"Sure," I replied, forcing a smile on my face even though I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this place than met the eye. "Sounds wonderful."
As we approached the unmated accommodation building, I took note of the people around me, observing their interactions with one another. They did seem genuinely happy, laughing and chatting as if they didn't have a care in the world. But I knew better than to judge a book by its cover, and I wasn't about to let my guard down just because the scenery was pleasant.
"Come on," Gen encouraged, leading me inside the building. "Let's get you settled in. You can see for yourself that this place isn't as bad as you think."
"Alright," I agreed, following her into the building while silently promising myself that I'd keep my wits about me.
The sun cast a warm glow over the building's modern facade as we reached our destination. I glanced up, taking in the three floors of geometric glass windows and sleek lines that seemed to defy the natural world around us. Despite my misgivings, it was hard not to be impressed.
"Welcome to your new home," Gen announced, spreading her arms out wide. "Each floor houses different members of the pack, with the top floor reserved for the high-family rank." She gave me a sidelong glance, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "That's where we'll be."
“But I’m not high-family,” I said. Gen just shrugged and mentioned that Alpha Declan wanted me to be comfortable.
"Of course," I muttered under my breath, fighting the urge to roll my eyes. It figured that Alpha Declan would want to keep me close, even if it meant putting me among the elite.
We stepped inside, greeted by the hum of conversation as people milled about the open-plan lobby. Wide windows flooded the space with natural light, casting vibrant colours across the polished concrete floors and minimalist furniture.
"Downstairs is the common room, along with the gym and laundry facilities," Gen explained, gesturing towards a staircase leading below ground level. "Upstairs is where all the fun happens."
"Can't wait," I deadpanned, earning a smirk from her. Despite my cynicism, I had to admit that the place had a certain charm to it. But then again, appearances could be deceiving.
We took the stairs to the top floor, and at the top there was what looked like a long hallway. Gen led us halfway down to another sleek wooden door and smiled as she unlocked it, allowing me to walk in. I found myself in a spacious apartment filled with modern furnishings. Floor-to-ceiling windows framed the living area, offering a breathtaking view of the surrounding landscape. The kitchen boasted gleaming stainless steel appliances, while the lounge consisted of plush couches arranged around a sleek coffee table.
"Your room's this way," Gen said, guiding me down a hallway lined with abstract paintings. She stopped at a door and pushed it open, revealing a room that was easily three times larger than the one I'd just vacated.
"Wow," I breathed, momentarily taken aback by the sheer amount of space. The bed was covered in soft linens, its headboard upholstered in a rich purple fabric. A matching armchair sat in the corner, next to a floor lamp that cast a warm glow over the cosy reading nook. A modern desk held a new laptop and mobile phone, while suitcases and boxes were neatly stacked against one wall.
"Feel free to make yourself at home," Gen said, her expression genuine. "You deserve it."
"Thanks," I replied hesitantly, my fingers itching to explore my new surroundings. But beneath the gratitude lay a spark of anger, a reminder that all of this had been orchestrated by Alpha Declan, who seemed intent on controlling every aspect of my life. And as much as I wanted to enjoy the comforts of my new room, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was dancing to his tune.
"Erica," Gen said softly, placing a hand on my shoulder. "It's okay to let your guard down sometimes. Just because things are going well doesn't mean it's a trap."
"Maybe," I conceded, although I didn't entirely believe her words.
"Take your time to settle in," Gen said, passing me a packet of information before leaving the room.
"I'll be around if you need anything," she said as she closed the door behind her.
Finally alone, I surveyed my new surroundings, my heart heavy with mixed emotions. On one hand, it was comforting to have a space to call my own, but on the other, the thought of Alpha Declan's involvement gnawed at me. With a sigh, I began unpacking the suitcases and boxes, half-expecting them to hold more surprises from the Alpha. To my relief, they contained only my belongings, clothes, books, and the few trinkets I'd managed to hold on to over the years. As I placed my small collection of romance books on the bookshelf, my eyes drifted back to the shiny new laptop and mobile phone on the desk. The sleek devices seemed out of place amongst my well-loved possessions, and I couldn't help but feel a pang of resentment towards their unknown benefactor. A note attached to the laptop confirmed my suspicions:
"Welcome to your new home - Alpha Declan."
"Of course," I scoffed, rolling my eyes. Was there any aspect of my life he didn't plan to meddle in?
Flipping through the contacts on the phone, I discovered that several members of my family were already programmed in. My thumb hovered over Imogen's name, my heart pounding as I remembered the last time we'd been together, and then Liam kidnapping me at the funeral, and the gut-wrenching fear I'd felt as we'd been torn apart.
"Here goes nothing," I whispered, pressing the call button and praying for a familiar voice.
"Erica?" Imogen answered on the second ring, her tone laced with equal parts hope and disbelief.
"Is that really you?"
"Hey, Imogen," I said softly, feeling tears prick at the corners of my eyes. "It's me."
"Goddess, Erica, I've been so worried," she confessed, her voice trembling with emotion. "Ever since that bastard took you away, I just... I didn't know what to think."
"Believe me, I'm not thrilled about it either," I replied bitterly. The memory of that day still sent shivers down my spine, and I knew it would be a long time before I could put it behind me.
