Chapter 3 Blackwood pack

The morning light barely crept through the tiny window, casting soft streaks across the cold, gray room. I was still tangled in sleep, wrapped in scratchy sheets, when the door burst open with the energy of a tornado wrapped in sunshine.

"Good morning, sunshine!"

I jolted upright, eyes squinting against the sudden brightness-not from the sun, but from her. A middle-aged woman I'd never seen before.

She practically skipped into the room, arms full of flowers, a basket dangled from her elbow, stuffed with colorful fabrics, small trinkets, and a pillow.

She had the brightest smile, like her face didn't know how to do anything else, reminding me of my mother. Her hair was tied up messily, and her eyes sparkled with mischief.

"Time to turn this sad little cave into something less tragic." She dropped everything with a dramatic flair, hands on her hips like she'd just conquered a kingdom.

"Name's Mira. Your new favorite person. Now, up!"

Nyx chuckled in my head, "I like her!"

I stared. She grinned wider.

I stood and watched as she changed the old beddings to the new flower-patterned ones she'd brought. The colors were soft and warm, breathing life into the cold room. She picked up a new pillow and gently placed it on the bed-it looked soft and plush, the kind you'd sink right into.

"I made this pillow myself the night I heard the Alpha was getting married. It's a gift for Luna," she said with a bright smile. "I knitted the cover with soft wool, filled it with lots of fluffy feathers, and added a bit of lavender and rose fragrance to help you sleep better."

"I wasn't sure which color to pick, so I went with something soft-it makes the room feel less gloomy, don't you think?" she said, fluffing the pillow with an exaggerated pat. "Oh, and the stitches? Took me three tries to get them right. My cat kept pulling at the yarn-little rascal thinks he's helping."

She glanced at me, her smile never fading. "But it was worth it. Luna deserves comfort, even if she doesn't ask for it."

She moved around the room like a burst of energy, opening a window I didn't even know was there. Warm sunlight busted into the room, chasing away the shadows and filling the room with so much warmth.

"Oh, look at that! A little sunlight makes everything better, doesn't it?" she chirped, as she yanked the old, dull curtains and replaced them with new ones – soft, colorful and light making them dance with the breeze.

She placed a small vase of bright flowers on the dresser, and placed larger vases in the corners of the room, their vibrant colors popping against the pale walls. Then she grabbed a small bottle and sprayed a sweet fragrance into the air.

The soft blend of lavender, vanilla, and something citrusy filled the room, replacing the dusty, stale scent I met here.

"There! Doesn't that feel more like a room and less like a little sad cave?" she said, grinning as she admired her work.

She dragged me-literally-to a steaming bath that smelled like wildflowers and honey. The warmth seeped into my bones, chasing away the cold I didn't even realize I'd been carrying.

"I added lavender. Good for the soul," she said, rolling up her sleeves. "Now, don't look at me like that. Yes, I'm bathing you, you look like you haven't had a good bath in ages, and no, I don't care if it's weird."

I didn't protest. I was too shocked-and honestly, the warmth felt nice. She scrubbed my back gently, humming an off-key tune, filling the room with life.

Next, she wrapped me in soft towels, sat me down, and began combing through my hair with gentle fingers, no yanks, no impatient sighs, just warmth.

"Goodness, girl, did you fight a bear in your sleep? This hair is a battlefield," she joked, shaking her head dramatically while gently working through the tangles.

A small, unexpected smile tugged at the corner of my lips. It felt strange-like my face had forgotten how to do it.

Mira's eyes lit up like she'd won a prize. "Was that... was that a smile? Hold on, let me frame this moment in my memory." She pretended to wipe away an invisible tear. "Beautiful."

"We'll braid it like this," she said softly, fingers weaving strands with care. "Highlight those cheekbones, darling. You've got royalty written all over you. Bet if you blink twice, you'll charm the Alpha into tripping over his own feet."

That made me snort-a soft, breathy sound I hadn't heard from myself in years. Mira's grin stretched even wider, victorious.

Then came the clothes-colorful clothes. Not the dull, shapeless things I was used to. Silky fabrics in shades of blue and green that made my skin glow.

When Mira was done, she spun me toward the cracked mirror.

I didn't recognize the girl staring back.

