23. A Well Needed Break

KIARA

So, Dad chose to send me to this pack simply because our pack was a hot spot for attacks? It irritated me how he felt I was incompetent or something. What did I need to do to show him I"m so much more than he gives me credit for? Yes I"m not perfect, nor am I the standard wolf. I have two disadvantages but I make up for them in other aspects. I love Dad but I just wish he could see I was ready to take care of myself.

The journey to Alejandro's pack took just under two hours, I swear he was speeding way over the speed limit. We didn't speak much. When we did, the sexual tension was just growing and it was getting suffocating in here. Him just looking at me got my core throbbing and that effect alone scared me.

I ended up reading a book or texting Raven. I was so incredibly excited that she was actually joining me. We were going to have a blast, and then there was the blood moon. The chance to find my mate would be high and I felt a little excited, but at the same time, Alejandro slipped into my mind. Would these feelings go away when I met my mate?

He parked up outside a very extravagant, flashy mansion. It was completely black and grey with windows across the entire front. I could see the modern interior inside too. Three large steps led to the double door entrance, with lights illuminating the rim of each step. Fancy... the dude sure was loaded.

I got out slowly and looked around. A large wall surrounded the entire mansion and grounds. Was it just the one mansion? Where did the pack live?

"Are you just going to stand there?"

"What do you expect me to do, make myself at home and show myself in?"

We glared at each other as he walked off to the mansion, opening the door. I ran after him, ignoring the constant pain in my ankle and followed him inside with just my handbag with me.

The inside was as modern as the outside. The theme was black, white and grey. It looked like it was straight out of a magazine. There was no mess or homey touch apart from the perfect ornaments and art that matched the theme of the décor and interior.

"Is this your house?"

"No, it's the fucking Grinch's."

"Well, you're as gloomy and depressing as he is. I was just asking." I retorted.

"Well don't ask fucking dumb questions." He said, heading upstairs.

Do I follow? Guess so. The stairs were carpeted down the centre and I made my way up, stumbling as I tried to keep up with him. He didn't turn back as he walked down the hall. It smelled like him. That was the first thing I realised as I passed one of the doors. Slowing down as I looked at the sleek black wood.

"Want to get into my bedroom already?" He asked, now smirking as he opened the door next to it.

I felt my cheeks heat up and rolled my eyes.

"You wish." I said walking past, when I stopped and looked up at him. "Wait, this is your mansion… I"m staying here?"

He crossed his arms as he leant against the door frame.

"Elijah wanted me to take care of you… and I intend to." He said, a predator like smirk crossing his face. My heart skipped a beat as I watched his gaze run over me.

"What about Raven?" I asked, my voice sounding pitchy. Damn, focus girl!

"She's got the room opposite you." He said, making me feel a little relieved. "But make sure she stays out of my way. I promised your father to not hurt you, I didn't say anything about her."

His words made my anger flare up but I clenched my fist and forced myself to breathe and calm down. If he dares to touch Raven; I'll chop him to pieces, blend him up and make smoothies.

I shuddered at my own thoughts. Goddess, where did that creepy thought come from? But really… imagine an Alejandro smoothie. Maybe I could call it an ‘Alpha King Supreme smoothie". I giggled at the thought.

He glanced at me as if I were weird before he opened a door. I guess I can"t blame him, I was laughing to myself like a weirdo.

I looked inside. It was a nice room, decorated in grey and white. There was a large rug in the centre of the room and the king-sized bed was covered in grey and white bedding. The large ceiling to floor windows covered the entire wall opposite and looked out over the huge gardens.

From here I could actually see beyond the walls, where I saw other houses and buildings not too far beyond the perimeter. Floor-length curtains hung on each side of the window. There was a small chest of drawers on either side of the bed and a dresser on the same wall as the door. Wardrobes lined one wall and a second door led off to what I presumed was the bathroom.

"Thank you…" I said, I wasn't expecting this. A sudden thought came to me and I turned. "Rayhan and Raihana are here, right?"

I hadn"t seen both in over a year, Rayhan even longer as he was currently doing his Alpha training. I was actually excited to see him.

"Yeah, they will be staying down the hall…. They came this morning. Fuck, now I"m going to have a fucking full house." He muttered as he walked out the door.

I bit my tongue to keep from replying and instead walked over to the bed. I dropped onto it and stared at the ceiling.

Being here made me nervous and excited… Alejandro. He was the reason for my excitement - being here with no Liam or Dad, I didn't trust myself. I was finally free! I could breathe. My mind drifted back to the arrogant Alpha and I bit my lip. Was it so bad to want a piece of the Alpha King?

Just the thought sent a throbbing ache to my core and I sat up, just as the door opened to reveal a girl with dark brown eyes and black curls up to her shoulders. Her eyes widened when she saw me.

"Kiara!" She shrieked as she ran over to me and pounced on top of me, knocking the breath from me.

"Ow… Rai…" I groaned as she squeezed me painfully. "Ouch, ouch, ouch…"

"Get off her Rai." A deep masculine voice came and I looked to see Rayhan standing there.

He had grown a lot. Now towering over 6 feet, he had a small goatee and his curly hair was pulled into a pony. I could see some similarities between him and his uncle, but the biggest difference was his warmer aura and the smile that played on his lips.

