Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Hours later and I was still reeling from what had happened, even after I was dressed and shown to my room in the far end of the enormous pack house. It had taken me months to adjust to Celeste being in my head, and now I had an Alpha in there too. I could already feel the fibres of my sanity unravelling.

“At least he’s hot” Celeste chimed in as I thought myself into a spiral of despair.

“Keep it in your pants, he’s obviously a sociopath.” I replied, pacing the length of my room.

Alpha Julius had practically dragged me kicking and screaming up the stairs from the pack cells before leaving me with Dean. Not once did he respond to the abuse I hurled at him, although he did shoot me a murderous glare when I attempted to take a swipe at his cheek.

Dean was less thrilled to see me than before, and didn’t say a word as he pushed me through the halls and around many twists and turns. In between my pitiful attempts at escaping, all of which were thwarted by an unenthusiastic Dean, I marvelled at the interior of the pack house, with its high ceilings and modern chandeliers which contrasted the dark walnut logs lining the walls. Wood was used for just about everything, from the walls to the ceilings, to the furniture, and was complimented by black marble floor tiles streaked with streams of brown and gold.

I made a mental note to get the number of their designer before I left.

We reached the end of a long hallway and stopped in front of a large oak door when Dean shoved a set of keys in my hand before storming off. Figuring I wouldn’t remember how to find my way back out anyway, I slowly pushed the door open and gasped at the luxury before me. My room was more like a small apartment, with a queen sized bed styled with lush white linen and a small kitchenette to the side. Clearly the designer had a thing for moody vibes because everything, from the carpet to the walls to the wardrobe, was a deep shade of gunmetal grey. The bathroom, on the other hand, couldn’t be brighter, with the walls and floors lined with brilliant white marble tiles and chrome silver tapwear. A spiral chandelier hung above my head, illuminating just enough of the room for me to see the shower that had not one, but two rain heads and a large round bath nestled beneath a window looking out into the forest.

To say I was overwhelmed by the lavishness of my accomodation was an understatement, although it did nothing to dilute any of my anger towards Alpha Julius.

“Who the fuck does that? Makes someone join a pack without their permission?” I ranted out loud.

“It’s pretty extreme, I have to agree.” Celeste said, doing some pacing of her own.

“And for what, like I’m some kind of rogue mastermind trying to get the secrets of the great Blood Moon Pack.” I exclaimed sarcastically. “I’ve never heard something so ridiculous in my life. Paranoid much? He thinks a dainty little girl could be his packs undoing? What a fucking idiot” on and on I went, until I eventually crashed in the early hours of the morning, falling into a dreamless sleep.

I awoke still dressed in the black cotton pants and top I had been given the day before, and surrounded by pillows so soft that they looked more like giant marshmallows. The sun streamed through the long window that ran the length of the far wall, alerting me that the day had started. I groaned inwardly.

“What do I do now?” I murmured to myself.

“You can report to me in an hour” a husky voice responded in my head. I practically jumped out of bed at the sound, completely forgetting about the mind-link.

“A bit of warning would have been nice” I grumbled, “where’s your office?”

“You’ll figure it out.” Alpha Julius replied, and then ended the mind-link with an audible click.

“Directions must be too fucking hard to give” I said to myself as I entered the bathroom, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. I quickly showered, using some of the lavender body wash that had been set on the soap dish, and got out before I started to melt under the rain head. Whilst drying myself with one of the plush cotton towels hanging on the wall, I had a look in the vanity drawers to find one contained the essentials - hairbrush, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap and female sanitary items. I combed my hair and brushed my teeth as I sauntered back into the bedroom in search of clothes.

The room was like a hotel, only stocked with travel pack necessities, so I was left having to wear the clothes I was given the day before. Not that I minded, I was used to wearing clothes that had been stuffed in a forest tree for months.

“Now, I know you’re pissed, but I feel like we’ll get out of here a lot quicker if we lose the attitude when we’re with the Alpha” Celeste said hesitantly. “There’s nothing an Alpha hates more than disrespect, so let’s go with the flow and not get ourselves into trouble while we’re here.” Celeste concluded her mini pep-talk. I didn’t bother with a reply, but I knew my wolf was right.

Half an hour later and I was roaming the halls, looking for anyone who would give me some directions. Three times I got lost, one time I thought I heard someone but it turned out to be the echo of my own footsteps, and at some point I ended back at my own room. On what felt like my fifth loop around the west wing, I ran into my new best friend.

“Deano!” I shouted, as I spotted his short blonde hair and broad shoulders disappearing around a corner. I saw him visibly tense as he stopped, causing a giggle to escape from my lips. He turned to look at me, an almost pained expression plastered on his face, which only made me laugh harder.

“Come on, it’s not that bad” I said, as I eventually reached him.

“How can I help you this morning Maia?” He sighed, his hazel eyes checking his watch as if he was late for something.

“Straight to the point I see” I huffed “Alpha J, where’s his office? I was meant to be there…now.”

“Some advice, do not call the Alpha ‘Alpha J’ if you want to get out of here with all your fingers” he said, as he started walking again “as for his office, I’m going past there now, you can follow along with me.”

