Chapter-3
1555 Words
A thunder-fist of knocking yanked me out of the warmest dream—a spa, two margaritas, zero werewolves.
"Hello?!" a voice barked. More pounding. My eyelids felt glued together.
I padded to the door, hair in full haystack glam, and cracked it open. Redhead-With-Attitude—same one from last night—stood there, arms loaded with clothes.
"Morning, princess." The eye-roll could've powered a small village. "Shower, dress and come downstairs." Clothes were shoved into my arms; she spun on her heel and vanished.
Charming. Still, the outfit was cozy enough, and the hot water almost erased the bruises Charmeine had lovingly gifted me. I brushed my damp hair with the comb I found on the dresser, chin high—I descended.
The kitchen was buzzing with conversation and clinking cutlery. Pack members were crowded around a long wooden table, plates full, mouths busier. None of them even glanced at me—except Lisa. Her hazel eyes lit up, thank the Moon.
"Come, dear—sit." Her invitation sounded like a challenge to the entire room.
Forks paused mid-air; twenty wolves stared like the rogue exhibit had wandered out of its cage.
I let the room's collective glare roll right off me and bee lined for Lisa at the stove.
I could use an ally in this den of skeptics, and my gut said she might be it.
"Morning, Lisa! Feeling okay?" I flashed a smile and brushed a kiss across her cheek.
"I'm well, sweetheart—thanks. Did you manage to sleep?" she asked, warm palm cradling my cheek like my mom. My chest pinched—don't think about Mom. Not now.
"Need an extra spatula?" I offered.
She waved me off. "Sit and eat before the bacon's gone." She nodded toward an empty chair wedged between Kevin and a wolf who was already measuring my threat level.
The entire table hushed as I crossed the room and claimed the seat.
Glares from Redhead and Blond-Scowl tried to scorch my sweater, but I glided to the empty seat between Kevin (quiet smile, polite nod).
"Morning, Kevin," I murmured. His eyebrows hopped in surprise before he returned a shy grin.
Conversation restarted—soft, suspicious, peppered with the word rogue. I ignored it and devoted myself to bacon. Divine.
Plate cleared, I stood, every gaze magnet-locking onto me again as I made my way back to Lisa and Janet, who were talking near the sink with another woman. Whatever, wolves.
"Hey, Janet." I reached the sink, but she intercepted the plate. "Guests don't wash up."
A sharp snort cut through the air. Redhead again. "Guest? Hardly. She should be gone already."
Ah, there it was—the daily dose of pack hospitality.
Lisa's gentle reprimand snapped like a dish towel. "Scarlett, watch your tongue. She's a guest, not an enemy." Janet bobbed her head beside her.
Scarlett's cheeks flamed. "Oh, A guest? Did she bribe you? She's more like a rogue! Quit treating her like royalty." Her voice echoing off the walls.
Heavy boots thudded behind us. Andrew's voice thundered through the air. "Last I checked, Scarlett, you're a pack member— not the Alpha."
Chairs scraped as everyone sprang up and bowed. I followed suit.
"Ten laps around the territory," he ordered. "And if I hear you disrespect Lisa—or anyone—again, the dungeon will be your next workout. Understood?"
Scarlett trembled. Her glare shifted from Andrew to me, eyes burning.
"I said—understood?" His voice was a growl now, his fists clenched, veins visible on his arms.
Scarlett's glare could scorch granite, but she wilted under his power. "U-understood, Alpha.
"Apologize to Lisa."
"Sorry, Lisa." With a choked sob, she fled.
Andrew's gaze speared me. "Office. Now." Then he strode out, Cole at his shoulder.
Well. Morning cardio for everyone, apparently.
I squeezed Lisa's hands. "I'm sorry she dragged you into that."
"Not your burden, dear," she soothed, patting my cheek. "Off you go before His Highness adds laps to your day." I chuckled along with her before I walked out.
Kevin escorted me to the Alpha's house in companionable silence, then peeled away on some errand. Inside, Cole opened the office door, expression glacier-cool.
Andrew stood center-room, arms folded, turquoise eyes fixed on me. "You can stay. One misstep, you're gone. Cole will show you a room in the pack house and explain chores—same rota as every she-wolf. Lisa will fill in details."
"Thank you, Alpha Andrew. I'll earn my keep, stay out of trouble, and treat this pack as my own family," I said, head bowed in respect. Easiest audition ever.
And if acting's required, I'm already warmed up.
Cole muttered, "You've already pulled drama."
