The next morning, I awoke from my creaky bed and turned to face my one window. Only the beam of light indicating it was dawn could pass through the little, foggy window, which I was unable to open or look through. Early that morning, it started to rain, and the weather was growing chilly. I wanted to curl up beneath the covers, but I wasn't in the mood for it.

I had been quiet and had gone into my room as soon as we returned home from the meeting with Eric's future partner the day before. Lady Freya remained silent, as though accepting the hint. In fact, she left me alone, almost as if I were her younger sister rather than the maid. She had a nice disposition.

I sat on my bed all night, unable to fall asleep. I alternated between worrying, sobbing, and dozing off, then back to worrying and crying. I was now persuading myself that I was prepared to carry out my daily tasks while sitting up and having red, puffy eyes.

What should I now do? Do I need to meet him? Why shouldn't I? What if he admitted to feeling anything for her? What if they were best friends growing up? How should I react if he rejects me? What if the purpose of this meeting was to describe the current situation?

I questioned myself as new tears started to gather in my eyes.

How did I end up being so sad over a guy I had just met and didn't know at all? My rational self questioned.

I'm not going to see him. I would never be harmed or learn about it that way. It was best for me not to know.

I sighed as I got out of bed, went into the bathroom, and stood in front of the vanity mirror.

I looked back at my sleep-deprived eye and thought to myself, "Ah. How do I explain this look?" I then dragged myself to the shower and prepared for the day.

I could hear whispering coming from the kitchen as soon as I went outside of my room, but they ceased as I drew nearer. When I arrived, Lady Freya and Maria were sitting at the kitchen counter, each holding a cup of tea, and the scent filled the whole room. They gave me horrified looks.

Maria got up and went straight to the sink to fetch a cup and began brewing more tea. "What happened to you Silveen?" she inquired.

"I had a little trouble sleeping."

Lady Freya questioned with a raised eyebrow, "You had a little trouble sleeping in a weather this cold?"

Maria stated as she approached to set a cup of tea in front of me, "This doesn't look like a little to me. You look like lady Freya when the Gamma went on the road trip to the Austan pack."

I complied.

"Hun! That was the scariest time of my life. I don't know why he would go to see those horrible blood-sucking wolves. The mere thought of it still agitates me." Freya the woman moaned.

"Blood-sucking?" I scowled.

Before taking a drink of her tea, Maria retorted, "It's the name she calls them because she feels there's no other way to classify their ruthlessness."

I replied as I sipped the hot tea, which helped to ease my anxiety, "They can't be that horrible, can they?

Lady Freya scowled at the idea, "Yes, they are! They rip wolves apart in a war! Who does that?" I regarded her with confusion since I had never been in a battle.

Maria said batting her eyes at Lady Freya as she had seen my bewildered face, but I was even more bewildered. "The Austan pack are the oldest and strongest standing pure breed werewolves. It's not like they can help their combat style. The size of their wolves accounts for that method of fighting and you know that."

Except for the knowledge that Eric's father had murdered the Austan pack's leader and perished in the process, I knew nothing about the Austan pack. If he hadn't been slain, the Austan pack's alpha would have evolved into an alpha king. I listened.

I questioned, "Size?"

"Yes. The Austan wolves are twice your size and bigger than all the other wolves. As I said, they are the longest and purest breeds in the werewolf's kingdom and are practically all warriors. Rumor has it that they were all descendants of alphas who came together to create a community choosing the strongest to rule over them and that in their veins runs the true blood of our ancestors." Maria clarified while enjoying the narrative. She must have read this tale to her kids many times as a bedtime story, I could swear to it.

"There are also rumors that they sometimes lose their humanity, forgetting all about themselves and their loved ones, becoming bloodthirsty, and going on a killing spree. Killing anything living thing on their path, human and animal alike." Freya the woman exclaimed with rage.

Lady Freya rolled her eyes, blushing, "But there were days when you dreamt of your mate being from the Austan pack." Maria teased.

They definitely have the most attractive males, she remarked, but speaking of beauty and handsome, she continued, her interest in me piqued.

She inquired, "What's up with you and my cousin," her eyes glistening with interest.

With amazement visible in my eyes, I turned to gaze at Maria from her. Who else could have known if she did?

I said "I... I don't know what you mean," while gazing into my cup.

"Oh, please. Don't you feign ignorance with me Silveen? I heard he took you out of the house...."

When I learned the ladies in the kitchen had been conversing, my jaw dropped.

