Chapter 3: Welcome Home
1563 Words
Chapter 3: Welcome Home
(Aspen's POV)
The frosted ground crunched as I forced myself to move forward, step by deliberate step, toward the towering gates of the Wintercrest Pack house. The air was sharp with ice and anticipation.
My heart felt like a drum in my chest, each beat controlled but strong. I could feel the weight of years pressing down on me.
It was massive, this place—stone walls tall and unyielding, its spires reaching up like claws against the pale morning sky. Not just a house, but a fortress, radiating power and authority.
Every instinct in me screamed to turn back. To shift into my true form and run far away. But retreat wasn’t an option.
Instead, I forced myself smaller. Weaker. Less than I was.
Cora, my wolf, paced in my mind. She hated the submissive posture I had locked us into. I could feel her outrage vibrating through every part of me. My claws itched to unsheathe, my fangs throbbed, but I shoved it down.
“This is part of the plan,” I reminded her silently.
Ahead of me, lined in neat rows, were members of the pack. High-ranking wolves stood in formation—Betas, Deltas, and others forming a welcome circle. They lowered their heads in greeting, solemn and subdued as tradition demanded.
“Welcome home, Miss. Aspen,” they chorused politely.
The words were alien in my ears, a name I had never once been called before this moment. My fingers tightened slightly, but I made sure my expression stayed calm. Shy.
"It's okay," Luna Serena was by my side in an instant, her voice soft and soothing. Her hand brushed mine gently. "Take your time, my sweet girl. You've been through so much."
I glanced at her and then the gathered wolves. My breath hitched as if nervous. It wasn’t entirely fake—seeing an entire pack regard me with such reverence made anxiety churn low in my stomach.
Instinctively, I pressed closer to Serena, allowing a flicker of vulnerability to show. “It’s a lot,” I whispered, letting my voice waver ever so slightly.
Serena responded with warmth so overwhelming it was nearly unbearable. Her grip on my arm tightened reassuringly. “It’s all right. We’ll walk with you. We’re here. You’re home.”
I nodded simply, lowering my head as if to hide.
“Stay sharp,” I reminded myself. “This isn't trust. It’s diplomacy. Nothing more.”
From the corner of my vision, Nathan, the eldest brother, moved into position almost automatically. His presence beside us was steady, unshakeable, though his sharp amber gaze roved over every face in the gathering. Protective, commanding, like any true Alpha.
Gabriel hovered just behind him, his silver eyes faintly glowing. The air hummed faintly around him, his magic like a silent specter. His aura wasn’t overwhelming like Nathan’s drive for power, but it stretched still—a testing touch, searching for danger, for lies.
Ethan, the youngest, gave no such calculation. His energy was open, bright as sunlight cutting through clouds. The grin on his face as he saw me approach was real, a youthful joy untainted by suspicion.
“You’ve really come home,” he said, his voice so full of awe that it almost made my steps falter.
I swallowed and didn’t let myself respond, just giving the faintest nod.
Nathan stepped forward at that moment, his towering frame subtly inserting itself between me and the brunt of the rising crowd’s attention. His Alpha aura expanded, blanketing the area like a shield.
“Let’s get inside. It’s too cold for long conversations,” he ordered firmly, nodding toward our parents.
“Of course,” Marcus Winters said with authority. His voice carried strength but held a warmth I hadn’t expected. “Come, little one. There’s no need to linger in the doorway.”
I let the Winters family guide me past the gathered high-ranking pack members. Their eyes followed me, filled with practiced smiles, attempts at warmth, and in some cases, pity.
Every step toward the looming double doors felt heavy. My heart beat faster as Cora stirred again, her discomfort matching my own.
But we crossed the threshold.
---
The interior of the Wintercrest Pack house was breathtaking in its stark elegance. The ceilings soared above us, dotted with carefully hung chandeliers made of bone and crystal. Everything about this place spoke of history and power, from the tapestries depicting their great accomplishments to the subtle engravings edged with protective runes.
Ethan, ever lighthearted, practically bounced ahead. “This is the main hall, Aspen! You have to see—oh, the training grounds are absolutely insane!”
