Linda's P.O.V
As I gradually regained consciousness, the world around me came into sharper focus. I discovered myself lying in a bed and a room that was unfamiliar to me. Questions swirled in my mind as I tried to piece together how I ended up here and what had transpired the previous night. I sat up, gently rubbing my temples to alleviate the lingering headache that plagued me.
"Good morning, Linda," a voice resonated within me, catching me off guard.
Surprised, I surveyed the room, searching for the source of the voice. Then it hit me – it was my wolf, the inner essence that had stirred when I fainted.
"Is that... is that really you?" I whispered, unsure of how to communicate with this newfound presence dwelling inside me.
"Yes, it's me, your wolf," the voice responded, emanating a mixture of strength and wisdom. "We are now connected, bound together by the mating ceremony. I am a part of you, just as you are a part of me."
"Wow," I exclaimed, feeling a surge of excitement at the thought of having my wolf as a companion. "What should I call you?" I asked eagerly, eager to establish a name for this newfound connection.
My wolf chuckled, and her voice resonated in my mind. "You should give me a name," she suggested.
I pondered for a moment, placing a hand on my chin as I thought aloud. "How about Lima?" I suggested, hoping it would resonate with her.
But my wolf shook her head, rejecting the name. "No, that doesn't quite feel right," she responded.
Unfazed, I continued to search for the perfect name. "Okay, what about Kiara?" I proposed a glimmer of hope in my voice.
Her response was immediate, a gleeful squeal echoing in my head. "Yes, yes, I like that!" she exclaimed happily.
Her excitement was infectious, and I couldn't help but laugh at her adorable reaction. "Alright, Kiara it is," I said, my voice filled with amusement.
As I looked around the unfamiliar room, confusion swept over me. "I wonder where we are," I mused, voicing my thoughts.
Leaving the room behind, I ventured into the next area, and a sense of recognition washed over me. "We're in the alpha's mansion!" I exclaimed, the realization hitting me.
Questions flooded my mind, and I couldn't help but ask, "How did we end up here? What's going on?"
Kiara, my wolf's response was calm and matter-of-fact. "Don't you remember? We're now mated to the alpha. It's only natural for us to be in our mate's house after the mating ceremony, Linda," she explained, her voice filled with a sense of understanding.
Before I could respond, a maid approached me, bowing respectfully. "Good morning, Luna. We apologize for placing you in a visitor's room. Initially, we assumed you would be staying in the alpha's room after the mating ceremony. However, this morning, the alpha instructed us to prepare another room according to your preferences," she informed me.
"Hmm, please show me to the room. I'd like to see it for myself and decorate it to my liking," I requested, grateful I didn't have to share a room with the alpha and also eager to make the space my own.
Curiosity got the better of me, and I couldn't resist asking, "By the way, where is the alpha's room?"
The maid nodded and replied, "The alpha's room is the last one upstairs, and yours is the first room upstairs," as she began leading me up the stairs.
Mixed emotions filled my heart as we made our way upstairs. On one hand, I felt a pang of disappointment that our rooms were far apart, but on the other hand, a sense of relief washed over me because I didn't want constant encounters with the alpha, and having some distance between our rooms provided a semblance of privacy and independence.
As we walked into the room that had been set up for me in the alpha's mansion, I took a quick look around to see what it was like. The room was big and nicely furnished, but it didn't feel quite like home. The walls were painted a light cream color, which made the room feel calm and peaceful. But it was a bit plain for my taste.
I immediately noticed the curtains. They were a bright yellow color, which didn't match the vibe I wanted. I preferred darker curtains, like navy blue, to make the room feel more cozy and relaxing. I thought it would add a sense of mystery and depth.
The furniture in the room was fancy and well-made, but it didn't have a warm and welcoming feel. The bed was large and luxurious, but it felt a bit impersonal. I wanted to add some comfy throw pillows and a soft blanket in a deep red or dark gray color to make it more inviting. It would bring some contrast to the room and make it feel cozier.
"Not bad," I muttered, studying the room. "But I think I'll make some changes in the next few days. Did my parents come to visit?"
"No, they didn't, Luna," the maid answered.
I frowned when she called me Luna. "Call me Linda. What's your name?" I asked, trying to establish a friendlier connection.
