As she presses forward, the crowd eventually thins, and the architecture shifts, with buildings becoming scantier. Notably, the people here were indifferent, with a subtle touch of courtesy that stood in contrast to the hostility she had faced in the more populated areas.
Eventually, Marisol stood before what she was certain was Lily's home, her scent heavy in the air, and that's where the realization that she hadn't been invited struck her. Wondering how Lily would react to the unexpected visit, she wondered if it would be wise to proceed and potentially intrude on Lily's personal space, or respect the boundaries and turn back?
Contemplating her options, Marisol hesitated. She was already an unwelcome outsider in this part of Redwood. Was it worth risking the awkwardness and potential rejection to find Lily and gain insights into her life?
Her gaze lingered on the modest home, knowing that Lily was probably spending time with her parents or siblings or even her mate - which was the entire reason why she'd taken the break.
The need to make a deciding choice is heavy, and Marisol weighs the potential consequences of her actions. Would Lily appreciate the surprise visit, or would it strain their friendship?
Maybe this was a sacred moment for her. Lily had mentioned being under an oath to Caleb, and she was almost always available for pack duties in the pack house. So maybe this was the only chance she had to get away from all of it.
With a deep breath, Marisol steels herself and takes a tentative step forward. The allure of reconnecting with Lily and unraveling the mysteries of her life ends up overpowering the reservations, her curiosity propelling her toward the doorstep.
Just then, the door swings open, revealing a surprised Lily, her eyes widening at the unexpected guest.
"Marisol? What are you doing here?" Lily's voice holds a mixture of surprise and confusion.
Caught off guard, Marisol fumbles for an explanation. "I...uh, I wanted to check on you. I heard you went to visit your family, and I thought I'd come over. I hope that's okay."
She watches as Lily's initial surprised expression eases into a warm smile, her hand gesturing Marisol closer. "Of course, Marisol. Come on in."
The moment Marisol steps into Lily's house, she finds her formally tense shoulders drooping, relaxing physically and mentally in the atmosphere that was so ambient and welcoming. She immediately feels more at home and welcome here than she'd felt in any other part of Redwood.
Lily, brimming with excitement, gestures toward the living room where a group of young people sits, eyes curious as they look at the newcomer.
"Marisol, I'm so glad you came! My parents are out, but they would have loved to meet you. Anyways .... meet the gang!" She exclaims.
Marisol smiles, appreciating the warmth and ease that envelops her despite being in the presence of completely new faces. The ''gang', all looking to be within her age range, consisted of two males and one female. Each face held a unique charm, and Marisol's curiosity deepened as they all waved enthusiastically at her.
"Marisol, this is Jake," Lily points to a friendly-looking guy who had the whole easygoing demeanor thing down to the tee. "And this is Ryan," she continues, a more reserved yet amiable young man, nodding at her, and finally, she turns to the only female in the group. "And here's Maya."
"Hello, I'm Marisol. It's nice to meet you all." She introduced herself with a small smile.
With a quick, curious sniff at the air, Marisol saw Jake's brows pinching, no doubt noting she wasn't a member of the Redwood pack, and he voiced his question immediately, "Where do you come from?" The straightforward question looked to hang in the air and just as Marisol almost spoke the name they all seemed to be waiting for, she caught Lily's pleading gaze from a corner of her eyes, silently urging her to stay silent.
In that fleeting moment, Marisol remembers the unspoken oath Lily had taken when working at the pack house and the secrecy surrounding Alpha Caleb's actions, unknown to the common people of Redwood.
Before Marisol could cook up a lie, Maya interjected, "She's Marisol alright. The visitor who followed Alpha Caleb all the way back to our pack because she wanted him. She's trying to take Caleb away from his mate, Sophia," Maya declares, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
Jake seemed to find the revelation the most hilarious thing he'd heard in his entire life as he burst out in oud laughter, slapping his knee continuously. Meanwhile, Ryan has the exact opposite reaction, his expression darkening as his eyes narrow at Marisol. The atmosphere suddenly shifted, and Marisol could sense the sudden hostility directed towards her.
Marisol still and Maya, with an eye roll and arms coming to cross over her chest, seemed to revel in the drama she had stirred. The room goes awkwardly quiet, and Marisol shoots Lily a look, one that Lily correctly translates to mean, "What did I tell you about them all hating me, regardless of what I say or do."
Lily's shoulders slump, and she shakes her head tiredly before regarding Maya exasperatedly, "Where did you hear that, Maya? Who gave you that absurd information?"
Maya scoffs, brows pulling "Since when do you question me, Lily? And why did you think it right to let this traitor into our midst without any discussion or our agreement?" Her argument hangs heavily in the air, the tension in the room climbing to a new height.