Chapter 24: Settling in

I tensed at Zeus’ words. Next month? We still needed to discuss our mating date. Wasn't I supposed to be part of the decision?

I shot him a disgruntled look. I'll wait until after this is over before I ask him about that.

"I hope you will all give her a warm welcome to our Herd. I want her to feel at home here," he finished.

He shot me a breathtaking smile that would have melted me like butter if I wasn't still hurting due to recent events.

There were murmurs of kind words and delighted looks on the faces of the pack. Almost immediately, people were lining up to greet me. They had obeyed Zeus’ request without issue. None of them seems forced to be polite. It honestly felt like they wanted to because I meant something to him.

"It's nice to meet you, November," an older woman said, shaking my hand. "I'm Sophia, Zeu's Aunt, I’m dragon shifter. It's nice to put a face with the name finally."

"It's a pleasure to meet you too. And I was sorry for the scene a few minutes ago," I replied.

Sophia smiled at me.

"It's understandable, November. I believe your wolf reacted according to her instinct, knowing what happened to you and her," she said.

Of course, she knew. Zeus probably told her, seeing she was his aunt.

She smiled fondly at Zeus. "She's so pretty, Bambi. You picked a good one; her eyes remind me of someone."

Bambi? I looked at him questioningly. Was it a nickname or something? It sounded like Baby or something. Zeus  brushed it off and shook the next person's hand in line behind her.

"And I'm Steve, Sophia's mate. I’m a bear-shifter," a man said, causing me to turn my attention to the person behind her.

"Hi," I said.

It went on like that for the next hour. I met everyone in the herd with different species and felt exhausted by the time it was over. It had indeed been a very long day.

I was yawning before Zeus even finished the house tour that followed after the meeting. We had finished the bottom level of the house when I requested to put the rest off until tomorrow.

When we reached the third level, he paused at the top of the stairs and turned to me.

"There was a little problem getting a room together for you at the last minute, so you'll have to share mine tonight. I'll take the fold-out couch, and you can have the bed."

"That's not necessary. I can take the couch."

He frowned.

"What kind of mate would I be to let you do that? I'll take the couch; you can have the bed."

He didn't leave much room for argument. His eyes dared me to go against him.

"Okay," I sighed. Arguing would get us nowhere. Besides, it's only temporary. "If you insist."

He nodded and continued to lead the way to his room. During our walk, I had time to think about tonight's event. That's when I remembered something.

"Why didn't you tell me you picked a date for our mating?"

"It was not a mating yet,” Zeus said. “It’s a marriage since everyone here is of a different species. We do not follow wolf rules. It was in a hurry. To treat you from becoming feral, I need to mark you for good, and I didn't think you'd mind. Due to the circumstances, I decided to go ahead."

"It's not that. But why didn't you tell me about it? You should tell me before announcing it to everyone.

I felt a little irritated that couldn't be helped.

His expression was apologetic. "It's an old habit. I'm used to making decisions on my own."

That's understandable. The slight annoyance I had over the subject vanished, and I nodded.

"Well, I'm here now. You don't have to do everything on your own anymore."

"I'm glad," he said. "I've been doing things independently for so long I don't know how to let someone help me, but I'd like to try."

Confusion crossed me again.

"What about your parents? Where are they?

I didn't recall seeing them tonight.

He grimaced. 

"I was kicked out, remember?"

“Oh, I’m sorry. I forgot.”

We finally stopped at a set of white double doors at the end of the hallway. I already knew before he opened the door this was the master bedroom. It was confirmed with the opening of the doors.

The king-size bed in the middle of the room was neatly made, with carefully organized pillows at the top. The royal blue carpet contrasted with the black bed sheet, but somehow, they looked perfectly matched. A royal blue two-person couch with a pinstripe pattern was at the end of the bed. That must have been the folding sofa Zeus referred to earlier.

Beside the bed, there was a large closet, TV, and dresser, there was nothing else in the bedroom. It was certainly roomy. Another door along the same wall as the closet led to a master bath. The pristine bathroom was perfectly visible from here. I don't know what I would do if I had this big bathroom at home. Live in it, maybe?

"Make yourself at home. I'll just have someone help bring up your bags."

Zeus quickly disappeared from the room, leaving me to myself and the room's beauty. My eyes wandered back to the bed, and I wondered if it looked as comfortable as it looked. It seemed like one of those beds you could just sink into and never get up from.

I decided to test it out.

As soon as my body lay across the bed, I sighed, content. The mattress formed my curves and comforted every inch of my body. Yes, it was comfy as it looked. And as predicted, I never wanted to get up.

Unfortunately, the sound of someone shuffling into the room didn't make that possible. I quickly sat up to see the person that had invited them in.

I felt as surprised as the raven-haired young girl standing at the door awkwardly.

"Oops. I'm sorry. I was looking for my brother," she apologized.

I raised an eyebrow at her. "Zeus?"