CHAPTER SIX

I rest in my room for a few hours.

I don't know what to do now.

My mind is spinning.

I can't even begin to think about decorating.

My mind is full of Nathaniel.

I hope he is okay.

By now, Alpha will have told him what's happened.

He will probably be as furious as the girl lingering at my door earlier was.

Ana...

She must hate me.

I would hate me, too.

But everyone else seems so nice.

I remember the plate of food offered to me in the kitchen and am suddenly hungry.

I jump up out of bed and rush into the corridor.

Then I hurry downstairs.

"You're back," the woman grins when she sees me.

"I'm hungry," I tell her with a blush.

Her plate is empty now. "I can fix you something to eat," she says.

"Oh, you don't have to do that."

"It's no trouble. Take a seat."

She goes over to the oven and starts frying.

I sit down at the table opposite the man.

"My name is Beth," the woman tells me.

I nod. "I'm Bria."

She smiles again. "I know."

"You're the Alpha's mate," the man says.

He has dark, curly hair and a kind smile.

I blush. "Yes."

"I'm Brock," he says. "I'm the Jeremiah's second-in-command."

"His beta?"

He nods. "That's right."

"How are you finding it here?" Beth asks as she cooks.

"It's great," I reply. "So far."

Just then, a young man enters the kitchen with a big grin on his face.

"I thought I smelled bacon," he says, coming up behind Beth and kissing her cheek.

She laughs.

"This is Ethan," she tells me. "My mate. Ethan, this is Bria. Jeremiah's new mate."

Ethan shakes my hand.

He seems friendly, like a big puppy.

"Hi Bri. Mind if I call you Bri?"

"You can call me whatever you want," I reply.

I can't help myself, I am warming to these friendly pack members.

Another man enters.

"This is Glade," Ethan tells me, ruffling the man's hair.

"Hi," Glade says, looking at me with confusion. "Who's this?"

"It's Jeremiah's mate," Ethan tells him. "Bria."

"Ohhhhhh," Glade says.

Ethan takes a seat next to me. "So, where are you from, Bria?"

"The Great Forest," I tell him.

"Oh wow!"

"Do you know it?"

"Sure. It's beautiful there. I heard the pack's lived their for generations."

I feel a lump form in my throat.

"That's right," I tell him.

Ethan seems to notice my change in mood. "Hey, I know you're going to miss home, but I promise we're a great bunch here."

I feel reassured.

Beth comes over with a drink and food for me.

I start to eat.

Glade offers me a piece of bacon.

I take it and bite it.

It is delicious.

"Thank you," I say.

"Welcome," he replies.

They talk to me while I eat.

Glade, Ethan, Brock and Beth are very kind and friendly to me.

It's a relief to know I am not hated here.

After a while, I pluck up the courage to talk to them.

"So, where is Jeremiah?" I ask.

"Busy," Brock tells me. "There's a lot of pack matters going on right now. You'll barely see him."

Ethan chuckles. "You'll have to make do with us!"

I laugh.

"Well, that's not too bad," I tell him.

I am warming to these new people.

"Can I ask you guys a question?"

"Shoot," Beth says.

"You have all been nice to me, but there's one girl...Ana..."

"Ana!" everyone cries in unison while groaning.

"Just ignore Ana," Beth tells me.

"We all do," Brock adds.

"She's a nightmare," Glade tells me.

"It's true," Ethan agrees.

I'm surprised by their reactions.

"But isn't Jeremiah in love with her?" I ask.

They pause, exchanging glances.

Then they all burst out laughing.

"What?!" Ethan cries.

"Jeremiah? And Ana?" Glade laughs.

Beth wipes tears from her eyes. "That's the funniest thing I've heard all day."

I'm still confused.

"I don't understand," I say. "Jeremiah told me he is in love with someone and..."

Suddenly, they all fall silent.

The mood turns sober.

"He said that?" Beth asks.

I nod.

Even Ethan is quiet.

Then, Brock clears his throat and says, "I'm sure he didn't mean it. He was just...talking."

"Yeah," Glade adds, "Especially not with Ana. Jeremiah and Ana don't get along at all. We all know he doesn't love her."

Beth pats my leg. "Don't take any of it seriously."

I'm not sure if they're trying to give me hope or if they're trying to ease my pain.

Either way, it works.

I know they're trying to be kind.

It is strange, though...

That they're all so sure that there is no love between Jeremiah and Ana.

They seem so sure.

But then why was she glowering at me?

And why would Jeremiah pretend he is in love with someone?

Then a thought hits me.

He is not pretending.

He was honest to me.

He IS in love with someone.

Someone he has kept a secret from his pack mates.

"There is someone else," I say. "A secret someone..."

I look around at the shocked faces.

"Who?" they all ask me.

I see their expressions.

They're all shocked.

They seem to be just as surprised as I am.

"He isn't seeing anyone else," Brock says.

"If he is, he's kept it well hidden," Glade adds.

"Is there someone Jeremiah has been keeping a secret from us?" Beth asks.

"No," Brock says, more sternly. "There is no one."

I bite my lip.

I feel awkward.

I shouldn't have said anything.

It is rude to guess.

I decide to let it go for now.

I need to get used to these people and this new life.

If Jeremiah has kept it a secret, it must be for a reason.

Brock stands up from the table and looks down at me.

"Bria," he says.

I must have angered him.

I cower in my seat.

"Yes?" I ask.

"Would you like me to show you the grounds?"

I frown. "What?"

"Now you've finished eating, would you like a tour of the grounds? We have many trees, just like the forest you lived in. It will help you feel less homesick."

I'm touched by the gesture.

"Thank you, Brock. That sounds nice."

I stand up and say goodbye to the others then head outside with Brock.