Chapter 14 - A world unfolds

MAXINE

I've read many stories about werewolves to be aware of what an Alpha means. And now they either mock me or they speak the truth. I'm afraid of which option to believe.

"Our Alpha." Lila assures me.

"Don't look like one to you?" the tall man speaks with sarcasm in his voice.

I stare at both with shock written all over my face. Are they real? A voice screams in my mind. My legs start to feel wobbly again and I make move to sit down.

Lila runs and helps me sit on the chair, then they take a seat at the corner of the bed opposite me.

I glance back at him and immediately turn my eyes away. His gaze is so fierce and angry, it burns me, making it impossible to hold my eyes on him.

"Maxine, this is Rey. Our Alpha. Leader of the pack." Lila speaks slowly, highlighting each word to make sure I understand and I'm not hallucinating.

His posture is intimidating even when he sits. He brings his arms over his chest crossing one above the other. The cloth tightens around his arms as the muscles stretch.

A flush of red covers my face and I take my eyes back to Lila, in the hope they won't notice it.

"This isn't some kind of joke, is it?" I say in disbelief. A part of me prays to be a joke.

"Do we look like we're joking?" Rey speaks, annoyed by my reaction.

"Rey," Lila intervenes, placing one hand on his shoulder, giving a little squeeze. "Give her some time to deal with it." She pleads.

"We can't let you go in this state. You won't make it to the town." Rey's voice booms with the same anger as in his eyes. "As long as you're within my territory you're protected, so make sure you stay within limits."

He stares back at me for a moment more than it's comfortable and then he gets up and leaves.

"I'm sorry for this." Lila tries to comfort me. "It's the first time we have someone out of our kind around. Things may be a little tense. But I assure you, there's nothing to be afraid of. Rey is a very good and caring person."

It's hard to believe her, since I don't see any of these traits in him, but I don't have a choice. I have to stay until I'm fully healed.

When Lila finish changing the bandages on my feet and checking the rest of me, we decided to show me around. I have a feeling I'll spend some time until my wounds are healed, so it's best to know my way around.

After I'm all freshened up Lila hands me a stick to help me balance and we exit my room. I have a very faint memory of the house, as when I was transported to the room upstairs, I was almost unconscious.

"The room next door is Rey's," Lila says with an informative tone in her voice. "Try not to confuse them. He doesn't like visitors." She warns.

After Rey's room, she turns right and after passing a small hall the area opens in front of us. I stare in amazed as the whole building spreads in front of me.

The building has the shape of rectangular construction. The centre of the upper floor is empty, giving a view of the lower floor. All around there're numerous doors and an open corridor.

Below us, on the ground level, the area is covered with sofas, a pool table and some round tables with little chairs around them.

"This is the recreation area," Lila speaks extending her hand in a gesture of presentation.

"Whoa, the place is huge!" I breathe in awe. "Do you all leave here?"

"Most of us. The trainees and the ones that haven't found their mate yet. The others are staying in the houses outside of here, I'll show you."

My eyes scan the area below, looking at all these wolves having fun playing and discussing with their friends. Suddenly, my eyes land on a girl with dirty blond hair and green eyes that pin me with disgust.

"So, this is the new toy you brought us?" the girl speaks ironically. "Come down, don't be shy. We don't bite. Yet." She laughs making me feel nauseous.

"Easy Julia." Lila cuts her off. "She's a guest and you have better show some hospitality."

Julia rolls her eyes at us and turns back to her friend. I bet from the look they give me, that I'm the subject of their discussion and I wonder if this isn't the only one. Most of the people in here probably don't like me. That's alright, I don't plan to stay for long.