His Fallen Mate (Elemental Series #1)

Secret

Seraphina's POV

I was watching Dane's back as he led the way towards the stable. We just got off from the plain where cattle and sheep are placed. I never knew that the Lunar Pack was this animal-friendly, almost turning their place into a zoo.

"This is Abaddon," Dane introduced the first horse in the row.

As usual, the man appeared solemn, as if he was carrying the world's burden on his back. Or maybe he simply isn't pleased to see me. Well, he'd better get accustomed to it by now since I'll be staying here starting tomorrow. I even negotiated a deal with my father to spend my vacation here. Dad had not specifically requested me to investigate the place, but I had no other reason. If I told him I came here because I wanted to see him all the time, he'd think I was crazy, so I decided to tell a white lie earlier.

"This is Veronica," he added, pointing at the piebald horse. I was counting how many stalls there were within the stable, and there were 14 in total, seven on each side. Each horse in the stalls appeared to be in good shape and could be passed off as a warrior mount. A thought passed across my mind, making my lips purse into a smirk. I want to learn how to ride a horse. It's always been one of my wishlists that I haven't done yet.

"Are you listening?" Dane queried abruptly, his cheeks flushed. Perhaps irritated. Although I haven't heard what he's saying, I bite my bottom lip, lift my brows, and nod my head. I don't know what he's talking about because my thoughts were preoccupied earlier with my plans.

"f**k, I can't do this anymore," Dane grunted before leaving me alone inside the stalls. I really pissed him off. Instead of being upset or sorry about the circumstance, I found it amusing. He still has a bad temper.

Antonio appeared out of nowhere, saying, "I'm sorry, Ma'am Sera." I merely gave the man a short smile while nodding my head. It's not a big deal, besides, I'm the one who upset Dane.

"Antonio, do you know how to ride a horse?" I inquired after he had finished introducing the horses. One of the horses, the chestnut one, had piqued my interest.

"Yes, Ma'am Sera."

"Just call me Sera, Antonio," I uttered. Ma'am is too formal and it made me cringe at the mention of it. Our status ain't of a difference as we both come from the same clan—werewolves.

"By the way, I'd like to try horseback riding one of these days; could you teach me?" I said as we exited the stables. The vista on the horizon is beautiful; it exudes positive energy with clean air flowing in and out of the place. Living here is bliss aside from the animals that make the place more of a home.

"Sure, Sera."

"Okay, cool," I replied again. "How about a place for me to stay? Have you found one yet?" I informed him earlier that I wanted to stay in the pack for a little longer and asked him to find me a place to stay, either a condo or an apartment.

I don't want to stay in the packhouse as he had suggested earlier. Although it would be a fantastic plan to make Dane fall for me easily, I didn't want to bother him and his job, so I chose to keep a little distance from the packhouse. I am not a self-centered person who knows nothing but selfishness. Of course, I know how to consider other people's feelings too.

"Yes, it's just a kilometer from the packhouse and it's near my sister's house," he replied.

"Thanks, Antonio."

I wonder how Dane would react if he saw me tomorrow still wandering in here. Oh, I started to feel excited over a little matter.

Antonio guided me all throughout the way as we headed towards the apartment where I would be staying for the meantime. I did not bother getting my car in the packhouse and told Antonio to have it fetched for me. For now, I'll let Dane assume that I have been back home already and then surprise him tomorrow.

The apartment does not appear to be opulent in any way, unlike the seven-star apartments and condominiums where I stayed for a brief time throughout my overseas travels. The décor was simple and basic, with a hint of pastel pink and white. There is a small sofa, a kitchen, a bathroom, and one bedroom in total. It appears to be smaller than my last apartment, yet it feels cozy.

The creaking sound of the wooden door caused me to tilt my attention in that way. Antonio came into the picture with two large luggage in each hand. I quickly approached him and expressed my gratitude for his thoughtfulness.

"Did Dane see you?" I enquired as I assisted him in bringing my stuff into my room.

Antonio shook his head before leaving the house. I'd forgotten that he plays a part in the pack as well, and I shouldn't have bothered him in the first place. When I realized what I had done, I bit my nails in shame. I need to be extra careful and mindful now, considering that I'm in a different pack already. This is no longer my pack, hence, I must follow the Lunar Pack's ideals.

After soaking in my remorse, I decided to organize my belongings in the cabinet. My phone called shortly after, and Kia's name flashed across the screen. I assume she's wondering where I've gone this time. I failed to inform her that I would be staying in the Lunar Pack for a month while fulfilling my objectives.

After a little rest on the bed, I clicked the answer button. I'm not good at multitasking. I can't arrange my stuff while making calls. Often, I'll forget to respond on the phone, or I may not be able to organize my things properly. It's always been one task at a time. Well, time ain't running away though. There's no need to rush things because otherwise, you'll end up making mistakes, which will cost you additional time to change the course of the event.

I drew my phone away from my ears when the loud voice from the other line almost broke my eardrums. So loud as though she's talking to a deaf person. Kia and her loud voice...it never changed.

"Hey, Sera? Where have you gone? Dad said you're on vacation again? What's your plan?" she inquired continuously. I shook my head after hearing my sister's panicked voice.

"Why? Did you miss me already?"

"I'll be back there sooner," I added.

Every time I ventured away from the pack, Kia would beckon me. She will not quit bothering me until I tell her where I am. Nonetheless, she claims, it's for my own good. So they'll know where to look for me if I don't ever return home.

"Where are you?"

"Somewhere around the globe," I taunted.

The tigress has just awoken and exclaims, "Ember Seraphina! I'm not kidding! Where are you?" Hearing her irritated tone makes me laugh. Kia and her temper is a bad thing. She's the definition of prim and proper but with a temper like dust. I heaved a sigh as I stared at my French tip nails. Contemplating whether or not to tell her that I am in the Lunar Pack — the latter won.

"Come on, Kia, you don't need to know where I am," I said, pouting my lips despite the fact that she wouldn't be able to see me. I'm hesitant to inform my sister that I went in my beloved pack to complete the plan for some reason. I know I shouldn't have withheld this from Kia, but my ego commands it.

"Oh well, I'm not going to pressure you to tell me where you are; just return home safe, with no bruises, scars, or wounds, or you won't be able to explore the world again."

Hearing Kia's sweet threat, my lips pursed into a smile.

"All right, Kia, I still have a lot of stuff to arrange, so I'm going to end the call now, bye."

After we bid goodbyes, the call came to an end. I checked my wristwatch to see the time and realized that it was almost six o'clock in the evening. My feet guided me towards the window, taking a peek outside, and noticed how the once brilliant day had turned to dusk. But what worries me is the fact that I didn't know where I should get my meals or if there was someone I could hire to deliver them to me.

I wanted to call Antonio for help but I didn't even have his number. I groaned in disappointment and decided to browse on my phone looking for the nearest restaurant. My hand unconsciously clicked on the Food Panda app, which I used frequently when I was in Makati. After I discovered that some of the dishes were also available here, a smile was immediately plastered on my face. I suppose the Lunar Pack is coping with the world's rising economy.

Now, what do we do? I kept scrolling through my phone searching for my desired food for the night. My finger stopped, eyes locked on the picture presented on the screen, which caused me to salivate. I immediately clicked buffalo wings, sushi, japchae, corndog, and fruit tea. After pressing the "place my cart" option, I proceeded to pay with my credit card. Then, while waiting for the food to arrive, I went back to reorganizing my belongings so that I wouldn't be able to waste time and be productive for the time being. This is it.