The Mansion Of Secrets
974 Words
The drive to Kael Draven’s mansion was silent.
Painfully silent.
Elias sat by the window of the luxury SUV, staring at the city lights rushing past while trying his best to ignore the Alpha seated across from him.
Unfortunately, the bond made that impossible.
Even without looking at Kael, he could feel him.
Every shift.
Every breath.
Every subtle change in emotion.
It was enough to drive anyone insane.
“Stop it.”
Kael looked up from his phone.
“Stop what?”
“Existing.”
Vivian, who was sitting beside Kael, burst out laughing.
Kael remained completely serious.
“I’ll see what I can do.”
Elias groaned and turned back toward the window.
This was going to be a nightmare.
Forty minutes later, the SUV slowed.
Then stopped.
Elias looked outside.
And immediately understood why people called Kael one of the richest men in the country.
The mansion looked less like a home and more like a private kingdom.
Massive iron gates.
Elegant gardens.
Three fountains.
Security everywhere.
The mansion itself stood proudly at the center of the estate, glowing beneath the moonlight like something out of a movie.
“That’s a house?”
Vivian smiled.
“Technically.”
“It’s bigger than my entire neighborhood.”
“No argument there.”
The gates opened.
The SUV rolled forward.
As they approached the entrance, dozens of staff members lined up outside.
Maids.
Butlers.
Security personnel.
Gardeners.
Everyone stood perfectly still.
Waiting.
The vehicle stopped.
A driver rushed to open Kael’s door.
The Alpha stepped out first.
Instantly, every employee lowered their heads.
The level of respect was almost frightening.
Then Elias exited.
The moment he did—
Every head snapped upward.
Shock spread through the crowd.
Whispers erupted immediately.
“An Omega?”
“Inside the estate?”
“Who is he?”
“Why is he with Alpha Kael?”
The whispers stopped the second Kael glanced their way.
Fear worked faster than any warning.
Elias folded his arms.
“Your employees gossip a lot.”
“They enjoy living.”
“Clearly.”
Before Kael could reply, the front door opened.
A tall older man stepped outside.
His silver hair was neatly combed.
His suit was immaculate.
And his expression was unreadable.
“Welcome home, Alpha.”
Kael nodded.
“Good evening, James.”
The older man looked toward Elias.
His eyes widened slightly.
Not much.
Just enough for Elias to notice.
Interesting.
Even this man hadn’t expected him.
“Prepare a room in the east wing,” Kael ordered.
James hesitated.
For exactly one second.
Then bowed his head.
“As you wish, Alpha.”
Elias immediately noticed it.
That hesitation.
Small.
But significant.
Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
The moment they entered the mansion, Elias nearly stopped walking.
The interior was stunning.
Crystal chandeliers.
Marble floors.
Artwork worth millions.
A grand staircase that curved elegantly toward the upper floors.
This wasn’t a mansion.
It was a palace.
“How many people live here?” Elias asked.
Kael removed his coat.
“Twenty-seven.”
Elias nearly choked.
“Twenty-seven?”
“Employees.”
“Oh.”
A beat passed.
“That’s somehow worse.”
Vivian laughed again.
Elias was beginning to suspect she enjoyed his suffering.
They moved through several hallways before reaching a private elevator.
Kael pressed a button.
The doors opened.
Inside, everything was gold and black.
Of course it was.
The elevator carried them upward.
Then stopped.
When the doors opened, Elias found himself standing in an entire wing dedicated to luxury.
Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the city.
Soft lighting illuminated elegant hallways.
And every door looked expensive enough to pay his rent for a year.
James led them toward a large suite.
“The room has been prepared.”
Kael nodded.
James opened the door.
Elias stepped inside.
Then froze.
The room was enormous.
A king-sized bed sat in the center.
A private living room occupied one side.
There was a fireplace.
A personal office.
And what looked suspiciously like a walk-in closet larger than his apartment.
“This is a room?”
Kael looked confused.
“Yes.”
“Your definition of room is terrifying.”
Vivian covered her mouth to hide a smile.
Elias walked farther inside.
Then stopped.
His eyes narrowed.
Something felt strange.
The bond.
It wasn’t reacting to Kael.
It was reacting to something else.
Something nearby.
A scent lingered faintly in the room.
Not Alpha.
Not Omega.
Beta.
Female.
Recent.
Very recent.
Someone had been here.
And they weren’t happy about his arrival.
The realization sent a chill down his spine.
Someone already knew about him.
Someone already hated him.
A knock interrupted his thoughts.
James stepped inside carrying a tablet.
His expression was careful.
Too careful.
“Alpha.”
Kael accepted the device.
The moment he looked at the screen, his eyes hardened.
Dangerously.
Vivian noticed immediately.
“What happened?”
Kael’s jaw tightened.
“There’s been a security breach.”
The room went silent.
“What kind?” Vivian asked.
Kael turned the screen toward her.
Elias couldn’t see the details.
But whatever was on it made Vivian pale.
“That’s impossible.”
“Apparently not.”
A cold feeling settled in Elias’s stomach.
The bond pulsed uneasily.
Warning him.
Something was coming.
Kael suddenly looked at him.
Not with annoyance.
Not with indifference.
With concern.
And somehow that terrified Elias more.
“From this moment forward,” Kael said quietly, “you do not leave this wing alone.”
Elias frowned.
“What happened?”
Kael’s silver eyes darkened.
“Someone knows you’re here.”
A chill swept through the room.
The bond pulsed again.
This time with fear.
And Elias realized something important.
The danger wasn’t the bond.
It wasn’t Kael.
It wasn’t even the mansion.
The real danger…
Had just found him.
To Be Continued
- Writer
