The Alpha’s Mate Who Cried Wolf

Chapter 7

It’s around 1 am when we arrive at Shadow Crest. I wake up to Ryker carrying me in his arms. It’s dark and quiet.
‘Ryker, I can walk, you know?’
‘I know, but I want to carry you, he says with a grin.
‘Put me down, Ryker.’ He gently puts me down.
We are at the mansion’s front entrance. It’s three stories high. A giant white staircase ascends to the second floor. The balconies on the second and third floors are to die for, and I
admire the white French doors and windows. Manicured green hedges border the mansion, and flowers grace the garden sweetly. A giant water fountain sculpted in the shape of two wolves is a glamourous outdoor focal point.
‘This is where we live. This is the packhouse, Ryker says proudly.
‘It’s a massive house for just two people,’ I say.
‘Oh, many of us live in this house.’ Ryker scratches the back of his head nervously
‘You never said I’d be living in a house with a bunch of werewolves,’ I say.
“It’s normal for the Alpha and Luna to live in the packhouse with the beta, gamma, omega, the cook. Guests from other packs come and visit too, he explains.
‘How can I stay with so many werewolves I don’t even know?’ || ask, crossing my arms.
‘Astrid, no one here is going to harm you. On the contrary, you being here will bring a lot of excitement to Shadow Crest. I know it’s a big change, but please give it a few days, and we will talk about it if you’re still uncomfortable,’ Ryker says.
Sighing, I say, ‘Okay, fine.’ Ryker opens the front door. Seth is behind us.
‘Well, I’m going to jump into bed with my mate. I look forward to you meeting her after your rest Luna, he smiles.
‘I prefer Astrid for now, I mumble. Seth and Ryker exchange their thoughts on what I ask of with a hesitant look over my shoulder before he leaves and goes to his room.
‘Come. Our room is on the top floor,’ Ryker says as I follow him upstairs.
‘Wait. Our room? Don’t I get my own room for now?’ Ryker pauses, and after a moment in thought, he nods.
‘Your room, for now, will be the room beside mine.’

‘Thank you,’ I nod.
We make our way to the top floor. This place is immense. There are so many rooms and hallways.
‘This is where I sleep, Ryker says, opening a large door. It’s an
enormous room with a king-sized bed and walk-in wardrobes on either side. The windows are the largest I’ve ever seen in a house.
I look forward to seeing what the view during the day will be just as beautiful as the view at night.
‘This way. Ryker motions for me to follow him and steps into the room beside his.
‘This room is your room. You have a walk-in wardrobe, a bathroom, a king-sized bed, a balcony, and a nice comfy couch in the corner here, Ryker says. It’s a beautiful room, only slightly smaller than his.
Make yourself comfortable. This is your home now. There will be fresh towels in the bathroom when you wake up, and I’ll ask Seth to see if his mate, Mia, can loan you something to wear. Then, when you’re ready for breakfast, could you wait for me so we can go down together? Then I’ll take you shopping for clothes, and you can meet some locals, Ryker smiles.
‘Okay, thank you,’ I say appreciatively
‘Before I go. You’ve been through a lot tonight. Will you be okay on your own? I know you aren’t comfortable sharing a bed just yet, but I can sleep on the couch here if you want me to?’ I think about it for a moment.
‘I think I’ll be okay, Ryker.’ He nods and leaves, closing the door behind him. I let out a yawn and walk over to the bed. It’s
so fancy and pretty and looks expensive. I eye the couch for a moment, curl up on it with a blanket, and fall asleep within minutes.
I look at the clock on the wall. It’s just after 7 am. I sit up, rub my eyes, remembering everything from the night before, and look around the room as I realise everything that happened last night wasn’t a dream.
I open the bathroom door. It’s just as glamorous as the bedroom: the marble sink and the granite floor, the gold taps, and its chicness. In a cupboard, I run a bath and find many soaps, bubble baths, and lotions. All these beauty products are every girl’s dream. Taking one of the bubble baths, I squirt it into the bathwater and place a body wash and shampoo on the side of the bathtub. Finally, I remove my dirty hoodie and jeans. I’m just about to discard my bra when there’s a knock at the door.
‘Who is it?’ | ask.
‘Hello, Luna. It’s me. Mia! Alpha Ryker said you need
something to wear. I brought you one of my dresses. It will be warm today,’ she says loudly and excitedly.
‘Okay. Let me unlock the door.’ I open the door to see a very sweet-faced, blue-eyed girl with brown, shoulder-length hair, around my height, and only a little older than me. I’m guessing no older than nineteen. Her face lights up with the biggest smile before it changes into a look of horror.
‘Luna! What happened to you? There are bruises everywhere!’ She says, dropping the dress and covering her mouth with her hands in shock. I look down at all the bruising as I stand in my black underwear and bra. Then, ashamed, I hug myself and look away
‘Mia, just leave the dress and go, please,’ I say.
‘But Luna! She says before I shut the door and lean against it so nobody can enter. ‘Just leave the dress there, and go, Mia! I say, wanting her to leave.
The bath is about to overflow. I run to it and twist the taps off. Then, removing my undergarments, I toss my underwear and bra on the floor and lower myself into the water. My whole body stings while I scrub my body, wash my arms and legs and shampoo my long brown hair.
After the bath, I dry myself off. I find a neatly folded, maroon coloured dress with a bra, some underwear and slip-on shoes. The short-sleeved dress sits just above my knee, hiding some bruises. The sweetheart neckline, unfortunately, doesn’t hide much.
I find a brush behind the mirror door and see my reflection: my green eyes, small nose, and full pink lips. The bruising around my eye has faded a lot, thankfully. I apply a bit of foundation | find to hide what remains of the bruising.
Ryker and Seth are talking just outside my room.
‘You know this will not go down well with Alice,’ Seth says.
‘I know, but I have my mate now, so things have changed.’ | open the door. They go silent and smile at me.
‘Luna, that dress is very flattering on you, Seth smiles.
‘Thank you,’ I smile. Ryker walks over to me.
‘You look beautiful, Astrid, Ryker says. His face lights up with a big smile.
I’m so hungry, I announce.
‘Well, you’re about to meet Alice downstairs. She’s the cook, Ryker says.
Ryker insists on holding my hand down the stairs in case I fall. I know it’s just because he wants to be close to me and enjoys our closeness, just as I do.