5. MIA

Chapter 5

MIA

I don’t know why I just lied. Perhaps it’s the unexplainable bout of tears that took over me out of nowhere.

One moment I was relieved that I was being released. Next, I was overcome with a sense of heartbreak that I’ve never experienced before.

It’s not like I look forward to going back to Blackclaw. There’s nothing there except the abuse I’ll face once they find out I’m the wolf they chased.

I’ll probably have to face the cruelty of ridicule once again. Something I should be used to by now.

But as soon as the Alpha of Nightwalker opened the door and asked me to leave, I just couldn’t move.

Even now, as he stares at me with the most intense confusion, my feet feel cemented to the floor. Completely frozen, my body refuses to move like I have no control of it. My mind warns me to run, but my body stays put.

“You’ve been kicked out of your pack?”

I lift my head to find him staring at me speculatively. One brow lifted, he stares at me through narrowed eyes. Gone is whatever anger he might have shown before. His shoulders seem relaxed now.

I nod in response to his question. To affirm what I’d said before. Even though I lied, there isn’t an ounce of fear or guilt for my lie. It’s practically the truth. Almost.

Perhaps I’d been more fearful of what might have happened if I went back to Rocheport.

“Why?”

“Because I’m the orphaned Omega of the pack,” I reply rather quickly. It’s not like I’d been rehearsing what to say. But at least this part isn’t a lie. “I don’t have family in the Blackclaw Pack. And my rank is meaningless.”

“Still…were they the ones chasing you?” The Alpha narrows his eyes to small slits of censure. “... Why did they kick you out?”

Blinking back the moisture in my eyes, I admit, “that was them. They kicked me out because my wolf was delayed by three years.”

There’s a moment of tense silence that passes, cut when he suddenly chuckles. “That makes a lot of sense.” His exhale is long as his paled knuckles release the cell door. “So, you don’t have anywhere else to go?”

I shake my head, sniffing. “No.”

The Alpha, Theo, blows a breath out as he steps aside. “Come on,” he gestures with a nod. “If you’re a desolate wolf, I’m not gonna be a brute. You can take refuge here until you decide on what to do.”

Frowning deeply, I exit the cell and follow the ALpha as he heads to a set of lift doors. He punches in a code, permitting the doors to slide open.

Once inside, I carefully take a look around. Everything is pretty high-tech. Nothing like the Blackclaw facilities.

And when we arrive at our destination, the lift opens up to a classy floor of white tiles and white walls. Clean and modern, with furnishings of black and grays.

“This is the pack den,” the Alpha announces as he continues down the corridor. “You’ll stay in the main house for now.”

The main house is nothing like the main house back in Rocheport. It’s a fortress, fit for royalty with its castle-like design. Tall pillars and cascading walls. Golds and greens in all the right places against the backdrop of velvet cream.

Heavenly.

“Brother!” A beautiful dark-haired girl emerges from one corner when we enter the main house.

She’s the carbon copy of the Alpha with the very same penetrating green eyes. Only, she’s petite where he’s broad. Her hair flows out to the tips of her thighs where his only fans his nape.

“... Anastasia…” the Alpha says slowly as he lifts his head. “This is our guest, Mia.”

“Hi, Mia!” the sister bounces toward me, a spring in her step. She’s naturally bubbly and charismatic, that’s clear when she hugs a perfect stranger.

Nervously patting her back in response, she finally releases me. “Welcome to Overton, the land of the Nightwalker Pack.”

“Don’t sound so formal,” Theo scoffs. “We’re not Lycans.”

“And who says we can’t pretend?” Anastasia teases as she sticks her tongue out. “Mom sure enjoyed living in this place.”

I can’t help but giggle into my hand. I like the Alpha’s sister. Suddenly, a pair of dainty fingers captures my wrist and she pulls me along.

Anastasia’s movements are so fluid, I can’t help but saunter in that same manner. Taking the wide staircase as if we’re floating on clouds.

“So…” Anastasia comes to an elegant halt in front of a closed door down the hallway. She turns to me, mischief flashing in her eyes.

She’s so magical…

“... Guest, huh?” she titters as she raises one brow. “Upgraded to esteemed guest.”

“Why?”

“Because I like you,” Anastasia whispers before turning to unlock the door with a scan of her hand. When it clicks! to unlock, hydraulic systems slide the door to one side.

It opens up to the largest bedroom I’ve ever seen. White trimmings on a rose-gold background. And touches all the shades of blue in fine art on the walls.

Gawking with an open mouth, I enter the bedroom after Anastasia. I’ve never known this type of luxury to exist. Now, immersed in it with a huge round bed in the center, I’m ready to fling myself on the silk covers.

“You only just met me…” I mumble between my breathless moments of awe.

Anastasia giggles. “I get good vibes from you. It must be your energy.”

Frowning, I stare after Anastasia as she saunters into the room on featherlight feet. I realize that it’s some kind of gift. A superpower from the Moon Goddess Herself.

Anastasia is blessed.

