Clara’s POV
Walking through the treeline, I followed behind Sonny as we made our way towards his packhouse. The vibrant rays of light beamed through the treetops, and the sounds of nature swirled through my ears.
I couldn’t believe that Sonny was taking me to the pack. Finally.
I made sure to take note of the terrain, and look for easy ways in and out of the grounds. Just in case I needed to make a quick getaway. There was no way I could allow myself to get comfortable here.
“How much farther?” I asked.
He turned over his shoulder to check on me with a smile.
Damn, that smile... It was kind of sexy.
Stay focused, Clara.
“Not too much farther…” He stopped, waiting for me to catch up before moving in step with me. “Why? In a rush?”
Yeah, achieving my objective is top priority, I thought. Not you.
“No, just excited to see the place.” I replied, then smiled softly and looked down. “I heard stories when I was little about it being a safe haven. People used to come from all over to visit the Alpha and Luna. They had the best warriors, and the grandest parties.”
Sonny chuckled at what I said. “Yeah, we do. Or… we did. No parties in a long time, though. Not since m–… since the former Alpha died.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. The Luna didn’t find it to be the same. I…” He took a breath. “I lost my dad, too, around that time. So many people lost someone back then.”
Sonny’s words touched me.
“Trust me,” I replied with a sigh, “I know what you mean.”
***
When the pack house came into view, I found myself in shock.
It was the grandest building I had ever seen. I felt like my neck would crack from staring up at it.
For a moment, I basked in its beauty. But, suddenly, the sight filled me with anger.
While the rest of us lived in squalor, here, they were… Murderers… Living like royalty with a beautiful home they didn’t deserve.
I was envious and enraged. My hope was still in ruins, and here they were—a pack that killed without reason—living like this.
“Are you okay?” Sonny asked, grabbing my attention.
Taking a deep breath, I forced a smile upon my lips. I couldn’t let him see I was angry about this.
“Oh, yes,” I replied. “I was just taking in how breathtaking your home is.”
I watched as Sonny turned to look at the packhouse and chuckled. “Yeah, I guess it can have that effect on newcomers. I don’t really notice it like that anymore…” He shrugged his shoulders and smiled. “It’s just home.”
This arrogant prick! Just home? Did he not realize what they had?!
He turned away to keep walking, and I followed, but I couldn’t help but feel annoyed with what he said.
It made sense, though. This was a place he saw all the time, and it didn’t even look like it had seen the war.
I was jealous of his home already, and I had barely seen anything about it.
We stepped foot into the doorway of the packhouse, where we were quickly greeted by a tall dark-haired man with deep green eyes. His arms crossed over his chest—he didn’t look like he’d smiled a day in his life.
“Vincent!” Sonny said with a smile.
“...Sonny,” he replied with a raised brow and what almost looked like pain behind his eyes.
“Oh, Vincent, don’t be so stiff,” Sonny chuckled before turning to me. “He is a bit shy, and not used to new people. Don’t worry—eventually, he will warm up to you.”
“Oh…” I nodded my head before turning to Vincent with a smile. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
He glanced at me for a second, and then disgust seemed to fill him.
He turned and walked away without a word.
He’s definitely going to be one to watch out for, I thought to myself.
Sonny watched Vincent go, his brow furrowed with frustration and what looked like a trace of hurt.
“Come on,” Sonny said, shaking his head at Vincent’s actions before climbing the stairs. “I’ll show you to your room.”
One step at time, we climbed the two flights of stairs up towards what I would have guessed to be the Alpha’s floor. However, Sonny said that the Alpha didn’t live in the packhouse.
To be honest, I found that odd. But then again, I remembered tales that, in the old days, when the Alpha found his mate, they would often have a home away from the packhouse. So perhaps it was true.
We stopped in front of a large white and gold door. Uncertain, I glanced toward Sonny.
He hesitated at the door for a moment before slowly turning to me and almost forcing a smile to his face.
“This room is for you.”
He pushed open the door and gestured for me to enter.
Taking a step forward, I moved inside—and my eyes widened instantly at the beauty before me.
A large four poster bed sat against the right wall, its covers decorated with white and blush floral patterns. White and golden nightstands sat on either side, and along the farthest wall sat a large bay window with a seat that overlooked the property.
“Oh… wow,” I said breathlessly, looking around. “Sonny… Are you sure this is me?”
I heard his chuckle behind me, and I spun to look at him.
Inches… He was only mere inches from me.
“Yes,” he said slowly. “It’s all for you.”
The feeling of the matebond was growing stronger, and the flutter in my chest made me feel drawn to him even more.
I had to stay focused. I couldn’t just trust him right away.
He belonged to a pack full of murderers, regardless of whether he was my mate.
“Sonny…” I stammered, trying to find my words. “I…”
“It’s okay, Clara. It’s just a room. Stop overthinking it.”
He took a step back, and his smile fell a little. “Get some rest, and get settled in. I’ll come get you for dinner later.”
The door closed, and, once again, I was left alone.
I wasn’t sure what had just happened.
Sonny leaving made my chest hurt, and a feeling of confusion filled me.
I was here for another purpose. Why did I feel the way I did?
Turning to take in the splendors of the room behind me, I felt overwhelmed—but couldn’t help but smile with quiet glee.
“This is beautiful…” I mumbled to myself as I dropped my backpack and walked around. “This is definitely more than I expected.”
I was just a rogue, as far as they knew; I should be in some sort of group dormitory, or at least the sort of plain room they give low-ranking wolves. This place was dripping wealth and elegance.
Was the pack so rich that even their common rooms looked like this? I couldn’t quite believe that. Maybe Sonny had pulled some strings for me, because I was his mate?
The thought made my face turn red again.
I didn’t know what to make of the situation. I was used to having clarity and purpose in everything I did—but, in this moment, I found myself more confused than I ever had been.
There was something about the way Sonny was with me that woke me up inside, and yet I couldn’t help but feel suspicious of my feelings.
The past was always lingering in my mind, and the sound of my mother’s choked voice, the sight of the blasted nursery, haunted me.
I had to avenge their deaths. Find out who was responsible.
And perhaps… Sonny could help me.
Time would tell if he would be on my side. Until then, I had to get to know the place I would now call home—at least, for the time being. Ever since the attack, I never stayed in one place long enough for that.
Besides, this pack was filled with killers around every corner, and, if I wasn’t careful, I would be the next target on their list.
That was why I was here, though. To fix the wrongs of the past, and set right the future.
The Alpha of this pack had to answer for the crimes they had committed against my family. He had to answer for the sins of his father.
I could only hope my mate wouldn’t hate me for what I had to do. But there was no stopping me.
When all was said and done – the Alpha of Stone Pack was going to die.