0003: A New Home

LUKAN

" So she is the 13th bride, yeah?" Dean asked as the Mercedes-Benz glided towards the pack." I forgot she is the 15th and not a bride, right?" Dean asked again but got no response from me.

I have so many things to think of than to give him a reply.

From my mind's eyes I could envision a sly smile creeping up his lips.

" Be quiet Dean." Lemuel shushed him in a small voice.

"I was just thinking aloud, that's all." Dean continued, and my face turned red. 

"I'll be forced to clip your lips together." I said to him, my voice kind of low as the car pulled up in front of the Packhouse of Frostclaw 

Ever since I had met her, something had gone off in me, not that she was the first woman I met or more beautiful than the others, but there was something different about her which I just couldn't place.

The connection was just too strong. Dean was so correct. She was the 15th girl I met and deep down I was kind of anxious. 

I was hoping that she would be The One whom I have been searching for all these years.

In my quest to find The One, I had met several ladies but none of them was her.

I had heard from a reliable source that Garrick would soon be the Beta of Frostclaws Pack in two days' time, but it was none of my business.

The driver rounded over the corner and got the door open. 

" Dean, if you don't keep shut, I will forget you are my cousin, and you'll be forced to pick your teeth from the ground." I let out a growl and Dean raised his hands in mock apology.

"I won't make a sound."

" Better," I said. We got to the front door and Lemuel had barely knocked when the door got opened.

Garrick ducked his head through the crack. I didn't wait for him to open the door wide before I pushed my way in, and I met another shock.

There she was with a brush, on her hands and knees scrubbing the floor like her life depended on it. I was mad with anger. 

"Have you packed your stuff?" I met her eyes as she quickly looked away and struggled to her feet. 

" Just so you know..." Garrick began, but I couldn't let him finish. I shot him a dirty look.

"Shut that hole in your face you call a mouth." I barked and he flinched in surprise.

In a few minutes' time, she came downstairs clutching a very small bag to her chest. She looked so pale as if she had caught a bad cold.

"Where are the rest of your things, Merida?" Her name rolled off my tongue. She was about to say something when Garrick interrupted. 

"That's everything she owns. What are you expecting that you should come down with designer bags?" 

I glared at him, and he looked away like I wasn't in the room with him. 

"You are so early,"a voice said, and I turned to see that it was no other person but Ophelia. She was gleaming as if she had been sprinkled with fairy dust and on her neck laid rolls and rolls of pearl necklace.

"I'm so glad she is leaving." Ophelia smirked.

"Does that mean that the little bag she's holding contains all her things?" I asked, still not believing what I was seeing.

" What sort of question is that? She is a rat and, therefore, has no other belongings. Is she supposed to bring my bags instead?"

"Tell your mate to watch her tone." I roared at Garrick, who was trying to avoid my gaze.

"Lead the way to the office. We need to sign the contract." I finished as Dean handed me a brown envelope." You can go and wait for me in the car." I said to Merida.

Garrick led the way to his office and I followed behind him, glancing at my wristwatch. 

"Why do you even need us to sign a contract she has already been sold to you?" Garrick asked as I slid the brown envelope across the table to him.

"The earlier she leaves this place the better for everyone." Ophelia said again, pissing me off.

"Has anyone told you look more beautiful when you are not spewing trash?" I turned to Ophelia, a smirk dancing on my lips. She gasped in shock and said nothing.

"That's it, I'm done reading. You can take her away." Garrick threw an envelope at me and I wondered if he had even read a sentence.

I stood up and gave both of them one last look before turning around and walking out of the office and there was Merida still standing there. 

"Here." I stretched my hands at her and slowly, like a frightened rabbit, she placed her small hands in mine and I noticed how cold and bony they looked.

She stared at the car in utter shock and as she tried to get down, she missed a footing and came crashing down.

I quickly reached out and held her.

This was the first time I would be holding a woman so affectionately.

I carried her to the car and Dean was grinning sheepishly as we got into the car.

" I'm fine now." She stuttered and moved to sit on her own, a wide gap between us as the driver started the car and it sped away.

Dean and Lemuel chatted about so many things going on in the pack and in half an hour the car was gliding through the mighty gates and the pack house, a towering mansion came into view.

Merida stepped out of the car, she let out a gasp, shock etched on her face. The Packhouse was magnificent, no doubt.

" I would love to show you around, but I'm not in the mood for all that." I let out a growl as she followed quietly behind me.

" That's the dining area and the kitchen." I pointed." Don't call me nice, I'm doing this because I won't have you stressing me by wandering off tomorrow."

We got to one of the rooms and I saw her looking around in awe, her bag clutched to her chest.

" I guess there are no rodents in that bag of yours." I asked, tilting my head, and she shook her head slowly.

" Anyway, you will get new stuff soon."

A knock came once on the door and Rosita came in. She was once my nanny.

" She needs shoes, gowns, tops and all that feminine stuff." I said and half turned to see Rosita staring at Merida, a glint of recognition and shock in her eyes.

" Rosita." I called and she jumped." What's wrong?"