The dead mansion

Lucia held Ellis’ hand as they strolled down the street, cheerfully singing rhymes and kicking pebbles along the sidewalk.

They arrived at the bus stop, and Ellis gazed around in awe. “I’ve never taken a bus before, Miss Lucia,” he said innocently.

Lucia chuckled. Rich kid, her wolf, Alexandria, teased in her mind.

“How does it feel, riding the bus for the first time?” Lucia asked, pulling Ellis closer protectively as the vehicle approached.

“It’s smelly,” he said, wrinkling his nose.

Lucia laughed heartily. Kids always spoke the truth, uncaring about social niceties. She nodded. “It is, isn’t it?”

They both giggled, continuing their rhymes as they boarded.

---

Later, they got off the bus and began walking down another quiet street. The tall trees lining the road made the surroundings feel more secluded.

“Are you tired, Ellis?” Lucia asked gently, concern creeping into her voice. The once somber boy was still smiling brightly.

“I’m not tired, Miss Lucia!” Ellis hopped around to prove his point, showing her just how strong he was.

Lucia smiled. “I see. Well, let’s grab a cab, okay? We’ll get you to your *private estate* soon enough.” She held his small hand a little tighter.

*Private estate*, Alexandria echoed, her tone amused. Lucia could almost feel her wolf rolling her eyes.

---

A few minutes later, they were inside a cab, the trees around them thickening as the urban environment fell away.

“Are we going the right way?” Lucia asked the cab driver as she noticed the road becoming more isolated.

The driver gave a gruff nod. “This is the road to the Alpha’s private estate.”

Alexandria chimed in again, *No wonder there aren’t many pictures of him. Seems like he enjoys his privacy.*

Lucia silently agreed. She glanced at Ellis, who had grown noticeably quiet, his earlier cheerfulness now replaced with a solemn expression.

“What’s wrong, Ellis?” she asked softly, sensing the shift in his mood.

“Home…” he muttered in a small voice, eyes cast down.

Lucia frowned. Home? Why would home scare a child? She didn’t press further, but the weight of her concern deepened. She gently placed her arm around him for comfort.

---

Soon, they arrived at the estate gates, guarded by two large men who eyed the cab suspiciously as it approached. The grounds were immaculately designed, but something felt wrong—too perfect, too lifeless.

One guard stepped up to the window as the driver rolled it down. His eyebrows shot up in surprise when he saw Ellis sitting in the backseat.

“I’m Miss Lucia, his teacher,” she explained, keeping her tone polite but slightly firm. “No one came to pick him up, and it had been hours. He was hungry, so I brought him here myself.”

The guard took a long moment to assess her and the situation before signaling for the gates to open. The cab rolled forward, and soon the grand mansion came into view.

Lucia’s eyes widened. The place was as opulent as she’d imagined—maybe even more so—but it felt cold, lifeless, almost haunting in its grandeur. The mansion was beautiful, yet it lacked the warmth a home should have.

Ellis gripped her hand tighter. She looked down at him, noticing the fear in his eyes, and then glanced back at the mansion looming before them.

“Come on, Ellis,” she said softly, gently urging him out of the car. They stood together before the mansion’s intimidating front doors, and Lucia could feel the tension in the air, a suffocating sadness lingering around them.

This place is no home for a child, Alexandria remarked, her tone mirroring Lucia’s unease.

Lucia couldn’t agree more. She hesitated, every instinct telling her to turn around and take Ellis somewhere safe, somewhere warm and welcoming. But this was the Alpha’s son, and there was little she could do.

“I don’t wanna go,” Ellis whispered, his small body trembling as he clung to her side.

Lucia’s heart broke a little more. She knelt down beside him, brushing a hand through his hair. “It’s okay, Ellis. I’m here with you. You’ll be fine, okay?” Her voice was soft, comforting, but inside, she was on high alert.

She and Alexandria had already made a silent pact: if anything felt wrong, they would protect the boy, no matter the consequences.

Taking a deep breath, Lucia stood and walked with Ellis up to the massive front doors. She exhaled slowly, steeling herself, then pressed the bell.