Chapter 10 X

Elodie went to meet Lady Tessa in the servants' quarters, and she accompanied her up to the fourth floor of the mansion.

"Only the alpha's room is occupied here. The beta, the gamma, and the elders live on the third floor." She pointed to the place. "The second floor is for guests and offices only. And you've already seen the second floor."

I follow her, trying to remember every corner we turn.

"Here we are, darling. This is your room." Tessa finally stops in front of a wooden door. "The alpha's room is at the end of the corridor." She points to a solitary door. "Here are your keys. Beta Tail has already brought your luggage; go and get settled. I'll call you for lunch in a bit."

"Hm, I'm not starving. I'll just pack my things and lie down for a while."

"Are you sure, dear? You haven't had breakfast, either." She asks, concerned.

"Yes, ma'am." I smiled to reassure her that I wasn't hungry.

"Very well. I know you're exhausted by all this, so I'll let you rest. But I'll be back to find you for dinner, okay?"

I suspected there was no point in arguing with her about dinner, so I just sighed and nodded.

"Arrange your room however you like. I'll come and have a look at you later, dear."

"Thank you, Mrs. Tessa." The old woman leaves, leaving me alone in the huge room, which was decorated with pastel paint and white ornaments.

In the center was a huge bed with simple white sheets. On one wall was a small fireplace, lit to keep the room warm. Next to the bed was a lovely white chair where I could imagine myself reading. And right behind the chair, there was a glass door with thick curtains that led out onto the balcony. On the wall opposite the bed, there was a huge TV installed between two doors.

The first door opened onto a spacious bathroom with a beautiful marble bathtub and a shower next to it. The wall had a huge mirror, and the countertop was long enough to accommodate four people.

The second door was a walk-in closet. Each side of the wall had so many hangers and drawers that I would certainly never be able to use them all.

I went to the glass door and opened it, stepping out onto the huge balcony. I couldn't help but sigh with joy as I admired the beautiful rose garden below. Its scent immediately wafted into the room. Maybe it's not so bad living here, I thought to myself.

"Of course not! We'll be closer to our partner!" Ayla, who had been silent all this time, suddenly shouts in my head, making me jump with fright.

"Yes, we'll be closer. But as his private slave."

"It doesn't matter. In time, he'll realize that we belong together." Ayla insists. I rolled my eyes.

"But what if he doesn't want me?"

"He'll want you! I know it!" Ayla exclaims, full of determination.

"Yes, of course. Look at us! He's turned us into his slaves. Ah, Goddess, please give me the strength to endure what is yet to come."

I was struggling to control my head, which kept imagining every possible torture Felix could have in store for me.

I spent the rest of the afternoon unpacking and putting my things away. A few hours later, someone knocks on the door.

"Yes?" I speak from inside the closet. The door opens, and a small redhead appears.

"Can I come in?"

I recognize her; it's Cassandra, Caleb's range partner.

"Of course." He smiled at her. Gamma Silas and Cassandra were one of those lucky couples with whom the goddess had connected. I've heard that, before meeting his partner, the gamma was all tight and uptight. Until one day, a few years ago, during a patrol with the alpha, he smelled something that immobilized him.

Caleb scoured the village in search of that scent until he came across a lone, suspicious, and frightened she-wolf on the outskirts of the village. Cassandra was a nomad orphaned by war. She wandered from village to village, seeking refuge, until she arrived here. As soon as she set foot on our territory, the connection between them manifested itself.

And they've been inseparable ever since.

"I came to see if you needed any help getting settled, but I can see you're already fine." She smiles and sits down on my bed.

"Yeah, I haven't brought much yet." I close the closet door and walk over to sit next to her. Cassandra holds out her hand.

"You're Elodie, right? It's nice to meet you. My name is Cassandra." She's a beautiful woman, unique in that she's a few centimeters taller than me, with black skin and bright green eyes.

Her hair was styled in a high, curly red bob, which she adorned with a green band, matching her eyes.

Cassandra is voluptuous, which reminds me of my tiny breasts. I shake her hand, offering my best smile.

"My pleasure, Cassandra."

"So, you're the alpha's maid, huh? I can see why he appointed you. You're beautiful!" Shrieking, Cassandra looks at me in a way that makes me even more disgusted.

