His Disguised Mate - Burgov Series II

9. Autumn

I was debating with myself the whole night if I made the right choice and I still had no answer. Staying here, where I'm unwanted by the one person who should be on my side can be problematic, and even though I have Alpha invitation, the Gamma can still make it hard for me.

Waiting for noon felt awfully long. I didn't have much to do, other than packing my six pieces of clothing and doing a morning stretching, so I tried to watch TV, enjoying uncensored access to all the shows. But that's about it.

Around ten, the cute Doctor, Norvin, stopped by to give me my discharge papers and tell me how glad he is I'm gonna be here. He seemed genuine about it, and even claimed I could count on him whenever I'm feeling lonely. It's nice to have a friendly face, he may not be Fifi, but I'll take it.

Finally the clock struck noon, and as if he was waiting just outside my door the Beta came in with the biggest smile, just like his leader yesterday. Those men are giving me whiplash, especially when I compare them to Rod and his cunning friend Gage. Goddess, I hope they blamed him for my disappearing and my brother finally got rid of him. Everybody knows the Pack would only benefit from this.

"Do you want me to take your luggage?" - the Beta asked and I arched my brow at him, then looked at my bed, where a single, half-filled plastic bag was laying.

"I think I'm good. Thanks." - I said grabbing my stuff and going with him out of the room that served me as a home for the last week.

It felt strange, almost as if I was leaving my safe hideout and going straight to the wolf's den. Which in fact wasn't even a metaphor.

Just going out of the hospital was a shock to my body, when my eyes needed a while to adjust to the surprisingly sunny October day. But even blinking a few times couldn't make me blind to the striking beauty of this place.

Hospital was located by a wide lane with young silver birches on each side of it. Neighbouring to the hospital on each side of the road stood shops, bars, restaurants, even a mechanic shop, making the streets look like the center of life in the Pack.

Grisha led me up the street, where at the end of it I could see a single skyscraper that was at least ten-story tall. But even though the place looked fairly new and modern I could tell that whoever designed the landscape wanted as much greenery as possible.

"What do you think so far?" - Grisha asked me with a smile, probably caused by catching me ogling everything around me.

"It's lovely. But what's over there?" - I pointed to the tall building in front of us.

"That's the Pack House. Ilia and Sasha wanted something new that no other Pack had and they came up with this." - he said with a smirk, as if there was quite the story behind this building.

"Would you mind telling me more about this Pack and the Alpha's family?" - I asked.

Grisha started laughing and nudged me with his elbow.

"You don't have to be so vague and secretive, Vanya told me who you are for Ilia, so you can ask about anything." - he said sincerely and I felt kind of stupid. Of course he would know, he's the Beta. - "So what exactly do you want to know?"

"How did they find this place?"

"Believe it or not, but just a little over five years ago this place was just an rundown farm, with a few cottages for workers, barns, and a main house that now serves as a school for the pups."

I frowned and took in my surroundings one more time. I would never have guessed it from the lively town I was in. A farm. Ha, that's a good one. They sure had an vision for this place.

"So you were here from the start?" - I asked.

"Almost. I was in the first ten that joined. The Burgovs obviously started this place, then because of how close to Sasha Norvin is, he and his parents pledged to follow them, and then Vanya brought me in."

I assume that the Burgovs are Ilia and his siblings. But it also means that they started this place from scratch. I thought new Packs appear, because the old and big ones split up. I never thought there might be someone crazy, or maybe brave enough to start a new one in the middle of nowhere.

"And why did they decide to take such a risky step?" - I asked, careful to not sound too curious.

"They got banished from their last place, and since Vanya had the right bloodline, Sasha and Ilia talked him into it."

That was another fun fact. Banished?! Alpha is literally the nicest guy ever, I don't know their sister, but something tells me my so-called Mate could have something to do with that.

"So Alpha didn't want to become Alpha?" - I looked at him, somehow shocked. Vanya gave out the vibe of being extremely laid-back, but I would never have guessed he didn't want his own Pack. I mean, who wouldn't?

"Nope." - he shook his head - "But I think that's what makes him a great leader. I met more than enough assholes who think they're at the top of the world, because of their stupid rank, caring more about themselves than the community. But Vanya treats Harvest Moon as his life's work, constantly learning, growing and perfecting this Pack."

"You don't have to sell it to me, I already agreed to live here." - I joked and Grisha started laughing.

"That's the truth, I really see the strength and potential of this place. Not just because I'm Beta here."

