Nina's POV
The sound of someone knocking on the window of the car startled me awake. The driver's voice resonated in my ears as I stirred awake from my sleep.
"We've arrived at the Great Black Pack, my lady."
I blinked, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. It took me a moment to process what he had said, and then it hit me…I was alone. I looked around the empty car, my heart sinking for a moment. Dwayne was gone.
But of course, he was gone. Why would he bother to wait for me? This wasn't the first time he had made me feel invisible, and it probably wouldn't be the last.
I sighed, "thank you," I said to the driver before stepping out of the car.
The cool crisp air hit me once my legs touched the ground. I glanced around, trying to get a sense of my surroundings. The pack lands were vast, with towering pine trees lining the horizon and a large pool intimidating structure in the distance. I assumed that was the pack house.
I stood there awkwardly for a moment, unsure of where to go or what to do. Everything felt unfamiliar, and I wondered how long I would last out here.
"Hey there!" A calm voice startled me out of my thoughts. It was a lady, a pretty one. She walked towards me with a smile on her face. I had seen her around back at my pack but we hadn't interacted much.
She stopped in front of me, her warm smile making me more comfortable and welcomed. At least one person didn't look at me with so much hostility. "You must be Nina," she said. "I'm Louise. Dwayne's beta and his best friend since childhood."
"Oh," I said softly, my voice unsure. "It's nice to meet you, Louise."
Louise gave a small laugh, her green eyes gleaming. "I don't see Dwayne anywhere and I figured you might be a bit lost. Want me to show you around?"
I would have loved to but my body was heavy with exhaustion. My stomach churned slightly, the long journey catching up with me. "Thank you, but I'm actually really tired," I admitted apologetically. "And, uh… feeling a little nauseous. Could we maybe reschedule for tomorrow?"
"Of course," Louise said kindly. "Let me at least show you to your room, though. You'll need to rest before anything else."
I nodded, grateful for her understanding. Together, we walked toward the pack house.
As we got closer, I couldn't help but stare. The structure was massive, its dark stone walls rising high into the sky. The exterior was sleek yet rugged, blending seamlessly with the surrounding forest. Large wooden doors stood at the entrance, intricately carved with swirling patterns that seemed to carry the history of the pack.
Inside, the grandeur only increased. The floors were polished marble, gleaming under the soft glow of elegant chandeliers. A grand staircase curved upward in the center of the foyer, its railings made of dark, polished wood. Paintings lined the walls, depicting scenes of wolves in battle, their forms both terrifying yet enchanting.
I couldn't hide my amazement. This was far bigger and better than the pack house back at home. Expected of a lycan kingdom.
"Pretty impressive, huh?" Louise said with a deep chuckle that caught me off guard.
"It's… beautiful," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper.
She smiled knowingly and led me up the grand staircase. After going through a few hallways, we stopped in front of a door. Louise opened it and gestured for me to step inside.
"This is your room," she said.
I walked in and stopped in my tracks. The room was as luxurious as the rest of the pack house. A massive bed sat in the center, its frame made of dark wood and its bedding a deep shade of navy blue. The floor was covered in a plush gray rug, and a seating area with a small couch and table sat by the window. The window was large, offering me a clear view of the forest outside.
"I hope it's to your liking," Louise said.
"It is," I said softly, running my fingers over the smooth surface of the wooden dresser. I wanted to ask if it was Dwayne's room but I thought against it. I would know overtime.
"I heard Dwayne told you not to get your things so you probably don't have what to wear after you freshen up. Would you mind wearing my clothes before you shop for yours?"
"That's so kind of you," I was genuinely grateful for her eagerness to make me feel welcome.
"It's nothing, you're my Luna, it's the least as I could do." Louise said before she left the room.
Minutes later, she returned with a set of clothes and some bathing supplies.
"Here," she said, placing them on the bed. "I'm a bit more built than you, being a warrior and all, but I think these should fit you well enough for now."
"Thank you," I said sincerely, touched by her thoughtfulness.
She nodded and turned to leave, but I stopped her. "Wait," I said.
Louise paused, glancing back at me with curiosity.
"Can I ask you something?" I said hesitantly.
"Of course."
I bit my lip, gathering my courage. "Do you know why Dwayne hates me so much?" I finally asked the question that had been bugging me since our wedding night.
Louise's expression shifted slightly, her warm smile fading just a little. For a moment, she looked as though she were trying to decide how to respond.
"That," she said finally, her tone careful, "is something only Dwayne can answer."
I looked at her embarrassed that I had even asked the question. "It's alright." I said with a tight smile.
"I'll take my leave now. If you need anything you can call the servants or better still ask for me and I'll be here to help you."
"Thank you."
After that, Louise left and I was all alone in my thoughts. The look in Louise's eyes when I asked that question told me there was something far deeper more than just plain hate for the werewolf kind. I planned to get everything out of Louise tommorow.
But for now, I was more worried about the child growing in me. Lycans always feel the aura of their child r
ight from the womb. Dwayne and I were together throughout today, did he notice?