Chapter 3

Caelum's Pov

I watched as she sat in awe of the car. It was adorable how wide-eyed she was.

“Where are we going?" she asked curiosly. 

Silly mate, where else would we go? My wolf, Xyler, grumbled. He was trying hard not to show how over the moon he was that he found her.

“My place. Where you would be staying from now on—as my mate of course.” I couldn't keep the amusement from coloring my tone even if I tried.

It must feel like salt being rubbed into a deep, bleeding wound, realizing that you're mated to the man whose parents murdered yours.

But I guess she has forgotten that her parents were the reason I'm like this. 

Shaking the dark thoughts from my mind. I decided to focus on my mate. Her once shiny red hair was now stringy and dull, but her green eyes are just as fiery as I remembered.

13 years spent in that place did nothing to take away her beauty, except she was thinner than she should be. I could see her bones jutting out from where I was.

Suddenly she smiled. But it wasn't a nice one. No, I narrowed my eyes, it was one that promised death.

We need to keep an eye on mate, Xyler said. He was a suspicious wolf by nature, and well, so was I. I agreed with him.

Turning my thoughts to past events. I remembered the thrill that passed through me when I saw her sitting in that grimy cage.

A part of me liked seeing her chained and in a cage, but I pushed it down. 

From the moment she was locked inside there, I had been keeping tabs on her. I knew every bone she had broken inside there.

It pleased the part that hated her for what her parents did to me, but that part was quickly declining.

I didn't know what the moon goddess was playing at, but somehow I knew I would have so much fun watching it all play out.

“Are you near?" My beta, Soren, mind-linked me.

“Yes, have a room prepared."

“A room? Jessica wouldn't like that.” I could hear the sadistic glee in his voice even from here.

“My mate shouldn't be in the dungeons, don't you think so?” With that, I cut off the mind-link. Let him process the information.

I could see the huge iron gates that protected the boundaries of my pack. Ah, home sweet home.

Wren's POV

I could see a huge set of iron gates swing open. At first, I thought it was automatic, but then I saw the huge set of guards guarding it.

This is it, no going back, Astrid said. I could feel how nervous she was. 

It's not like we had anything to go back to, I bitterly reminded her.

The journey had been a long one spent in silence, surprisingly. I would have thought that Caelum would spend the time getting on my nerves.

The car drove for a while, trees surrounding us. My curious eyes darted around trying to catch everything.

The sound of a waterfall reached my ears faintly and the smell of water brushed by my nose. I eagerly breathed it in.

After years of smelling sweat and blood, this was the closest thing to heaven.

Sunlight streamed through tree leaves, birds chirped here and there. I could even see a family of deer passing through. My eyes were fixed on the passing scenery.

Slowly, the car stopped in front of a huge mansion. It was way bigger than the one in my old pack.

Wolves were moving in and out. I could see some kids playing about and off to the side and people sparring in their wolf forms on the other side.

“Aren't people going to wonder when they see you walking in with a strange female?” My voice came out raspy from hours of disuse but my words were clear.

Caelum's eyes flickered to mine and for a moment, I saw something soft in them, but then they became impassive, fitting well into the bored look he always seemed to wear.

“They wouldn't mind," he simply said and stepped down from the car, as elegant as ever, an air of superiority around him.

I hesitated. Anxiety filled my body and my leg began to bounce.

There's nothing they can do that's worse than what Alric did to us, Astrid tried to reassure me. 

Yeah, but at least I knew what to expect. I whispered to her. I was scared of the unknown, the new turn my life had taken.

A knock on the window drew me short. Caelum was standing impatiently by the window.

“If you don't come out now, I would drag you out and it wouldn't be pretty." I couldn't hear the words but I could read his lips.

"Here goes nothing." I muttered and stepped out. I could feel the curious eyes of wolves on me but I held my head up high and avoided their eyes.

Something unreadable flashed in Caelum's eyes, too quick for me to read it. He turned and strode towards the door to the huge building, I quickly followed.

Inside looked even bigger than outside. The ceilings were high, the room wide and spacious. A chandelier hung prettily casting the room in a warm golden light

Brown leather chairs were arranged loosely around a fireplace with a soft looking rug placed in front of it.

Stairs with golden railings twisted round and round upwards, showing the vastness of the house, despite which, it still felt so homely.

It was like a beautiful dream.

A squeal broke me out of my reverie and I turned just in time to see a stunning woman throw herself at Caelum.

I quickly locked my jaw to stop the growl building up there. She's touching my mate. The fact that I want to kill him doesn't mean she can touch him. Astrid growled.

The woman was delightful to look at which hair like spun gold, eyes as blue as the sky and a figure that a lot of women would die for. Her flawless skin looked smooth to the touch. 

In summary, she was everything I wasn't.

“Caelum, you weren't in bed when I woke up.” Her high pitched voice grated my ears. I gritted my teeth.

Caelum flung her aside roughly. I winced and almost felt bad for her.

“I hate clingy women." His voice was cold and unfeeling. Damn, that was brutal. Jessica pouted.

" But baby–" He brushed past her towards the stairs. He halted at the bottom of the staircase and turned towards me, an eyebrow raised mockingly.

“Do you need an invitation?" His tone was bland and dry. I hurried after him, making sure not to catch Jessica's eyes. I felt awkward.

His long legs took great strides and I had to run just to keep up with him. We passed two floors, my legs were seriously complaining.

The stairs ended in the middle of a hallway, splitting it into two. 

“This floor is out of reach to other members of the pack. It's open to only me, my beta, my head warrior which is my gamma, and now you.”

"Did you have to walk so fast?” I panted. He turned to look at me, sharp eyes taking in my sweaty, tired form with amusement.

His hard features seemed to soften, and his voice took on a low, tone that gave me goosebumps.

"Apologies, Red." he said, his gaze roaming over me with an intensity that was nearly uncomfortable. 

"I forget that not everyone shares my... enthusiasm for speed." He continued.

His eyes lingered on my eyes, and I felt my pulse quicken as he took a step closer, his long legs boxing me in. I tried to take a step back, but my feet seemed glued to the ground.

"You're not used to matching my pace, are you?" he teased, his voice smooth like honey. "Don't worry, I'll make sure to... slow down."

His gaze dropped to my lips, and my heart beat faster as he raised a hand, his fingers brushing my cheek faintly. Sparks erupted along the trail of his fingers. I tried to pull away, but he caught my chin, his eyes burning fiercely.

"Relax, Red." he whispered, his minty breath fanning my face. "I promise I won't bite….yet."

I tried to laugh, but it came out strangled as he leaned in closer, his lips inches from mine. I felt like I was without air. My breath coming out in short pants.

With what seemed like all of my strength, I tore my gaze away from his, my eyes landing on a portrait behind him.

Shock ran through my body, fear following shortly after.