10: Tour

"I've never understood why anybody makes a big deal about mansions. It's just a house with more rooms. You still have to face yourself."

~Dov Davidoff

***

I let out a sigh as I lay on Nova's bed, staring up at the ceiling. The phone call with Brett didn't bring any surprising revelations. He expressed his relief that I was safe and urged me to stay that way. Meanwhile, Nova sat beside me, making exaggerated lovey-dovey faces, which only added to my frustration.

"This is like the hundredth time you've sighed," Nova pointed out, her concern evident.

"I can't help it. I feel trapped in a stranger's house, and everything I thought I knew has turned out to be a lie. I just need some space and time to process everything, but I can't. And on top of that, I can't stop thinking about Blake. Why did all this have to happen to me?" I vented, feeling the weight of my frustration.

I had promised myself that I wouldn't let everything overwhelm me and that I would try to ignore it, but it proved to be too much. I realised that I wasn't as strong as I thought I was.

"I understand that you're going through a tough time right now, but I have faith in you. I may not have experienced something like this before, but I'll be there for you whenever you need help. I just want you to know that your dad didn't do this to hurt you, he did this to protect you, and no I'm not taking his side I just don't want you to misjudge him. I really hope you can forgive me for not telling you that I'm a... werewolf. I really wanted to tell you but it was for your protection and an order from your dad," Nova reassured me, her words genuine.

Her sincerity and support comforted me, knowing that I had someone like her by my side, someone I could lean on.

"Thank you, bestie," I said, embracing her in a hug. "And I forgive you. It wasn't your fault; you were following my dad's orders. You would have told me otherwise."

She wiped away her tears, trying to regain composure. "This is getting too sappy," she said, attempting to lighten the mood. "Let's go. I'll give you a tour of this territory."

"Wait!" I interrupted, halting her from dragging me along. "You knew who Blake was, didn't you?" The memory of her reaction when my dad introduced Blake at the ball resurfaced in my mind.

Nova looked guilty, her gaze averted. "When you told me about him, I didn't know it was Alpha Blake or that he was a werewolf at all. I only found out it was him when I saw him on the stage," she admitted.

"Why do you call him Alpha?" I inquired, curious about the term she used.

"Well, he's the leader of this pack, so it's a sign of respect. I can't really go around calling him by his name, unless..." Nova trailed off, making a throat-slitting gesture.

"But you called him by his name at the ball," I pointed out, remembering her casual use of his name.

"That was because you didn't know about the whole werewolf thing... and yeah," she replied awkwardly, offering a laugh to diffuse the tension.

"Alright, do you even know where everything is?" I asked, changing the subject to alleviate the awkwardness.

"I know where some things are. I took a quick tour last night, and maybe we can make a friend who can help us navigate so we don't get lost," Nova responded with an excited smile.

She tugged at my arm, leading me down the stairs and into the open area. "The pack is probably training now, so we won't bump into a lot of people," she assured me.

"Where's our first stop?" I asked, feeling a growing sense of anticipation.

"To the game room!" Nova exclaimed, her enthusiasm contagious. She pulled me along, and soon we stood before a large red door with a silver doorknob. With a swift motion, Nova opened the door and stepped inside, with me following suit.

As I entered the room, a gasp escaped my lips. The sight before me was more than I could have imagined. This wasn't just a game room—it was an arcade paradise. A colossal flat-screen TV adorned the far end of the room, accompanied by plush red sofas and black bean bags. To the left, a pool table stood alongside a foosball table and a ping-pong table.

In the far-right corner, my eyes landed on a desktop basketball table, driving arcade machines, a jukebox, and various other arcade games. A mini kitchen equipped with all the necessary appliances occupied the closer right side. The room's walls donned a slightly dark shade of blue, adorned with autographed pictures of sportsmen and instruments that had been mounted. LED lights added a vibrant touch, and it was evident that no expense had been spared to create this haven.

"This looks more like an arcade than a game room," I murmured in awe.

"You can say that again," Nova agreed, her voice filled with wonder. "It's my third time seeing this room, and it still leaves me speechless."

