6

Chapter 6 – Guest

“Would you like to eat first or go to your room?” Chris asked me.

“Did the Alpha say that Selene was his personal chef?”

“Yes. Selene was his nanny and has been helping to take care of him ever since he was a pup. She’s more like a second mother to him and our pack. We don’t have a Luna, the Alpha hasn’t found his mate yet.” Chris smiled.

“What happened to his mother?” I reluctantly asked unsure if she would actually answer.

“She was human. She passed away when the Alpha was born.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.” I felt a familiar pain in my heart for him, I’d never had the chance to meet my father either.

“This is the main pack house where the ranked wolves and Chief Warriors live. The Alpha’s office is in the west wing of the first floor by the library.” She told me.

“Is it okay if we eat first?” I asked feeling excited to meet the woman who helped teach my mother how to drive after she saved their lives.

“Absolutely, I’m starved.” She said and led the way towards the food.

“Chris, where exactly are we?” I asked.

“We’re technically in the state of New York, next to Lake Erie by the Canadian border. This is one of four pack houses that belongs to The Moon Realm.” She told me.

“Rogues have pack houses?” I asked.

“Well technically, we’re not rogues. A rogue is a pack-less wolf, feral and untamed. We’re no different than regular packs, except that our pack was built by rogues who were abandoned by their own packs.” What she said was profound and made perfect sense.

“Take your mother for example, when the Alpha returned with Selene, after he had nearly been sold, all he did was brag about the bravest wolf he’s ever met. How a young she-wolf who was escaping the abuse of her pack, saved everyone. That she was brave and killed an evil man. That she disappeared into the human world with nothing so that she could live a free life. Living a free life with human’s isn’t how wolves are wired. We’re meant to be pack animals, to work together and take care of one another. It wasn’t her fault she was forced to turn rogue. She killed a man to survive, and it doesn’t make her wild and dangerous. Most rogues are good people who find themselves in bad situations.” She told me.

“Some rogues are feral beasts.” I replied.

“Yes, some can become that if they have been alone too long. They do reach a point of no return and the animal takes over.” She said as she pushed the kitchen door open.

“Hello Delta. Who do we have here?” Smiled a beautiful woman with shoulder length blonde hair and warm brown eyes.

“Selene, this is Cassi. She’s the Alpha’s special guest and we’re hungry.” Chris told her.

“Hello Cassi, is there anything special I can make for you?” Selene asked.

“Smells like you’re making something delicious now.” I sniffed the air and my mouth watered.

“Yes indeed, steak and eggs, with a side of country potatoes. Can I fix you a plate?”

“Yes please.” I smiled.

“I hear a slight accent in your voice. Where are you from?” Selene asked as she set down two plates in front of us.

“I’m from Greece, but I’m currently living in London. I play cello for the symphony.”

“How interesting.” Selene said as she tried to hide her shock. It wasn’t common for a wolf to enjoy a human hobby such as playing an instrument. But Selene wasn’t sure if I was a wolf, and I could see the puzzled look in her eyes as she tried to scent me.

“That’s not the most interesting thing about her.” Chris said as she took another delicious mouth full of food.

“It seems, you know my mother. Even gave her a driving lesson before you helped her escape to New York.” I told her.

“Syble! Syble is your mother! Oh, sweet Moon Goddess!” Her eyes filled with tears and she immediately pulled me into a hug.

“Selene, she still has the knife!” Chris added. I had no idea the knife had meant so much.

“Where is your mother? How is she? Will we get to see her? Does the Alpha know? Oh, I’m sure he’s so happy!” She was excited and fired off one question after the other. I wasn’t prepared for all the questions and I had several questions of my own. I was happy to see the mutual love they shared for my mother after all these years.

“My mother lived in the city for a short while before she met my father, her mate. We lost him before I was born. She moved to Greece, so I can grow up with family. She’s doing great, she enjoys a simpler life, helping young families and pups in our pack. Working part time for the family business, cooking with Aunt Camille and gardening.” I told her.

“How wonderful! Did she ever start speaking?” Selene asked me.

“Yes, just after she met my father.” I told her. We continued chatting and finished our meal. Selene had found her mate who’s a warrior in the pack. Her son hopes to become the next pack doctor and is away at school.

“How long are you going to be with us?” Selene asked.

“I, umm, well, I need to talk to the Alpha about that.” I smiled. I wasn’t even sure how I was getting back to Chicago or what I was doing here. I seem to be the only one who knows that the Alpha is my mate, and I’m not sure what to do. Maybe I was wrong. He’s extremely attractive and I could just be confused. Cia may have been mistaken, we had been injected with wolfbane after all. I should see him again, to make sure, but first, I really need a bath.

“Are you ready to go to your room?” Chris stretched and yawned.

“I am. Thank you Selene.” I said and gave Selene a hug. Then I followed Chris up the stairs to the third floor.

“I’m going to take a shower and then see if I can speak with the Alpha.”

“No problem. My room is the first door by the stairs if you need anything.” She told me.

I stepped into the guest room and closed the door. The room was nice with a big cozy looking bed. The window had a small built in sitting area and looked out to the trees at the forest line. I stepped into the bathroom and found a marbled shower stall. I noticed my cello and suitcases in the corner of the room, one of the suitcases was Seante’s.

