CHAPTER NINE...

I didn't see Vladimir again since that morning but I met his Gamma, John, and his mate, Cora who didn't seem to like me at all. I had been on the tour around the pack house with Gracie when we saw them and Gracie wanted to introduce me. They had gone to the meeting with Vladimir and just got back too.

When Gracie introduced us, John had said it was nice to meet me while Cora just scowled and left. Everyone seemed shocked by her behavior because she was normally a nice person but I wasn't surprised I didn't expect everyone to like me.

I wasn't naïve.

She was Selena's best friend and had taken her death hard.

I just smiled at them after the awkward introduction and continued my tour with Gracie. She showed me every room, laundry room, pool room, game room, and large kitchen also showing me which room belonged to who to avoid a repeat of this morning. I just have to stay clear from those who didn't like me and that included Vladimir.

For dinner, only Gracie, Henry, John, and I had been present. It seemed like the other two were trying to avoid me at all cost I guess I'll just eat in my room from now on I hated being where I wasn't wanted.

Immediately after dinner I stood up and went to my room, I just wanted to be alone to muse about my life. Going up the stairs to my room I looked around me admiring the beauty of the house it was truly indeed more beautiful than the exterior. Even though I had gone on a tour with Gracie and was already familiar with the pack house I couldn't stop looking around me. It was the kind of house that no matter how many times you see it, never ceases to amaze you. It was like a modern medieval castle if something like that exists.

I continued admiring my surroundings and not looking where I was going. I missed a step and was going to fall when I felt the familiar tingles on my arm. I already knew who it was. Looking up I saw Vladimir looking at me with a strange emotion on his face.

He saved me from falling. I was still looking up at him transfixed by his beauty up close when he suddenly pulled me up and I landed on his chest the familiar tingles spreading throughout my body.

I was still shocked by the tingles spreading through my body it was a nice and unique feeling when he suddenly straightened me up removing me from his chest as if he was burned. I looked up at him and he was scowling again. Not surprised.

"Watch where you're going I might not be around to save you from falling next time". He said gruffly before leaving me standing there.

What on earth was his problem? Oh wait I know he dislikes me

***

I was finally getting used to my environment and the people around me. Gracie was nice as usual and had become a very good friend of mine I spent most of my days with her. John was nice but not much of a talker and Cora well let's just say she has been ignoring me and Vladimir was still the same old Vladimir avoiding me as usual.

I started eating in my room even though Gracie told me countless times that I didn't have to eat there I declined. I didn't want them to feel uncomfortable in their house and by them, I mean Vladimir and Cora.

I was sitting on the stool in the kitchen this morning eating an apple and playing candy crush on my phone that's just how bored I was. Gracie was not around today she went to take care of some pack business at the other pack house. What was I to do, did Vladimir just bring me here to ignore me? I was going to just have to ask him that when I see him.

I continued eating my apple and humming when suddenly I heard a loud and chirpy 'hello'. I turned around only to be met with a girly version of Vladimir. She had the same black hair as dark as the night sky on a moonless night as Vladimir that reached her waist but was placed in a half ponytail, deep green eyes that someone could get lost in, she was tall and had curves in all the right places. I was jealous that I was only 5'6 while she was somewhere around 5'9. I had always wanted to be that tall but I guess that was not in my genes or in the genes passed on to me because Carlos was tall. I was still staring at her when she cleared her throat.

"Sorry I got carried away. You look so much like Vladimir so I'm right to say that you are his sister Josephine". She smiled at me hugging me.

"The one and only you can call me Jo it's a pleasure to finally meet you. Gracie couldn't stop talking about how awesome you are". She said.

"Well she couldn't stop talking about your great pranking skills. I wished I met you when I was little, I would have totally used some of your pranks on my brother". We both laughed.

"I was at my parents' house that's why I wasn't here when you came". She pouted.

I smiled once again. "oh, never mind Henry was here to help me get settled."

"That reminds me you'll be meeting the parents soon they wanted me to wait so we could all come together but I was too eager to meet you". She said giddily.

I wasn't ready to meet his parents what if they didn't like me? I never cared before if someone didn't like me but they were Vladimir's parents and if they didn't like me then that was a huge problem, that is apart from the other problem named ghost Vladimir. I can't worry about him and his parents not liking me.

As if she knew what I was thinking about she brought my chin up to look at her. "hey don't worry. They'll totally like you; they were happy when they heard that Vladimir had a second mate. So, don't worry about them not liking you that's not a problem". I smiled at her and nodded.

"Now I hope my idiot brother has been treating you well if not I'll give him a black eye, that's what sisters do to defend each other". I just laughed I didn't want to answer that so I changed the topic.

"So, you and Vladimir are close?" I asked sitting back on my stool, she joined me taking the other stool.

"Well, you could say that. I mean before-" she stopped and looked at me. I knew she was going to talk about Selena but stopped. I just smiled at her and told her to go on.

"I really don't mind you talking about her". She nodded and continued.

"Well, we were really close inseparable in fact. But after Selena and their child died, he became a shadow of himself. It took a while before we could get him back to semi-normal. At some point, we even thought he would never get himself back, but he managed. But he isn't the old Vladimir we all knew. We do talk and sometimes joke around but not as before."

Taking my hands in hers she said. "That's why my parents are so happy that you are here you could help bring back the old Vladimir".

Talk about pressure.

I didn't think so. I didn't even know who the old Vladimir was. I only knew the grumpy and cold Vladimir and who knows if that'll ever change. He doesn't seem like he wants to change at all.

She looked at me with so much hope in her eyes that It made me feel uncomfortable. What they are all hoping for would not happen he doesn't even give me the time of the day how can I possibly bring him back to his old self? How on earth was I suppose to bring back someone I don't even know?

"I'm sorry but I don't think what you guys hope for will happen I mean he doesn't even want to be in the same room with me". I said

She smiled sadly. "You just have to give him some time I promise you he'll come around. No one can ignore the mate bond for long".

That was the thing I wanted him to be with me for me and not because of the mate bond. Instead of saying this I just gave her a small smile and nodded.

"Okay, I guess I'll go take a nice hot shower and relax for a bit I need it". Smiling at me she turned to go up to her room when she suddenly went stiff looking straight at the kitchen door.

"Nice to see you again after so long cousin did you miss me".