Chapter 3

Mara

I stare in wonder at the winding road ahead of us. It disappears around several bends, leading all the way to the top of the mountain, and the town of Haven’s Crest.

Who the hell builds an entire town on the top of a mountain?

We crawl up the road. There’s literally nothing between us and a sheer drop into the canyon below, but it’s idyllic, with the green mountain rising up against the bright blue sky. Cotton candy clouds drift in the azure heavens.

As we round one of the many dangerous bends, a waterfall comes into view. Rainbows dance in the misty water that vanishes into the pond below. “Wow,” I gasp.

“Pretty, ain’t it?” Rhoda says with a soft laugh.

I can’t tear my eyes away from the beautiful scenery. It’s like a postcard sent from some exotic place I never knew existed. Far below and in the distance, a blue lake glimmers in the bright sun. 

At long last, we reach the top. A massive white and black sign welcomes us to *Haven’s Crest - A home for every soul.*

I smile wryly. How deceptively cute. I bet not everyone’s welcome here.

When Preston pulls up to the first stop sign, I understand why they built the town here. The view is spectacular, the heavens lie wide open above us, and below us the peaks and valleys stretch out for miles around. 

The Alpha’s compound is built right on the edge of a cliff. From here, I can just make out the roof peaking out above the trees. I don’t see any fences, walls or guards. Everything blends in perfectly with nature.

“No security?” I ask as Preston drives up to the front door of a truly impressive mansion built entirely from wood and stone.

“We have warriors patrolling,” he says. “At night the vampires take care of security.”

My stomach flips over. “Vampires?”

“Hm. We have all sorts here,” Preston answers. “Did you not see the sign?”

“I thought it was just for show.”

“No,” the Beta says. “In the summers, humans like to vacation here. It’s how we make our money.”

“Do they know what this place is?”

Rhoda cackles loudly. “The tourists don’t.”

But the regular residents do. Vampires need to feed, and werewolf blood is toxic to them. Where I’m from, we despise vampires and hunt them with impunity. 

The moment we stop, the front door opens and a man dressed in comfortable linen trousers and a white shirt exits the palatial mansion. “That’s Chad,” Rhoda helpfully points out. “The butler.”

My father’s butlers wore grey pinstripe suits. 

Lucas wouldn’t allow me to have any help. According to him, the only thing I was good for was to cook, clean, and breed. I learned how to do the first two, but I refused to breed with him. 

The butler opens my door first and steps aside so I can get out. “Luna,” he says. “Welcome to Haven’s Crest.”

Everyone’s so nice. A little too nice. I don’t trust it.

“Thu- thank you, I guess.”

He just smiles. “Did you bring any luggage?”

I shake my head. My father really let me come here with nothing more than the clothes on my back. Last night, I had to borrow a t-shirt from Rhoda, and this morning I had no other choice but to dress in the same clothes I wore yesterday. A light green maxi dress with long sleeves and a high neck - chosen because it hides most of my bruises.

“That’s all right,” the butler says. “We have several lovely boutiques here in town that should be to your liking.”

I bite into my lower lip and swallow the tears that threaten to overwhelm me. I don’t have money. It was bad enough that I had to beg Lucas to give me money for new underwear, I don’t have it in me to ask my new mate for the same.

“This way, madam,” he says and sweeps his arm in the direction of the big, oak door.

It’s surprisingly warm here. I thought it would be cold, being in the mountains and all, but the weather feels more tropical than anything else. The humidity is almost stifling, and the breeze that lifts my skirt away is scorching hot.

I’m relieved when we enter the air-conditioned mansion. “Please wait here,” Chad says when we’re in the vast, open foyer. “Alpha Johnathan will be right with you.”

Preston and Chad disappear deeper into the mansion, and I take the time to look around. 

Everything is rustic and beautiful. The furniture is handcrafted from reclaimed wood with leather upholstery. The gleaming hardwood floors give the place a warm, homey feel. 

The decor is minimalist, screaming of understated wealth. There are a few art pieces, hand carved from wood and stone, depicting various animals. On either side of the foyer are a pair of staircases leading to the upper floors.

I’m drawn to a particularly magnificent sculpture of an African elephant. Carved entirely from some kind of black stone, it’s a lifesize piece with intricate details. I run my hand over the smooth stone, marvelling at the little details the artist included. The wrinkles of the animal's skin, the almost sad eyes and big ears that seem to move in the shadows.

“Mara,” a velvety smooth voice says right behind me, pulling me from my thoughts.

I freeze. I can tell by the aura that rolls over me that it’s an Alpha who just entered the room.

My new mate.

Slowly, I turn to face him. 

My mouth dries up and my heart does a silly little flip-flop in my chest. The physical attraction is immediate and visceral, almost forcing me to my knees.

The man is huge. Taller than Preston by at least a head, broad shouldered, with dark brown hair, and onyx eyes that I can drown in. He’s as perfect as the sculptures. As if an artist cut him from marble, making sure to capture every immaculate detail - from his perfectly straight nose, to his high cheekbones, full lips, and square jaw.

Like the butler, the Alpha is dressed comfortably, wearing only a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. He didn’t even bother to put on shoes. His hair is a little too long and messy. The stubble around his jaw is at least two days old.

He drops his chin and looks at me through a fringe of hair that flops over his forehead. “Can you speak?” he asks.

“Yu- yes, Alpha. Sorry. I- it’s nice to meet you.”

He gives me a lopsided grin that doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “This way,” he says and points at a door on the other side of the foyer.

On shaky legs, I follow him through the mansion, trying to take it all in. Living like this might not be too bad. Maybe I’ll be lucky this time. Perhaps, my new mate won't beat me that much, and hopefully, he’ll allow me some measure of freedom.

Johnathan pushes a door open and stands aside so I can enter his office first. This room, like everything else I’ve seen so far, is minimally decorated with only the finest handmade furniture.

One wall of his office is just a big window. It looks out over the stream that leads to the waterfall, and shows off the amazing palette of colourful plants and trees. There is no garden. Nature itself is his garden.

“Sit,” the Alpha says curtly and walks past me to take a seat behind his desk.

Before I can even sit down, there’s a knock on the door, and Chad enters with a tray of sparkling drinks. He puts it on Johnathan’s desk, and as quietly as he entered he leaves again, closing the door behind him.

Johnathan hands one of the glasses to me. “Drink it,” he orders. “You’ll feel better.” 

The flavoured water is refreshing and tastes mildly like peaches and strawberries. 

“So,” the Alpha says after a few minutes of uncomfortable silence. “You must be wondering what this is all about?”