Ezra guided me into another room, which appeared stark and almost entirely devoid of furnishing. If it weren't for the bed, chest of drawers, and dresser, it would be entirely vacant. The walls were painted a dull gray, and the only light in the room came from a small, high window. It felt more like a prison cell than a bedroom. As I slowly approached the bed, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease settling over me. The air in the room was thick with an inexplicable heaviness, as if stories of despair and confinement lingered within its walls.
"Consider this your room, connected to a spacious shared bathroom. Believe me, there will be days when we'll prefer to sleep apart. Being my Luna will be quite demanding," he said, and I couldn't help but frown.
I couldn't understand his intention, but I felt uneasy about sleeping in different rooms. It was puzzling, considering that we were practically strangers to each other. However, the connection between us was undeniable, and it was the reason for my unease. As I slowly made my way to the bed, I couldn't shake the feeling of his intense gaze following my every move.
"Feel free to decorate the room as you wish," he told me, to which I nodded. "Is this because I am considered a rogue and an Omega?" I asked. His eyes widened in shock as he responded, "Yes. Until you are a member of this pack and have been marked by me, you will be staying here."
"Oh," I muttered, feeling hurt. He said he wanted me as his Luna, but he's not taking the necessary steps to bind me to him. It's not rejection, but it feels like one step above rejection. I couldn't shake off the feeling of disappointment as I began to understand the implications of my status as an outsider in the pack. Despite his words, I couldn't help but wonder if he was truly committed to making me his Luna.
When he left the room, he didn’t say anything to me. I laid back on the bed and looked at the wall in front of me. A single tear streamed down my cheek as I felt alone in an unknown pack. I felt like I was still a prisoner even though he said I was home. I didn’t feel at home in this cold, bare room.
A knock sounded on the door and I sat up on the bed, wiping the tear away from my cheek. “Come in,” I said.
A young woman entered the room and flashed a bright smile at me. “Hello. I am Megan. Ezra’s younger sister. Are you hungry? Need anything? Would you like a tour of the packhouse?” She asked me several questions and I knew that I was a little hungry, and I would like to know my surroundings better, so I nodded my head.
“I could eat something. Also, I would like to look around,” I told her.
She smiled and stood straight up, “Perfect. Come along!” She beamed.
I stood and followed behind her out of the bedroom. As she past people they bowed their heads in her direction. They then eyed me curiously, unsure of who I was. When we entered the kitchen, the chef greeted Megan with a smile. She asked if he could throw something together quickly and he nodded his head. Soon a plate of food was in front of me.
It wasn’t anything fancy but a philly cheesesteak sandwich and some fries. I ate until I had my fill and thanked the chef. Megan took me by the hand, and we began to wander the halls of the pack house.
I soon discovered that the pack house was much bigger than what I had originally thought. In fact, it resembled more of a contemporary castle. An entire floor was solely designated for training, there was a guest wing for visiting Alphas and their families, three underground floors, and my personal favorite – a vast library overflowing with all sorts of books. As I explored the pack house, my excitement grew, each discovery fueling my curiosity about the history and secrets this place held. I couldn't wait to dive into the library's collection and uncover the hidden stories within those pages.
While exploring the premises, Megan guided me to the designated space for our conferences. To my delight, I discovered that I would have my own office just a short distance away from Ezra's. As she led me further, I marveled at the sight of the grand conference hall, adorned with an impressive solid wood table that seemed to stretch endlessly. Surrounding it were numerous chairs, waiting to be filled with creative minds and eager participants. At the top of the table, there stood a distinguished elevated rectangle, unmistakably designed for Ezra to preside over momentous meetings.
Then, we proceeded to a spacious and expansive area. The exquisite hardwood floors boasted a gentle hue, adorned with intricate darker wooden patterns. Without a doubt, we had entered the magnificent grand ballroom. The crystal chandeliers sparkled in the ambient light, casting a warm glow across the expanse of the ballroom. It was a sight to behold, with its ornate ceiling and opulent furnishings, creating an atmosphere of unparalleled splendor. I closed my eyes and for a moment could see myself waltzing along the room with Ezra, dancing the night away.
“This is beautiful, Megan.” I looked over at her and she nodded her head.
“It is. My mother had elegant taste and designed it herself.” Megan smiled as she looked around the empty ballroom. After a moment, we exited the room and made our way into the common shared space. When we sat down, I noticed that we were alone.
“Ezra has been isolated for quite some time due to a traumatic experience. Although he doesn't openly discuss it and prefers to ignore it, it has left deep scars. You are his opportunity for a new beginning after the loss of his first mate, Heather, in a rogue attack. Despite his nightmares and his cautious behavior towards you, he is a good person who simply needs time to heal. Olivia, don't give up on him.” She looked over at me and she gave a weak smile. “He needs you as much as you need him. River told me your story and I don’t blame you for leaving your other pack. I would have done the same as you.”
I nodded my head, “I had no clue. That is awful.” I whispered.
“Tomorrow we will go shopping for clothes and the things you would like to decorate your bedroom with. We want you to be comfortable here. Don’t worry about cost, as you are the future Luna, anything you would like to have is yours. I’ll be with you, and we will have lunch with Ezra and River.” She smiled at me.
“Okay, sounds good.” I watched as Megan stood. “Hey Megan, thank you for telling me all of this. It helps me understand where he was coming from.”
“No problem. I will see you tomorrow.” She smiled, gave a little wave and walked off.
As I sat there, her words echoed in my mind, compelling me to reflect upon everything she had shared. Deep in thought, I rose from my seat and gracefully glided into the kitchen, seizing a refreshing bottle of water along the way. With a renewed sense of purpose, I made my way towards my room. As I crossed the threshold, a delightful surprise caught my eye upon the bed – a beautifully adorned gift bag. Intrigued, I cautiously approached and gently unfastened its enchanting contents. Nestled within was a meticulously handwritten note, beckoning me to unravel its secrets and delve into its heartfelt message.
My dearest Olivia,
I apologize for any confusion regarding the separate rooms. I trust that my sister has already provided you with a detailed explanation of the situation. I kindly ask that you accept my gift, as it will enable us to stay connected all day long. I urge you to check your phone as soon as you receive this message. My intention is for this gift to bring us closer together, bridging the gap that physical distance may create.
Ezra xx
Upon opening the bag, a surge of excitement filled me as I unveiled a dazzling, brand-new phone. With anticipation, I powered it on and was greeted by a delightfully radiant image of Ezra as my wallpaper. A heartwarming smile lit up my face as I beheld the joyous expression on the screen. Intriguingly, I observed a message waiting for me, prompting me to eagerly open the text.
To my pleasant surprise, it was a message from Ezra himself, inviting me to meet him in the gardens. My heart raced with anticipation as I read his message, and I couldn't contain my excitement. Quickly, I replied, confirming my presence and feeling a rush of exhilaration at the thought of meeting him in the gardens. I couldn't help but wonder what it was he would like to speak to me about as I made my way outside.