I nodded and we walked further in silence, during which I felt oddly comfortable with him. It was strange how good I felt next to Norvin, Grisha or even Vanya. It's a shame I don't have the same connection with my own Mate, but it's still more than I had back home. There I had only Fifi, but even she was too scared to actually do anything fun. The day before I left, was actually the first and I suppose the last time, when I managed to talk her into anything crazy.

We came to a stop in front of the Pack House and I looked up to marvel at the design of it. It wasn't a typical glass monstrosity you can see in human cities, but it was built from nice light stone with big windows and the structure narrowing with each floor, making it look like something out of 1920.

We stepped inside and the main floor looked like a lobby, and it even had signs.

"There is an office part." - Grisha said pointing to the left, where the front desk, similar to one I saw in the hospital stood, and a corridor of doors right behind it. - "That's where Samantha, our secretary, resides and behind it are Vanya, Ilia and mine offices. A small conference room plus a spare office, where Sasha works when she's around."

"She comes here often?" - I asked.

"She used to, but the further along she was the less she came. However, she still holds the Luna title, until Vanya finds his Mate."

"Oh, so she's pregnant?"

"Not anymore, she just had her second pup." - Grisha said with his jaw clenched. O-oh, either he isn't the biggest fan of Alpha's sister, or there is a history there, and something tells me it's the latter. - "And there is a dining hall. We offer three warm meals a day for everyone in the Pack, but those with families often take care of themselves." - he quickly added, pointing to the right, where from behind double doors I could hear chattering and clicking of cutlery. - "But that's where all the magic is made." - he pointed to two shiny, steel elevators in front of us, then he stepped closer and click the button.

"The first floor is a gathering hall, the big conference room designed for ceremonies, Pack's events and all the parties Ilia comes up with. Your Mate is our self-proclaimed party planner, but thanks to him we celebrate every Moon's faze, Pack's founding anniversary and a few more occasions. I don't say it lightly when it comes to Ilia, but the kid knows how to bring people together."

Grisha stopped explaining just as the sliding door opened and we stepped into a luxurious-looking elevator. I can't be sure, I haven't ridden in many, but it sure looked nice, with all the mirrors and marble floor.

He didn't have to press anything, he just brought a plastic card to the black panel and it immediately started going up.

"Second floor holds a gym and a pool, it's also for everyone to use, and it offers a few workplaces for our people. We have retired warriors coaching classes for beginners, self defense and boxing classes. It's open 24/7 and trust me, it's never empty." - he said with a smile as we were going up.

"Third story is especially popular among the ladies. It's a spa center, with masseurs, nails painting, hair and all that s**t I have absolutely no idea of. But there are also a few physiotherapy offices, where our injured warriors get back on their feet."

That was getting more and more impressive, as if they thought everything through planning this place.

"Fourth floor is where all the kids hang out. It has a home theater for about fifty people, a game room and recreation room, where younger pups are brought after their school is over to wait for their parents."

"Wow, is there something you don't have here?" - I asked.

"A club." - he said with a light chuckle. - "It was something Ilia really wanted that Vanya gave the hard no to."

I snorted, because somehow it doesn't shock me at all that my Mate likes to let loose, and he wouldn't mind turning his own home into a social gathering venue.

"Floors from five to seven are filled with studio apartments. Fifteen on each floor, and they are given usually to young, unmated wolves, sometimes newly accepted that Vanya wants to have an eye on."

"A, so it sounds like my kind of place." - I pointed out with a nervous laugh.

"No, Vanya decided you'd be most comfortable with one of us." - I gave him a questioning look, being a bit wary, because there's no way I'm sharing a room with Alpha or his Beta. - "Breath, Aubrey, we don't mean any funny business, but Vanya gave you a ranked status, so it would be weird if you'd stay downstairs. Besides, each of us has his own floor. Ilia stays on eight, nine is mine, and the top floor is Vanya's." - just as he stopped talking, the elevator dinged, announcing we've arrived and the screen was shining with a big, red 9. - "I brought you to my place, so you can see what I'm talking about. Besides, I don't think living at Ilia's isn't an option now, and staying at Vanya's can start a gossip mill, but if you prefer it, it's entirely your call."

Sliding door opened to a spacious family room decorated with a taste, however coloring screamed that bachelor lives here. All the furniture were either black, like two leather armchairs, or in a shade of gray, like the biggest couch I ever saw, standing in front of an even bigger flat screen. Walls were also gray, but they had cool pictures of old cars hanging here and there. But there was no mess, and I was actually grateful that Grisha was ready to share his space with me.