His eagerness was so genuine that it caught me completely off guard. My lips twitched upward before I stifled it into something resembling a shy smile. “That… sounds amazing,” I said quietly, though my voice came out steadier than I intended.
Nathan rolled his eyes, exasperation flickering like a shadow over his amusement. “You’re going to scare her with all your rambling, pup,” he said dryly.
“You never scared me!” Ethan protested, trying to duck when Gabriel reached over to ruffle his hair with mocking affection.
“You were never scared because you’re still a pup,” Gabriel teased.
Despite their banter, I felt their attention split between each other and me. They weren’t letting their guard down. Not in the slightest.
Luna Serena stayed close, her steady presence at my side grounding me as my wolf simmered beneath the surface. Every detail screamed at me to pay attention to what hid beneath the surface of this ancestral home. And so I did.
The guards stationed subtly behind towering pillars. The relics that hummed faintly with old energy. The doorways strategically positioned to serve as escapes or defensive choke points.
Everything was calculated—deliberate in its design.
Marcus spoke as we were led down one hall after another, his voice rich and reverent as he pointed out various artifacts.
“This is a tapestry of our first Luna. And here…” He paused to gesture at a sword mounted on the wall. Its blade shimmered faintly, edged with rune-etched steel. “…it’s said this blade struck down the first rogue to ever challenge Wintercrest.”
“That’s amazing,” I murmured. And it was, though for entirely different reasons. It was a weapon meant to be taken seriously, if ever necessary. I filed it away in my mental map of the estate.
Gabriel’s voice chimed in suddenly. “Mother, shouldn’t she rest in the family wing once we’re done here?”
Serena gave me a warm smile. “Of course. We’ll settle her in.”
“It’s not far. I’ll take her,” Ethan offered eagerly.
Lunch was a quieter affair than I expected, though the weight of their attention never lessened.
The table stretched on, ample space for even the largest of gatherings. But today, it was filled only with the core Wintercrest family surrounding me.
Traditional dishes were served first, their aromas heady with delicious spices and savory blends.
“Start with this,” Serena said softly, placing a dish closest to me. Her maternal eyes lingered, pleased when I hesitantly accepted small bites.
Nathan ate quietly, his sharp gaze never really leaving me. I could feel his pressure. He didn’t speak unless spoken to, though his silence felt louder than actual words.
Gabriel, by contrast, was conversational—half-teasing, half-probing. “Aspen, do you cook? Or is all this a bit overwhelming?”
The question caught me. I blinked, hesitating only for an extra second before responding. “A little… but nothing like this,” I admitted softly, hoping my answer felt genuine.
“You’ll learn,” Serena assured me, her tone warm as ever.
Ethan leaned forward in his seat, grinning. “You don’t have to, though. I’ll sneak you something from the kitchens whenever you want!”
His enthusiasm was disarming. I couldn’t help the faint, startled laugh that rose unbidden in my throat.
It turned a few sharp gazes softened, even Nathan’s.
Climbing up tensions aside, they were family after all. A family I hoped would never fully find out what a liar I was.
Finally, we reached the family wing—calm and quiet compared to the hustle of the broader estate.
“This is your room,” Serena said gently, leading me to a door that opened into a surprisingly cozy suite.
It was clear they’d gone out of their way to make it feel like home.
The bed was low, with furs layered high for warmth. Crystals glimmered faintly near the bedside table, no doubt Ethan’s doing, charged with faint healing energy.
“Gabriel sealed the room for extra protection,” Nathan added, though his voice was casual.
“Get comfortable,” Serena urged softly. “Tomorrow is a big day.”
I nodded, clutching the small package she handed me. Inside, there was a ceremonial robe adorned with embroidery marked with undeniable dignity and grace—even as my Alpha wolf seethed with disdain, revolting at the lies required tomorrow.
Finally alone, I let out a heavy breath. The silence was deafening.
Cora paced restlessly in my mind. She wasn’t worried about tomorrow. No, she was furious I’d have to bow in front of others.
- Writer