"I know it's beautiful, but why are you whispering?" I inquired, curious about her hushed tone.

"I don't want to disturb the beauty of this game room with my voice," she replied in a hushed whisper, her eyes sparkling.

I burst into laughter at her peculiar thinking and stepped out of the room. "IT'S TRUE THOUGH!" Nova protested, her voice returning to its normal volume once she closed the door.

"I didn't say anything," I teased, still chuckling, as I walked backward to face her.

"Your laughter said it all!" she retorted, giving me a playful pout.

"I—ah!" I let out a yelp as I stumbled over my own feet. Preparing for the painful impact, I was taken aback and relieved as a pair of strong hands caught me just in time.

"Thank you. I—" My words trailed off as I turned to see who had saved me. It was Blake.

Handsome Blake.

Kissable lips Blake.

No! I quickly scolded myself. I shouldn't be thinking of him that way. Bad girl!

"If you continue thinking like that, you'll only get yourself in trouble," I reprimanded myself mentally, trying to regain composure.

"What?" Blake asked, raising an eyebrow, his expression filled with confusion. It was then that I realised I had been thinking out loud.

"What? Oh, nothing. I didn't say anything," I stammered, feeling my cheeks grow warm with embarrassment.

Ignoring my momentary lapse, Blake turned his attention to both of us. "What are you two doing here, anyway?"

"I was giving Skye a tour of the place, or at least the areas I know," Nova answered, taking charge of the situation.

"Considering Nova isn't familiar with the pack yet, and I'm the Alpha, I'll show you both around," Blake declared, his tone authoritative. Without waiting for our response, he began to walk ahead.

Nova and I exchanged puzzled looks but ultimately decided to follow him. This unexpected turn of events promised to make the tour even more interesting.

Blake proceeded to guide us through the three levels of the house, showcasing the pack members' rooms. Each floor boasted thirty spacious bedrooms, complete with en-suite bathrooms and a communal laundry room. The sheer number of bedrooms indicated that the pack was quite sizable, and it was evident that financial resources weren't lacking.

We visited the gym, the massage room, the indoor swimming pool, the opulent living room, the lavish bathrooms, the state-of-the-art indoor theatre, the indoor basketball court, the ballroom, and the impeccably designed kitchen. Every room in the mansion exuded grandeur and demanded attention. It was abundantly clear that this was Blake's pack—every corner of this place bore his imprint.

As I took in the sight of this awe-inspiring mansion, a thought crossed my mind: compared to this splendor, I felt like a mere beggar.

Having shown us every nook and cranny of the house, Blake led us outside. An expansive open field stretched before us, brimming with pack members engaged in various training exercises. The field transitioned seamlessly into the surrounding forest, creating a sense of unity with nature.

To the left, a vibrant playground welcomed the laughter and joy of children, closely monitored by watchful elders. From the field, we could catch glimpses of other houses that belonged to the pack members, reinforcing the notion of a closely-knit community.

Blake walked toward the training area, where the pack members were honing their skills. "Pack members between the ages of 14 and 40 engage in daily training sessions lasting four hours," he explained. "Both males and females participate, but only the beta, the pack warrior, or myself are permitted to train the pack. Additionally, we have dedicated pack guards who protect the territory against potential attacks from other packs or rogues."

As Blake shared these insights, his voice brimmed with pride and a deep sense of responsibility toward his pack. It brought a smile to my face, witnessing his dedication and determination to protect those under his care.

"The women in the pack, usually aged 40 and above, are responsible for preparing meals for the entire pack," Blake continued. "Younger pack members of both genders take turns assisting in the kitchen, ensuring a collective effort in providing nourishment for all. And, of course, all pack members contribute to the upkeep and cleanliness of the pack houses."

It was fascinating to learn how the pack operated in perfect synchronisation, with every member fulfilling their role. And to think, all this time, I had unknowingly been a part of this intricate system.

As we concluded the tour, a newfound appreciation for the complexity and unity within the pack swelled within me. It was clear that my journey in this new world was just beginning, and I couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation for the adventures and discoveries that lay ahead.