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Chapter Four: Evergreen Manor

*** Asil's POV ***

I looked at the bulky grey hoodie like it was from outer space. Despite the cold, I didn't want to wear his clothes; that would have been too close for comfort as I had no desire to be close to anyone. Just as I was about to decline, he quickly shoved it over my head and adjusted it. The heat of his body still filled the material while a faint, but musty aroma lingered in its threads.

I was ready to snap at him for invading my personal space and forcing his hoodie onto me, yet the expression on his face held both frustration and something else I couldn't pinpoint. It was difficult to read him. It seemed safer not to pick a fight with this stranger, even if he had taken the time to stop me from ending my f*****g misery

Gabriel instructed me to follow him and I reluctantly obliged by silently following him. My abdomen still ached from what I assumed was having my stomach pumped, but hunger was quickly eating away at me. I hugged my body tightly, the long sleeves of the hoodie making me feel like a sloth. Underneath it all was a wave of guilt that wouldn't go away—I knew "Him" and I were done, but my heart and soul still felt connected to him.

Exiting the clinic, I was presented with the inside of a huge mansion. I began to contemplate if I had passed away, and this was an afterlife experience, or if I was in some type of strange, 365-day scenario - only it wasn't Mossimo who had abducted me. The walls were painted a deep black color, with gold and white accents. Covering the walls were large pictures, seemingly hand-painted, of a variety of wolves, hunters, and what I presumed to be witches. The women were beautiful with magical mist floating around them.

We walked through a vast open space with a massive dimly lit staircase that spiraled up around a tall column, decorated with an impressive family portrait that was also hand-painted. A handsome uniformed man with sharp features and salt-and-pepper hair stared down at me from the painting. He rested his right hand on the shoulder of a young boy who looked like a younger version of Gabriel, who also wore a matching uniform. His mother's delicate figure was wrapped in a flowing cream-colored gown that contrasted beautifully against her long, wavy fiery red hair. Her emerald green eyes sparkled like diamonds, and her face radiated a gentle, loving warmth as she held her newborn baby dressed in soft pink fabric. The baby had the same wispy fiery red hair as its mother and bright green eyes.

Gabriel must have an impressive amount of money to live in such a magnificent home. I gazed enviously at the portrait, marveling at how happy this family appeared. Although the older man had a serious look on his face, his grey-blue eyes expressed affection towards his family. His arm around his wife was not possessive, but gentle and serene with one finger wrapped tenderly in one of her loose curls- something someone could easily miss but I saw it.

Gabriel's voice interrupted my daze, and he spoke with endearment about the people in the photo. "That's my mom and dad," he said, gesturing to them. Then he pointed to the infant in his mother's arms. "And that's my little sister January."

I nodded in response to his words, and we began our stroll down the lengthy hallway. A couple of people glided past us that I suspected could have been cast for a fashion show. Outfitted in black suits, were they maids or butlers? He could need a large staff to keep this place as clean as it is.

Gabriel and I arrived in front of two large stainless-steel doors, which he opened and gestured for me to enter ahead of him. We stepped into a room reminiscent of an antique French kitchen, with deep crimson walls and a cozy warmth - the perfect excuse to take off Gabriel's hoodie, and no longer feel this unpleasant sense of betrayal against my skin. I quickly removed the hoodie and went to return it to Gabriel, but he simply waved his hand in refusal. Before I had time to object, a shrill exuberant voice spoke out, "Hola! Come estas me Alfa?"

A small woman who seemed like she had just stepped out of a windy day emerged from an opened cupboard. She put on glasses and revealed her big brown eyes and broad smile. She was much shorter than me which was unusual because usually I'm the shortest person in any room.

“This must be...” she exclaimed before Gabriel coughed to get her attention.

Was she calling him Alpha? I thought that was what I had heard.

“I'm sorry, not sure where my manners went. I don't know your name,” Gabriel said, nervously rubbing the back of his head.

“What does it matter?” I replied coldly.

“A name is a crucial part of telling someone's story. Mine is Meg!” Meg replied as she firmly shook my hand.

Did these people not understand personal space?

It didn't seem to matter if I told them my name or not. As soon as I could find a way out of here, I planned on getting back to completing what I'd begun. The laughter of "Him" echoed through my mind, along with his hazel eyes that always made my heart leap for joy. His full, soft lips—I loved to gently brush them with my fingertips. My chest started to ache with an unbearable longing for him. These emotionally contradictory feelings battled within me and tears threatened to fall from my eyes. Every part of me wanted him and hated him at the same time.

I had to act like everything was okay if I wanted to escape this place.

"Asil," I whispered, before recalling the words he had said to me before: "I love you, Asil Lynn."

Fuck! There was no way I could handle this now. All I wanted to do was go somewhere else—anywhere but here.

“That's a beautiful name. I think that it means noble if my memory holds true," Meg commented, her gaze distant.

"You are more than welcome here at Evergreen Manor. Feel free to make yourself at home—I am not trying to tell you what to do but you are to stay within eyesight of myself or Meg here. I'm sure the two of you have plenty in common," Gabriel said sternly.

"Who the hell does this guy think he is? f**k you!" I screamed internally.

"Welcome to Evergreen...Manor, and to the family!" Meg said with a cheerful smile.

Can this tiny girl really be this peppy? She seemed uncertain when saying manor. Maybe she's not that sharp?

"Let's get you something to eat," Meg said as she turned around to check the fridge.

"I don't feel like eating," I said.

"But your stomach was growling like a carnivorous wolf in the clinic! I'm starving, Meg!" Gabriel chimed in from behind me. He stared at me like a hunter watching his prey.

"I understand hunger can lose its appeal when you're feeling down, but things are sure to get better. Why not try some of my steamed BBQ pork buns?" Meg proposed as she pulled out a tray of buns.

"Only if I can dip it into that scrumptious hickory-smoked BBQ sauce of yours, then yes!" Gabriel said excitedly.

"Anything for you... sir!" Meg stammered slightly.

Why did she hesitate to address him again? Am I in the realm of eccentrics? Why is everyone so strange here?