Chapter 4 04

CLAIRE

"Miss Claire," My Chauffeur softly called. "We've arrived at Greenville Pack House."

I heaved an inaudible sigh hearing those words while I alighted from my vehicle, only to be greeted by the warm air blowing across my hair and a gigantic building mirroring its shadow in my eyes. It was donned in green, surrounded by a small garden of various assortments of flowers. This was the beloved Greenville Packhouse.

"Ah, Miss Claire Perkins!" A man in his mid-fifties chirped in front of the building. My focus shifted to him and his associates standing side by side with bright smiles imprinted on their faces. No one needed to tell me that this short brown-haired man with Hazel colored irises and a perfectly styled beard was Alpha Jason.

I donned a smile as they approached me with men-servants cautiously trailing behind their backs.

"Alpha Jason," I chirped, my eyes briefly reviewing him in his regal white.

"It's so nice to meet you," I added as he finally approached me, placing soft kisses on my cheeks. Of course, I knew it was simply a complimentary greeting but somehow my body felt off about it. If I had a mate, he surely wouldn't have taken that lightly.

"It's an honor having you here, Claire." He remarked while the workers carried my luggage from my vehicle into the building.

"How was your flight?" He asked.

"Fine, thank you," I answered, still gleaming.

"Please," he gestured towards the door with a courteous bow. "Come in." We both sauntered into the building.

"And your Father?" He added.

"He's doing just great by the moon Goddess's blessings," I replied while he nodded. Once we emerged into the interior, my eyes gawked in awe. The living room was relatively large, decorated with fine couches donned in red, a luxurious golf chandelier, and a beautiful marble flooring design. The room housed a U-shaped stair, starting from one side of the room and ending at the other side. There were guards positioned at each corner of the room as well. All bowing their heads in respect for their Alpha.

"Glad to hear." He said before gesturing his hand to the center. And then I finally noticed the handsome carbon copy of Alpha Jason amidst two other people. Without a doubt, I was certain he was the Alpha's son. But there was one problem, as much as I liked him. My wolf, Aubrey, easily loathed him for a reason I knew not.

"I'd like you to meet my son, Jerry." He muttered while I exchanged glances with Jerry.

"And this is Beta Chris." His finger poised to the man beside his son. "And this is Imogen."

I nodded as I studied the pretty lady for minutes. Her hair was brown and curly, packed in a messy bun. Her eyes were a dazzling honey color just like mine complementing her small nose and pink heart-shaped lips. She was wearing a pink hooded sweatshirt on a pair of joggers.

"Welcome to the beautiful Greenville Pack." Beta Chris sounded sonorous as we shook hands.

"I hope you had a safe journey?" Jerry's soft voice phased through my ears. Our eyes met, giving me a proper view of his dazzling Hazel eyes. Gleaming with discrete excitement and an infectious smile.

"Yes, Thank you," I responded in the calmest way possible.

"Jeremiah but you can call me Jerry." He gently shook hands with me before Imogen interjected.

"Imogen," she pronounced with a smile. One I deemed superficial. "It's an honor to meet the Lycan's daughter."

My brows arched upwards for a split moment before Alpha Jason quickly intervened.

"Please, Claire here wouldn't love to be addressed by the name Lycan's Daughter." He clarified while Imogen's mouth formed into an O.

"I'm so sorry." She softly said.

"It's fine, don't worry," I answered before retracting my steps to Alpha Jason.

"How about we hold a welcoming party for you, Claire? It would be bad if we didn't properly welcome a high profile like you." Jerry offered and I quickly answered with skeptical looks. Firstly, I didn't want anyone apart from them to know I was the Lycan's daughter. Secondly, hosting a party would only magnify that information further. It will eventually end up in me getting preferential treatment from the Pack Members, something I didn't want to entertain.

"No." I finally started after seconds of gazes with Alpha Jason. "I don't want anyone to know I'm the Lycan's daughter. Please." I explained while the excitement on his face gradually died.

"As you wish, Miss Claire." Beta Chris answered.

"So I'll say this again, Claire here is going to be the new administrator of Greenville. She'll be staying with us here for some months or years perhaps. Whatever the Moon Goddess wishes." He started in his Alpha tone with a tiny smile to ease the sternness.

"I want you all to be on your best behavior and treat our guests warmly."

"I have a question though," I mumbled, causing Alpha Jason to halt his talks.

"May I ask where the Luna is?"

Alpha Jason's face easily morphed into sadness, his eyes embattled discrete tears and his palms curled into a fist. My eyes trailed to the others too and their expression wasn't any indifferent.