Maria giggled as she replicated my face, "... into the woods. I also saw the look you gave Layla. It said 'what'?"

"You also locked yourself up since last night, obviously crying seeing your swollen eyes." She concluded.

I said, "I..... I wasn't crying."

Maria said, "Ha, she doesn't dispute any of it," and Lady Freya grinned broadly.

She questioned, she and Lady Freya looking upon me so seriously, "So tell us, are you his mate?" I gave them each a quick glance before a helpless nod.

They broke out in joyful shouts, and I started crying, finally releasing the emotions I'd been keeping back.

I said, "But he has someone else," and their happy expressions became pitiful as they gathered around me to comfort me.

"No, he doesn't. Layla means nothing to him. He only agreed to marry her because of the pressure from the pack and their need for a Luna." Lady Freya said.

"But she's from a rich family and I am....."

She said, stopping me abruptly, "The daughter of the Gamma of Estradol."

As I came to the realization that I was worse than an omega, I started crying again. I was a young woman who had been abandoned by her family and pack, unable to even change into a wolf and unable to defend myself, much alone fit into this pack as a Luna. Because all of my secrets were hidden in the shadows, I was someone who should avoid being in the limelight. I would just be taken away once again, and I enjoyed living here, so how do I handle the situation when the whole truth is revealed?

Lady Freya held me and was now comforting me.

"Don't cry too much Silv. Even Eric called to make sure you could..."

I interrupted her and said, "He did what?" Her lips were a bit.

"Oh, nothing."

"You should go get some rest, honey," Maria stated at this point.

"No. I have to do my chores and...."

"Oh don't worry about all that, I've got it. You just go back to your room and catch some sleep okay? You look horrible."

Before I could object, Lady Freya pulled me up and brought me back to my chamber. She pulled the covers over me as I plopped down on the bed wiping my sad eyes like a baby. She then sat at the side of the bed and started to smooth my hair away from my face. I slept off before she was finished. I had clearly underestimated my level of fatigue.

.......

It had already been past noon when I awoke. I simultaneously felt comforted and revived. As I got out of bed and left the room, I cleared the dust from the corners of my eyes. Lady Freya and Maria were playing chess in the living room when I arrived. Lady Freya had changed into her outfit for her expedition.

I stepped in and Maria said, "How did you sleep, darling?" which made Lady Freya turn to look at me.

Before I could even respond, lady Freya said, "You obviously look better than you did in the morning."

I approached them and perched on the side of the couch to observe them while they played the game, which to me made no sense at all. They had made several attempts to explain it to me, but I was unable to understand it. My thoughts began to slowly turn to Eric, wondering whether he was still waiting for me in the woods. He may have realized I wasn't coming and fled, or he might have changed his mind and decided to remain with his future Luna. That method was preferable. I considered as melancholy started to overwhelm me.

Why couldn't I just go and ask? I pondered before sighing at the realization that I was stuck here due to my dread of conflict and wasn't prepared to escape its hold. It was preferable to remain ignorant since the encounter was clearly going to hurt.

Now that I have their attention, I sigh once more.

Maria inquired, her expression displaying worry, "Are you sure you're okay?" I nodded in agreement.

She inquired once more, "Would you like something to eat?" I shook my head, seeing Lady Freya's worried expression in the corner of my eyes as well.

I quietly questioned Lady Freya, hoping to divert the issue, "Did you go somewhere lady Freya? You are all dressed up."

Lady Freya sprang to her feet as her eyes lighted up in amazement.

"My God! I must have lost my mind. I was supposed to meet with a friend of mine an hour ago, what was I thinking." she remarked with a look of horror.

Maria laughed and remarked, "You were thinking you were going to beat me in the next round." I became somewhat more upbeat.

I questioned Maria knowingly, "You won, didn't you? In the first round." She chuckled as she raised her earnings in the air.

"All three rounds."

I grinned. Lady Freya had a winning addiction, and while seeing that Maria was the better chess player, she persisted nonetheless, possibly in the hopes of one day learning all of Maria's moves and using them against her. I don't see that occurring any time soon, so that day may come in the far future.

"Quick Silveen, you have to come with me."

"What?"

"I have to have a reasonable excuse as to why I couldn't make it on time."

The idea that she may say I had a hand in it made my eyes enlarge.

You appear to need some fresh air, she said, so by the way.

Maria nodded in agreement and said, "That is very true." That was all it took for them to drag me back into my room and assist me in selecting an outfit.

As they looked through my things, I questioned bewilderedly, "Why do I have to get dressed if it is you who's meeting up with someone?"

