Before us stands a grand house, not quite as massive as Ryker's but impressive in its own right. The details hint at an elegant history, with tall windows adorned by intricate wrought-iron designs and a double front door framed by decorative pillars.
Zenith opens his door and extends his hand to help me out. He notices my trembling, and concern creases his brow. 'Are you okay, Astrid? You're shaking,' he asks, his eyes fixed on mine.
I offer a reassuring smile, trying to downplay my unease. 'Oh, um, I'm fine. It's just getting a bit cold now that nightfall's approaching,' I fib, rubbing my arms for added effect.
Zenith nods understandingly. 'Let's go inside, then,' he suggests, heading towards the front doors.
Ascending the stairs, I enter the grand pack house with Zenith. He places his case on a nearby table and unburdens himself of his coat. 'This way, Astrid, to the dining room,' he invites, gesturing for me to follow him.
Stepping into the dining room feels like entering a fancy dinner function. The vast room is aglow with the soft radiance of chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. An ornate, long wooden table stretches across the space, with fine china and silverware. People from the pack are seated around the table, engrossed in conversation and enjoying their meals, served attentively by diligent staff.
The air is filled with the tantalizing aroma of freshly prepared dishes, making my stomach growl in anticipation.
As Zenith introduces me to the pack, the room falls into hushed whispers and stares. Everyone stands up to acknowledge my presence. Zenith keeps his hand on my back in reassurance.
'I'd like to finally introduce you all to Astrid,' Zenith declares, and the room responds with a few gasps and a ripple of hushed conversations.
The tension grows as the pack members adjust to me being their unexpected guest.
'Silence!' Zenith's authoritative voice cuts through the room, making me flinch. 'Astrid will be staying with us for now, and hopefully, she will decide to join our pack. I know I can count on you to make her feel extremely welcome and at home.'
As Zenith sits at the head of the table, he motions for me to sit next to him. I comply, my nerves still tingling from the attention. All eyes remain fixed on me as I look around and offer a nervous yet friendly smile. The pack members respond with nods and smiles, excited about my presence.
Amelia, the pretty girl beside John, extends her hand toward me. 'I'm Amelia, John's mate,' she says warmly. My surprise registers on my face, and I turn to John, giving him a stern look. 'John, you never mentioned you had a mate?' I question him.
'Oh, didn't I?' John stammers, appearing slightly flustered. James, sitting across from me, smirks and catches my attention.
'Have you found your mate, James?' I inquire, curiosity getting the better of me.
James grins and leans closer, his leg brushing against mine under the table. 'Not yet,' he confesses. 'Dad is pressuring me to choose one, though,' His flirtatious demeanour makes me blush, and I quickly avert my gaze, feeling uncomfortable with his advances.
Turning back to Amelia, I manage a smile. 'Amelia, I would love it if you could give me a tour of the pack house,' I request, eager to change the topic and learn more about my new surroundings.
'I would love to, Astrid,' Amelia replies with an equally warm smile, and I feel relieved that I'm about to make a friend.
Amelia and I finish our meals, and she excitedly clings onto my arm, announcing, 'Now for the tour.'
I nod, eager to explore and gather more information about this place Vanessa described differently. I thought it was strange that Vanessa said she was us as a slave here and beaten, but it seems pretty civilized here so far, and everyone has been quite nice except for James and John, making me uncomfortable with their advances. Maybe I can find out more information through Amelia.
We begin our tour with the dining room, which I am already familiar with. ‘As you know, this is the dining room.’ Amelia giggles.
She leads me through the various parts of the pack house, including the kitchen, hallway, and up the stairs to the bedrooms. Amelia stops before a room and informs me, 'This is my room, where John and I sleep. And this room right here is vacant. You can take this room if you like; then, we'll be near each other.'
'Perfect, I’ll take it,' I reply with genuine gratitude, relieved that I won't be alone in this unfamiliar place. The warmth and kindness Amelia has shown me are slowly easing my worries about potentially joining this pack.
The bedroom is simple yet inviting. Soft, pale blue walls create a calming atmosphere, and the large window on one side allows the moonlight to spill in, casting a gentle glow across the room. A single, neatly made bed with crisp white linens dominates the space, promising a comfortable night's sleep.
In one corner, there's a small wooden desk with an antique-looking chair. A slender bookshelf stands against the opposite wall, displaying a few books and decorative items. A framed painting of a serene forest scene hangs above the bed, adding a touch of nature to the room's decor.
Although it lacks an en-suite bathroom, the room is cozy and functional. I can't help but feel grateful for the space, even if it means sharing a communal bathroom with others. A small nightstand beside the bed holds a vintage-style lamp, and a closet offers storage for my belongings should I choose to stay here longer.
‘Where would I find the she-wolves room?’ I ask.
‘The she-wolf room? Oh, you mean the ladies’ room?’ she laughs. ‘Only the highest ranks here get their own bathrooms. There are a couple of communal bathrooms, one just here two doors up and the other down the hall, and if you need anything, James’s room is next to yours.’ she smiles.
'Oh, thanks. That's, um, awesome.’ I reply, trying to hide my sarcasm.