CHAPTER NINE

EMMA'S POV

"Who is it?" I called out, my voice shaky.

With my forehead powdered with sweats, I watched keenly as the door to my new room creaked open, my mind gripping for whatever waited installed for me. A masculine figure pulled in, the lightening in my room lit his face as I exhaled.

It was Luke.

"I didn't mean to startle you, Emma," His voice croaked as he made his way closer to me with a few steps. "Luna Marissa had requested I assign your personal maid to you."

My eyebrows furrowed, "Personal maid?" I questioned, shock rolling in my voice. I watched as he turned to the door, "You can come in Madeline."

I watched as a feminine silhouette pulled into the room, her body draped in a uniform I guessed was worn by the maids in the pack house. She possessed green bright eyes, her blonde hair pulled up in a tight bun. She looked kind— I guess.

"Welcome to crimson pack Ma'am Emma, I am Madeline, your person assistant charged with the responsibility for catering for your every needs," I watched her recite anxiously, her cheeks flared in red. Her hard was faced to the floor as she prodded further, she was obviously scared.

"You can look me in the eye, feel free Madeline." I countered, smiling softly at her as she raised her head to look at me. "I'll leave the two of you to know each other, I have some errands I have to run." Luke bickered heading off in the direction of the door.

I watched as he walked over to the door and pause, freezing in his footsteps. "Lest I forgot, the Luna also requested you visit her in her chambers as she would like to discuss some matters to you."

"Madeline will lead you over to the Luna's chambers in half an hour," He prodded further and left.

"Sure," I sighed softly turning back at the view of Madeline. I stood up from the bed and walked over to the windows, my foot gliding forward towards the room's huge window. Sitting by the side, I sighed, gazing up at the clouds, the huge full moon.

"I know you might be feeling lonely right now," I heard a voice say, and I immediately assumed it was Aurora's. But to my shock, it wasn't.

The voice came from across the room; it was Madeline's. I watched as she walked towards me, her presence instantly catching my eye. Madeline, the maid Luna Marissa had assigned to me, had a warm, approachable aura that felt like a lifeline in this overwhelming place.

"Hey," I heard her say as she offered me a comforting smile. "It's okay to feel overwhelmed. This place can be... a lot to take in."

I nodded, the lump in my throat making it hard to speak. "It's just that.. everything is so different. And everyone is watching me like I'm some kind of intruder."

Madeline smiled gently, her eyes kind. "You're not an intruder, Emma. You're a part of this pack now. It takes time to adjust, but you'll find your place here."

I looked at her, feeling tears prick at the corners of my eyes. "Thank you, Madeline. It means a lot to hear that."

She reached out and took my hand, her touch warm and steady. "I know it's hard to believe right now, but you're stronger than you think. You've already come so far." We sat in silence for a moment, her words giving me a small sense of comfort.

Madeline leaned in closer, her expression softening. "You know, I was scared too when I first came here. I didn't think I'd ever fit in, but Luna Marissa... she's special. She saw something in me, just like she sees something in you."

I managed a weak smile. "I hope so."

"You will," she said with certainty. "Just give it time."

I felt a sense of comfort wash over me, knowing I had someone like Madeline by my side. She made the daunting world of the pack house seem a little more manageable.

After a while, Madeline glanced at the clock on the wall and squeezed my hand gently. "It's time," she said softly. "Luna Marissa has requested to see you."

I took a deep breath and nodded, feeling a mixture of nerves and anticipation. "Okay."

Madeline stood up and helped me to my feet. "Let's go."

I sauntered to my feet gently feeling a little drip of courage in my veins as Madeline led me towards the door. Once out, we made our way into the hallway, walking past maids and guards who went about doing each of their businesses.

From what I've seen, I could say this pack was a very busy one. It was unlike any other I've seen, even though I hadn't step foot in any other pack asides my father's, but it stands out. I followed her past the hallways as we took a turn and was faced with what I called a grand staircase.

The steps were ornatively carved, red sheets spreaded leading in to another floor, it had a spiral 's' design leading up to the next floor. "Getting around the pack can be a bit of an hassle counting the numbers of floors it has" Madeline chided, her words soft and entertaining.

"Sure, in my pack, getting around was almost as hard as this," I replied her as we climbed the stairs and in no time, we were already in the second floor of this gigantic pack house. I followed her steps and within a matter of seconds, we were already at the double doors of the Luna Marissa's chambers.

I tailed her and shortly we were at the double doors of Luna Marissa's chambers. She invited me in, and dismissed Madeline to another room with a slight wave.

"Luna Marissa," I began, but she cut me off with a warm smile. "Call me Marissa, please, I am happy my son finally has his match," she said as her eyes sparkled with genuine delight.

"He was hardly ever romantic you know; he is always an asshole, even heartless anyway who never allows feelings in anything or somebody else’s life. However, any way my dear you have changed everything." Her words were kind but there was danger hidden within them.

"It might be challenging being his mate because it feels strange showing vulnerability for someone that much, he may turn nasty on you or even walk out of your lives, deep down though you are what really matters to him regardless of the fact that he may never admit it."

The conversation ended very soon and as I turned around to leave Madeline offered to show me back. However I declined knowing well enough that I could find my way through the corridors easily.

It did not take long for me to realize that I lost myself along the hallway.Just when I was trying to look for where my room was located, I bumped into a lady palmer.

She stepped backwards eyeing me suspiciously “Who are you” she demanded in her sharp voice. Before I could answer she screamed ‘’thief!’’