Because," Lady Freya said, picking up a shirt and placing it on the pile of the mess they had created on the bed after giving it a cursory glance.

I blushed in shame at the sight of the clothing I had inherited from my brothers, who were physically different from me in every aspect, and she remarked, "You need to always look your best Silveen. Ugh! I think you need a change of wardrobe. These clothes are horrible."

Maria responded, displaying a pair of black pants and a white shirt, "You're right. But I found something nice and simple." She and Lady Freya exchanged glances, and I swear I saw something flicker in their eyes that I couldn't place. I scowled as I observed the two females.

Am I overlooking something?

Lady Freya placed the garments into my hands and forbade me from wandering as she insisted that I change.

I couldn't help but notice Lady Freya's excessive enthusiasm for our occasion as I swiftly changed into the attire. They grinned at me before rushing over to start combing my hair and applying cosmetics on my face. As these two ladies fawned over me as if it were my birthday, I grimaced but was not allowed the freedom to think or object.

I saw their grin of pleasure as they took a step back, and then looked in the mirror to assess my appearance. Despite myself, I grinned. I certainly didn't seem like I was feeling. Lady Freya spoke as if she had read my mind.

"Sometimes, you just need to dress up and grab a bit of fresh air."

Was it the purpose of this? Together, her companion and I were getting a little fresh air. I started tying my waist-length hair up in a bun.

The two ladies yelled, "No. Don't!" halting me in my tracks as I regarded them bewildered.

Lady Freya hurriedly remarked, "You look more beautiful leaving your hair down." She immediately dragged me out of the house before I could take in what she had really said.

We strolled down the path that led into the forest and then entered it, making our way gradually through it. I scowled as I scanned my surroundings since I had no idea where I was or where this trail was headed. I would have known if I had ventured further.

"So your friend wants to hang out in the woods?"

She glanced at me before staring straight ahead, saying, "Hey, don't sound so anxious, we are werewolves after all, the forest is our home." I followed in her wake.

My heart dropped as she added, "We are just going for a run," and my mind immediately went into overdrive, trying to come up with a way out. If they urged me to shift and run with them, what would I do?

"uhm L.. Lady Freya, I don't think I'm in the mood for a run."

I felt relief rush over me as she said, "Of course not. I have no plans to let you ruin those skinny jeans by shifting." But I was aware that it was only a matter of time until others saw that I couldn't move. Then, what would he say?

Eric's disapproving expression and the prospect of him labeling me a freak made me realize how much I dreaded them. I forced the notion from my mind and chose to engage the woman in conversation instead.

"Lady Freya?"

"Mmmm?"

"Why did you say I loved the woods yesterday?"

"I couldn't tell the Luna that you were with Eric in the forest now, could I?"

You saw us?" I exclaimed.

"Na. The maids did, I only told them to keep their mouth shut."

"Do you think she would approve of me? If Eric were to choose me I mean." I said sorrowfully.

"And why wouldn't he choose you? You're his mate!"

I ignored her assertions and questioned, "How do you think the Luna would react?"

"I honestly don't know. She loves Eric dearly, but she also wants a strong woman to stand by his side. A woman as strong as herself. I guess that was why she accepted Layla, even though she doesn't like her very much."

"She doesn't like lady Layla? Why is th ....."

Lady Freya interrupted me with a joyful "Look we are here!"

A lake could be seen not far from where we were as I glanced up. My vision was sharper, so I could see the food on the picnic blanket that was spread out on the ground. I grinned subtly.

Please don't tell me that Gamma Dilan took his wife on a picnic. I thought to myself as I ran after her, now vividly recognizing the scene. On one side of the pastel red and white striped food cloth, there was a large teddy bear sleeping down, with various snacks and plates around.

The romanticism of the Gamma caused my cheeks to heat up as Lady Freya stood there beaming with joy.

As soon as I smelled the water, my mood quickly altered. I scowled, wondering why his odor was still present. Had he assisted in the gamma's planning of this surprise?

I pondered, but when I finally saw him, my breath almost instantly twitched. He ignored us as he headed towards the picnic area while holding a crimson rose in his hand. He was dressed in blue pants and a tight-fitting white shirt that made me uncomfortable. He held out his palm to protect his eyes as he turned to face the setting sun.

As I finally comprehended what was occurring, I felt a blush come across my face. I had been duped into visiting him.

As soon as fear sprang into my heart, I performed what I did best. I went around and started to walk away.