Chapter 7

I woke up with a dull pain in my head. I lazily massaged my temples, feeling a little bump there. Something is wrong. I can just feel it. I raised my nose in the air, taking a big whiff of the air. The air is heavy and damp, pressing against my skin like a clammy shroud. Where am I? Most importantly, whose bed am I lying on?

The velvety sheet that was pressed against my skin felt like heaven. I could just lie here forever. I, with much displeasure, peel my eyes open, rubbing away the sleep fogging my vision with my fingers. The scent of freshly baked pastries filled my nostrils. I could hear faint whispers around me.

I looked towards the windows, which were covered by flowery drapes. This should be the pack house, but is this Richard’s room? I raised my nose to the air again, sniffing. It isn’t Richard. The citrus scent Richard has is so faint that it is almost non-existent.

The soft chime from the grandfather clock interrupted my thoughts. 9 a.m. Wait, what? 9 a.m?? A gasp made its way out of my mouth, my eyes bulging from their sockets. What a great way to spend the day in a foreign place! Now where is that Richard? He is definitely going to get a piece of my mind and probably my fist.

I jumped out of bed with so much energy that my legs almost gave way. I slipped my legs into a pair of flipflops that were beside the bed. They were on the bigger side, but I could care less. Having made my way to the door, I opened it with such force that it shook from the hinges. I made a mental note. I need to be more careful. Sometimes I forget my own strength.

I marched towards the corridor like a hungry lion pursing its prey. The strange looks I was getting made me stop in my tracks. Looking around, I took a deep breath. What do I even think I am doing? I barely know my way around and it is barely my first day here. After the little prep talk, I felt much more clearheaded.

Dragging my feet, I lumbered back to the room I woke up in. I found a bathroom attached to the room, so I went in and refreshed myself, making sure to wash my face thoroughly. I also gargled toothpaste to get rid of any odor.

After I was satisfied with the business of cleaning myself, I busied myself in the room, trying to familiarize myself with the strange place. The room had an antique feel with a rocking chair beside the bed, and a portrait of a scary-looking man, who I assume should have been the Alpha many, many years ago.

I opened the window to let in the rays of sunlight, and almost immediately, I was blinded by its harsh golden rays. After I had had my fill of sightseeing, I sat back on the bed. I wonder where Richard is? Isn’t it time for him to get me? I clutched my stomach as I began to feel the pangs of hunger. Unable to keep sitting down idle, I got up and made for the door when the door opened, almost hitting me, to reveal Richard in all his glory.

A gasp came out of my mouth. I was so ready to lash out at him, but one look from him was all it took to melt all the protest away. "Where have you been?" I found myself asking in a meek voice. This is uncharacteristic of you, Bella. He came closer to me and held me.

"I am so sorry babe; I was held up in a meeting." Mwah, I felt a wet kiss on my forehead. "Welcome to our pack, love. For the meantime, this will be your room. Feel free to make yourself at home. Someone will be here with your food. Your things are inside the closet."

"What of-" 

"I will leave you to it now." Bang! 

Uhm, oh-k, that was rude. He didn’t even give me the chance to say anything. Hissing like a bittered cat, I stride towards the closet, and there were my bags sitting pretty beside the shoe rack. I picked a nice red dress from the bag. Today I’m going all out. It is time to impress the in-laws. Changing into a towel I found inside the closet, I made my way to the showers.

After about 30 minutes, I came out of the shower with freshly scrubbed skin feeling very alive and much more refreshed. There was a weird ass buffet tray sitting on my bed. Alright, that is so creepy. Why would someone enter my room? when I was taking my bath? I hurried to lock the door to prevent further mishaps.

After I had finished dressing up, I opened the plate and the smell of a full English breakfast hit me. It consisted of bacon, fried eggs, sausage, mushrooms, baked beans, toast, and grilled tomatoes. There was a cup of tea on the side. I rubbed my hands as I savored the food, clearing the plate in no time, except the mushrooms and tomatoes. They were my least favorite.