"Yes, Luna... I mean, Luna Linda. My name is Abigail," she replied, stumbling over her words.
I smiled, seeing her discomfort. I left the room to take a shower before going downstairs for breakfast.
As I stepped into the kitchen, I almost collided with Camille, the chef cook. She greeted me with a slight bow, concern etched on her face. "You shouldn't have come downstairs, Luna. We could have brought breakfast to your room."
Shaking my head, I dismissed her worry. "I won't hurt my leg just by coming downstairs for breakfast. I'm perfectly fine, Camille. So, what's cooking?"
"What would you like for breakfast, Luna?" she asked.
"Enough of this Luna thing, alright? Call me Linda," I growled softly, annoyed by the constant reminder of my title.
Camille shook her head apologetically. "I'm sorry, but I can't call you that, Luna. It goes against our pack's traditions and rules."
Rolling my eyes, I plucked a strawberry from a nearby bowl and popped it into my mouth. "Fine, then. I'll go for something light, like cereal, for breakfast. By the way, is there a library in this mansion?"
Camille hesitated, contemplating her response. "Yes, we do have a library, but it's connected to the alpha's room. He's the only one who uses it."
"Oh, that's not too bad. I suppose I can still make use of it as long as I don't set foot in his room," I pondered aloud.
Camille seemed uncertain about the idea and tried to dissuade me, but I wasn't having any of it. I was bored and didn't feel like going out to alleviate my boredom. I craved the solace of being indoors, lost in the pages of a book.
So, I ate my breakfast and headed upstairs to the library.
As I stepped into the library, a rush of excitement washed over me. The shelves filled with books stretched out before my eyes, brimming with countless tales waiting to be discovered. I couldn't contain my delight and let out a joyful squeal.
However, as I perused the shelves, a sense of caution lingered in the back of my mind. I recalled Camille's hesitation when I asked about the library earlier, a subtle indication that it might hold some significance. I wondered if the alpha had a particular attachment to this space.
The room itself was a peaceful place, filled with soft, natural light that came through the big windows. The walls were covered with tall bookshelves, holding a wide collection of books from different times. There were comfortable old armchairs placed near the windows and cozy corners, inviting readers to relax and enjoy.
I was attracted to the section with classic books, where timeless stories were waiting to be discovered. The poetry area caught my attention with its delicate books filled with beautiful verses. There were also rows of history books that promised to reveal tales from long ago.
I became completely absorbed in the books and lost track of time. Unknown to me, Bruno, the alpha had returned to the mansion.
Suddenly, a deep, commanding voice shattered the silence. "What do you think you're doing in my library?" the alpha's voice boomed, filled with a mix of anger and disgust.
Startled, I lifted my gaze from the pages, my heart racing in my chest. The sight of the alpha standing before me sent a jolt of fear through my veins. I scrambled to my feet, struggling to find the right words to explain myself.
I scrambled to my feet, stumbling over my words in an attempt to explain myself. "I... I'm sorry, Alpha. I didn't realize... I lost track of time... I was just... immersed in these books," I stammered, my voice filled with trepidation.
His gaze grew sharper, and his voice carried a tone of outrage, "Who gave you the temerity to enter my library? Let alone touch my books?"
Tears welled up in my eyes, but anger surged within me at his condescending words.
"I didn't know it was your private library. I made sure not to enter your room or tamper with your belongings. I simply wanted to read because I was incredibly bored. You don't have to speak to me with such disdain as if I'm beneath you," I retorted, my voice laced with anger.
His anger echoed through his words, his voice booming with authority. "How dare you? I am still your alpha. Don't think that being my mate grants you special privileges. Leave my library this instant and never set foot in it or near my room again. Is that clear?"
I blinked back my tears, my gaze unwavering as I met his intense eyes. Something shifted within me, a flicker of defiance mingling with fear. "Fine," I said, my voice steady, masking the vulnerability that threatened to consume me. "I'll leave your precious library, Alpha. But remember this, I may be your mate, but I am not your doormat. You can't command me as you please."
There was a charged silence that hung in the air, the tension palpable between us. With a final defiant glare, I turned on my heel and walked out of the library.