Chapter 14 - 14

Turk went back to his room early the next morning and gently sat next to Mazelina, remembering his actions last night. Although he had told her he would never hurt her, he should have remembered that there was still a small spark of fear of him. They weren't in her familiar territory anymore. They were in his and here, he had all the advantages.

"Mazelina, wake up." He shook her lightly. She opened her purple eyes and looked at him, something like fear and shame there. "I'm sorry about last night. I didn't mean to frighten you or get angry."

Her expression turned surprised. "But, I should have known," she murmured. "You haven't hurt me yet. I should know that you won't."

Turk was now surprised. "But I should not have done what I did."

Mazelina shrugged and turned so she was on her back. "Your wolf was so big, and I haven't seen…" She blushed. "I haven't seen males like that."

Turk wasn't surprised by this statement. He knew Owain, knew that Alpha kept privacy among his pack members. As for his wolf, that was something he would have expected. "I'm sorry, Lina."

She gave him a small smile. "It's okay."

They sat there for a moment in silence before Turk stood and stretched. "Have a little more rest. I will be out for a bit with Yovel. Rudi will be around if you need something."

Mazelina frowned. "How long will you be?"

"A few hours." When her frown deepened, Turk narrowed his eyes. "What's wrong?"

She didn't answer, just stared at him, as if expecting he would guess.

"Mazelina, you know you can talk to me through the bond, right? No matter where I am, I will hear you."

Realization hit her eyes instantly. Then her face changed from gloomy to happy. She smiled again and curled into the blankets. "I know. I just forgot."

Turk nodded, understanding. He bent down and kissed her head before leaving the room.

Mazelina later entered a very bright room where several pack members were working hard. She couldn't tell what they were doing, except it involved papers and phone calls. Walking around, she didn't bother anyone, just looked. She had never seen this in Owain's pack. But then, maybe she wasn't privy to all the inner workings while she was there.

Soon she left and found a comfortable-looking sitting area with poofy armchairs and soft couches. There was even a large television on one wall.

"Good morning, Luna."

She spun to see a female with a feather duster in one hand and a cloth in the other. "Who are you?" she asked, cringing at the harshness of her tone.

The female smiled. "I'm Noreen. I work here."

Mazelina stepped back and to the side of the doorway so the girl could go in. "Sorry. I didn't mean to be in your way."

Noreen shook her head. "Please, don't apologize. Do you need anything? I may be able to help."

Mazelina looked around nervously. "I don't think so. I'm just looking. I have nothing to do."

"Is there anywhere, in particular, you would like to see?"

"How big is this place?"

Noreen broadened her smile. "My dear, it is quite big indeed. Alpha Turk made sure his pack had everything they needed in his first few years of becoming a leader. He left no stone unturned in his remodeling. It would take a few days to see it all."

Mazelina's eyes widened. "How does everyone get around so quickly?"

"It's a pattern. Learn the pattern, you learn the layout."

"Well, what do you think is the most interesting place here?"

Noreen put her cleaning supplies on a nearby table, took Mazelina's hand, and sped down the hall with excitement.

Kortan, Rudi, Aster, Jecht, and Resno were talking in the dining hall. Jecht and Resno were on break while Kortan and Aster were about to take their places in forest rotations. Rudi was hearing reports from the first two since Turk was busy.

Glancing at his watch, he found it was half-past noon and still hadn't seen Mazelina yet. From their journey, Turk had said she was usually awake by mid-morning. He contacted Inigo and asked if he had seen the Luna anywhere on his security cameras.

"Noreen took her to the nursery with all the pups."

Rudi blinked in surprise. "Why?"

"I don't know, but she seems happy. It's probably the best I've seen since we saw her for the first time."

Turk had miscalculated how long he would be with Yovel. By mid-afternoon, he was sitting on a log and taking a small break. He hasn't heard any concerns from Rudi or Mazelina. He knew he wouldn't worry, but after last night, he wanted to make sure she was acclimating well.

