The moment I stepped into the water, a wave of warmth and calm washed over me. The scent of herbs filled the air lavender, mint, and something faintly sweet that I couldn't quite name.
It wasn't just a bath. It was therapy.
The mixture tingled against my skin, easing every bit of soreness I didn't know I had. My whole body felt lighter, my thoughts clearer. The maids who prepared it must have known exactly what I needed.
Kathy was right, I'd taken hundreds of baths before, but this one… this one was different. It was one of the best I'd ever had....soothing and fragrant, The water seemed alive, humming softly with energy.
By the time I stepped out, I felt almost alive again... relaxed, calm, and ready to face whatever annoyance Alexander had planned for the day.
I put on a red crop top and a pair of white shorts before I proceeded downstairs.
As much as I didn't want to see Alexander's annoying face again, hunger gnawed at me so fiercely that I couldn't ignore it. My stomach had already begun grumbling in protest, forcing me to set my pride aside. Food first, irritation later.
Still, the memory of what happened earlier, right outside my room wouldn't leave my head. His smug face. His ridiculous words. The nerve of that man. I clenched my fists as the scene replayed again and again, each time making me wish I could claw that arrogant smirk off his face and he dared offer men to bath me.
I snarled under my breath. How could he say such indiscriminate, degrading things to me?
The thought only made my cheeks burn bright red.
Pushing away the thought, I opened the door and stepped out into the hallway. The place was quiet, almost too quiet. I remembered following this same route with the head of the housekeepers earlier, and there had definitely been a staircase somewhere nearby that led to the first floor.
But now, after a few minutes of walking, I couldn't find it.
I frowned and looked around. All I could see were endless doors and long corridors. This mansion was ridiculously big. It could probably house thirty families, let alone thirty rooms.
Maybe if I just kept walking, I'd find it again.
But the more turns I took, the more lost I became. Each hallway looked like the same.
A sense of unease crept into my chest. Normally, I'd have shouted for Kathy, but something told me that wasn't a good idea here. I was in Alexander's pack house, surrounded by creatures whose strength far outmatched mine.
Yes, Alexander was technically an alpha. But he was also a vampire. That alone made everything more complicated and terrifying.
In less than twenty-four hours, I had already seen two other vampires with him. If I had seen two, how many more were lurking around unseen?
Goosebumps prickled my arms as my mind conjured up images of red-eyed figures emerging from the shadows.
A normal wolf couldn't stand a chance against a vampire, let alone a wolf without her wolf.
My heart sank a little at the thought. I was slowly regaining my strength but my wolf… she was still silent. I couldn't feel her presence at all. The emptiness where her voice should've been made me feel strangely hollow.
Then a cold breeze brushed against my bare arms, and I shivered. The air had grown noticeably colder. Hugging myself, I looked around and realized the atmosphere here was different.
The walls had changed. The elegant wallpaper from before had been replaced by cracked, old stone. The air smelled faintly of dust and age.
"Where am I?" I whispered.
This side of the mansion felt ancient, forgotten. The floorboards creaked beneath my steps, and faint cobwebs hung in the corners. The lighting here wasn't warm or golden, it glowed dimly red, flickering like dying embers.
My gaze followed the light, and that's when I saw them, torches mounted along the walls, their flames dancing silently.
"What is this place?"
The question echoed in my mind, and an uneasy feeling coiled in my stomach. Everything about this hallway screamed danger, yet… curiosity tugged at me stronger.
So, I walked forward.
The deeper I went, the stranger it became. Ancient portraits lined the walls, their frames dusted with age. They looked centuries old, yet their painted eyes gleamed vividly, as though watching me.
One, in particular, caught my attention—a large painting half-hidden beneath layers of dust. The outline of a regal red cloak peeked through the grime.
I reached out, brushing my fingertips across the cold surface. The texture was rough and oddly frigid, as if the canvas itself was alive.
Without thinking, I began wiping away the dust. Slowly, a figure emerged—a man dressed in royal attire. My hand moved higher, eager to uncover the face—
"Who are you?"
The voice came out of nowhere, deep and sudden.
I spun around so fast that the painting nearly fell off the wall. A pale hand shot out, catching it before it crashed.
I gasped. My heart pounded in my chest like a drum. I hadn't heard any footsteps. Nothing.
"I—I'm so sorry," I stammered, words tumbling out as fast as my panic.
The man straightened, setting the painting back into place. His eyes glowing crimson met mine. "You shouldn't be here."
My breath hitched.
He was tall, broad-shouldered, and strikingly handsome. But those red eyes made my blood run cold.
A vampire.
I froze. My hands felt numb, my feet rooted to the ground. Was this it? Was he going to attack me for trespassing?
Then, to my utter confusion, his expression softened into a playful grin. "You're such a scaredy-cat," he said, laughing.
"W-what?" I blinked.
His laughter echoed down the hall. "Relax. I'm not going to bite you."
He extended his hand toward me. "I'm Kael," he said. "And you must be Elena...Alexander's special guest."
Special guest. The way he said it carried a teasing lilt, like he knew exactly how uncomfortable that title made me.
I glanced down at my dusty fingers, then at his outstretched hand, and decided not to shake it. He seemed to get the hint and lowered his hand, still smiling.
"You must really be terrified of vampires," he said. "Never seen one before?"
"I have," I muttered, folding my arms. "A very annoying one. Practically grew up bumping into him."
Kael chuckled, eyes twinkling. "Ah, so you and Alex go way back. That explains the look you get whenever his name's mentioned."
I rolled my eyes but couldn't help smiling slightly. "Let's just say I've had enough of his attitude to last a lifetime."
"Understandable," Kael said lightly. "Don't worry, we don't bite. Not unless Alexander says otherwise." His tone dipped into something teasingly dark.
I pretended not to hear that last part and nodded.
He glanced around. "You seem lost."
"I was trying to find the stairs," I admitted. "This place has too many corridors."
"This part of the house is off-limits," Kael said. "Even for pack members."
My eyes widened. "Oh. I didn't know! I just got turned around and—"
He waved it off. "It's fine. Breakfast should be ready anyway. Come on, I'll show you the way."
Relieved, I followed him as he set the painting back and led me down the corridor. The further we walked, the more the air lightened.
"How was the journey here?" Kael asked casually. "Darkblood Pack is pretty far, isn't it?"
I scratched my neck, feeling awkward. "I wouldn't know. I slept through most of it."
He smirked. "Figures."
After a moment, he added, "I know why you're here, but I can't figure out why Alex would let you stay with us. What's going on in that thick skull of his?"
I hesitated. "We've known each other since childhood. My sister and I used to visit their pack. Our houses weren't too far apart."
That seemed to catch his interest. His eyes brightened with curiosity. "Childhood friends, huh?"
"Something like that." I sighed.
I had always hated Alexander, he was so unapproachable and when he approached you... you'd only have one thing on your mind... to strangle him. Every time I visited Donald's pack, I prayed I wouldn't run into him
Kael laughed quietly. "He hasn't changed much then."
I smiled faintly. He was so different from Alexander—gentle, calm, almost warm. There was no sharpness in his energy, no silent challenge lurking beneath his tone.
Maybe not all vampires were the same.
We were just reaching the staircase when a familiar, deep voice brushed against my ear.
"Thinking about me, Elena?"
The breath against my skin made me flinch.
Before I could react, I turned and there he was.
Alexander.
Standing so close that I could see the faint reflection of the torchlight in his piercing blue eyes.
"Alexander—" I began, but the shock made my voice falter.
My foot slipped.
Time slowed.
All I saw was his intense gaze, locked onto mine as I began to fall backward.