put his arm around me, effectively pinning me in place.  Great.  Just great.

"Eat," he said and pushed the bowl my way.  I didn't react.

"Look, humans need to eat enough to stay alive so you have to eat."

"I don't want to."

"You-  Actually fine, don't eat."  He got up, took the food away and left.

The next morning no one came.  Neither did they come at noonish, or dinner.  No one came the next day either.  I found it great.  But on the third day I decided I'd had enough and went to open the door.  Locked.  This continued for (I think, time is hard here) a week longer. I had taken to doing stupid things to entertain myself.  Finally when Derrick walked in I was so shocked I almost fell from the handstand position I was in.

"So, are you hungry yet?" he asked me.

"Maybe..."

"Will you eat?"

"I don't want to."

"Why?  Why don't you want to eat?"

"Because eating keeps you alive."

"And that is why you should eat."

"No, it's why I shouldn't eat."

"Fine, suit yourself," he said, leaving a bowl of stew on a small table before leaving again.  I looked at the stew.  I would not eat it.  Nope.  Never.

I ate it.  My little rebellion did not last long.  It smelled delicious and I hadn't eaten for a while.  Then I slept.

When I woke up there was another bowl of stew on the table.  So I ate it.  The flavor was nice, I guess.  When I was about to finish Derrick walked in.

"So you're eating?"

"No!" I objected, pushing the food away from me.

"Sure.  Anyway I have a meeting with another pack today and want you to come with me."

"Why?"

"So that you may see how a normal human would react to being given food."

"By rejecting it?"

"No, they would be grateful, now let's go.  The meeting started 3 minutes ago."

So he dragged me along to some meeting.  Inside a white room there was a black table.  On the table there was a bowl of grapes.  Sitting at the other end of the table was a lady with long red hair and eyes the same color.  The moment Derrick stepped inside she spoke:

"You're late and you crossed into my territory half a moon ago."

"It's neutral territory."

"It's MINE!  I claimed it before you and that means it's mine, do you understand?"

"The council declared it to be neutral."

"The council be damned, I was there first!"  She stood up and for the first time I saw a female human behind her.  She had on a loose, wine colored dress, blue-green eyes and dark brown hair.  Her expression was vacant and a bit creepy in my opinion.  She just stood there staring at me.  She didn't even blink.  Not once.

"The council did not ratify your claim on the land which means it is neutral land."

"I marked that land!  It's MINE!  MINE!  MINE!"  She emphasized each 'mine' with a stomp of her foot.  She looked every bit like a pouting child.

"And this is why father didn't think you were ready.  So, sis, anything else to say?"

"Yeah, why were you there?"

"I smelt humans and wanted them, okay?"

"But it's my land so the humans are mine.  Where are they?  I want them!"

"Nope.  I took a liking to one and the rest have already been given to the pack.  If you want them you have to be able to take them."

"Well then, brother, that is what I'll do," she warned as she walked out of the room.  She grabbed a grape and tossed it to the creepy girl, who had been following behind her.

"Thank you, mistress," the girl said and they were out of view.

"She still isn't ready for a pack," Derrick sighed.  "Anyway, you saw how the girl reacted to being given food, correct?"

"Yes," I said, before an idea popped into my head.

"Perfect, sit down then."  And I did, barely holding back a smile.  Soon a couple humans walked in and set food down in front of me.  Once they left Derrick spoke again:

"So what do you say?"

"Thank you, mistress," I said in a higher pitched voice, trying to imitate the girl's voice.

"I- wha- why- I was asking for that wasn't I?"

"Yes, yes you were."

I soon finished eating and Derrick led me back to his room.  He was about to leave so I said something:

"Goodbye, mistress!"  He chuckled and disappeared.