"Hm... Thank you? But I don't think I'm here because he likes me. I just came here to work."

"Oh, please. I've known Alfa for three years and I've never seen him ask for a maid. Now, all of a sudden, he's taken an interest in you." I blush when she looks me right in the eye.

"You see, our partner is interested. That's why he brought us here to the mansion, he's afraid we'll leave." Ayla's voice echoes in my head.

"Honestly? I doubt it." I tell them both, remembering the alpha's words the night before, when we met in the forest.

Ayla rolls her eyes and lies down.

Cassandra just shrugs her shoulders.

"Well, think what you want. I know what I'm talking about. I mean, the guy put you in the room next to him."

Cassandra giggled.

"I wouldn't be surprised if, before long, you're sleeping in his bed. That's what I'd expect, at least."

I blushed at the thought of sleeping in Felix's strong arms.

"I don't think that would be appropriate."

"Of course not. But this is Alpha Felix Moonstone we're talking about." She raises her arms in exasperation. "I mean, he's not Caleb, but he's the most desirable man in the village, and he's got his eye on you, Elodie."

She puts her hands on her waist and gives me a wink.

"Well, I have to go. Caleb and I are going to meet Alpha Star and his gang at the border." Cassandra gets up and heads for the door.

"Are the Howlers coming again?"

The Star Pack was one of our strongest allies. Ever since Alpha Felix took command of our pack, he has had the duty of winning over as many allies as possible so that he can end the war with the renegades.

"Yes." Cassandra sighs. "Which means we have to put up with Keira and her antics. See you later." She says goodbye and leaves the room.

Keira Howler. Daughter of the alpha of the Star Pack, Vega Howler.

She was the epitome of elegance, with her beautiful tanned skin and long, luminous blonde hair. Like her father, she exuded power.

The two gangs worked together to end the war against the renegades. Renegades don't usually work together.

I mean, that was after the battle between the great Alpha Arion, Felix's father, and the leader of the renegades, Zenith Aster, who secretly managed to gather a band of renegades from all over the continent. They overpowered the warriors in our pack, killing my father, who was the gamma at the time. Alpha Arion managed to kill Zenith, but Logan, one of Zenith's renegades, defeated our alpha. Felix was on the battlefield that day. The stories tell that the moment Alpha Arion closed his eyes for the last time, his alpha powers were transferred to Felix - who was only 17 at the time, causing him to claim his place as leader of the pack. It is said to this day that there was no wolf more powerful than Felix: he ran across the battlefield, biting and breaking necks. The renegades were forced to retreat, and our pack won that day. But it was a bittersweet victory. After the battle, the renegades kept regrouping and trying to ambush our pack. But thanks to Felix, who immediately gathered allies, we became one of the biggest fortresses on the continent. "Elodie, let's go for a run. I need to stretch my legs." Ayla's voice rang out in my head, interrupting my thoughts. I smiled at the suggestion. "Of course. A little run would do me good; it'll help me relax." I walk out of the door and down the stairs to the second floor. I was about to go into the kitchen area to look for the nearest back door when I heard voices coming from the foyer. "... I thought you were at the meeting with my gamma and your father, Keira." It was Felix's voice. I couldn't move; I was glued to the door frame that separated the antechamber from the hall. Peeking around the corner, I saw the blonde she-wolf and my partner talking alone. "I wanted to see you so much that I came before them. That redhead tried to stop me, but I don't give a damn what a nomad like her has to say." Keira replied indifferently. She was clearly the daughter of an alpha, because Felix's strong aura didn't affect her. "Besides, you promised me the night of the party that you'd take me for a walk in the forest. I thought we could do that now." Keira says she is flirting with him. I watch as her hands slide down Felix's chest, and my stomach turns in disgust. Felix pushes her away immediately. "I don't remember making such a promise, but if you're so inclined to run, I can appoint a warrior to be your guardian." The alpha says this, starting to walk away. "But I want to go with you," Keira pouts. "I don't have time to play. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a few things to do before I meet your father." And then Felix disappears through another door, leaving the blonde she-wolf fuming. I feel unease in the pit of my stomach. Why do I have the feeling that she might be a problem?