Chapter 5

After three days, Estelle’s wounds and bruises had fully healed. She still feels a little sore around her chest and feet but it isn’t something she wasn’t used to. They had given the room she woke up in for her to use and clothes were lent to her by some of the ladies. Moore hadn’t made much appearance and when she did see him, it was only a brief exchange of ‘how are you’s’ and ‘I hope you are comfortable’.

He hadn’t tried to interrogate her more but she felt like he didn’t have to since Miranda had been asking her all sorts of questions. She tried to answer as best and honestly as she can but she is cautious. She doesn’t really understand some of the things Miranda and her friends say and she dont know how much she should reveal.

If Tyler was to find her and learn that she talked about him to strangers, there would be severe punishment and she couldn’t risk that. Not after the last time when she accidentally picked up his ringing phone. He had forced a toxic substance down her throat and she couldn’t talk for months after that.

It would certainly take a lot for this pack to convince her that she could trust them. Yet, she feels safe being here and around them. Especially when Moore is in the same room. The fierce, pulsating aura that she felt from him is intimidating but somewhere, she feels a sense of security and comfort. She doesn’t know what to make of all these emotions and new surroundings but she hopes it could be something good - and good is what she really needs right now.

***

He sat by the fireplace, staring into the hearth. Picturing his beloved’s face, he still couldn’t get over the shock of finding her. She has been here for almost a week and he still hasn't tried to start a conversation. It’s not that he doesn’t want to; he just doesn’t know how. In all the years he had lived, he had never cared for a woman before, save for his mother. Even then he was a disabled so he didn’t really do much. Still, that was hundreds of years ago. Caring and tending to an injured warrior is the closest he had ever done.

Chuckling, he shook his head. He really doesn’t understand how somebody as breakable as Estelle Andres could end up being his mate. A monster and a kitten. Whatever was the Goddess thinking?

“You really should talk to her, Moore.” A voice murmured from behind him. Harvey.

Moore kept quiet.

“She doesn’t know it but we observe her. From the trees, the shadows. Something is wrong with her, Moore.”

“I know.”

Harvey frowned. “Then why are you not talking to her?”

Moore remained silent. The only sound in the room was the crackling of the fire and the rustles of the leaves outside.

Minutes passed.

“You don’t know how to?” Harvey smiled. The thought of Moore at a loss of what to do amuses him. It’s not everyday you see a man like this.

Moore cursed on the inside. Was he that obvious? “What do people think about her?”

Harvey went to sit across from Moore, crossing his legs. Moore is still awed by his beauty and how elegant he looked with whatever he does. Even though he had known Harvey for almost a hundred and fifty years. He could be Moore’s right hand man, or beta as the younger wolves call it, for all the time and battles he had been through with him.

Harvey sighed. “They don’t say much, man. I mean, they don’t even have much to say about. At this point, their curiosity is rocketing. Estelle keeps to herself and her interaction with anyone at all is low except for Miranda.”

“Look, even if you have no idea how to approach this, it’s your mate Moore. I’m sure it’ll come naturally. You have been waiting for this.”

“Had.” Moore replied. Harvey frowned. “What do you mean? I know you’ve been waiting. Heck, you were praying almost everyday.”

“Past tense, Harvey. I gave up hope at that point.” Stunned, Harvey leaned into his seat. He couldn’t believe he didn’t notice it. Huh. But how could he? He was busy with his own situation.

“You still have to talk to her. Don’t just let her be. You know how Miranda could be a bad influence.”

“I know. I’m just trying to figure this out. I’ll talk to her.”

***

“So I lit his tail on fire and he ran around the place, frantically trying to put it out!” Miranda laughed out loud. They were in the living room and Miranda was telling her the story of how she set Sam, a member of the pack’s, tail on fire for stealing her food.

So far she had met four other people aside from Harvey, Miranda, Rennie and Moore. Sam, a brown haired, gruff looking were, Gerald, a tall skinny guy who Miranda said is one of the best fighters they have. A tough, fit looking guy with a fierce face whose name is Matt seems to have some kind of authority around the others and lastly, a witch; dark, curly haired, Amy is a kind lady who speaks with a firm but soft voice.

They were all kind to her except for Matt, whom she found to be scary when he’s not joking around. He has this permanent scowl that says don’t-you-dare-approach me but really is opposite of how he looks. Still, his appearance scares her off. With two swords strapped to his back, what do they think it is? The old days? Who wears swords to their backs anymore? But Estelle can’t really say anything since she doesn’t really know how the outside world works. Maybe all packs are like this.

All of them are lounging in the living room except for Matt. They all laughed along to the story and Miranda, who spotted Sam sulking, threw a chip that she was eating at him, “Oh! Quit pouting you jackass! You deserved it.”

Sam, who looked like an ogre with his size, seemed to be a softie who doesn’t like pain. “It hurts, you idiot! Half of my tail was scorched and I couldn’t shift back for three hours!” He threw the chip back at Miranda and it hit her on her cheek.

She swatted her cheek and continued laughing, ignoring him. Estelle laughed softly and they all glanced at her when she did.

“Okay Miranda, stop it. You guys are like children.” Gerald said, shaking his head.

“What? If he couldn’t handle it then tell him to stop stealing my food.”

Gerald opened his mouth to reply but suddenly he looked to the right just as the others did and said, “Alpha.” You could hear the respect he had for the man by the tone of his voice. The others echoed the same and they all stood up and made an exit. Miranda patted Estelle’s shoulder when she passed her and gave her a small reassuring smile.

Confused and wide eyed, Estelle made a move to get up. When she turned, Moore stood beside the chair she was on.

He stood facing his mate with his hands in his pocket. As he stood there, feeling a strange sense of awkwardness, he couldn’t believe that in all the years he’d lived, his hardest challenge would be to start a conversation with his mate. The great battle in his old village felt so much easier.

The usual greetings they exchanged whenever they passed each other is different compared to this. They had both been avoiding each other. Estelle, because she is still adjusting, and Moore… he didn’t have a solid reason. Avoiding your mate because you don’t know how to talk to her is a stupid move and one he is sure has never been done by any other male before.

Estelle shuffled her feet awkwardly. She doesn’t understand why he looked so tense. He seemed relaxed around Rennie and the others but whenever she was around, he became stiff. Is he wary of her? Does he think she is a threat? She gathered from what she had been hearing so much of is that she is his mate so why would he be afraid?

He doesn’t seem like he would start talking soon so she decided that she should.

“Hi.” She whispered.

He smiled. “Hello, Estelle.”

***