Ava
I woke up with a start, disoriented by my unfamiliar surroundings. It took a moment for the events of the previous night to come rushing back: the arranged marriage, the grand manor, Caleb. I took a deep breath, my heart still racing, and glanced around the room. It was elegantly furnished, with soft, warm colors and luxurious fabrics. The morning sun filtered through the heavy curtains, casting a gentle glow over everything.
I pushed back the covers and slipped out of bed, my feet touching the cool wooden floor. The room was quiet, almost eerily so, compared to the constant noise and bustle of my old home in Silverwood. For a moment, I felt a pang of homesickness, but I quickly reminded myself that this was my chance for a fresh start.
As I wandered over to the window and pulled back the curtain, I was greeted by a breathtaking view of the expansive grounds. Manicured gardens stretched out as far as the eye could see, with a small lake shimmering in the distance. It was a world away from the cramped, rundown streets of Silverwood. A knock on the door startled me out of my thoughts.
"Come in," I called, trying to steady my voice.
The door opened, and Lily stepped in, her cheerful demeanor a stark contrast to the weight of the past day's events.
"Good morning, Ava," she said with a warm smile. "I hope you slept well. Breakfast is ready in the dining room whenever you're ready."
"Thank you, Lily," I replied, grateful for her kindness. "I'll be down shortly."
As she left, I took a moment to gather myself. I glanced at the dress I had worn last night, now neatly folded on a chair. It felt strange to think that this was my wedding dress, even if it hadn't been intended as such. I dressed quickly, choosing a simple but comfortable outfit, and made my way downstairs.
The dining room was just as grand as the rest of the house, with a long table set for two. Caleb was already seated, looking impossibly handsome and composed. He stood as I entered, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.
"Good morning, Ava," he greeted me, his voice deep and steady. "I trust you slept well?"
"I did, thank you," I replied, taking a seat opposite him. "It's going to take some time to get used to all of this."
He nodded, understanding evident in his eyes. "I can only imagine. This is a big change for both of us."
As we began to eat, the silence was comfortable, almost companionable. Caleb seemed different this morning, more relaxed, and I found myself relaxing too. We made small talk about the manor, the grounds, and the surrounding area. It was clear he was trying to make me feel at ease.
After breakfast, Caleb stood and walked over to me, his expression serious but kind. "Ava, I want you to know that you are free to explore your new home and make it your own. If there's anything you need or want to change, just let me know."
"Thank you, Caleb," I said, touched by his thoughtfulness. "I appreciate that."
He hesitated for a moment, then added, "I have some pack business to attend to this morning, but I'll be back by lunch. If you need anything, Lily will be around to help."
"Alright," I agreed, feeling a bit more at ease.
As he left, I took a deep breath and looked around the dining room. This was my new life, and I was determined to make the best of it. It wouldn't be easy, but I was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
I wandered through the grand halls of my new home, marveling at the opulence and elegance of it all. Every corner of the house seemed to hold a new surprise: beautifully decorated rooms, intricate woodwork, and stunning artwork. It was overwhelming, but I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and excitement.
As I explored further, I stumbled upon a less attended part of the house. The once-polished floors were dusty, and the walls lacked the meticulous care evident in the rest of the manor. Curiosity piqued, I continued down the hallway until I came upon a set of heavy wooden doors.
With a bit of effort, I pushed them open and was greeted by the sight of a large, neglected greenhouse. The air was thick with the scent of earth and decay. Some plants were dead, others wildly overgrown, and a broken glass panel had allowed rainwater to collect, forming a murky puddle on the floor. Despite the neglect, the greenhouse held a certain charm, a promise of what it could become.
I ventured deeper into the space, stepping over the puddle and brushing aside overgrown vines. Among the chaos, I discovered rare plants still clinging to life, their resilience inspiring me. There were remnants of what must have once been a beautiful, thriving garden.
"You're the first person to see this place in a long time," a voice said, startling me.
I turned to see Lily standing at the entrance, her expression a mix of surprise and curiosity.
"I didn't mean to intrude," I said quickly.
