CHAPTER 005

CHAPTER 005

Emily's POV 

Emily and Mila arrived to find that most of the pack house had already left. We quickly cleaned our things while Mila settled inside for restorative sleep. When Mila left to go hunting, she brought me along. As soon as we entered, the pack house became unsurprisingly chaotic.

My parents, the Alpha couple of the pack, asked me to help clean our community center.

Beta family was not typically involved with cleaning after pack functions; I assume Alpha Cole must have asked them to help after giving everyone an off day.

Mila asked, surprised to see no guards outside her pack house's front entrance.

"I imagine everyone went down to the clearing to enjoy their snow day," I commented, gesturing towards the fluffy white stuff covering every surface.

Mila frowned as she wondered why they'd roped her in; otherwise, she could have spent this evening curled under blankets with hot chocolate and watched movies instead of helping out around her home. "Why did I agree to help?" Mila asked herself with frustration before slowly shaking herself off the blankets to return inside for another round. "Rather, why had they roped me in so late at night when there would have been better ways for me to relax..."

"Because I needed assistance," I responded softly, shrugging. "And because you are my only friend. "

Mila smiled as she entered the pack house.

Mila had come into my room because she was dismayed that Jax went snowboarding with his friends this morning - the source of Mila's displeasure and depression.

Jax wasn't part of our pack; he belonged to one of our neighboring packs, the Dark River Pack.

Alpha Colt and Jax's father, Beta David, were longstanding and close. They became particularly close when Alpha Colt learned of Mila being Jax's love interest. Once David learned this news, he granted Jax permission to come and go as he desired, with Mila as his mate.

Mila might request a transfer into Jax's pack one day and become part of his family.

"When I entered the community center, my jaw dropped. It was in disarray, and it would take us at least three hours to clear away this mess.

Mila turned and looked directly at me before shaking her head firmly.

She quietly bewailed under her breath that it should have been more sensible for her to stay in bed.

As soon as we had both grabbed the mop and bucket in hand, the cleanup began in earnest.

After an hour, my mother inquired, "Em, are you two finished cleaning the community room?"

"Nearly done," I replied to my mom. It went faster than anticipated.

"Good," she replied. "I asked Omega Julie to prepare something delicious for us to eat together when you two are done working, so come get your lunch when you are finished!"

Julie was known for serving delicious yet straightforward food that would meet even our picky eating standards. Nothing unusual was added to her meals, which made them great options.

Soon afterward, I cut the link, wiped my sweat-covered forehead clean, and placed my mop into its bucket.

Mila had asked where our food had come from, so I assured her Julie had prepared it herself. "Mom said our dinner is ready!" I told Mila.

"Yes," Mila answered as she passed me the mop and bucket.

Within 20 minutes, we completed the task in the community room and moved down to the kitchen for lunch.

Julie noticed us the second we stepped through the doors, raising her gaze with a friendly greeting and a wide smile.

I noticed her beautiful blonde locks neatly tied back into a bun on top of her head, her eyes glittering brightly as her expression revealed joy - I could tell that today was going well for her! She seemed happy!

Julie had recently lost her partner due to an unsolicited attack. Although she tried hard to appear strong and keep up the pretense that all was fine in her mind, all could see how badly it had affected her emotionally.

Omega, 45 years old then, finally had something to smile about for once.

"Good afternoon, girls!" She welcomed us and waved us closer.

"Hello, Omega Julie," we welcomed her. Everyone, particularly children, was immediately taken by her charms and smiles.

Mila and I rushed quickly toward it as soon as she announced that our lunch was served in its warmer. "Your lunch is ready!" she announced with pride as Mila pointed toward it with excitement. So Mila and I quickly followed suit to grab our meals before she finished her words and gestured toward its warm embrace.

"Have you two washed your hands?" Julie inquired as we attempted to retrieve our plates.

Mila and I both looked at one another before looking over at Julie.

"No," we both whispered back.

She immediately chased us out of the kitchen.

Mila and I walked out of the kitchen frantic. Starving, our bodies desperately needed food; now, it was just about getting our hands washed before receiving a plateful.

Julie prepared us her famous mac and cheese, and my tastebuds could already anticipate tasting its rich aroma on my tongue.

Mila pulled an annoyed expression as the closed ladies' room at the far end of the long hall was closed off for use.

As for me, I gave her an amused glance before giving her a playful wink and a friendly smile in return.

Mila told them no and warned them against doing the same.

"Oh yes," I answered confidently, running down the hall.

"We're headed toward trouble," Mila lamented.

"Only if they catch us," I responded.

Mila gave a short sigh, before rolling her eyes again at me and before I could finish running down the hall.

"That is cheating!" the woman behind me yelled out in outrage.

Shortly thereafter, Mila came running up behind me, and the two began laughing as we strolled downhill together. Every step we took brought new giggles from both of them!

No one was around to witness our activity, judge us for making noise, or complain that we ran around aimlessly. No one would yell at us if we made too much racket; nobody would chide or condemn our activities!

Mila came away victorious by just seconds.

"You cheated," I exclaimed with frustration.

She replied by looking up at the roof instead of me. "Why would you say such an outrageous thing?" she inquired, seemingly disinterested in my gaze.

"That is because you tapped into his speed," I replied indignantly.

Mila protested, asserting: "You didn't set any ground rules."

"But you know I don't own one!" I protested. "You aren't playing fair!"

Mila went silent, looking down at her feet. My thoughts immediately drifted to what might have been crossing her mind.

"What's up?" I inquired, taking another step nearer.

"Em," she began, her voice trailing off slightly as she opened her mouth without making a sound, but I could tell she had much to share with me.

"Mila, what's up?" I inquired.

Her gaze flashed with worry and disquiet, and they looked at me with concern and confusion.

"Just tell me," I replied. "You know you can."

Mila took a deep breath.

"Last night," Mila began, looking away and fidgeting with the hem of her shirt in front of her hands, "I saw something happen to you.

My heart stopped with excitement: had she noticed me and Alex together?

"What did you see?" I inquired while swallowing to relieve an overwhelming lump in my throat.

Mila gently raised her gaze.

"After we returned from the restroom, I noticed you acting strangely," she observed.

My thoughts quickly returned to last night. The pull towards the exit had been unstoppable--every cell in my body craved for it to happen.

"What?" I said, recalling her gasping and taking a step away. Her look of shock seemed even greater to me than it had before.

"You weren't you", she replied.

Mila began explaining what had just occurred; my mind struggled to comprehend her explanation. Suddenly I fell silent while trying to take everything in.

What did Mila see?

"Do you mean by saying I wasn't me?" I asked her.

Mila commented. Emily's eyes had turned red, and the red flames surrounding her aura moved like red flames.

That left me further perplexed.

"Do you believe this could be my wolf?" I inquired with optimism.

"Whatever it was," Mila exclaimed, "it scared the living daylights out of me!

Could there be something I have a wolf inside of me after all?