The hollow look was gone. My eyes weren't just empty-they sparkled. My skin looked soft and warm; my lips tinted pink. My hair was braided beautifully, tiny beads woven in.

I looked alive for the first time in fifteen years.

Mira leaned in beside me, grinning, "Told you. Luna material."

I stared a moment longer, then-soft and brief-a smile crept onto my face.

Mira gasped dramatically. "Twice in one morning? I'm unstoppable!"

Nyx whispered, "You're beautiful."

And this time, I almost believed it.

***

Later, Mira didn't waste time.

"We're going out," she announced, hands on her hips. "You need fresh air, some sun on your face, and maybe a snack. Or ten."

I hesitated, shaking my head. I'm not allowed.

Mira frowned. "Since when does Luna come with invisible shackles?"

I gestured toward the door, trying to explain without words.

"Oh, no. No, no, no. We're not doing the 'sad girl stuck in a tower' routine. Let's talk to Mr. Grumpy Alpha himself." She grabbed my hand. "Let's go."

She didn't even give me time to protest. One minute I was standing there, and the next, Mira was dragging me through the hall like I weighed nothing.

I tried pulling back, planting my feet like a stubborn tree, but Mira just shot me a look over her shoulder. "Oh, don't give me that face. You're Luna and not a decorative vase."

Before I could blink, we were standing outside Kieran's office door.

Mira gave a soft knock and Tobias opened the door.

"What is it, Mira?" He asked.

"We'll love to speak to the Alpha." She replied.

He looked at us like we had lost it, coming to look for the Alpha in his office and after a minute he let us in.

"This should be fun," he added as we entered inside.

Kieran looked up from a stack of papers, his signature scowl firmly in place. Mira didn't flinch.

"Good afternoon, Alpha Kieran. we'd like to humbly ask for your permission to let the Luna go outside the pack house for some sunlight."

Kieran's jaw tightened slightly, his cold gaze shifting to me. I instinctively shrank back, but Mira squeezed my hand, refusing to let me.

Silence. A very loud one at that. He then set his pen down with deliberate slowness.

"She's fine where she is," he said. His voice sounding like a decree.

Mira's grip on my hand tightened. "She's not a prisoner, Alpha," she added, her voice softer now but still firm. "She's Luna and she deserves more than four walls."

Silence. The room felt thick enough to choke on.

Kieran let out a sound like he was amused. Looking at us with so much sharpness.

"Tell me Mira, do you think your words can change my decision?" His voice dangerously low this time making Mira and I to shift backwards.

For the first time since the day started, Mira went quiet. I instinctively tried to hide behind her, but his cold and unwavering gaze kept me rooted on my spot.

"You want to go outside, Luna?"

I swallowed hard, suddenly unsure. I never went out in my former pack, why did I think that I would have the freedom here to do so.

I quickly shook my head. Mira grabbed my hand trying to make me disagree but I insisted. I didn't want to push my luck on the first day and I definitely didn't want to tempt Kieran.

Kieran let out a quiet chuckle after witnessing our drama and said with a dangerously low voice, "She stays in her room."

And that was final. I was so foolish to think that a miracle could happen.

But Mira spoke up again, her voice sounding like a plea this time, "Please let the young girl have some biscuits, Alpha."

Kieran held her gaze for a long moment, looked at me briefly and I was shocked to hear the next thing he said.

"Two hours."

Mira let out a shaky breath, just enough to reveal the tension she'd been holding. "Thank you, Alpha Kieran, I promise to bring her back in time," she said.

Kieran didn't respond immediately. He just watched her-watched me-like he was deciding if our freedom was worth granting. Then, with a slow nod, he turned back to his desk, dismissing us without another word.

Just as we turned to leave, Tobias-who had been leaning against the wall, arms crossed, observing the whole thing with mild amusement-finally spoke.

"Congratulations," he drawled, a smirk tugging at his lips. "On your little freedom. Try not to get too used to it."

Mira shot him a glare, but Tobias just chuckled, shaking his head. "Relax, I'm just saying-our Alpha isn't known for his generosity. You must be really special."

I wasn't sure if that was meant for Mira or me.

Mira scoffed and grabbed my wrist tugging me toward the door.

The moment we stepped outside, Mira exhaled sharply, shaking her head. "Okay, I don't know about you, but I need a damn drink."