CHAPTER FIVE

The driver opens my door.

I do not move.

I do not want to get out and face this.

I want to turn and run.

But I do not do that.

I do not break my promise to my father and my Alpha.

I somehow find myself getting out of the car.

I breathe in the wet, earthy forest air.

Jeremiah walks me up the front steps.

I am not ready to go inside.

I do not want to go inside.

I do not know if I ever will be ready.

Jeremiah pushes open the door.

Behind it is a grand foyer.

The foyer is large and open, with white marble floors and white columns.

It is beautiful.

The furniture is antique.

There are oil paintings hanging on the walls.

It looks like a museum.

I flutter my eyes closed.

I pray: Please, let this work out.

Let me make it work.

Let us make it work.

I open my eyes and look off into the forest.

I think of Nathaniel.

I am going to miss him.

I will always miss him.

But this is the right thing.

This is what the packs need.

I am going to make this work.

I step inside the mansion.

Jeremiah closes the door behind me.

"This is Bria," he announces.

I look around at all the new faces staring at me.

Jeremiah's pack is much younger than my own.

At home, I was one of the youngest.

Here, everyone seems to be around my age or a little older.

They all smile.

They seem nice.

I expected more hostility from them.

"Hello Bria," a man says.

"Nice to meet you," a woman adds.

"Shall I take your bag?" a third offers.

I am surprised by their kindness.

I feel tears coming to my eyes.

"Thank you," I manage.

The woman takes the bag from me.

She smiles at me again.

"This way," Jeremiah says.

He grabs my hand and leads me away.

I look back over my shoulder at the new faces.

I smile worriedly.

They smile back.

I feel a tear roll down my cheek.

That is when I notice how big Jeremiah's mansion truly is.

As we walk I see more rooms than I ever imagined a mansion could have.

I pass through hallways and across foyers.

"This is my kitchen," Jeremiah says, showing me around the room.

It is finished in blue and white tile.

There is a huge island that looks like it came straight from Italy.

It is covered in glass accents and marble.

There is a huge, blue and white chandelier hanging above the island.

There are also stoves, ovens, and sinks.

"I need to learn how to cook," I whisper under my breath.

There is a small, round table beside the door.

It is covered with a white cloth and has a vase with flowers in it.

There are men and women sitting at it, eating their breakfast.

They look up at me.

"Good morning," they say.

"Good morning," I reply, nervously.

"Are you hungry?" a man asks.

A woman hands me a plate of food.

It has scrambled eggs and pancakes with bacon on it.

I stare at it and then back at her.

"Oh, no thank you. Not just yet."

Jeremiah chuckles softly. "Let's let Bria settle in first."

We carry on.

As we go, Jeremiah opens doors, showing me closets and bathrooms.

I feel dizzy.

We approach a set of large, white double doors.

These are the largest doors I have seen yet.

I imagine I will see my bedroom behind them.

Jeremiah opens the doors and we walk through.

I stare at the floor.

I am afraid to look up.

I am afraid to see the room that I am to share with this handsome stranger.

I try to brace myself for whatever I will see.

But, when I raise my eyes, I am surprised.

The room is not finished.

There is a large, empty space, with white walls and dark, hardwood floors.

The floors seem to stretch on forever.

At the end of the room, there are windows and a balcony that overlooks the forest.

There are some dressers and beds, but no furniture.

"You can decorate this however you wish," Jeremiah says.

"This is all for me?" I whisper, still staring.

He nods. "You didn't think we'd be sharing a room, did you?"

I blush.

I did, but I am too embarrassed now to admit it.

"Don't worry," Jeremiah adds, pointing to a door. "My room is just through there."

"Oh?" I reply with a flinch.

"Don't be scared," he says, softly. "You're safe here."

"Thank you," I whisper.

I am completely overwhelmed.

Nothing is what I expected it to be.

"Do you want to rest?" Jeremiah asks.

"I think that would be a good idea," I reply.

"Okay." He nods, kindly.

He walks to the door and opens it.

He is about to step out when I hear him exclaim, "Oh! Ana? What are you doing here?"

Curious, I look over.

There is a girl standing on the other side of the door, in the hallway.

She cranes her neck to see inside and get a glimpse of me.

Unlike the other pack members, this one is not kind and friendly.

"I wanted to see it," she said, glowering at me nastily.

She seems young. Immature. And full of hatred.

This must be the one Jeremiah loves...

I want to ask him if it is, but keep my mouth shut.

It is better not to know.

"You need to leave," he growls at her.

She breathes a sigh of frustration. "But Alpha..."

"I said LEAVE!" he bellows.

"Fine," she replies.

She turns on her heels and stomps off down the corridor.

As she goes, she looks back over her shoulder and gives me a nasty look.

I look at her as she trudges away.

I am confused.

I do not know what to think.

Jeremiah looks at me and gives me an apologetic look.

"Sorry, Bria. I will handle her."

Then he is gone, and I am alone.