Lily shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips. "No, it's quite alright. I just wasn't expecting anyone to come here. I haven't had time to care for this place since...well, it's been a while."
I smiled at her, feeling a connection. "I'd love to help. This greenhouse has so much potential, and it seems like it just needs a bit of attention."
Lily's eyes widened, touched by my offer. "You'd really do that?"
"Of course," I said. "It would be a pleasure."
Lily looked down for a moment, composing herself. When she looked back up, her expression was one of gratitude. "Thank you, Ava. It means a lot."
Curious, I asked, "Why are you the only one taking care of this place? Surely there must be others who could help."
Lily's face grew somber. "There was an incident...it's not something I can easily explain. You should ask Alpha Caleb about it."
I nodded, sensing the weight of her words. "Alright, I will."
As Lily turned to leave, she addressed me with a formal tone. "Avalyn, if you need anything, please let me know."
"Lily," I said gently, "if Caleb trusts you this much with the pack house, you should call me Ava."
She smiled, a genuine warmth in her eyes. "Thank you, Ava. I'll remember that."
I watched as she left, feeling a sense of determination. This greenhouse, neglected and forgotten, was like a symbol of my own life. With care and effort, I could bring it back to life, just as I hoped to rebuild my own future in this new place.
As I continued to explore the vast grounds of the manor, I felt a sense of purpose that I hadn't experienced in a long time. The greenhouse project was just the beginning. I was determined to adapt to my new life here.
Dressed in simple lounge wear, I wandered outside, appreciating the fresh air and the tranquility of the gardens. I didn't mind hard work or getting my hands dirty, and the greenhouse had given me a sense of direction. However, I quickly learned that not everyone here was as welcoming as Lily.
As I walked near a group of pack members working on maintaining the gardens, I overheard their hushed whispers and pointed glances.
"Who's that?" one of them muttered, looking me up and down with disdain. "She doesn't look like she belongs here."
"Probably some outsider," another sneered. "Look at her clothes. Definitely not one from here."
I tried to ignore their comments, but the murmurs grew louder as I approached. Finally, one of them, a tall woman with a haughty expression, stepped forward and blocked my path.
"What do you think you're doing here?" she demanded. "This is private property. You can't just wander around like you own the place."
I felt my temper flare, but I took a deep breath, trying to remain calm. "I'm not here to cause trouble. I'm just exploring the grounds."
"Exploring the grounds?" the woman scoffed. "Do you have any idea who we are? You're trespassing."
I squared my shoulders, meeting his gaze with a steely determination. "I'm Ava," I replied evenly. "I'm the Alpha's honored guest."
The werewolf scoffed, his lips curling into a sneer. "Honored guest, huh? Looks more like a stray mutt to me."
I felt a surge of indignation rise within me, but I kept my temper in check. "I assure you, I have every right to be here," I said, my voice steady. "Now, if you'll excuse me..."
Before I could respond, Lily appeared, her presence commanding attention. "What's going on here?" she asked, her tone sharp.
The group immediately fell silent, and the woman who had confronted me took a step back. "We didn't know she was with you, Lily," she stammered.
Lily's eyes flashed with irritation. "Ava is the Alpha's honored guest. You should be showing her respect, not bullying her. Now, run along before Ava takes grievance for your behavior."
The group dispersed quickly, murmuring apologies as they went. I watched them leave, feeling a mix of relief and frustration.
"Thank you, Lily," I said, turning to her.
Lily sighed, her expression softening. "I'm sorry you had to go through that. Some of them can be... territorial."
"I understand," I replied. "I just want to fit in and contribute, but it's hard when they don't know who I am."
Lily nodded. "Give it time. Once they see what you're capable of, they'll come around. And if anyone gives you trouble, come find me."
I smiled gratefully. "I appreciate that. I won't let them get to me."
As we continued our walk, I couldn't help but think about the challenges ahead. Adapting to this new life among unfamiliar werewolves would be difficult, but I was determined to make it work. The greenhouse, the manor, and my growing friendship with Lily were just the beginning. With each step, I was building a new life, one that I hoped would be filled with purpose and acceptance.