But…

I had that very same feeling as soon as I met her. As if I own such a refined power like that. The ultimate feminine gift – extraordinary intuition.

Wait…

I’m not supposed to know that. At least, I’ve never learned it before.

“Mia!” Anastasia calls, snapping me from my daze. “Come on!” she waves me over before parting another door on the left wall.

Smiling warmly at her, I make my way into the lavish bathroom. With its own jacuzzi and sauna, and everything luxury can offer.

“You can freshen up and join us at six p.m. for dinner.” She glances at the diamond-studded watch on her wrist. “That gives you about four hours to do whatever you feel like. There’s a balcony,” she adds with a wink.

I giggle as Anastasia leaves the bathroom. She calls out that the closets are filled with everything I’d need.

I thank her, then step into the shower. The warm water calms the muscles that had been stretched by the wolf. It’s a dull ache – not painful enough to draw attention.

Only now that the shower spray hits my back, I feel the tension being released.

It’s a wonderful feeling. So is being here, in an actual shower. Instead of using a bucket in a metal bath and warming water on a coal-stove.

The upgrade calls for sending gratitude to the Moon Goddess. The Winter air is cool as the sun sets earlier than other seasons. I dress in a fine cashmere kaftan – imported from Turkey, as the label states. I step out onto the balcony and breathe in the cool air.

I look up to spot the two-day-old full moon in the sky, lit like the most powerful light. I close my eyes and give my thanks to the Moon Goddess.

Being here, in the lap of luxury, I feel lucky. Blessed. If my test was suffering by the hands of my pack, then this feels like my reward for endurance.

I am grateful.

When I open my eyes, I unclasp my hands and rest them on the railing in front of me. The picturesque view of nature’s beauties painted on a navy canvas is breathtaking. I only frown when I hear some chatter from below.

From underneath the balcony, a couple of heads pop out. Playfully punching each other and laughing heartily.

Amongst them, is the Alpha. The handsome Alpha. Though the party is outside, he glances up at the balcony.

I quickly duck back, not wanting him to see me. If he does – I’m not sure what will happen.

It’s just my gut instinct talking to me again. Throwing up signs to flag down my attention. What it’s trying to say, I’m not sure. All I know is that it’s not negative.

The vibe is similar to Anastasia’s. But not as warm.

Shrugging off the feeling with a roll of my shoulders, I peek over the railing. The Alpha has joined the rest of his crew and doesn’t look back again.

Sighing with relief, I watch them intently as they shift at the entrance of the woods. Each sprints out into the gaping, shadowy mouth of the forest in their wolf form. The Alpha is the last of them to head out.

By the tone of their howls, I make out that they’re on a hunt.

I guess when Anastasia said dinner, it didn’t include the Alpha.

I only find out that it’s just her and I when I arrive at the dining room with five minutes to spare.

“Mia!” Anastasia arrives almost immediately after my arrival.

I smile when I notice something we share in common despite different lifestyles. She's prompt, like me.

“Hi, Ana,” I greet warmly. I notice her delighted smile by the use of the shortened version of her name.

And just like that, Ana and I chat the night away. She tells me all about her adventures here in Overton, on the mountains and near the valley.

I tell her all about my pack. Pointedly leaving out the part about the abuse I used to face.

But even as I pretend-giggle, I notice Ana watching me wearily. Like she senses something is off.

I know it's her intuition, but I act like it's nothing.

The night draws to an end when Anastasia and I are filled with delicious desserts. She sees me into the guest bedroom and plants a kiss on my cheek.

“Good night, Mia,” she greets warmly. “I'll see you around tomorrow.”

When Ana leaves, I climb into the luxurious bed and turn the lights off. The comfort makes my eyelids heavy, causing me to fall asleep within seconds.

I know I'm dreaming because the light is a luminous glow around the bedroom. And there's heat between my thighs, a sensation I don't recognize.

I look down, eyes traveling my bare belly and ending at the apex of my thighs. There, a tuft of dark hair appears.

He looks up, and it's a face I recognize. One I'd just met.

Alpha Theo.

With his lips swollen and moist with my slick. He smirks, the tip of his tongue swiping his bottom lip.

The act is so simple, yet salacious at the same time. Devilishly so, it ignites a burning desire between my thighs. When my legs threaten to snap shut, he grabs my knees and keeps them parted.

When he latches his tongue on my bundle of nerves, his guttural groan reverberates in my core. Sending more heated sensations coursing through me.

I don't even think to question why it's his face between my legs. I've never been attracted to another man before. And this feels too good to be wrong.

In my dream, my moans escalate, becoming the symphony he follows with his skilled tongue. Like a dance, the tip of his tongue waltzes over my clit. Then dips between my folds and has me craving more friction.

Fists curling the sheets, I'm close to the brink of something unknown. To my utmost dismay, my eyes spring open.

And the dream is lost.

I'd just woken up.

No!

Panicking, I close my eyes. But my attempt to fall asleep again is futile. Groaning in the darkness, I reach for the lamp on the nightstand.

And as soon as I click the switch, light is shed on something I wasn't expecting to see.

Alpha Theo.