I reached into my purse for my cell phone and found two missed calls from Seante. I tried to call her but received no answer. I called the Lakeshore Hotel and Convention Center to see if she had checked in and she never did.

My body gravitated to the window seat and I sat down for a moment, alone with my thoughts. I considered calling my mother, but I didn’t want to alarm her just yet. My grandparents hate rogues, how am I going to tell them that my mate is the Rogue King? If he really is my mate, I’d be expected to live here. If I reject him, I’d never be given a second chance mate. The thought of rejecting my mate made Cia whimper.

“Cia, what are we doing here?” I asked my wolf.

“We need to give mate a chance.” She told me.

“The Rogue King Cia! The Rogue King who hates our family!”

“He cares about mom.” She reminded me and she was right. Mom once told me how they begged her to come live with them all those years ago after she saved them. How she almost did. His whole vicious demeanor seemed to vanish as soon as he made the connection to mom.

“He’s going to hate me when he finds out about me.” I told her feeling anxious.

“We don’t know that. Let’s go see him again.” She said excitedly and yipped at me.

I took out a long denim skirt, brown boots and a brown long-sleeved shirt from my suitcase and laid them on the bed. Then I fished out clean underwear, toiletries and made my way into a hot shower. The workshop in Chicago will go on without me and at this point, I knew I had missed it completely. I should probably return to London, but I needed to understand what was happening here and why.

I stepped out of the shower and wrapped the fluffy soft towel around me. I found a blow dryer in the drawer and used it to dry my thick black hair. I used to have my hair down to my waist, but it would take so long to dry, that I now keep it a few inches below my shoulders. I didn’t have any bangs, so I clipped the top front back. I applied my mascara and a little eyeliner. Then I dabbed on a little bit of lip stain and opted for my dangle earrings.

I went back to the bed and put on my clothes. I looked in the mirror at the outfit choice and suddenly felt nervous about seeing the Alpha again. I took a few deep breaths and reminded myself exactly who I am. I closed my eyes and focused on the elements, I could easily connect with them now and Cia had recovered from the wolfbane.

I focused on making sure my aura was suppressed. I didn’t want to have any issues, though at this point, there was almost nothing I couldn’t handle. I gathered my courage and went to find the good looking Alpha. I went downstairs to his office and I stood for a moment at the door before I knocked.

“Come in.” His deep voice called out and I pushed the door open. His scent hit me as soon as I stepped inside, stupid butterflies.

His office was impressive, a dark rich wood covered the floors, and his walls were lined with wooden shelves and books. He sat in a high back leather chair behind a large executive style desk. He stood up the moment he laid his eyes on me. Stryker was seated in the chair in front of his desk.

“Cassi, please sit down. Beta Stryker was just leaving.” He said as Stryker gave him a sideways glance of confusion. Apparently, his leaving was also news to him.

“Thank you, Beta. I’ll get back to you on that issue.” He followed up.

Stryker nodded his head to the Alpha and moved past me. “It’s nice to see you again, your Majesty.” He grinned at me.

“Ahh, the court jester.” I teased back.

I smiled, suppressing a laugh. My cousins and friends would tease me with the same reference to Queen Cassiopeia. However, my cousins were mature enough to stop once we got older. Stryker was clearly amusing himself.

We waited until Stryker left the office and I took the chair in front of his desk. He also sat down in his chair behind the desk and looked me over.

“How are you feeling?” He asked.

“Well, I’ve been abducted, drugged, tied to a chair and hung upside down, I’m not exactly sure where I’m at, and I’m pretty sure fate is playing some kind of interesting game with me.”

“Is there anything I can get you?”

“Answers, Alpha. I’d like some answers.” I saw a muscle in his neck flex, and I tried not to let it distract me. He looked so handsome in his button up black shirt with his sleeves rolled up exposing his muscled forearms. Sitting behind this desk, he had an air of refinement, which is not what one would expect from the Rogue King.

“I too am seeking answers Cassi.” He replied and the sound of my name, when he said it, sent a sensation buzzing through me.

“Did you intend to abduct me or was it really an accident?”

“It was a complete accident.” He stood up and walked around to the front of the desk. His scent was driving Cia crazy, and she was howling in my head. I could feel my heartbeat quicken having him stand so close to me. Why couldn’t he just stay seated on the other side of the desk and remain professional.

“My turn. Why can’t I scent you?” He asked and I wasn’t sure what to say. I sat quiet for a long moment.

“Cassi, please trust me. I won’t let anyone hurt you.”

I had just met him and yet something inside of me understood what he was saying was sincere. I kept telling myself he was the Rogue King. A vicious rogue who craved power. And yet, somehow, I knew this wasn’t true.

“How can I be sure?” I asked myself, but the question left my lips before I could stop it.

“Maverick knows.” He said with an intense gaze in his eyes.

“Who’s Maverick?”

“My wolf. He can sense it, Cassi.” His deep husky voice said as he leaned down closer and placed his hands on the arms of my chair. I was pinned in, face to face with him, breathing the same air and fighting the urge to kiss him.

He lifted his left hand and caressed the side of my neck. I closed my eyes as the tingling warmth shot through my body from his touch. His big strong hand had a firm, yet comforting feel on my neck. Cia was jumping for joy and all I could do was breath his sweet scent in. The scent of my mate.