"I know what you're thinking, but it was the decorator who chose everything. I would be fine with white walls and a single chair." - he said, scratching the back of his head sheepishly. - "Come on, I'll show you my spare bedroom." - he waved me over, down the corridor.

There were multiple doors, that Grisha explained were the kitchen, dining room, and his music room, he seems to be the most excited about.

"This is me." - he said pointing to the double door we were passing. - "And down there I have four spare bedrooms, all with their own wardrobes and washrooms. You can pick whichever you like, or we can go upstairs to show you Vanya's place."

"No, that's more than enough. But what for does one man need all that space for?" - I ask, looking around.

"It was supposed to be for when we find our Mates, and are ready to start a family. But I don't see that in my nearest future." - he said sadly, making me once again think he's hung up on someone who doesn't reciprocate his feelings. Shame, because Grisha seems like a great guy.

But I haven't said anything, that would be too nosy of me, I just nodded and pushed open the first door he pointed as the spare bedroom.

The room wasn't gray like I expected, but the walls, duvet on the king sized bed, and a plush carpet were beige, and together with a light coming in through the floor-to-ceiling window made the interior bright and sunny. It could use a few colorful touches, but it was a beautiful room nonetheless.

The walk-in closet together with the bathroom were equally spacious and I couldn't imagine why I would ever leave this place, when it has everything a girl might want.

"Alright, now about technicalities." - he said pulling from his pocket a key card, similar to the one he used in the elevator. - "It's your card, it will allow you to move freely around the Pack House, but it's also a credit card, you can pay with everywhere in the Pack. So feel free to go shopping and explore what Harvest Moon has to offer."

I looked at him speechless, opening and closing my mouth a few times, which made Grisha laugh again.

"Don't sweat it, Aubrey, Vanya can afford it, and he meant it when he said he sees you as a family."

I was so moved that I could almost cry. Those strangers that don't even know my name already care about me more than my own brother. Sure, I always had clothes on my back and food at his table, unless I misbehaved, but I always felt as if my freedom was restricted by ridiculous rules Rod had for me.

Which reminds me.

"Are there some places I should avoid, or things I shouldn't do?"

He arched his brow and looked down at me with amusement.

"Well, it would be weird if you go to other wolves' houses without invitation, but other than that I can't think about anything."

I narrowed my eyes at him, and he burst into laughter.

"Seriously, go wherever you want, just try to not lose the card, because you won't get back here. But if that happens, go to the front desk and the main floor and Samantha will give you a new one, but I must warn you, she's a strong rules follower, so she would for sure scold you first. I'm a bit afraid of her."

I nodded, still a bit shocked how differently that Pack led from my old one, but that's definitely welcomed change.

" So, there's still a few things I wanted to show you down the village. You wanna go now, or rest?" - Grisha asked.

" Let's go now." - I said, feeling excited about my new temporary home.

We went downstairs and Grisha showed me where the entrance to the underground parking lot was, and then we went the other way we came from in the first place. He showed me shops and boutiques I can buy all my necessities in. We passed the old farm house that now serves as school and we came closer to the training center.

"Are you a fighter?" - he asked me, after pointing out the building.

"I wasn't allowed to train, so not so much."

His eyes widened and he shook his head.

"Seriously, were you living under the rock?"

"It sometimes feels like it." - I said with a nervous giggle.

"Let's go inside, we'll see what you've got." - he said, dragging me inside.

The inside of the warrior's center felt like every other gym, but with several fighting rings by the back wall and a running course right outside.

Grisha went to the first available punching bag, and I could feel the curious eyes of a few warriors on me.

"Alright, show me what you've got." - he said, holding onto the bag, and giving me the sign to start.

The first hit I landed was a pathetic attempt that only made Grisha smirk. So with every next, I tried to give my best blow, soon beating the living hell out of the bag.

After a few minutes my nonexistent stamina reminded of itself and I doubled over panting harder than if I ran a marathon.

"Not bad. Did you say what rank you are?" - Grisha said, and he sounded pleasantly surprised.

"I-I didn't." - I breathed out.

But before he could ask anything else, a loud thud that sounded like something was thrown on the floor got our attention, and we both looked towards the entrance where angry-looking Ilia was storming our way.

"What the f**k is this?!" - my Mate yelled.

"Oh Ilia, have you met our newest member?" - Grisha asked with a smirk and judging by his scowl he had no idea.

Alright, so enough of the introduction, it's show time.