I was not short, but Dean was a giant with long legs which left me running after him most of the time. I could have sworn I even saw a slight smirk brighten his face for just a second as he watched me try to keep up, although he was back to his broody self in an instant.

Ten minutes later and I was standing outside the office of “Alpha Julius Ashford” with my fist raised ready to knock. Before I could connect my knuckles to the oak door I heard the mind-link activate.

“Come in” Alpha Julius ordered.

“Is it that hard just to speak it out loud” I thought to myself.

“I think he’s reminding you that he’s always… there” Celeste replied, making me shudder at the realisation.

I pushed open the heavy door and inched my way into the room, suddenly feeling slightly nervous. Alpha Julius’ office was like a library out of a classic novel. The walls were lined with shelf after shelf of books, both old, new and ancient looking. He sat at a grand desk that looked to be made out of solid mahogany, littered with pens and paperwork, and which matched the antique chairs nestled in a reading corner to the left, illuminated by a lamp with a stunning emerald green glass lampshade.

Alpha Julius was partially hidden by shadows casted by the floor to ceiling stained glass window behind him, but even so I could see that he too looked like he belonged in a classic novel. His hair was pushed back neatly and his face clean shaven, making him look far less savage than he did the day before. He was wearing a charcoal grey three-piece suit, complete with a black tie and white shirt, all of which looked to be tailor made to fit his huge shoulders. I found myself wondering why he was so dressed up.

“Take a picture, Maia” he smirked, not bothering to look up from the paper he was scribbling on. I felt myself blush with the embarrassment of being caught gawking at this asshole. The fact that he used my name for the first time wasn’t lost on me either.

“You summoned me, your highness?” I said in my best Victorian accent, putting on a show of making a curtsy. Alpha Julius slowly raised his head to glare at me, no trace of amusement in his eyes.

“You will refer to me as Alpha, little wolf” he growled “because as I’m sure you remember, I am your Alpha now.”

“How could I forget” I sighed under my breath

“Good, now sit” he commanded, returning to his paperwork. I approached his desk and took a seat in a large armchair positioned directly in front of him. “You’re still in yesterdays clothes.” He stated

“Good observation” I quipped

He exhaled sharply and shook his head as he grabbed a blank piece of paper and slapped it down on the desk in front of me.

“Write down your previous address, I’ll get one of my men to collect your things today.”

I stared at the paper, images of blazing green eyes and rough hands flitting through my mind. How had that all happened just two nights ago?

“I don’t have one.” I said quietly.

Alpha Julius eyed me curiously for a moment before sliding the paper to the side and replacing it with a black credit card.

“That’s a pack card, it’ll work on any shop here in town. Buy what you need today and return it to me tomorrow, there’s no limit.” I was taken aback by the act of generosity, but quickly reminded myself that he was the reason I was left with nothing in the first place. I took the card in my hand, glancing down and noticing that it was in the name of Alpha Julius Ashford before stashing it in my pocket.

“Anything else, Alpha?” I decided being polite was within my capability after being handed unlimited pack funds. A smug look crossed his face as the word ‘Alpha’ left my lips.

“Yes, actually,” he grunted as he pushed his paperwork aside and leaned back in his chair, giving me a better view of his suit and a new appreciation for the way it hugged every dip and curve of muscle layering his huge figure. I mentally slapped my own face. “You’re here because I’m not in the business of killing unarmed females. But the protection of my pack is always my first priority, if you had of been a male trespassing on my land, you’d be rotting in a shallow grave right now.”

“Thanks?” Was I supposed to be grateful I wasn’t born with a dick?

“So you’ll remain here living in this pack until I decide you’re not a threat, at which point you’ll be free to leave. Until then, you can go wherever you like within pack limits but you must return to the pack house each night, is that understood?” His voice was low and commanding, I had a feeling this was non-negotiable.

“And what time is my curfew?” I said sarcastically, unable to help myself.

His glare turned murderous as I watched the copper of his eyes practically glow.

“Just follow the rules Maia, I’m not someone you want to make an enemy of.” He growled, low and menacing. I gulped, nodding my head in understanding. “That’s all.” He concluded.

I stood from the exquisitely comfortable armchair and practically ran to the door.

“If you need anything, let my Beta know.” Alpha Julius called just as I turned the large brass handle of his office door to leave. Not bothering to reply as I was far too anxious to get out of the Alpha’s presence, I hastily yanked the door open and slammed into a wall of muscle. I looked up to see Dean’s hazel eyes looking down on me.

“Beta… Deano?!” I gasped as I suddenly realised who Dean actually was. An exhausted look crossed his face as his eyes flitted between me and Alpha Julius.

“Maia.” He greeted me with a grunt, as if we were being introduced properly for the first time.

I heard a low grumble from behind me and looked back to see Alpha Julius watching our interaction with what I could only imagine as pure annoyance written on his face. Taking that as my cue to leave, I gave Dean a quick wink and moseyed on out in the direction of the pack house entrance.