"We have no Luna." Jerry's voice pierced through the tensioned air. His tone hinting sadness intertwined with anger. "She's been missing for years now." He added with his eyes fixated to the floor. Thanks to my question I had perfectly ruined their smiles.

"Please, One of the housekeepers will escort you to your room. And do have some rest." Alpha Jason beckoned without a glance while a petite lady approached me, bowing her head as she trailed up the stairs quietly.

"Thank you very much," I stated with a courteous smile before following after the lady.

"This is your room, Ma'am." Her soft voice chorused as we sauntered into the large room donned in a spotless shade of white. A king-size bed, my luggage already rooted by the luxurious wardrobe rooted by the side. The rays coming from my window caught my attention and I inched closer to it, giving me a luxurious view of the Pack.

"Thank you." I softly replied as I beamed a smile at her.

"Would you like anything ma'am?" She asked courteously and I wriggled my head in denial.

"We hope you enjoy your stay here in Greenville. I'll take my leave now." She added on a gentle note before exiting quietly. I retained my smile wondering if this was how Alpha Jason kindly treated all his guests. Or perhaps because I was the daughter of the Lycan. Either way, their hospitality so far still remains top-notch.

The wind hushed across my window causing my hair to dance slightly. But that wasn't the only effect it had on me.

Ever since I stepped into Greenville Pack, my wolf, Aubrey, has been overly excited with sparks coursing through my veins. The winds hushed again and I felt those sparks rebirth, my nostrils were picking up the scent of someone. Although I didn't know anyone here in Greenville, it felt like I knew this person. As if the wind was beckoning unto me to yield its call likewise Aubrey. So I stepped out of my room, trotting down the stairs stealthily till I arrived in the warm atmosphere. Birds tweeting, the tall trees dancing to the tunes of the wind, and the sun hung brightly amidst the sky.

I elegantly trailed on my heels, threading the beautiful lonely path that led to a small wooden house. Aubrey's excitement bloomed on a higher note but I frowned. Unable to phantom, why I felt so drawn to this place.

I quietly neared the rickety door with skepticism. Although there were no signs of any inhabitants my wolf still pressured me. I turned the doorknob and the door creaked open. The serenity thereof and warmth were what welcomed me first. Every piece of furniture that existed in the small parlor was old and rickety. But I didn't focus much on them. My legs inadvertently led me to another room, as if Aubrey had taken control. This one was much smaller and from the looks of the bed, wardrobe, and desk, I presumed this was a bedroom. The sparks within me intensified, as I picked faint scents of alcohol intertwined with cigarettes.

Could this be my mate? My entirety was already consumed in a quivery status, my mind raged with confusion alongside Aubrey's excitement. Not that I didn't want one but I just didn't think it would come this early and unexpected. I'm just twenty-three! My Father had to wait over a century before he could find his mate. And so is my twin brother too, who hasn't found his mate yet. I didn't even know how to react, I wasn't even sure yet that my mate lives in Greenville. But I did know something, whoever this person was. He probably won't be up to my expectations.

"Claire," Jerry's soft voice tousled my confusion. I turned to him, unable to think properly. This was the Alpha's son looking all hot and gentle, but the sparks vanished. Aubrey had relapsed into furiousness as well. I still didn't understand why she loathed Jerry so much. Whereas I liked him. He stood by the door, holding my gaze as if trying to read me.

"What are you doing here?" He asked politely.

"I-i-" I stammered while my eyes stared aimlessly. "I came out for a stroll and somehow, I had a strange urge to come here. I'm sorry for intruding."

He arched his eyebrows in confusion.

"That's weird. This house belonged to a former Pack Member."

"Can I meet this Pack Member?" I shot him a quizzical look.

"Unfortunately, No." He answered sharply. I frowned. "He was exiled four days ago, I think."

"Why?"

"Rebellion. He challenged my father's Alpha position. And yes my father won, hence he banished him."

My lips parted slightly but no words escaped. My heartbeat started to mildly increase like it was going to explode. Pain and anger took stride in my wolf. But in all, I was overly disappointed. My mate is a rogue!

"Come on, let me give you a proper tour around Greenville." Jerry beckoned but all I could think of was my disappointments.

I'm the daughter of a Lycan but unfortunately, my mate is a rogue. Does the moon goodness hate me to bestow this kind of fate on me? As I stepped outside the apartment, watching Jerry lock the door. I dearly hoped this Rogue wasn't my mate.