Nari

Nari 

The castle is huge , I am finding it hard to take in the place . We were only just through the door, we were standing in the entrance hall , when he asked if I would like a tour of the castle . Asking where I would like to see first I just knew a place this grand would have a library .

I have no idea why but I feel calm in his presence , almost safe . I am lost in my own thoughts when we are interrupted by a female. She was pretty , her brown hair hung down her back . Her brown eyes kept flitting from the prince to myself .

She had an air of entitlement about her , beta or gamma blood perhaps  . She looks me up and down, her eyes landing on my hand on his arm . The look of disgust as she demands to know who I am, has me wondering who she is . As the prince walks away from her after a quick introduction i can feel his anger its strange it's as though its my own . Asking if he's ok , he just smiles at me , I am taken aback at how handsome he is with a smile on his face , I just shrug it off trying to ignore the flutter in my stomach  . The prince takes my hand again , the faint tingles that were there before are now back . Finding comfort in his touch I decided to allow him to take my hand as he led us through many passages and a flight of stairs .

I wasn't sure what i was expecting if i am honest , the moment he pushed open the huge double doors my eyes grew wide in amazement .The musky smell of old books and an air of not being used . In front of me was the biggest library I had ever seen, not that I had seen any except the one in the pack once but I guess it counted . As he turned to me his face had a concerned look on it .

“ Is it ok ? .” He asked as a single tear ran down my cheek .

Bringing my hand up to cover my mouth I just nodded , trying really hard not to cry . He instantly panicked thinking he had done something wrong . Grabbing his hand , I shake my head .

“ Kurat , this is amazing . I love it .” He just rubs the back of his head , a pink tint creeped up his cheek . “ Thank you , are you sure I can use it ? no one seems to have been here for a long time .”

He instantly tenses up and I feel like I have said something wrong . “ Sorry , I didn't mean to upset you .” I want to kick myself for ruining the moment . He was trying to do something nice for me . “ It was my grandmothers  library , no one really comes here except me .” I thought I heard him wrong , he spoke in an almost whisper . He just looked at me and smiled but it didn't reach his eyes , he looked sad .

Deciding to change the subject I started asking about his favourite books and we spent another hour chatting about books . 

—

Getting to the room i was going to be staying in i was slightly confused , instead of going down to the quarters where the staff would live we went up . Now I am standing on the top floor in a room that you could fit the whole downstairs of the orphanage into . I turn to look at the prince , sensing my confusion.

“ Nari , I hope you don't mind but I'll put you here next to my room .” He looked a bit unsure as though I would be angry .

“ What about the other girls ?” I know I was the last of the six other females giving as a gift .

As tradition says the prince will court all six , if he takes part in it . Although not all the Princes take part  . Spending time with each gift until he makes the final choice , each female is to take part in many activities , including training, pack history and etiquette . He just looked down .

“ I know I have to spend time with you all , I just didn't want you staying in the staff quarters . If you would feel better being there I can get one of the maids to move your things .”

Placing my hand on the now flustered prince , he looks me in the eye .I say “ Kurat , I am more than happy to be here . I just didn't think I was worthy of such a beautiful room .”

Saying it out loud made me remember the she-wolf from earlier,  I felt embarrassed. Maybe I don't deserve it , most packs send the daughter of the highest ranking wolf .

“ Look , be careful you are free to do as you want but remember the people in this castle are not your friends . Especially not my brothers and definitely not the other girls . I have had the head maid Anna stock the room for you but I can take you shopping for clothes soon . There are work out clothes in the closet , training is at 6am in the training grounds. I'll see you there, don't be late .”  He said as he left , giving me a small smile as he closed the door .

Putting down the books I borrowed from the library , I decided to check out the bathroom . Opening the bathroom door I was stunned at the size of the tub , it was big enough for ten people . Just as Kurat had said the maid had indeed stocked things for me . Sitting on the side was the softest soft pink nightdress and underwear . Going back to the room there was a note on the bedside table ; Welcome to the castle Nari , food will be brought up at seven . I do hope you like what I have picked out for you if there is anything else you need please let me know . Thanks Anna  . Placing the note down , I go to the closet .

Opening the door to the closet my jaw dropped , it was the largest closet . I spotted the clothes Anna had kindly picked out for me . I was glad when I spotted the shoes , she had picked three sizes of each of the shoes she  had left . I smiled and decided to curl up on the large armchair by the window to read while I waited for food .