Chapter 8

"This," he gestured to the three-story building we were standing besides, "is the pack house. The Alpha and the beta stay here. Other pack members are also welcome here. But he/she must contribute to the maintenance of the place."

"I see."

"The training center and the gym are just behind the pack house. I don’t know if you noticed, but the pack’s school is the first building you will see as you enter the pack. The pack hospital is also located at the entrance of the pack. The buildings you see scattered around are houses belonging to pack members. And that is all." He said, scanning the environment.

I looked up at him in disbelief. What the hell?  "What sort of half-assed tour is this? I said 'a tour,' and that means actually walking around the pack showing me places PHYSICALLY, not just saying it."

A light chuckle escaped his mouth at my little rant, "There is really nothing to see here, just bunches of-"

"I don’t care," I interjected rudely, "I would still like to go. And if you don’t show me around, I will go alone." He looked down at me, his eyes boring holes in my skin, his mouth set in a frown.

"Do you always make it a habit to interrupt people?" Before I could answer, he continued, "Well, since you want a tour, you will have it, shall we?"

"Yes..." I looked up to see that he was already throwing his long legs farther away from me. Son of a bitch, he couldn’t even let me reply. I started that weird run/walk towards him, throwing my rather short legs in an attempt to catch up with him.

"Bitch," I muttered under my breath as I caught up with him. 

"Did you say something?" he quizzed, looking at me strangely.

"No"

"So, where are you from? I mean, it is pretty obvious you are not from this part," he asked, running his eyes down my full length. "No offense, but your skin color and accent just give it away."

I let out a small laugh, "I understand, no offense taken. I am from a small pack in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria. Well, I won't exactly call us a small pack, because we are doing pretty well." My facial muscles contracted into a smile as memories of the pack flooded my mind. "I came here because of my mate. I already told you that."

He looked at me with a hint of admiration and said, "Wow! That is really neat. I admire you for choosing love and coming here, even across the continent." I rolled my eyes in contempt, as if I had a choice.

"I have never really left the four corners of my pack except while chasing rogues and if you want to count my university days."I opened my mouth in shock, quite dumbfounded. 

"What?" he asked, puzzled, coming to an abrupt stop beside a white building.

"I am just shocked that you actually went to a university. Most wolves don’t see the need, especially males."

"I guess I am one of those few males that see the need for an education. Anyway, we have arrived. This is the pack's hospital." He gestured to the giant pale-green building.

"It has been run and managed by the former Luna since she studied medicine. Sadly, the current Luna doesn’t know a thing or two about medicine." He continued in a low voice, shaking his head at the mention of the current Luna.

But I was too far gone to notice his expression. My countenance had already changed, with a dark expression clouding my face. What does he mean by current Luna? I thought their Alpha was still mate less.

"Yes, you are right. Our Alph is mate less." Oops, I guess I said that out loud. "He has been looking for a mate for a while, but all his efforts have proven abortive. Nevertheless, he has a steady girlfriend, and they have been going pretty strong for a while now. He had plans to mate her if he didn’t see his mate."

Boom!  He casually dropped the bombshell at my feet like he was telling me about the weather. I felt my heart sink to the bottom. A splitting headache immediately came upon me. I could taste the bile in my throat. Does he have a girlfriend? Then why did he bring me here when I would most likely be a hindrance to him and his Luna? Luna. The name sounds like a curse now.

No wonder. I began to cast my mind back, processing everything that had been happening.

Everything began to fall into place. I can now explain his nonchalant attitude towards me, texting me only when necessary and not every time. I was just a nuisance to him. He already has the one he loves.

I jerked forward as a cold hand touched and grabbed my skin. "Are you okay?" It was Mr. Handsome. Omg, I am such a bad friend; I didn’t even know his name. 

"Sorry to startle you," he started, looking apologetic. "I have been calling your name for a while, but you weren’t answering. It is high time we head to the pack house," he glanced at his wristwatch. "It is almost time for lunch, and today’s meal is absolutely delicious. I wouldn’t want to miss it."

A meal right now was the last thing on my mind, but I decided to humor him and follow him. He has been a good guide, at least better than the sorry excuse called a mate, so I owe him. "Alright." I shrugged my shoulders, "lead the way."

We started making our way slowly down the paved path leading to the park house. On our way, we passed a lot of houses built in a similar manner, belonging to pack members that chose to live outside the pack house. He even showed me where he lived with his parents before he moved out, although his parents still live here. 

I was so overwhelmed with different thoughts running through my mind that I didn’t notice when we got to the packing house. I began to hear a scurrying of activities. People were all hurriedly inside, I guess no one wanted to miss today’s lunch. Mr. mystery man led me inside until we got to a huge ass dining table. It was long and extensive, with a lot of chairs jammed together that I couldn’t even count.

We made our way towards the table, but we kept getting interrupted. Little Mr. Mysterious here is quite popular, especially among the female folk, so I had to wait until he had greeted them all.

"Hello Harry." They all seem to start with their fake heavily accented voice. It was almost nauseating to watch, but at least I got to learn his name. After a while, we were able to escape the throes of girls and got seated on a chair in the middle, among his friends. 

Introductions were made as we waited for the food to be served. Soon, a plate filled with round buns and sausages was passed round. "What is this food called?" I whispered to Harry. I have yet to familiarize myself with some of their delicacies. 

"This is a traditional meal consisting of Yorkshire pudding, bacon-wrapped sausages, and onion gravy."

"Uhm... Alright. It sounds and looks delicious. Let us dig in." I picked up my cutlery and was ready to devour it when a hand stopped me. I turned my head to the owner of the hand in anger, about to cuss him out. What the hell? I am an angry and hungry woman right now. These are two horrible combos that don’t go together at all. And he is trying to prevent me from eating? How dare he?

"What did you do that for?" I asked, my brows creasing to form a frown. How dare he prevent me from eating?

"Look around you." I swept my eyes over the room, scanning the hall for the new faces that would become my pack.

"I didn’t notice anything."

"Look closely, dumbass. We aren’t to eat until the Alpha is seated and takes his first bite." He explained in a low voice.

I slapped my forehead with my palm. Now I feel dumb. Well, the Alpha had better hurry his ass up, because I am hungry and can’t wait any longer.

Right on time, he strolled towards the dining room like he owned the place. Well, technically he does. That sweet citrus scent filled the room on his arrival. Unable to help it, I took a big whiff of the air, like a junkie in need of her fix. I completely relax, hunger almost forgotten as his scent eludes my mind. But something feels wrong. I could perceive a hint of perfume around him.

And behold, the owner of the perfume belonged to a tall, red-haired lady. I barely had time to access her before they took their seats, with her sitting beside him on the chair. I swallowed loudly as I tried to process what was going on. He was so stuck up on her ass that he couldn’t recognize me or even perceive my scent. What a sorry excuse of a mate.

The sound of cutlery hitting the plate began to fill the hall as everyone began to tear into their sausage and pudding. I could barely register what was going on or taste the amazing food I was looking forward to. I was just mechanically shoving forkfuls of the pudding in my mouth, just swallowing it, barely tasting it. 

The hair suddenly prickles against me, standing at full attention. I could feel a pair of eyes boring daggers into my skin. There was no need to guess who it was. I already know who it is. Lifting my eyes away from the food, I met an angry pair of brown eyes boring holes in my skin. If it were possible, fire would have come out of his eyes. 

"Why the fuck are you here?"