Toni's PoV:
I pulled an outfit out from my suitcase and shoved it on. I would have waited until Sophie got out the room, but, as she reminded me, she had been the one to undress me when I arrived, and it was her job to make sure the future Luna was presentable enough. There wasn't enough time, besides, and I wanted to find William as soon as possible.
I chose the first clothes my fingers touched -- a white blouse with a black collar and purple skirt. It was similar to what I'd been wearing before the ceremony, but that was mostly because I owned a lot of purple clothes -- it was the Veriten pack colour, after all. I slid into my tights and and a set of enclosed Oxford shoes.
"Do you know where William might be?" I asked Sophie. She was clearing away the breakfast tray and folding the bed sheets back over the mattress, though I had already told her I could do it myself.
"Master William usually attends meetings with his father until ten, and then he attends to pack business until dinner. If you hurry, you might be able to catch him leaving the Alpha's office."
I thanked Sophie and hurried into the bathroom, which was connected to the bedroom via the door Sophie had come though. The door opened to reveal a set of steep wooden stairs and a door on one side, which was the bathroom. Sophie later told me that the stairs were only meant to be used by servants, so they could keep out of sight.
Once I was ready, I sprinted out the bedroom. I left via the other door, which led to a long corridor, lined with portraits and closed windows. The walls were stone, just like the rest of the pack house, and the corridor was so long it felt never ending. Luckily, Sophie had given me some directions, so I knew roughly where I was going.
I ducked out of the corridor and onto a a flight of stairs, which were much wider than the servant stairs I'd just seen. They were carpeted in the same lush blue fabric as the rug in my room, and the banister running along the wall was made of intricately carved wood. I placed my hand on it as I ran down the stairs, hoping to follow at least some of the rules I'd been taught and maintain my balance.
At the bottom of the first flight of stairs was a wide set of double doors, which I pushed open and speed walked through. The next corridor was as lavish as the last, but I noticed that most of the doors had a plaque on them. I didn't stop to read them, but I could already seen the one I was looking for at the end of the corridor.
One door, bigger than the others, was set apart. It was swinging open, being pushed by an invisible hand, and I could just about see a head of dark curls poking out from it. I slowed down, getting my breathing under control.
"William!" I called. He turned his head towards me, his ice coloured eyes seeming to dissect me with a glare. He took a step forward, shutting the door to the Alpha's office behind him.
"I need to talk to you," I said.
"You're awake."
"Yes," I replied. Will was nearer to me, having walked forwards to meet me, and he did not look happy. "I need to go back home."
"This is your home." Will took my arm in his and led me back down the corridor at a measured pace. He looked over his shoulder, eyeing the door of his father's office. I followed him dutifully.
"Well, yes, but I need to go back and say goodbye to my friends. We were going to spend the whole summer together -- I didn't even get to finish the school year."
"You can't."
"Please, Will. I know you want me gone just as badly as I do -- I'll only be a little while. Just until the end of summer. Please?"
I saw the inner battle going on in his eyes. He ran his other hand through his hair before seeming to come to a decision.
"No, Antoinette. This is your home now, you can't just leave. Besides, you're too weak -- being separated from your pack would be very dangerous while you're still recovering from the ceremony."
I scowled, about to counter his point. "Don't, Antoinette," he sighed, cutting me off before I even began. "I haven't got time. If you're really this eager to spend time with friends, I suggest you make some."
We were back at the stairs. Still gripping tightly at my arm, he led me down one flight and then down another. I stared at him, my stomach squirming.
"I'm taking you somewhere to occupy yourself," Will said, his eyebrows furrowed. "Try not to cause any trouble."
"But I don't want to stay! Nobody told me I would be leaving -- I didn't get to say goodbye!" I cried out.
" Look, Antoinette," Will said, spinning around. The look on his face could have shot birds out of the sky, and I flinched back when it was directed at me. "Neither on us want to be in this situation. Do you think I want some stupid pup hanging around me all the time, causing trouble? The truth is, we're stuck like this and we're just going to have to deal with it. You, of all people, should know how important it is to do your duty."
I was shaking in anger. It wasn't my fault we were engaged, and he didn't have to be so rude. I had been doing my duty since I was born, and I had no intention of backing out of it, I just needed more time. I was about to say so when he brought us to a stop.
With a sigh, Will pushed open a set of large double doors. "This is the library," he said, gesturing. "Amuse yourself here." He pushed me inside and closed the door.
"Hey--" I said, my voice dying in my throat. I realised there was no point.