Raina's Reign

Chapter 5: The greenhouse

----- Hyde's pov -----

After the encounter with Alpha Rollin, I had the urge to check up on Raina. I was thinking about Rollin's words all day and I couldn't focus on my paperwork.

'Do you really think she needs us disturbing her peace?' Mason growled in my mind. 

'Either way, don't you think she might need someone that feels like he cares? She has been alone for too long.' I snapped back at my wolf. 

I quickly got through the preparation process of the festival and made sure everything was ready for tomorrow's starting ceremony. Tomorrow, a feast would take place in the mansion to celebrate the start of the festival. Every pack received the invitation at their hotel rooms as they waited in anticipation to meet the Lightclaw Alpha. As soon as I finished the inspection, I started walking up the stairs and headed to Raina's room. When I stood outside her room, I hesitated but after what seemed like a century, I built up the courage and knocked on her door. I was waiting  for an answer, but nothing happened. I tried to smell Raina, but I did not catch her scent. 

I could recognize her scent instantly. In my mind, Raina's scent was strong and carried a note of peacefulness.

'I'm in the garden. Is anything wrong?' her voice echoed in my mind startling me.

'I wanted to check up on you. Sorry for disturbing you' I mind-linked back hesitantly. Maybe I shouldn't..

'Join me if you want. We deserve a moment of peace before the festival don't we?' Raina answered back.

This time, without hesitating, I started walking to the back of the mansion in order to get to the garden. The mansion's garden was connected to the forest. Because of the heavy snow during the winter in Iceland, the mansion had a greenhouse on the side. Raina loved gardening and the greenhouse would keep her busy in the winter. The mansion's walls were filled with vines climbing up the grey stones when winter was not that rough. Raina also took care of the plants around the mansion. Much to the servant's surprise she never asked for help. She would even help them when she was not busy, but they were feeling embarrassed and always declined politely.

As I was slowly approaching the garden the smell of sandalwood, hydrangeas and blueberries started lingering in the air. I was getting close. As soon as I got out of the mansion, I tried to follow the scent. I found myself walking towards the greenhouse that Raina said would be. Upon entering the scent became stronger and filled my nostrils as my wolf, Mason, purred in happiness. I found Raina watering her newly planted roses. 

'I will never get used to this scent' Mason said to me but I ignored his remark.

'You know you can tell others to do that right?' I asked her in a friendly tone still ignoring Mason in my mind.

'I know but how will I relax?' she jokingly said. 'Care to join?' she asked.

I took a watering can and went next to Raina to help her. 

'You know.. Tomorrow will be a big day for you. I will be next to you as well as all the pack.' I said to her in a serious tone.

'I know. And I will be forever grateful' she said. I smiled and continued.

'The preparations for tomorrow's feast are ready.' and as I was about to continue talking, I stopped. 

Raina must have noticed my change of mind, got closer to me, and smiled. I looked in her eyes and hesitantly continued stumbling with my words.

'Do you.. m-maybe want me to umm.. take care of the Midnight pack? I'm not sure if I will be able to ignore their Alpha's attitude. I noticed Conan behind you in the dining room t-trying to hold b-back.' I said unsure.

Raina laughed as she listened to my comment.

'Well, that's why I chose Conan as my butler. His patience is never-ending!' she grinned. 'I'm sure you know my history with the Midnight pack. It would be a shame if you took away my chance of revenge, wouldn't it?' she asked and immediately stared at me. 

'Noooope! I'm not. I'm not risking my life.' I thought. 'That was the wrong move.' Mason said. 

I knew that if I dared to do anything without her permission, especially to the Midnight pack, I would be dead in an instant. 

'Besides, it's been a long time Accalia tasted some blood.' she said and turned back to watering her roses. 

Hearing that, I felt shivers down my spine. This woman had such a peaceful look, yet I could feel her powerful and dangerous aura spreading in the greenhouse. To be honest, I now regret asking her about the Midnight pack and froze in my place. 

Raina must have noticed the awkwardness and turned her head up to look at me again since I was taller than her. She placed her watering can down and tried to place my hands on my cheeks. Her cold hands reached my face and I could feel her cold fingers on my burning cheeks. 

'Now now.. There is no need to feel regretful. I appreciate your concern, but this is a matter I must deal on my own. A lesson needs to be taught.' she said as she was looking straight into my eyes. 'You should be more focused maybe in finding a mate? Who knows? Maybe this festival is your chance in love!' she exclaimed as she smiled and let go of my face.

'I need to go and prepare for tomorrow. If there is anything let me know' she said as she took her leave from the greenhouse.

I stood there dumbfounded and after Raina left, I slowly placed my hands where Raina touched me. 

'Don't get excited old wolf' I said as I felt Mason stirring up inside me. I then left the greenhouse with the smell of sandalwood, hydrangeas, and blueberries still in my nostrils.

----- Raina's pov -----

As soon as I left the greenhouse, I went back to my room in order to prepare for tomorrow's feast. I know that tomorrow is going to be a long day full of surprises.

'It's time to get revenge I see? Finally..' Accalia said in my mind and I smiled as I felt my wolf's excitement.

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The next day I woke up and followed my daily routine. I showered, dressed in black and grey as always with my favorite vans and went downstairs to enjoy my breakfast with the pack. Before entering I could feel the presence of my pack already inside the room. When I opened the doors, everyone stared at me as they slowly got up from their tables, bend their knees and bowed down. They were more serious than ever.

'What are you all doing so early here? I thought I'm always the first one to arrive.' I jokingly said as they slowly started standing up again to see me smiling at them. I continued walking and sat down at the head of the table.

'Today will be an important day for the pack. We will finally show our true strength to everyone. But you should, also, expect negative comments from the other packs.' I tried to stare at everyone. 

'I'm asking for your patience and once again your trust. I know we are not used to opening our doors to everyone, but this is something we must do in order to prevail! Have trust in me.' The confidence in my voice made them relax a little bit, showing me their smiles. 

When I finished my sentence, each and every one of the pack members that were in the dining room slowly formed a punch with their right hand and placed it on their left side where their heart was.

This was to show me that not only did they trust me with their heart, but I also had their souls.