"Rayhan!" I said sitting up. He came over and I stood up, wrapping my arms around his waist. He hugged me tightly.

"You've grown."

"She's gotten sexy." Raihana chimed in as she looked at her brother, giving him a suggestive wink and motioning at me.

"Time's not changed you." I said to the sixteen-year-old who had now dropped back on the bed in contentment.

"Oooo this means uncle"s back! Let's go annoy him." She got off the bed and Rayhan sighed.

"Don't. Be grateful he agreed to let us come." He muttered.

"That should be my line." I said. Rayhan smirked.

"That was a miracle too. I thought Liam said Raven was coming too?"

"She is. She should be here soon." I said. They knew Raven well as we were both glued at the hip since forever. "Your uncle was speeding."

It was really weird calling Alejandro their uncle… Was it alright to be crushing on my friend's uncle?

"Wait, he drove you?" Rayhan confirmed, curiosity filling his eyes.

"Yeah." I said nonchalantly. There was a light knock on the door and a young man, clearly an omega, stood there with my bags.

"Sorry to disturb you, the King said to bring your bags up."

"Thanks, you can just put them on the bed." I said.

"Well, we'll let you freshen up and catch you in a bit?" Rayhan suggested.

I nodded as the siblings left the room and I closed the door. I took a deep breath, this was going to be exciting - it felt like a breath of fresh air.

------

It was two hours later and Raven had finally arrived too. After she had freshened up, whilst I caught up a little with the siblings, we headed downstairs for lunch. We stepped into the dining room to see three other people sitting there at the long black table. The high back chairs gave the room a rather stoic and regal feel, despite the design being very modern. The walls held some canvas art, all in the same tones as the rest of the house.

"Elijah's daughter, what an honour." The man said, now standing up. I could tell he was strong; his aura was one of an Alpha's "I'm Darien, Alejandro's Beta."

"Nice to meet you." I said, looking at the man who looked around Alejandro's age. He had shoulder-length brown hair. I had heard of him but never met him.

"Likewise princess. My mate, Serena." He replied smiling, introducing one of the two women who sat there.

The woman stood up and smiled. She was pretty with brown eyes and blond hair. I shook hands with her before turning to the last woman who sat with arrogance in her seat. I instantly didn't like the vibe I was getting off of her. I could tell she was sizing me up, just how I had noticed her sharp eyes on me when I walked over to the table.

"Carmen, head warrior." She said, not bothering to extend a hand, so I didn't either.

"Kiara Westwood." I said before I took the seat next to Rayhan, Raihana was between Raven and me. Alejandro sat at the head of the table with Rayhan on his left and Darien on his right.

"Let's eat!" Darien said, as Serena and he both removed the lids to the food.

There were a variety of dishes, all mainly Italian. I guess it was befitting with the king being Italian himself.

"Ah it sure smells good." Raven said as she began putting some on her plate.

I glanced at Alejandro, who sat there as moody and cold as always. He looked up and our eyes met for a moment before he helped himself to some food and I looked away smoothly. He looked effortlessly sexy in whatever he did and I couldn"t stop myself from staring, I really needed to get a grip.

"So, it's actually nice to have some kids around here." Darien said. I could tell he was chatty and I had a feeling I was going to like the couple.

"Tia will be happy. She's our thirteen-year-old." Serena explained.

I understood that the Night Walker Pack didn't really have many children, only those of the warriors, or in Tia's case, her parents being the Beta couple.

"Wow, only a few years younger than me." Raihana added. "So Uncle Al, how are you going to be a good host to us?"

Alejandro looked up at her, his dark eyes cold.

"By making sure I don't fucking decapitate you."

Raihana's face fell and Rayhan quirked his brow at Alejandro.

"Really Uncle?"

"What the fuck do you want me to do? Your Dad sent you two, I didn't ask him to."

"So, you don't miss us?" Raihana asked, hurt clear in her eyes.

"He probably does." I said quietly with a small smile.

"I don't." Alejandro said, shooting me a glare. I frowned back at him, not caring as his aura seemed to swirl around him.

"Alright, lets just eat." Darien added glancing between the two of us. I knew he was trying to change the subject. I glanced at him, not missing the curiosity in his eyes either.

"Leave it Alpha, they're just kids begging for attention." Carmen spoke, her antagonising tone irritating me.

I didn't like the way she said ‘Alpha' and a sudden burst of irritation filled me. I looked at her, my eyes flashing purple, I could feel my wolf"s anger.

‘Calm down girl. ' I said to her. ‘I got this.'

"For your information, we're not kids. Just because our opinions don't match the kings, doesn"t mean they have no value."

"Here it doesn"t kid. This is the king"s home." She said with a tilt of her head, her eyes turning a deep gold as she smirked slightly.

I clenched my jaw, trying to calm my rage.

"I know and for that reason, I won"t disrespect him, but if anyone else irritates me, I won"t hold back." I said icily.

Her contemptuous gaze had really irritated me.

"Oh? Did you forget the part where I"m the head warrior here? When you're just a girl with a limp-"

A deep, threatening growl tore through the room, making all eyes turn to Alejandro. My heart thudded in fear at the anger I felt in that growl. But to my surprise, his burning red gaze was not on us but Carmen, who had paled slightly. I saw Raihana and Raven go white as we all felt the heavy blanket of darkness that filled the room while it emanated from the Alpha King himself.