"Hey, are you alright, you seem nervous", Franco patted my hands for comfort.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm from fine", but it came out more like a question.
"You're shaking Adira", I hadn't noticed until he told me. I sighed and looked at the pack house. We have been here for five minutes and I still don't want to get out.
"Relax, you don't have to worry about anything or anyone. I'll be there with you all the time and yes, there's Carl too. If anyone does anything or even glares at you then they don't know what's coming for them".
We went into the pack house and it looked like some kind of history prop from the outside but the interior was very modern.
"Wow", I was in awe of everything, every furniture and painted wall was coordinated, it was superb. There was a big LED on the wall, in fact everything was chef's kiss.
"You like it?", I nodded finding no perfect word to describe it.
"Come on, we have to go to the backyard. Alpha is waiting for us there", he said motioning me to the backyard with his hands.
On the way, I looked at everything within my sight and even got a chance to peek at the kitchen and trust me every woman would love to have a kitchen like this. No words needed.
But something's not right, from the time I set foot in this pack house… I haven't seen a single soul.
Before I could ask, we were standing in the backyard and what I saw made my mouth hang open in shock. My question didn't need an answer because it was in front of my eyes.
"Franco", I whisper yelled.
"Sorry, you were already nervous and afraid and if I had told you that the entire pack house would be present then you wouldn't have come", he whispered back to me.
"How many pack members do you have in your pack?", I looked in front of me, they may be 200.
"300", nope, wrong again.
Before I could yell at him, he started walking towards the stage where Alpha Carl stood with his arms around a petite, beautiful woman.
"Alpha Carl", I addressed him.
"Adira, meet my lovely mate and the Luna of Shadow pack, June", he said and kissed her temple.
She's so beautiful.
"Luna", I bowed to her but heard two loud growls after. Startled I looked up to see Franco and Alpha Carl pin me with a death glare.
What now? My body shook with fear as I automatically put my hands out in front of my face to protect myself.
"Will you both calm down, you're scaring her", Luna June shook her head at them.
"We're sorry", they both said and I just nodded. It was getting awkward.
"You don't bow bow before anyone, Alpha or not", Alpha Carl half yelled making me flinch from the trauma of Beta Leonardo yelling at me anytime I did something wrong.
"Sorry. I… I… I am… s… sor… sorry", I stuttered.
They both looked at me like with sad faces.
"I'm sorry Adira, I didn't mean to yell at you. Please ignore me, I'm an a*shole", Alpha Carl said.
"Yes, yes you are", Luna June said glaring at him. Franco laughed and hid it with a cough.
Alpha Carl glared at her but she just rolled her eyes.
I took a deep steadying breath to calm myself and they smiled at me which I returned.
"Where's the Beta female?"
"She's out of pack grounds doing some business but she'll be back before evening", Franco scratched the back of his neck. I didn't ask him any more questions because I know he'll tell me himself.
You must be wondering about the sudden closeness. Well I had a conversation with Franco on the way here… yes, I wasn't just tree viewing.
He saw his sister in me. She committed suicide after her mate died in an attack and she was his only family after their parents died. From what he told me, we look alike so he wanted to take me as his sister.
I do feel guilty because I lied to them and they're so nice but I don't have a choice.
"Uh, ok"
"If you're done with your boring conversation, can we start the introduction? We have to start her test too", Alpha Carl said with arms folded.
"Means more boring stuff", Luna June said with a mischievous smirk. Oh I like her, Franco and I chuckled.
"I thought you liked my speeches", Alpha Carl countered with a look of mock hurt and betrayal.
"Darling", she sighed with a hand on his shoulder for comfort, "no one loves listening to speeches, it's long and boring".
He glared at her but gave up when she fluttered her lashes at him, "Fine, I forgive you and I'll try to make the speech shorter".
Luna June smiled at him and kissed him on the lips making his frown turn into a big grin. You'd have thought he won the World Cup.
*. *. *. *. *.
Well Luna June was right, Alpha Carl's speech was long and it showed on everyone's faces how much they loved it. But they respect their Alpha so had to pay attention.
Then there was the part where I was introduced to everyone, Alpha Carl told them how I was found and that I'll be starting the loyalty test but what caught my attention was me being out for a week.
That was the longest period on my record of being out, if I were at my old pack then I would have double extra chores to meet up for the missed week.
I'm currently sitting in the small cottage I was given and let me tell you it is in no way small. It's a bungalow style house with two floors, there's a pond nearby like a swimming pool, fully stocked fridge and pantry with food and water, queen sized bed and closet stocked with clothes.
I don't mind extending the test period.
I always wanted a home like this, I'm scared this is just a dream and I'll wake up to my alarm soon to prepare breakfast and clean.
I shook my head to clear my thoughts, I had to give myself a chance at life. I hopped into the shower and my mouth hung open… it has hot water!
After my shower, I made had food then flipped through the T.V channels. I finally settled on a movie when I heard crying.
I immediately got up and followed the voice, it lead me to the woods after the lake and I saw a little girl holding onto the branch of a tree with her hands and legs.
"Are you alright?"
"Please help me, I'm stuck", she said crying even louder.
"Hold on, I'm coming".
I climbed up the tree and had her climb on my back slowly as she released the branch, thank goodness it was sturdy enough. As I was going to climb down, she pointed to another branch.
"Help my kitty, she's stuck there", I looked to see a black cat. So she got stuck trying to save her stuck kitty.
I walked lightly to the other branch holding onto another for support then took the cat with one hand then placed it on my shoulder and made my way down cautiously.
I made her sit on the ground as soon as we met solid ground, her cat started licking her arm.
"Are you hurt?", I asked as I scanned her body for injuries.
"Who are you and what are you doing here? Leave that child alone", a strong feminine voice said with authority.
I turned around to see a girl my age with a bow and arrow aiming at me.