Chapter 53

The Alpha House was a grand mansion that was just as luxurious as the palaces that I have been to recently. Despite their claims of being a pack ruled by equality, it was clear to see that the pack leader’s family lived differently from the rest of the community.
“I’ll take you to your room,” said Andrew.
“I already have a room?” I asked with a giggle.
He smiled. “It’s a guest room but you can move into my quarters after our relationship becomes official.”
“This is crazy.”
“I know and I don’t want you to think that I’m just using you, because that’s not the case. I want to finally show everyone that I’ve found my person, and also, to provide a safe home for you.”
“That sounds noble but it started out with you being selfish.”
“I agree.”
“Doesn’t it bother you though that I am not… you know, attracted to you?”
He shrugged. “I’m sure that will improve with time.”
“You’re an optimist, aren’t you?”
“I am,” he agreed boldly.
I sighed. “Fine. We’ll see how that goes.”
He led me through a back entrance into the mansion. He didn’t want his parents to see me until I was properly dressed and put together. I didn’t know what to expect but I kept an open mind. My adventurous life continues.
My guest room turned out to be a lavish suite that rivaled Luna Elena’s own in the Highland palace. It was done in white and gold and everywhere sparkled.
“This is Gina,” said Andrew, introducing me to a middle-aged brunette with a megawatt smile. “She’s going to be your maid throughout your stay here.”
“Hi, Gina,” I greeted her cheerfully.
“Hi. Welcome to Alpha House,” she replied.
“I’ll have someone send you your dinner in a few minutes,” said Andrew. “Make yourself at home.”
“I’ll try,” I said.
“We’ll be having breakfast with my parents in the family dining room tomorrow morning,” he added.
“I’m not sure I’m ready to meet them,” I protested.
“It’s going to be all right, trust me,” He assured me. “Goodnight. See you tomorrow.”
There was no hugging or kissing. He just turned around and left. It all felt so weird. I almost felt as if I was missing a page in my own story. Why on earth was I here? Why was I going along with Andrew’s wishes even though I am certain that his motives are not purely innocent?
“He’s right, you know,” said Gina. “You have nothing to worry about. Alana and Grant are the sweetest pack leaders ever. They treat us all as equals.”
“I see…” I replied dully.
I wasn’t sold on this perfect couple image that these folks are painting about their Alpha and Luna. There are no humble leaders in the werewolf race. They simply don’t exist.
I let Gina take care of me. She ran me a bath and was kind enough to bathe me. She dressed me in the softest cotton dress that I’ve ever worn in my life.
She offered to re-dye my red hair because the roots were already growing out. I said yes, and she did it. My hair looked more lustrous and thick when she was done. I think I’ll maintain this hair colour for a while. It made me look youthful and attractive.
My dinner arrived shortly after. Gina told me to leave the trolley of food outside my door when I was done eating and then she left.
I wolfed down the delicious meal hungrily. It was almost impossible to believe that just yesterday, I was being flogged mercilessly by one of my former mates who was now dead. How odd!
Sleep came easily and it was thankfully dreamless. Gina bubbled into my room almost immediately as I woke up.
“Good morning, Sunshine!” She said cheerfully as she opened the curtains.
“It’s Jade, not Sunshine,” I laughed.
“Sunshine Jade, then,” she said.
“Very funny,” I replied. I liked Gina.
“Here’s something for you,” she said and brought out the dreaded wolf head necklace from her pocket. “You left it behind in the hospital last night.”
“You can keep it,” I said.
“Only if Alana and Grant say it’s ok for me to do so,” she replied.
I groaned. “Do they have to approve everything?”
“Yes, that’s how it goes here.”
“Fine. Give it to me.”
I took it from her and dropped it in the bedside drawer near me. Gina and I chose a grey dress with purple prints on it, as my breakfast outfit. She styled my hair into a sleek ponytail and applied some makeup on my face to make me look ‘awake’.
“I look like a princess,” I gushed as I checked myself out in the full-length mirror in my room. “Thank you!”
“Oh, I was just doing my job, but you’re welcome,” she replied graciously. “And yes, you do look like a princess. You’re going to be one soon.”
I let the comment slide. Andrew showed up shortly after and when he saw me, his eyes lit up. He was dressed formally and he looked more like an Antonio than ever before. I still can’t believe that they’re not twins.
“You look gorgeous,” he said.
“Thanks,” I replied. “You don’t look so bad yourself.”
