CHAPTER 5: The Pack House

CHAPTER 5: The Pack House

I've no idea what's wrong with me. But clearly there's something. There's something and I can't seem to put my finger on it.

"Oh, this one will look so much better. Here, try it on and don't worry about it." Ally hands me another dress that is on a hanger. It's a pretty maroon color, and a soft material that seems so nice.

I take from her hand and step into the closet to slip it on. There are marks on my body that I'd prefer no one sees, even if it's just Ally. Once I zip it up, I step out and look at myself in the mirror.

"That looks so much nicer." Ally comments, leaning against the dresses. "Come on. Wear a pair of boots with that, and you'll be good to go."

"Are you sure?" I ask her again, about the dress.

"Yes, yes, quick. We've to leave."

There's a gathering at the pack house and Ally is taking me along with her since I've never been there. Not yet. The dress I'm wearing isn't anything fancy. It's a velvet one, reaching to my knees and has a round neck along with sleeves that reach my wrists.

I've nothing of mine here. Just that one little bag I brought with myself, but Ally has been nice enough to let me use her closet. It's a bit odd at first, but then, she reassures me.

After changing, I reach down the stairs and find Ally already down, waiting for me patiently. She's wearing a black one, similar to the one I'm wearing, but above it she's wearing a coat to keep herself warm.

Henry isn't coming along as he's still too young, and he's already asleep. There's no one in the house but Melinda, and I trust her enough to take care of him if anything happens. It's for the first time in over a week I'm going out, somewhere, alone.

I can't help the nervousness that bubbles inside me. But it's good. A change. I need this. It'll help me feel like a normal person.

And it will change my train of thoughts.

"Here," Ally takes out a coat and gives it to me. I wear that too and follow her out.

We get in the car and she starts driving, heading to the pack house which isn't too far.

"Just remember, there are going to be some good people and some bad people. And they are going to sniff you out from a distance. You still smell like a lone-wolf, so they'll be curious," she warns me, looking straight ahead on the road. "But just be yourself and you shouldn't have any problem. If anyone says you anything, tell me or Darius. And do not, I repeat, do not tell anyone of your father. The part that he's a hunter."

I look at her with furrowed brows, "Why? Don't people get to know?"

"Yes, but no one does. The council knows that you're a hunter's daughter, the alpha too. But that's all. There's no need to tell anyone. They're going to look at you differently and we don't want any problems. Not yet."

I nod while taking it all in.

No one will know. That's fine with me. It's best no one does.

"Okay, yes, that's fine."

Ally drives a little more before she pulls the car near a house that's massive, double the size of anything I have ever seen. I've to remind myself that it is a pack house—not a normal house. Here are where some pack wolves live.

Ally steps out and I follow her, shutting the car behind me. People are coming and going in and out of the house. Some stop and greet Ally, some others continue on their way. She guides me through the door and there's a huge hall that we enter in.

The gathering, it's a full moon gathering, and there are a lot of pack wolves here. A lot. The scents, the smell of everyone is strong. It's overwhelming. And everyone, I can sense they're a wolf.

Ally is stopped a few times and I'm introduced to some of the people she knows. But then there's one, a woman that I see. Her face is so familiar. She's standing in a group, speaking and talking, but she has a different scent to her.

The same scent that belongs to the alpha.

Yes.

"Oh, finally you two made it. Why did it take so long?" Beta Darius comes from the crowd and greets us.

"Aria couldn't decide what to wear. You know girls, they take their time. Don't be so impatient."

Darius glances at me, and I give him a hesitant smile.

"You look nice."

"Thank you," My eyes immediately narrow. "I should—probably get a drink." I try to excuse myself but Ally grabs my wrist.

"Go away, Darius. You're making her nervous."

The beta laughs, throwing his head back, "Oh, well, then. I apologize on behalf of my presence." And he's gone as quickly as he came.

Ally leans to me and whispers, "I think he has a liking for you."

"Me?" My eyes go wide.

"Who else?"

"No, no," I shake my head, once and then again. "No, he's just kind and he's helping me."

"I know my brother and I know when he likes someone." She tells me and my face starts to burn.

"No, I don't think so."

"Mhm."

We head over to the drinks bar and there are drinks lined up, waiting to be consumed. I take a glass for myself and Ally takes one, too. It's not like I have never tasted alcohol before—I have but it's always with caution. The champagne is bitter, and sweet. A little bubbly but overall, it's a pleasant taste.

"Could I ask you something if you don't mind?" I turn to Ally who's staring ahead at a group of men that are near another table.

"Sure. Shoot."

"Who's that woman?" I question, looking at the same girl who I noticed earlier. "The blonde one over there."

I can't take my eyes off her. Her scent—it's just something that's bothering me.

"Oh, her? That's Cassandra. She's meant to become the Alpha's mate. They're what—courting each other." Ally says in a nonchalant way.

His mate?

"But—" I'm not sure what I want to say to her. "Is it like—what you said that day—"

Ally stops before I can buffer anymore. "Fated mates. No, they aren't fated mates. But like I told you, you can always choose who you want to mate with. Supposedly, I would rather want to mate with Rex, that the dark headed one over there than anyone else. I can do that. I've the choice to." she turns and smiles at me, but I'm still lost.

It means that he didn't choose to have me.

He's going to be with that girl instead.

It's fine, it's all good.

I don't want to think of it—of whatever happened into those few minutes that I saw him. I shouldn't care, at all but my wolf, she's the one who's angry and upset.

"You get it?"

"Yeah, I think so." I take another sip of the champagne and take my eyes off the blonde girl.

I'm thankful for what I've gotten so far and I'll be for it. I don't want anything else.

I'm fine.

Until the scent grows stronger and stronger, and then it's right in front of me. The Alpha. My chest instantly tightens in the most painful way. I don't even dare to look at him, to glance up. My eyes remain downcast, looking at my hands, at the glass, and the drink inside.

"Ally, how have you been?" He asks her, his voice is so rich, so deep, so smooth.

"I've been alright." I hear her answer. "How's the old Alpha?"

"He's here tonight."

"Oh, that's good. I should probably find him then, and greet him." Ally is quick on her feet. But I don't want her to go. "Aria, you want to come?" she asks me.

I look at her and part my lips. Just as I'm about to give an answer, I'm interrupted.

"No, she's fine her. I need to speak with her a little. Why don't you run along and say hello to my father?" he says, almost in a commanding voice.

My heart beats, faster, harder. It pounds.

What does he want from me?