I pushed the tray to the side and brought out my phone from my bag. I opened it and was immediately hit with barrages of text. The notifications kept popping up. The family group chat was filled with messages. They have all been trying to reach me. I opened it and began to read through it.

Dad: Hey kiddo, how was your flight?

Annoying bro:  Have you gotten there yet? How is the pack?

Mom: Call me when you get home, baby. How was your flight?

 And so, it continues, an endless litany. Lying on the bed, with my legs eagled spread on it, I hit the call button, my hand nervously tapping my thighs as I waited for them to pick me up. I was already dreading their response.

"Where the hell have you been? We've all been trying to reach you, and you haven’t been answering. Have you gotten there yet?"

"I am fine, thanks for asking."

"Don’t give me that bullshit. We have been worried sick about you. Dad was about to call your mate."

"Please give him the phone."

"I can’t do that now. They are both in a meeting, but I will get them to call you immediately after it is over."

"Alright." I spent some time reassuring him that I was fine before he eased up. That went surprisingly well. I wiped away the invisible sweat that had gathered. Unable to sit still any longer, I kicked my legs out from under me and jumped to the floor. I can’t stay here cooped up all day in this place. I could go crazy. I guess it is up to me to show myself around.

Closing the door firmly behind me, I made my way through the corridor with light steps and a racing heart, in fear of being caught. The eyes that followed me didn’t help, but I did my best to ignore them. I couldn’t blame them; It was probably the first time they had seen a beautiful black lady.

Squaring my shoulders, I made my way down the hall in bold strides. I was almost rounding a corner when...

"Who are you?" My blood runs cold as a deep booming voice stops me in my tracks. My throat dries up in fear. I gingerly swallowed a ball of saliva. My brain began to plot various means of escape, but each one led to a dead end. I muttered a short prayer to the moon goddess.

I mechanically rotated my neck first before my body followed suit. And I wasn’t prepared for the sight I was going to face. Sweet Jesus! This man is beautiful. I mean, he could compete with my mate, although I doubt, he would win. 

Why are you comparing him to our mate? This mere mortal can’t light a candle to him.

I rolled my eyes at the intruder. Trust her to show up in his defense. Just go back to sleep Kiayra. I shooed her back to her corner.

Now back to Mr. Handsome. "Are you deaf or something?" Rude. Whatever happened to the magic words?

"Who are you? and what are you doing here?" He bellowed in his deep voice, his veins pulsating from his neck.

I was only going to tolerate his tone because he was fine. "My name is Isabella; I am new here."

"Isabelle?" My name rolled out of his lips like a bad omen. "I don’t think I have ever heard of you; how did you get here?" 

"Well, my mate belongs to this pack, so I came to be with him."

He squinted his eyes as he regarded me, trying to tell if I was lying. He must have sensed I wasn’t because he shrugged his shoulders. "Alright Isabella, welcome to the pack." 

Deciding not to let go of this golden opportunity, "do you mind showing me around the pack?"

 "I think your mate would be more suited for that." 

"Yes, I know, but he has been swamped with a lot of work, and I wouldn’t want to disturb him, so please." I clasped my hands together and gave him my best impression of a puppy face. 

He was quite taken aback by that face, because he staggered, his hands to his chest, "I will gladly take you if you will please stop giving me that look. You look constipated." 

My mood immediately turned sour, my forehead creased into a frown; Ouch, way to break a girl's heart, but whatever, I still got my way.

My chest tightened. In a bit to remind me that I may be doing the wrong thing, Kiayra flashed through my mind briefly. I halted my steps. I mean, it isn’t like he is taking me out on a date or anything; it is just a harmless stroll. Besides, he knows I have a mate, so it is considered cheating.

"Aren’t you coming for the tour again or are you getting cold feet?" he called out to me after he noticed I wasn’t following.

"I am. Wait up." With a determined look, I hastened my step to meet him, and we continued together out of the door into the compound.