Lila finished dressing Rania up, and her skilled hands swiftly completed her makeup. Rania took a deep breath, the scent of jasmine and rose petals filling her senses, and nodded to Lila. Then with a graceful gesture, Lila turned the door handle and opened the door, and on the other side, a tall, dark-haired escort awaited, his eyes gleaming with courtesy.
"My name is Rogan my lady, I am here to serve as your escort for today, please allow me" the man said bowing slightly as a show of respect to Rania. Rania then walked out of the room and was accompanied by Lila.
As she stepped into the hallway, she was enveloped by an atmosphere of wonder. Animal decorations adorned the walls, the air was alive, fresh and clean with the invigorating scent of pine.
Rania's curiosity got the better of her as she glanced around, trying to take in every detail. Suddenly, she caught a glimpse of someone peeking from behind a nearby pillar. She tried to turn and see who it was, but the person quickly hid from view.
Lila noticed Rania's confusion and leaned in close, "Don't mind them, milady. They're just curious."
As Rania walked through the grand hallway, the soft rustle of her silk gown echoed off the cold stone walls, the flickering torches casting eerie shadows on the floor.
As they continued past a gathering of young men and women, Rania felt their gazes upon her like a weight. She began to feel uncomfortable, as if she was walking into enemy territory.
Suddenly, a woman emerged from the shadows, making Rania's heart skip a beat. The woman's voice was like honey, sweet and dripping with false sincerity. "Oh, you're the new wife," she said, her eyes gleaming with a knowing glint. "My name is Freya. It's nice to finally meet you in person."
Rania's gut twisted with unease as Freya's gaze seemed to bore into her soul. She felt a shiver run down her spine, her skin crawling with discomfort. The woman's perfume, a cloying scent that made Rania's head spin, wafted towards her as she drew closer.
As she spoke, Rania caught a whiff of something familiar - the same scent she had perceived the previous day, when her husband Asher had come close to her. A subtle hint of leather and spice, mixed with a hint of something else... something that seemed to stir a deep memory within her. Her mind raced with questions but she pushed them aside, focusing on the moment.
"You don't look so good," Freya continued, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Trouble sleeping?" Her eyes seemed to bore into Rania's very being, as if searching for secrets.
Rania's throat constricted, making it hard to swallow. She remained silent, unwilling to share her deepest fears with this stranger. The only sound was the soft creaking of the old wooden floorboards beneath their feet.
Freya's smile seemed to falter for a moment before she regained her composure. "Well, I'll leave you to it. I hope we can get to know each other…very soon." Her voice was like a snake slithering through the grass, making Rania's skin crawl.
As Freya turned to leave, the rustling of her skirts seemed to echo through the hallway like a sinister whisper. Rania watched her go, her heart pounding in her chest.
"Who was that woman?" Rania asked her maid, Lila, her voice barely above a whisper.
Lila's reply was laced with a hint of wariness. "She's a member of our clan and the daughter of your husband's master. She and Lord Asher grew up together."
"They grew up together..." Rania's mind whispered, a hint of curiosity creeping in. She quickly pushed it aside, her inner voice firm. "None of my business," she told herself, trying to shake off the feeling that there was more to their relationship than met the eye.
Finally, they arrived at a grand door, which swung open with a soft creak to reveal a room filled with a sea of expectant faces that turned toward her, their eyes aglow with interest. Rania's heart skipped a beat as she beheld the room's occupants – stately women of various ages, Her eyes widened in surprise as she spotted majestic wolves of various shades of white sitting among the women. She had heard that the people of Winters had wolves as companions, but she had never seen one up close. The wolves' piercing gazes seemed to hold a secret language, one that Rania was unable to decipher.
The women turned to face her, their eyes sparkling with curiosity. Rania felt a shiver run down her spine as she realized she was the center of attention.
As Rania walked towards the center of the room, she was met with a sea of faces sitting at the front table, all eager to greet her. But one woman in particular caught her attention. A stately woman with silver hair and a kind smile welcomed Rania with open arms.
