After Kellan leaves the room, likely to get us some food, I shift slightly and poke at Nate to wake up. He merely grumbles and burrows deeper into the blankets and me, refusing to budge.
I can't help but laugh a little at his stubbornness. "Nate, get up," I say, my voice gentle but firm. After a few more prods, he finally lets out a sigh of defeat and sits up, his curly blonde hair sticking out in all directions, making him look adorably disheveled.
"You look amazing," I tease, unable to resist poking fun at his bedhead.
He glares at me, his blue eyes narrowing in mock annoyance. "Like you look any better," he retorts, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
I chuckle at his response. "Fair enough."
Neither of us are morning people, so we begrudgingly drag ourselves out of bed and head to the bathroom to start our day. Unlike the bedroom, where thick curtains block out the sunlight, the bathroom is bathed in the bright, midday light. It takes a moment for our groggy brains to process that it's actually noon.
As we splash water on our faces and brush our teeth, I catch Nate up on the fact that we've been asleep for two days. He's just as shocked as I was. "Two days?" he repeats, his eyes wide.
"Yeah, apparently we were completely exhausted," I say, shaking my head in disbelief.
A few minutes later, I find myself slipping into a large shirt I don't recognize. I take a sniff, and the familiar scent of Kellan fills my senses. Why am I wearing his shirt? I wonder, feeling a strange mix of comfort and curiosity. I pull on the shirt and a pair of shorts, while Nate finds his own clothes and does the same.
Just as we finish dressing, there's a soft knock on the door. My wolf perks up instantly, sensing Kellan's presence. I open the door to find him standing there, carrying two of the largest portions of food I've ever seen. Behind him, Tristan follows with equally large portions.
"Whoa," I exclaim, my eyes widening at the sight of so much food.
Kellan chuckles, his golden eyes twinkling with amusement. "Trust me, this won't be enough. You've been hungry for some time," he says, and he's right. My stomach growls loudly, and I realize just how ravenous I am.
We settle on the floor, Nate and I side by side, and dig into the food with little regard for manners. The aroma of freshly cooked dishes is intoxicating, and each bite tastes like heaven. After weeks on the road with meager rations, this feast is a welcome relief.
Kellan watches us with a satisfied smile, his presence calming yet invigorating. I glance up at him between bites, feeling a warmth in my chest that goes beyond the simple pleasure of a good meal. His gaze meets mine, and for a moment, the world narrows down to just the two of us, a silent understanding passing between us.
A few minutes into our meal, I pass a grilled kebab to Nate, who accepts it gratefully, and continue eating myself. An awkward silence hangs in the room, and I glance up to find Kellan watching me with a fond, amused expression.
"Don't tell me I'm supposed to share with you? Being the Alpha Prime, surely you can let us have our meal?" I ask, half-jokingly but also a bit reluctantly.
Kellan chuckles, the sound rich and warm. "Don't worry about it, little flame. Tristan has actually gone to get more food for you from downstairs. Eat to your heart's content."
Relieved, I dig back into my food. When Tristan returns with more servings, Nate and I continue eating with gusto. By the time we finish two more extra helpings, we're both stuffed and unable to eat another bite.
I lie on the floor, groaning and feeling overly full. "I may have eaten a little too much," I mutter, my voice thick with satisfaction.
Kellan laughs softly and steps over, reaching down to pull me up from my comfortable spot on the floor. The moment our skin makes contact, a jolt of electricity shoots through me, making my heart race.
"Up you go," Kellan says, effortlessly lifting me to my feet. "A walk will help with digestion."
Being a wolf, I know I'll be fine in a few minutes thanks to our fast metabolism, but I don't argue. Instead, I roll my eyes playfully. "Fine," I say, looking around for some shoes.
"Let's go take a tour of the place," Kellan suggests, and I join him, curiosity piqued.
We step out of the room and into the bright afternoon sun. The warmth of the day contrasts pleasantly with the cool breeze, and I take a deep breath, feeling more alive than I have in days. Kellan walks beside me, his presence comforting and grounding.
Walking beside Kellan, I can't help but observe the palpable mix of fear and respect emanating from the wolves around us. Each time we pass by, their reactions make it clear just how commanding and respected he is. After all, he is the ruler of our race on this continent. I'm not entirely sure about the situation on other continents; wolves generally despise the ocean. While ocean travel is easier than flying, where you might risk getting roasted by a random dragon while traversing their territory, the sea holds its own dangers. Mermaids are notorious for luring and drowning unwary travelers, making communication and the exchange of goods and services between continents minimal and fraught with peril.
The Alpha Prime's estate is expansive and awe-inspiring. The sheer size and grandeur of it take my breath away. We walk through various sections, each more impressive than the last.
Kellan takes me to the kitchens and butchery, both enormous, bustling places filled with constant activity. The air is thick with the delicious scent of cooking meat, and I watch as chefs and butchers work seamlessly together. Kellan explains that there's a large livestock and pasture farm north of the estate that supplies the kitchens with fresh meat, essential for satisfying the substantial appetites of werewolves.
As we move through the halls, I notice portraits of previous Alpha Primes lining the walls. It's hard to believe Kellan is only the fourth one. The Grimlock men all bear a striking resemblance to one another, with their intense golden eyes and jet-black hair. There's a timeless quality to their features, a sense of legacy and continuity that is both impressive and intimidating.
Kellan eventually shows me his room. It's magnificent, a perfect blend of luxury and practicality. The decor is rich and masculine, with dark woods, deep colors, and plush furnishings. It exudes power and authority, much like Kellan himself. Yet, despite its grandeur, there's a warmth to it, a sense that it's lived in and well-loved.