As the car parked right outside the pack, Arisa felt nostalgia overcome her seeing the familiar building. There were a few more trees grown around the place, slight renovations here and there, and new faces around, but she still vividly could recount all the memories, both good and bad which she had spent here.
As she got down, Ruby jumped down right beside her without warning and almost fell flat on her face from abruptly jumping off the car like she was starring in an action movies. You know... the type that Michael makes her watch.
"Ruby!" Arisa caught her before she face plants on the floor, but she's laughing and not even bothered. She tried to carry her, but she wriggles, silently disagreeing and Arisa just let her on her own, but ensure she's close to the car as she watched their driver carry down their suitcase and other bags.
"Thank you so much," Saying, she pulled out some money and stretched her hand towards him but he doesn't take it, only tilting his cap towards her. "Consider it a free ride on behalf of your beautiful daughter ma'am."
"Thank you..." She couldn't help beaming as the man waved just before driving off and leaving them standing in the compound with their things behind them.
From the large golden gates leading into the main Alpha's mansion, Arisa could see the Pack guards giving us curious, suspicious glances, but they made no move towards she and her daughter.
"Come on sweetie. Come help Mommy." She said, just to attract her attention and she ran right up to me and climbed right on the large suitcase and sits on it like it was a fun ride at the amusement park, throwing her arms in the air and screaming at the top of her voice. "Helping Mommy!!!"
"Of course you are." Arisa sneered with a smile and hung the other bag over her shoulder before carrying the suitcase with one hand and dragging the trolley with her other hand.
Ruby pointed out the gates up ahead in awe and went in full motion narration on how she wanted a golden wolf just like the gates. Ever since she told Ruby about how wolves were in existence, she had been talking non-stop about it, wishing the years would run by faster so she'd get hers.
Arisa's expression dropped silently when she remembered something and realized that after what had happened concerning the circumstances of her birth, chances of her having her wolf would be very slim.
"... and I want a golden house, and a golden puppy. Ouuu, mommy, can I also dye my hair golden. Black is so boringggg" She dragged that letter 'g' like she wanted to pull it right out of the word 'boring'.
Arisa ignored her, knowing It wasn't her she was asking to dye her hair the color of the pack's gate. Next thing, she'd be asking for golden colored boogers. She swore, she could.
By the time they approached the gates, she handed the men her ID card and some papers without a word. She knew they wouldn't make her entrance easy as It was obvious she hadn't shown her face to this side of the world before, so for security reasons, they'd obviously want to know who they're letting into their Alpha's domain.
As they went through it, her eyes scanned the area, taking note of how different the Alpha's mansion was looking. It had been repainted a deep burgundy red and milk white. She grinded her teeth silently. This was a family house and Ravenna had done everything within her power to make sure It changed so completely that she wouldn't have recognized It even though more than two decades of her life have been spent here before.
She had no respect for the legacy.
Well, what do you expect when the wrong person is given so much power and responsibilities?
"You've lived amongst the humans for quite some time now. Why did you suddenly change your mind about coming back here... and It says here that you've already filled the required documents making you legal to be able to work here."
"I didn't plan on staying over there forever. Although living amongst humans has given me valuable experiences and insights that I couldn't find elsewhere. As for the documents, I wanted to ensure that I could fully immerse myself in the pack and contribute to it in a meaningful way. I'm excited to be here now and eager to make a positive impact while serving my Alpha and Luna."
"And the kid? Is she yours?"
No she's just some stray kid I picked up on the way here. Do we really not look that alike?
"Yes. This is my daughter, Ruby." Arisa fondly reached down to pat her hair.
"And her father?"
"Deceased." She replied with a straight face.
After a few interrogations back and forth, Arisa sighed when they finally opened the gates and led her in. To her relief, some Omegas approached her and helped her carry some of her things all the way cooing at Ruby, patting her cheek with their eyes glinting with pure joy and admiration.
"Is she your daughter?"
"She's so beautiful. Is she your daughter?"
"She must look a lot like her father."
Arisa held back a sneer hearing their words. She had heard this so many times that her hatred for Ruby's father grew everyday knowing that her daughter unfortunately had to take after his exact features. It was annoying having to hear the question over and again and even have people doubt their relationship as mother and daughter, but what could she do?
She held simple conversations with them as they showed her to a room in the servant's quarters behind the Alpha's mansion which she would be sharing with Ruby. It was small but cozy, and the bed wasn't all that uncomfortable, but Ruby seemed to like It, so she didn't mind. After all, she didn't come to get comfortable.
"The Alpha and Luna are out. But you can freshen up and meet the Head Omega in the Alpha's mansion when you're done for proper introductions." Aisha, one of the Omegas had stayed back to inform her after the others had left.
"Okay. Thank you... ?"
"It's Aisha. Your daughter is really pretty. Is it okay If I braid her hair later?"
She took In Aisha's appearance. She looked no less than 14 years and seemed to be the youngest she'd seen from the lot that had helped her in so far. Her chestnut hair was flawless and in cute pig tails. Her violet eyes were clear and full of innocence as she looked at her pleadingly.
"Ruby would you like her to braid your hair just like hers?" They turn to see Ruby at the far end of the room, looking out the window in awe. However, when her eyes met Aisha's and spotted her hair, she quickly ran up to them, nodding frantically. "Yes.. yes.. I want."
"So I guess you can keep her busy while I meet with the Head Omega later?" She asked, her eyes glinting in amusement when Aisha clapped her hands, jumping in excitement like she had just promoted her. Arisa wondered who her parents were and why she was working here. This would have been considered a crime to let an underaged work amongst full grown women, especially men.
Ravenna and Stephan were that desperate huh?
"Thank you." She squealed and after flashing Ruby a beaming smile, left them alone.
However, just before she left, she almost ran into someone at the door. Arisa got up on seeing a kid upon Aisha stepping to the side in shock, breathing out in relief.
"Ares! What are you doing in the servants' quarters?"
"Does he work here?" Arisa asked in shock, surprised at how Ravenna could stood so low. He was a kid! Barely 10 years old.
"What? No..." Aisha chuckled as she waved off her words before leaning down to pat his head despite the arrogant frown on his face. "He's just seven. He's the Alpha's son."