"I barely spoke this morning. I was rinsing a plate—ask Lisa." My palms popped up in surrender.
Andrew waved a hand. "I've heard the whole story." Then he stepped in, lavender-and-woodsmoke scent curling around my nerves.Oddly calming "One warning, Manakel: hurt my people and the consequences are mine." His voice dipped to iceberg levels.
A gulp felt appropriate. I managed a nod.
"Dismissed."
Cole stalked for the door. I trailed him, pausing outside when children's laughter drifted across the green. Tiny legs, big dreams—no nightmares yet. I sent a silent prayer they'd keep it that way.
"What're you gawking at?" Cole barked. Someone needed decaf.
Back to marching. Mothers herded pups; a couple kissed on a porch. Love goals, my inner romantic sighed.
In the main house kitchen Lisa was dicing carrots. I barreled in for a hug. "Room secured! I'm officially a resident."
"Wonderful, dear." She beamed—until Cole swooped in, smacking a kiss to her cheek. "Mom, feed me."
My jaw dropped. "He's your son?"
"My always-hungry son," she said, giving his ear a gentle tug. "Are you craving something?"
"Sandwiches?" I asked, eyes wide with hope.
Her laugh was sunshine. While she assembled plates, Cole laid down the law. "Training field at 0700 sharp. No excuses. Mom will brief you on chores."
I saluted with zero enthusiasm.
Plates landed. First bite—heaven. I let out an involuntary happy hum and flashed her a grateful thumbs-up. Lisa arched a brow at
her son. "See? Learn something from her."
"I praise your cooking all the time!" Cole protested.
"Mm-hmm."
Lisa turned to me. "Dear, your duties: supervise the pups' play sessions in the woods and bake something daily for the canteen."
Kids and pastries? "Best assignment ever."
As pack members streamed in for dinner, I slipped onto the porch. A gentle breeze tugged at my hair while the sun melted into the horizon, painting the sky in streaks of fire and rose. Behind me drifted the cheerful racket of dishes clinking, voices overlapping, children whining and giggling. I let the sounds wash over me, breathed in the evening air, and allowed myself a quiet, contented smile.
For the first time since crash-landing into Lake Misery, life felt almost... normal. Almost.
I missed my people— Mom, Dad, Gabriel, Charmeine, Ariel, Nathaniel. Back home we'd crowd the table, trading jokes and elbow jabs. Ariel and Nathan tied the knot right before I left; picture-perfect. Meanwhile Gabby pretends he doesn't moon over Charm, and Charm pretends she's not head-over-wings for him. I'm rooting for those two blockheads to figure it out. Maybe one day I'll get to like someone that way—
"Manakel?"
I blinked up. Archie stood on the porch rail, two steaming mugs in hand.
"Archie? What are you doing?"
"Pretty sure I live here," he said, sliding onto the step beside me.
He set the cups between us. "Coffee. I saw you brooding out here and thought I'd keep you company—unless you'd rather brood
alone?"
"I don't mind," I said, smiling.
He bumped my shoulder. "So. What had you so deep in thought?"
"My family. I miss them." I tipped my head to the stars.
"Yeah." Silence settled, companionable but heavy. Then: "I'm sorry everyone's been cold. After the attack, outsiders equal danger."
Soon i am going to find what happened that day. Which affected them so badly.
"You've been decent, Archie. The others will thaw." I shrugged. "Pack instinct."
"They will," he agreed, relieved.
"Got siblings?"
"Two. Jason's seventeen, Lialah's thirteen—walking migraines." He laughed. "Tell me something random." He said, watching the
steam curl away as I sipped my coffee.
"I sing. Favorite color's turquoise." (Like a certain alpha's eyes, but that stayed in the vault.)
"Sing for me," he teased.
"In your dreams, Archie." I replied, rolling my eyes.
He waggled his brows. "Oh, you'll sing all right—right after you're screaming my name."
I smacked his shoulder. "Pig."
He wheezed, laughing"Ow! Hit like a tank, princess."
"Quit talking trash."
"Admit it—you're entertained." He attempted a seductive wink, failed spectacularly, and ended up blinking like a startled owl. I burst out laughing.
"You look like a drowning seal. Stop."
"But I made you laugh," he said proudly. "I'll take that as a win."
"Thanks. For the coffee... and for being disgusting."
The night air had turned crisp. I blew warmth into my hands as I stood up. "Come on. It's late."
"Time flies," he said, pushing to his feet.
Side by side, cups cooling in our hands, we went inside.
🌸🌸🌸
- Writer
