Takoa

Wearing a large sweatshirt and leggings, she looks stunning. Her hair is a mess of wild curls. She fidgets with the sleeves of her top. Her eyes stare right into me. It’s like there is no one in this hall but the two of us.

“Kemira, let me introduce Ryne. He is my beta and second in command here. You already met my cousin Chelsea.” I smirk as my cousin smiles. She is a true hellion, but she doesn’t let my title go to my head. She will call me out in a second. She is a vital part of my leadership here. I respect her greatly. I see something in Kemira’s eyes at my announcement. If I were anyone else, I would have missed it. But under her breath, she exhaled and said ‘cousin’ and it makes me smile. Fuck she thought Chelsea was my woman. Yuck. Ryne gives her a respectful nod as he would my mate. “Our car is downstairs waiting.” I smile, looking at her. She nods and follows alongside Chelsea.

We make it to the black SUV for the short drive to the castle. Kemira sits next to me. Staring out the window as I crave to touch her fingers that are less than an inch from mine. It's around lunchtime, and people are out and about in town. We have a large pack of land for the royal family and packs that neighbor us. Within the castle is a small town filled with vendors and storefronts that are open to all. The marketplace is encircled within the castle walls. Outside the castle, there are more cottages scattered. Some of the more established lycan members have large homes on tree-lined streets. Then there is the town that has all the stores, a movie theater, and restaurants. Everything that is needed to make up our large, growing town.

Chelsea and Ryne sit across from us. Chatting about something, but I can’t make it out with Fin going crazy in my head.

‘Can you sense her wolf?’ I ask him while he is actually speaking to me.

‘I can sense her, but she has not been awakened yet. I will keep trying to reach her. You should touch her. Maybe that will help.’ Fin tells me.

‘I’m not going to put my hands on her. She has enough trauma for me to force my touch on her. When she is ready and no time sooner.’ I reply to Fin as he huffs and puts his wall back up.

We pull up into the castle entrance. The car crosses the ramp. The people who usually work and reside here have been sent away for an hour. I needed to get her inside and not be seen. So that she doesn’t feel overwhelmed. When the car stops in front of the main entrance, she is in awe of how massive this castle is, I assume. Her plump lips are just barely apart as I hear her say ‘wow’ under her breath. The guards on duty open her door as I exit on the other side. Chelsea and Ryne follow us out. Chelsea leads her up the stairs to the large double doors. Ryne and I walk directly behind them. I try to focus, but her scent of vanilla is driving me to follow her like a lost puppy. I can hear Chelsea going on about all the rooms open for everyone on the main floor. My suite is on the fifth floor with an entire wing to myself. As we make it to the elevators, the doors close, and Kemira looks at me in the reflection of the elevator doors. I wonder if she knows she is staring at me. She has such an inquisitive side and one of power bubbling within her. As we make it to the top floor, I hold the door open for her. I stop Chelsea and Ryne as they both nod and stay behind. Kemira looks for Chelsea and pauses.

“I will let you get settled, and then we can do a girls' tour of the castle. Okay?” She looks at Kemira, and I feel her heartbeat increase. She looks at me and nods. I feel like I should smile right now, but I’m not known for such. I feel like me trying to smile might scare her even more.

“Follow me, I’ll show you to your room.” She nods and walks beside me. I have to slow down my pace because my long legs make it hard for her to keep up. “Here is my room. And across the hall is your room. If you need me for anything, just ask.”

I open the door to her room, and she stops short of the threshold. Scanning the room. I walk past her to give her the tour.

“This is your room. You have a sitting area over there with a balcony. Here is, of course, your bedroom area. Through this door is a walk-in closet.”

“I don’t have any clothes for it. All I had were my cleaning uniform and some pieces I got from the donation box in town.” A growl erupts, and she is silent.

“I’m sorry, my wolf. This upsets him as it does me that you were treated so poorly.”

“It’s okay.” She begins.

“No. It’s not okay. We will get you new clothes and basic toiletries that you might need.” I continue. “This door leads to your bathroom.”

I open the door, and there is a waterfall shower in the middle of the room encased in glass. It’s a smaller version of the one I have in my master suite. On the right are two sinks. On the left is a large soaker tub.

“This is beautiful.” She whispers more to herself than to me.

“This is all yours.” I reply, and my heart aches, seeing how appreciative she is of basic living conditions. “Go ahead and check it all out.”

She walks to the windows and marvels at the view. We are high above ground level. A view of snow-covered mountains in the distance surrounds us. Showing how far our land extends.

She opens the doors to the balcony, and a cool, brisk wind comes inside. She steps out to the covered balcony, standing at the edge. She doesn’t turn around when she speaks.

“Forgive my bluntness. But why am I here?”