“Shall we?” He asked and extended his elbow.
I took it and followed him out of the room. As we strolled to the dining room, I admired the view as we passed one grand room or corridor to another.
The Alpha and his elegant mate were already seated at the dining table. They were quietly drinking tea.
“Good morning,” I greeted first.
They turned to look at me and Luna Alana raised an eyebrow once she saw me. She was a plain-looking woman with big bones. Her black hair was streaked with stands of grey.
Her husband on the other hand was an older version of Andrew. He was handsome and charismatic. He grinned when he saw me.
“So, we finally get to meet the she-wolf who has swept Andrew off his feet,” he said.
“It was the other way around,” I laughed nervously. “He swept me off my feet. Literally.”
Alana scoffed and rolled her eyes. I didn’t need a sorceress to tell me that the Luna didn’t like me. No surprise there!
“Please, join us,” said Alpha Grant.
Andrew pulled out a chair for me to sit down. I nearly blushed at the gentlemanly gesture. I can’t remember ever being treated with this level of respect by a man before. Especially one that hasn’t been intimate with me.
I was sitting directly opposite Alana and beside Grant. The Alpha’s welcoming aura put me at ease. However, when I looked at Alana, I saw her watching me warily. She doesn’t trust me.
“So, Jade. Tell us about yourself,” said Grant. “We have heard so little about you because Andrew is very stingy with information.”
Andrew chuckled. He was beaming like a man in love. What a good actor he was!
I cleared my throat. “Well, I am originally from Apex Woods. I grew up there, in the palace, I mean. I was living there with my family.”
Alana sat up straighter. “How is that possible?” She asked. “Barry Braveheart only had one daughter.”
“Yes,” I agreed. “Brianna. She was my cousin.”
Grant put down his teacup immediately. “How?” He asked me.
“Alpha Barry Braveheart was my uncle.”
There was an awkward silence at the table. The family exchanged glances among themselves. I wondered what was going on.
“That rogue Alpha was your uncle?” Andrew asked in surprise.
“Rogue Alpha?” I wondered aloud.
“That devious Barry was a betrayer who killed his friend and took over his pack,” said Alana. I could tell that she hated my uncle. Who wouldn’t though? He was an awful being.
“It’s the way of the Highlanders,” said Grant. “They bully, steal, kill and takeover packs. That’s all they’re good at.”
“Wait, did you say Highlanders?” I asked.
“Yes, Jade. Your uncle was a rogue who left his pack in the Highlands to seek glory elsewhere. He was clever enough to befriend Alpha Vin to get to know his weaknesses.”
Everything Grant was saying right now was confusing me. I remember that my family and I travelled from somewhere to attend my uncle’s Alpha ceremony in Apex Woods. I just couldn’t remember where that place was.
“So, are you saying that I am from the Highland Pack?” I asked quietly.
“Precisely,” said Alana. “If Barry Braveheart was indeed your uncle as you claim, then it means you are from the Highlands. Unfortunately for you, Highlanders are not welcome here.”
“What?”
“You heard me,” she snapped. “Andrew, get this tainted werewolf out of our home right now!”
“But Mother –“
“Do as your mother says,” Grant said coldly. “We will eat our breakfast in our suite.”
He got up and Alana did the same. The couple marched out of the dining room stiffly without sparing another glance in my direction.
“What just happened?” I asked Andrew.
“Damn it!” He swore. “I should have asked you all these questions before we came here. I messed up.”
I was confused. “So… what now?”
He sighed and looked at me sadly. “There’s nothing I can do for you anymore,” he said. “You have to leave.”
I just stared at him. I couldn’t believe this. Within minutes, I went from a welcomed guest to an unwelcome enemy. And here I was contemplating whether to accept Andrew’s offer to stay in Riverland permanently. Now, I was getting thrown out.
“Aren’t you even going to fight to keep me here?” I asked him.
“Look, I don’t want to go against my parents,” he said. “I am going to be the next Alpha and I can’t afford to be on the wrong side of the fence with my parents.”
Gosh, I was so disgusted! What a weakling! No wonder I was never attracted to him.
“What’s going to happen to me now?” I asked him.
“That’s already decided, Jade. You have to leave. I’ll tell Gina to pack some stuff for you to go with.”
“I can’t believe you. Dominic is still out there, waiting to kill me.”
Andrew stood up and put a hand on my shoulder. “I’m sorry, Jade. There’s nothing I can do to help you anymore.”