Before he could though, Yovel was ready to go. Turk sighed and got up, getting back to work.

Mazelina had Deja show her the way back to the dining room so she could fill her protesting stomach. She forgot to eat breakfast, so she was starving.

Beside her, Deja said, "The pups love you. Anytime you want to play with them, don't be shy."

"Thank you," Mazelina replied softly.

A few minutes later, Deja gestured to the double doors and said goodbye. Mazelina entered and saw sandwiches, salads, casseroles, fruits, and many other things. Her stomach growled and she didn't want any longer. Mazelina dove in with a plate and grabbed what she wanted, then sat at the table and ate as politely as she could even though there was no one else. Afterward, she said back and sighed, content to stay there and sleep.

Her eyes were closed and her brain turned off when she heard a chuckle. Jumping, Mazelina looked around to see Anju in the doorway with Rudi and someone else. They grinned at her and walked in. "If you want to take a nap, your bedroom isn't that far!" Rudi teased.

"It's too far!" she whined.

More chuckles. Anju sat beside her and said, "Turk and Inigo are almost done. They will be back by dinner time then we're going to have some fun."

"Fun?" Mazelina and skeptically.

"Yes."

"What does that entail?"

Anju gave another grin. "That's for you to find out!"

Mazelina groaned, not liking the sound of that, but shrugged and crossed her hand on the table to lay her head down. "Wake me when they get back," she yawned and shut her eyes.

Turk exited the elevator and stepped out into the hall, looking around. It was almost dark outside, and he was exhausted. He saw many pack mates wandering around chatting. Some bowed their heads when they saw him, but most weren't paying attention.

He found Kortan reading and said, "I don't see Mazelina."

Kortan raised his brows at him with a dumbfounded expression. "You didn't hear?"

"Hear what?"

"Luna is in the dining room…" He smirked. "Apparently Anju said something and now they're fighting." He shrugged. "If you can call it that."

Turk ran down the hall to the room and slammed open the doors. On the table, half gasping for air, half giggling, Anju and Mazelina are wrestling each other, Anju on top. Around them, three others were watching, grinning at the females.

"What's going on?" Turk demanded.

Everyone froze and turned to him. Mazelina went wide-eyed and struggled to get up. Anju absently got off and bowed to Turk, same with the others. Mazelina got off the table and stood amongst them, looking guilty. He was amused but didn't show it. Instead, he crossed his arms and waited. Anju spoke first. "It was my fault, Alpha. I said some things and started it."

Mazelina coughed. Turk asked, "None of you thought to take this outside to the arena?"

Mazelina looked up in alarm. "You have an arena?"

"That's not the point," he said firmly. "Why were you on the table, going for each other's throats?"

Mazelina looked at Anju before back at Turk. "Because I was asleep and didn't want to move. Anju was getting annoyed and started to insult me. I attacked her."

His brows rose. "Why were you tired?"

"She was with the pups most of the day," Inigo interjected. "Plus, she skipped the morning meal."

"Inigo!" All the others hissed at him, including Mazelina.

Inigo shrugged. "I'm sorry!"

Turk finally smirked.

Mazelina grinned at her mate when she saw the amusement in his grey eyes, then ran up to him to give an embrace she had been longing to do all day. He wrapped his arms around her and chuckled. "If you attacked Anju, why were you two laughing?" he asked in her ear.

"We were getting commentary from Inigo." She pulled back and smiled up at him. "Shiba was making fun of him."

"I see," Turk said and straightened. He looked at the others who hadn't moved and asked, "If we're still doing that later, then we had better get ready to eat. I will not play with no energy."

Everyone smiled and hurried past, doing whatever they had to do. Mazelina frowned, taking a step away from Turk to say, "Anju mentioned something about tonight, but wouldn't tell me."

Turk hummed to himself then said, "All I will say is that you will be the center of their attention."

She scowled. "Why me?"

"To see their Luna in action," he said and took her to their seats.