CHAPTER 66

*Olivia's POV*
Emerett decided to take me around the cave after the mini breakfast in his room. The cave was bigger than I expected, with curtains and mud walls sectioning it into smaller parts.
There were a few wolves outside the curtain rooms, watching me with suspicious eyes. I could feel their eyes bore holes into me with every step I took.
"They are watching me." "They have never seen a wolf like you before. Fear not. They would attack you as long as you stand by me." I looked one in the eye as we passed by her grinding something that looked pink. The coldness in her eyes made me shiver and rub my forearms.
"They don't take a liking to new people?" Emerett glanced at the woman over his shoulder. "That's just how Edith behaves. She lost her husband to an intruder so she is really suspicious of every new person we bring. She will eventually warm up to you."
I sincerely doubted that, but I kept my mouth closed. The cave was huge and it seemed the tour would never end. I took note of routes down in my head, in case I needed to escape.
There were many couches and cabinets scattered all across the cave and I cleared my throat. "Why are the furnitures scattered everywhere?" "The rooms are just designed for sleeping, so some people choose to bring theirs outside."
"Do the rooms get bigger with rank?" He shook his head. "When it was just me and a few others, we didn't map out cave arrangements well. My room is obviously the biggest, but theirs is reasonably big."
He rubbed the back of his neck. "When we started having more and more people, we decided we needed to map out the entire cave and plan well if we wanted to get anywhere, so that's what we did."
I blinked, looking around the cave. "It seems so big." "It took us more than a week to finish mapping it out. We discovered a few places in the back where we could dig out to expand it, but we choose to leave it alone for now."
I gaped at him. "More than a week? Did anyone get lost?" Emerett laughed, rolling his eyes. "Alvin got lost, but he stumbled back in the main square a few days later."
I turned around, stopping in my tracks. "So why can't I just get a new room then? When you said you didn't want to put me with the villagers, I assumed we shared a huge room."
"No. Villagers' quarters are all in the same area. I didn't want to put you there and you are staying in my room. This is final, Olivia. I don't want you getting hurt."
I scoffed, rolling my eyes as I folded my arms. "I am pretty sure I can handle them." "Not if they decide to ambush you."
I decided not to push it, letting my eyes drift down the cave. "Where's the kitchen?" "You cook?" "I love cooking." Emerett's face spilt in half, a wide smile covering his face. "That's perfect. You can work in the kitchen."
"Does everyone go hunting?" "Everyone goes in batches, so yes. If you are pregnant, below 5 or sick, you can be exempted." I bit my lips, worrying my fingers. "Then why wouldn't I go hunting?"
Emerett laughed, pushing my shoulder. "You can go hunting if you wish to, Olivia. I just wouldn't take anything from you." It didn't sit right with me, but before I could complain, he grabbed my arm and started pulling me forward.
"The kitchen is closest to the surface, because of the smoke and fumes. It was actually the only thing we built by hand, apart from the mud walls."
"So I can find my way out through the kitchen?" He laughed, releasing his grip on my hand. "I mean, you can try. I don't recommend it."
He didn't say anything further, walking beside me in silence. My wolf made an appearance, whining softly.
"I don't like it here, Olivia. We should be going to look for our mate."
I remembered the look on Julian's face and how he had walked out on us. My heart started aching and I pressed my hand against it.
"He would forgive us. You know he would. We just have to find him."
I silenced her, pushing her to the back of my mind. I didn't need to be thinking about such things right now. I needed a clear head to make a plan. Thinking about Julian would only make me sadder than I was, and focusing on his absence would make me unable to function.
"Can I ask why you are not with your mate? You have a mate, don't you?" I looked at him, pondering on exactly how much to tell him, or if I should even tell him at all. "We had a fall out. I was trying to track his scent when you caught me."
Emerett's eyes widened and he halted in front of a curtain that spread wider and higher than all the other rooms we had passed. "Then you should be out there. Looking for him." I put my hand on his forearm. "I am okay. I just need a little breather then I would be on my way."
He nodded and gestured to the curtain behind him. "This is the kitchen. Do you wanna go inside or you want to retire to your room? You suddenly look so pale and tired."
I nodded, moving towards his room. "I am just a bit out of it. Sleep should help." Emerett nodded as he took long strides to catch up with me. "I am sorry about your mate."
"It's nothing. It's nothing." He didn't respond until we got to his curtain. "Take care of yourself, okay? I would bring dinner to you."
I noticed a couple coming out of a curtain behind him and it was clear what they had been doing. If you couldn't tell from the flush in her face or the glow on their bodies, their smell immediately gave it away.
