CHAPTER 7

As I prepared for departure with a mourning soul, my future is uncertain, yet I know one thing for sure. My defiance of him shall bring me problems. I hope nothing bad happens with my journey of mine. Somehow, I think of giving up, but I must go on to find myself. The drive to Deimo's pack was quite the drive. No one spoke a word, only silence. My pack was not that large, therefore we were huddled in huge trucks following our jeep. My eyes tried to meet that old man. Deimo', but he never once spared me a glance. I was truly invisible to him. Finally arriving at his pack gates, I jump in my seat to have a view of my new home, my wolf's ears perk up with undeniable curiosity. The gates open to give way to the sight of lush green land, fresh pasture, and healthy pine trees covered with snow. My window opens, and the sound of laughter fills my ears. Pups chasing each other, females sitting in circles, chattering and giggling with males training and jogging around the field. The trucks holding my pack stop there, all of them getting down, looking around, nd anxious and in fear. But I am taken elsewhere, down a road holding trees on both sides. It is a secluded area, away from the noisiness of the pack. My mouth opens with a surprised gasp as I take in what stands in front of me. "This is where you shall stay, my home. Welcome you here. Don't pressure yourself for being bullied by others, ok?" Deimo's voice tunes out; the entirety of my attention lies upon the gorgeous white castle. Yet, gaping at the glamorous building in front of me, I couldn't feel happiness. It looked like a prison. A prison waiting to bind me. Ragon walks from the driver's seat, opening my door. "Hey Luna." He says he's helping me get down. Luna. A word I thought I would never hear coming out from a wolf's lips. It feels different. There are e few older wolves present, bowing down low, patiently waiting for us. Waiting for an Alpha leader who should obey "Rise," he commands. "All of you must make yourself comfortable with each other. But don't trust each other because maybe someday, one of you will be an enemy." He added. They raise their heads, still bowed, hands held together over their belly, "Welcome back, Alpha Deimos. Feel at home. Explore yourself. Just don't explore others." He added with a smirk. "Those wolves will show you to your room." He turns towards them, pointing at me, "Make sure she is settled." They bow down again with a chorus of "Ye,s Alpha." Deimos walks aw, ay still not sparing me a glance. Is this how I am to be treated? As an undesired honor? "Please follow me, Luna." A petite female, barely a full-grown wolf, strides towards keeping her eyes on the floor. She reminds me of a wild hare, cautious and meek. Following her inside the castle, my eyes sparkle watching the chandeliers hanging high, the marble floors, and the red royal carpets flowing down the staircase. Climbing the stairs, grazing my fingers on the railings, feeling the coldness of it, I enjoy this walk. She climbs up to the last floor, walking through a long corridor, huge windows to the right bring in streams of sunlight. "This is your room, Luna." She finally peeks up at me, pointing to a huge oak door across the hall. "You may explore the castle and its grounds as you please." She whispers whilst leaving me by myself shutting the door softly behind her. Inspecting the spacious room, I acknowledge it is fit for a queen. It feels as though it was waiting for me, waiting for my arrival. I adore it, it is modern yet possesses a Romanesque interior, and I barely find myself interested in things of this matter. Lying upon the softness of the mattress, my eyes meet the ceiling. I see myself in the mirror attached to it. Is this meant to be my home now? Is this the place I shall find the happiness I seek? Will this be my future? Further thoughts of my situation consume me during and after my warm shower, a luxury we did not possess in my pack. Hoping to fill the emptiness of my belly, I leave the bounds of my room. Strolling into the pack's kkitchennwhicht took me time to find, my pack seems content interacting with Deimo's wolf, including Elrim. There is a feeling of warmth that my wolves succumb to. No wolf questions my decision, merely offering me soft smiles and nods of comfort. And so the time passed, and all the wolves chattered, sniffed, and tried to get used to different scents while preparing the meal. Mixing the cake batter, Elrim tells me a joke, to which I laugh. My laughter booms across the kitchen. For the first time, my heart feels properly content. Chuckling, turning round, I meet eyes with Deimos. He was watching me, and I didn't even know. I was so engrossed in everything around me that didn't notice him. My cheeks flushed, and I looked down. Turning my eyes back to him, his fingers tremble. I know that feeling, he wishes to touch me, to feel the warmth of my skin. Getting up from the table with males sitting all around, holding beer bottles inhandsd. He strides towards me, posture confident. His fingertips brush against my cheek, bringing the cake batter to his mouth, licking it, maintaining eye contact. He turns around and goes back to his seat at the table. My body is on fire, like I'm going to lose myself in an instant, my throat parched. I need water. Getting some water, swallowing huge gulps to calm the fire within me. I can't concentrate on the task at hand. I am aware of him now. I feel his gaze on me. But inside me, a storm brews each time his gaze lands on my skin.\ After the table is set up, we get ready to eat. It is a tradition that the Alpha starts the meal, feeds some from his plate to his female, and the pack begins. Deimos eats his share, whilst I wait for him to place some on my plate. The pack watches, but he gives me none. He just continues to fill his belly. "Eat Alpha. Don't be ashamed. Welcome yourself with all these blessings. Be comfortable,e." he commands. Wolves begin to pile their plates with food, including me, my hands quivering. His way of saying he does not accept me, his Luna, that I have no place at this table. He does not want me. Trying to swallow food when your heart is torn is difficult. Trying to look strong in front of your pack when all you want to do is curl u and cry is difficult. I try my best to stay calm and continue eating, swallowing my pride. "Tomorrow you will train with the pack. Be patient in your training and obey your coach, Alpha. Don't always say you'll give up because giving up is a loser, just resourself, but don't give up. I wish to see your strength that rumours say you possess." I nod, not speaking a word. "Use words, mate." I look up at him, making sure he sees straight into my eyes. "Y e, Alpha." He wi, ap apprehensive of he words that are spat, but pays no attention to them "They are not rumours, and I shall make sure to prove that. You will see the true power of a Queen." My jaw clenched tightly, chin raised and spine straight, I delivered my determination. If this is my future, I will take command of it.