"Ah, my child, come," the woman said, her voice warm and inviting. "Join us."
Rania's escort, Rogan, led her to a seat next to the silver-haired woman, and then gave a humble bow before standing behind them.
"Hello, Rania," the woman said, her eyes sparkling with warmth. "I am Lady Alethea, the current female head of the Winters. And you, my dear, are most welcome to our clan."
Lady Alethea placed her hand on Rania's, her touch gentle and reassuring. "We have been expecting you, Rania. You are one of us, and we are thrilled to finally have you among us."
Rania felt a sense of wonder wash over her. "Thank you, Lady Alethea," Rania said, her voice filled with uncertainty. "I…I am…honored to be here."
Lady Alethea smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "Please, child, call me Alethea. We are family here, and we do not stand on ceremony."
Rania smiled back, feeling a sense of unease and wondered if they were truly happy to have her.
Lady Alethea's gentle hands enveloped Rania's in a warm welcome, her eyes shining with kindness. "I know the unfamiliar surroundings and new faces may seem daunting, but please know you are among friends, and we are thrilled to have you."
Rania's wide eyes scanned the room, her expression a mix of wonder and apprehension. "Thank you, Lady Alethea. It's all so... overwhelming," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
Lady Alethea's smile was reassuring. "I remember when I first arrived here as a young bride. Everything was new and intimidating, but our tribe is built on love, support, and acceptance. We will envelop you in our embrace, and you will find your place among us."
As Lady Alethea spoke, the other women in the room nodded in agreement, their faces radiating warmth and hospitality. Rania's maid, Lila, stepped forward, her eyes shining with friendship. "We're glad you're here, my lady. We'll stand by your side every step of the way, helping you navigate our ways and traditions."
Rania's gaze slowly began to settle, her taking in the scenery and all that was happening there.
Her eyes widened as the grand table was set before her and Lady Alethea, laden with an array of dishes that made her stomach twist with anxiety. Plates of smoked salmon and roasted meats were placed before them, alongside exotic vegetables and strange, savory delicacies Rania had never seen before. The other women in the room were similarly served, and the air was filled with the savory aromas of the feast.
As the maids poured fine wine into their cups, Lady Alethea raised her voice, "Let us make a toast to our new member!" She gestured to Rania, who felt a flush rise to her cheeks. "She is now the wife of one of our own, and shall be treated with love and respect. Welcome, Rania, to our tribe!"
The women all cheered and raised their glasses, their faces beaming with warmth and acceptance. But Rania's heart remained heavy, her mind still reeling from the fact that these women were part of the tribe that had taken her mother away from her. She couldn't bring herself to join in the toast, her hand trembling as she lifted the cup to her lips.
Lady Alethea nudged her gently, "Drink with us, Rania. You are one of us now." But Rania's throat constricted, and she couldn't swallow. She felt like an outsider, a stranger in a strange land, and the warmth and welcome of the women seemed like a thin veneer over the darkness of their past deeds.
Rania took a small sip of the wine, her eyes darting around the room, searching for a glimmer of understanding. But the women's faces were all aglow with joy and acceptance, and she felt like a ghost hovering on the edges of their celebration. She bowed her head respectfully, "Thank you, Lady Alethea. I...I am still trying to understand."
As the bustle and chatter of the gathering continued, the door swung open and a breathtaking woman made a majestic entrance. Her gown shimmered with a light that rivalled the morning sun, and her hair cascaded down her waist like a golden waterfall. It was as if she was the woman of the moment, effortlessly stealing the spotlight from Rania and relegating her to the shadows. The woman became the center of attention.
As she drew closer, Rania's eyes widened in astonishing recognition. It was Freya, but she was almost unrecognizable from their earlier encounter in the hallway. Her elaborate attire and poised demeanor made her look like a completely different person. Even Rania, who was supposed to be the center of attraction, couldn't help but feel eclipsed by Freya's radiant presence.