They glanced at me as they passed, immediately moving away faster. I tuned out their voices. "How do you fuck your mate without interrupting the entire clan with your..." Emerett smiled darkly and I was struck with the realization that he was still an Alpha. An illegal one, but an Alpha nevertheless.
"That's easy. We got witches to cast a noise cancellation spell on all the curtains. In exchange, we give them food from our land." His hand landed on the small of my back, the other lifting behind me to push the curtain away.
"You should rest. We will talk again this night if you are awake." He spun me around, pushing me into the room.
Without waiting for any response, he left. I looked around the room, noticing things I hadn't before.
Apart from his bookshelf, he has a couch, a cabinet and a few beanbags scattered around. He had a closet pushed up against the corner of the wall and I could see the fabric used for all the curtains peeking out from the bottom drawer.
I moved straight to the bed, collapsing on it. I was so tired.
First, the whole lie and pain with Vanessa. I remembered how Julian left us. I felt my eyes burn as I remembered how she died. She didn't regret anything, but the image of her choking on her own blood had ingrained itself into my memory.
My wolf whimpered in sympathy and I sighed. I didn't know just yet if I could trust Emerett, but he had proved himself worthy. I suddenly felt a wave of sleepiness pass through me and I struggled to keep my eyes open.
"I wonder if Julian is faring off better without me." I let my eyes droop close and released myself to the wave of sleep.
I woke up with a start, and found Emerett sprawled on the couch. I held my head, groaning. I didn't know why I woke up with headaches, but it needed to stop.
He had a book draped over his face, and he was snoring lightly. I found myself laughing softly. There was sound like someone tapping and Emerett shot up with a start.
He caught the book before it landed on the floor, looking at me. "Are you decent?" I nodded and he yawned. He was clearly still sleepy. He rubbed his eyes, clearing his throat. "Come in."
Alvin and Ron stepped in and Alvin threw a cocky lopsided grin. "Hey, beauty. How did you sleep?" I smiled back at him, rubbing my hair down. "It was alright." Ron cleared his throat, glancing at Emerett.
"You do know what you have to do. Have you told her?" My heart leapt in my throat. Were they planning to kick me out? Did I make a mistake trusting them? "Tell me what?"
Ron glared at Emerett, who was still drowsy. "You didn't tell her?" "She was sleeping when I came into the room and I didn't want to wake her. I told myself I would tell her in the morning."
I shot a steeled look at Ron. "What is going on?" "Well. The clan wants to see you. We introduce new recruits. We normally give a one night break and yours is up."
Alvin nodded, leaning against Ron's shoulder. "Everyone is curious about you too. The girl who won Emerett's favour in a heartbeat, when it takes some years to do so."
I looked at Emerett, who suddenly looked more awake. "We are coming. Gather everyone in the pit." Alvin got off Ron, throwing a mock salute. He left the room and Emerett turned to Ron. "Is there water in the bathroom?"
"Yes." "Take her to the springs. Ask your mate for some clothes. We can't have her meeting the clan looking like she does now." I tried not to feel offended, because I knew he was right. I looked like a mess.
Ron nodded, turning to look at me. "Follow me." He started walking and Emerett smiled. "You better hurry. He wouldn't wait for you."
I nodded, throwing off the covers to run after him. Ron looked behind him and I could swear his lips lifted in a smile as I caught up to him. "You are very impressive. You fight well and run fast."
I tried not to let the shock show on my face as I nodded at him. "Thank you." We didn't talk again until we got to what I assumed was his curtain. He entered inside and came back out with a long flowing sundress.
We started moving again and we got to a side of the cave that went down. I noticed the stairs and started to walk down them. There was a spring. Water bubbled through crates in the ground and like the rooms above, they were each separated with a curtain.
Although this one seemed more dense. Ron dumped the cloth in my arms. "I will be back for you in ten. So ensure you are done with whatever you need before then." I nodded at him, moving towards one stall.
He handed me a bar of soap and a sponge, nodding once before leaving me alone.
It took me a while to get used to it, but once I had the mechanics of the springs down, I let myself relax. I let my eyes drift shut as I floated in the water.
I didn't know what the clan would think of me. Some of them had seen me during the tour,and the looks on their faces didn't leave room for comfort.
My wolf interrupted my line of thinking. "If they start a war, we would give them our all." I smiled, letting her emotions run through me. I would need her strength.
I put on my old undergarments, ignoring how they felt against my now clean body. I donned the sundress over my head and bent down to pick up my old clothes.
Emerett's clan wasn't aware they had a Luna in their midst. I climbed up the stairs, feeling myself stand straighter with each step. I was all too happy to show them.