Debra POV:
The pack house was even more impressive on the inside. The entrance hall was vast, with a soaring ceiling and a grand staircase that split in two, leading up to the upper floors. The walls were adorned with ancient tapestries and portraits of what I assumed were former Alphas, their stern faces staring down at me.
Owen led me up the staircase, his footsteps silent on the stone floors. He was a quiet, gentle presence, a stark contrast to the formidable Alpha he served.
“Your chambers are in the east wing, Luna,” he said, his voice a soft, respectful murmur. “The Alpha thought you would appreciate the morning sun.”
The thought that Kade had considered such a small detail, that he had thought of my comfort, sent a warm, fluttering sensation through my chest.
Owen opened a pair of large, carved wooden doors, and I stepped into a room that took my breath away. It wasn't a room; it was a suite. A large, airy space with a four-poster bed, a sitting area with a fireplace, and a private balcony that overlooked a beautiful, manicured garden.
The decor was elegant and feminine, in shades of cream, gold, and soft blue. It was the complete opposite of Kade’s stark, masculine hotel suite.
“This is… for me?” I asked, my voice barely a whisper.
“Of course, Luna,” Owen said with a smile. “The Alpha had it prepared for you.”
He had prepared this for me? When? He had only just found me. The thought was both flattering and a little unsettling. It was as if he had been expecting me, as if he had known I was coming.
Vicky, who had been following us silently, let out a low whistle. “Well, this is a step up from your old room, isn't it, Debra?”
I had to agree. My room at the Silver Ridge pack house was little more than a closet, a small, cramped space that had always felt more like a prison than a home.
Owen showed us the adjoining room, a smaller but equally beautiful suite for Vicky. He then pointed out the large, walk-in closet, which was already filled with clothes in my size. Dresses, pants, shoes, lingerie – everything a she-wolf could ever want.
“The Alpha took the liberty of having these sent over,” Owen explained. “He said you might need a few things.”
I was speechless. The generosity was overwhelming. My father had never bought me a new dress, let alone a whole new wardrobe.
“Thank you, Owen,” I said, my voice thick with emotion. “Thank you for everything.”
“It is my honor to serve you, Luna,” he said with a small bow. “I will leave you to get settled. Dinner is at seven. I will send a servant to escort you.”
He left, closing the doors softly behind him. I stood in the middle of the room, turning in a slow circle, trying to take it all in.
Vicky came over and gave me a hug. “He seems nice,” she said.
“He does,” I agreed.
“And this place… it’s like a palace,” she said, her eyes shining.
“It is,” I said, a small, genuine smile gracing my lips for the first time in what felt like forever.
Vicky helped me unpack the few things I had brought with me – my mother’s favorite book, a small, framed picture of us, the broken pieces of her necklace, which I had carefully wrapped in a silk scarf.
I placed the picture on the bedside table and held the broken necklace in my hand. The sight of it brought a fresh wave of pain, a reminder of Marley’s cruelty, of my father’s betrayal.
“Don’t worry,” Vicky said, her hand on my shoulder. “We’ll get it fixed. I promise.”
I nodded, my throat tight.
I took a long, hot bath in the enormous, claw-footed tub, the scented water soothing my tired muscles and my frayed nerves. I chose a simple, elegant blue dress from the closet and let Vicky help me with my hair and makeup.
When I was ready, I looked at myself in the full-length mirror, and I barely recognized the she-wolf staring back at me. I looked… happy. There was a light in my eyes that had been missing for a long time, a soft blush on my cheeks that wasn’t from crying.
A servant, a young, pretty she-wolf with a sweet smile, came to escort me to dinner. She led me to a large, formal dining room, where a long table was set for a feast.
Kade was already there, standing by the fireplace, a glass of whiskey in his hand. He was wearing a pair of black trousers and a crisp white shirt, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing his strong, tattooed forearms.
He looked up as I entered, and his golden eyes widened in appreciation. A slow, smoldering smile spread across his face, a look of such raw possession and desire that it made my knees go weak.
“You look beautiful, my little wolf,” he said, his voice a low, husky purr that sent a shiver down my spine.
He walked over to me and took my hand, lifting it to his lips for a soft, lingering kiss. The bond between us flared, a warm, intoxicating current that flowed between us.
He led me to the table and pulled out a chair for me, a perfect gentleman. The table was laden with food – roasted meats, fresh vegetables, warm bread, and a selection of cheeses and fruits.
We ate in a comfortable silence, the only sound the crackling of the fire and the clinking of our silverware. I found myself relaxing, the tension that had been a constant companion for so long slowly starting to melt away.
After dinner, Kade led me out to the balcony that adjoined the dining room. The night was clear and cool, the sky a blanket of black velvet studded with a million glittering stars.
“Are you happy here?” he asked, his voice a soft murmur in the darkness.
I looked out at the vast, wild forest that surrounded us, at the moon hanging like a silver coin in the sky. I thought of the warm welcome I had received, of the beautiful room that was now mine, of the powerful, handsome Alpha who was now my mate.
“I… I think I could be,” I admitted, my voice barely a whisper.
He moved to stand behind me, his large, warm body a solid presence at my back. He wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me back against his chest. I leaned into his embrace, a sense of peace and rightness settling over me.
“Good,” he said, his lips brushing against my hair. “Because this is where you belong. With me.”
He turned me around to face him, his golden eyes blazing with an intensity that stole my breath away. He slowly lowered his head, and my heart started to pound in my chest.
This was it. He was going to kiss me.
And the most terrifying part?
I wanted him to.
