Priscilla slowly awoke to the sounds of birds chirping outside the Inn window and to the scent of peppermint. Before she could fully open her eyes, she felt something hard and broad below her. Warmth radiated beneath her skin as she fully opened her eyes to see Alex sleeping beneath her. She wondered when he got into bed last night and why she was laying on top of him. It was embarrassing.
She stiffened her body and began to slowly pull away from the Alpha. Before she could fully detach, Alex pulled her back into his embrace— eyes still shut, in slumber. His arms wrapped tightly around her waist, yet still gentle in strength. Priscilla sighed in defeat and settled into his embrace. It's not like it was inherently wrong, but she felt like she was starting to get attached. She still didn't know if she could fully trust Alex. He saved her and had been treating her with care, but she feared something would change eventually.
Happy moments never lasted.
Priscilla looked up at the Alpha who slept like he didn't have a care in the world. His chiseled face and messy dark blue hair were striking. She stared at him for what felt like awhile. His hair looked soft and shiny and she felt the urge to touch a strand or two. Her eyes drifted away from his hair to his face to make sure he was still deep in slumber. After she saw a few more deep breaths rise and fall from his chest, she slowly moved her hands towards his blue hair.
"What are you doing?" Alex spoke groggily, eyes still closed.
Priscilla's breath hitched and her heart pounded in her chest. She was caught. Alex slowly opened his eyes to see Priscilla's pink face and widened eyes.
"Good morning," Alex said playfully, still half asleep.
Priscilla gulped and continued to stare at Alex.
"Are you okay? Did I interrupt you from fondling my hair?" Alex asked with a grin.
Priscilla's mouth opened in shock and she immediately pushed Alex away.
"I was not!"
Alex caught Priscilla's hands at the last minute and pulled her close, their faces just inches apart.
"I never said I didn't like it," Alex whispered.
His cool breath spread across Priscilla's face and she took in his sweet scent. It smelled faintly like peppermint. She didn't know what to say or how to feel. Why were they so close? Was he teasing her? They laid close and Priscilla could feel heat rushing to her cheeks. Alex noticed and moved half a centimeter closer. Before she could respond, Alex's eyes lost focus.
"Alpha, are you and uh Priscilla ready? Charles and I got breakfast sandwiches for everyone. We can eat it in the car," Raphael spoke via mind link.
Alex sighed deeply and spoke, "We will be ready in 30 minutes. Thank you."
"Alex..?" Priscilla asked concerned.
Alex smiled at her and spoke, "I'm okay. My Beta, Raphael, mind linked me."
Priscilla had no idea what a mind link was but she inferred that it most likely meant communicating with your mind. She was intrigued.
"Let us get ready and make our way downstairs. We will eat breakfast in the car," Alex said.
Priscilla nodded and they both got up from the bed to get ready for the day.
Alex and Priscilla made their way downstairs to check out of the Inn. Charles and Raphael stood outside the front door with bags of food in hand. As Alex and Priscilla exited and approached the two men, the smell of eggs and bacon made her stomach grumble. Her cheeks immediately turned pink from embarrassment. She hoped no one else had heard her stomach.
Everyone got in the car but, this time, with Alex driving. Raphael was about to sit in the front passenger seat until Alex shot him a look. That seat belonged to his mate, Priscilla.
"Priscilla, would you like to sit up front with me?"
Raphael was taken aback at his Alpha's attention constantly being directed on Priscilla. No way was she just some servant. Who was this mysterious woman and why did she have such an effect on Alex? Raphael couldn't come up with anything besides girlfriend, secret wife, or…mate.
Priscilla looked at Alex then towards Raphael then back at Alex. She saw Raphael had wanted to sit in the front and felt guilty. Raphael noticed and quickly reassured her.
"Priscilla, please sit in the front. I can sit in the back with Charles. He's an odd fellow and prefers my company."
"Huh?" Charles asked, slightly offended at being called odd.
Alex gave a single nod towards Raphael and Priscilla sat in the front.
The car ride was lively as everyone ate sandwiches and Alex explained some things about his pack to Priscilla. He told her about the geography and the customs of his pack. Every holiday celebrated, the stores that filled the town, and some members of the pack that would help her feel at home. Priscilla's head inflated with all the information Alex relayed to her. She tightened her palms in her lap. She didn't know if she would be accepted or shunned like at the Fairy Palace, but the thought of sticking by Alex calmed her anxiety.
The car entered Alex's territory by sunset. Forestry and black stonewalls surrounded them. Guards surrounded the gates as they opened for their Alpha. As they drove in, shops and stone buildings stood erect within the town. Wolves gathered in groups and socialized merrily.
Priscilla was speechless as she took everything in. This was completely different from the Fairy Palace and much more vast. Her heart pounded with excitement and fear at what to expect. Her hand instinctively reached out to squeeze Alex's thigh. Alex kept his eyes ahead as he pulled into the packhouse driveway but placed his hand on hers with a small squeeze.
"We are here. Priscilla, this is your new home." Alex spoke endearingly.
Charles and Raphael exited the car and greeted the Omega staff members.
"Take the blue luggage and the black bookbag to the Alpha's chambers at once," Charles ordered the staff.
The staff nodded and swiftly collected the Alpha's luggage and proceeded inside the pack house.
Alex opened the front passenger door and guided Priscilla out of the car.
"How do you feel?" Alex asked Priscilla.
She was still speechless. She stared at Alex and nodded. He chuckled at her astonishment and walked her inside. As soon as they entered, they were greeted by more Omega staff members. Priscilla was shocked to see that the servants here didn't have bruises and they genuinely looked like they enjoyed working. She took a mental note of that.
"Let's go to your room and after you unwind, I will give you a tour," Alex spoke.
Just before Alex could escort Priscilla upstairs to her room, he received a mind link from Raphael.
"Alpha, you have an important meeting with the Silvertails pack in 10 minutes."
Alex rolled his eyes and furrowed his brows in frustration. What the hell? He was excited to finally be able to spend one on one time with Priscilla and now that was impossible. He always forgot the date and time of his meetings and Raphael always reminded him at the worst times.
"Sure," Alex replied, annoyed.
Alex mind linked one of his well trusted staff members.
"Liora, I have a new pack member downstairs with me. I have a meeting in a few minutes so I can't show her around. Please give her a proper tour in my stead."
"Sure thing Alpha," Liora replied.
Alex looked at Priscilla with pain across his face. It was so hard parting from her but he didn't have a choice.
"Priscilla, I unfortunately cannot show you around since I have a meeting to attend. But I have someone else that can and they can answer any questions you have."
Priscilla's chest tightened with anxiety at the thought of being separated from Alex. She wasn't sure if she was ready to get close with others. She was only used to Alex. Alex saw her hesitation and caressed her cheek.
"Hello Alpha and newest member!"
Alex and Priscilla both turned to look at a woman with brown eyes and a blonde ponytail. She wore glasses and a white doctor's coat. She smiled at them as she approached.
"You're here. Priscilla, this is Liora. She is the pack's junior nurse and support member for new pack members."
Priscilla gulped and waved as she stood slightly behind Alex.
"Liora, this is Priscilla. She is a fairy and former servant and now our newest pack member. Please take care of her," Alex spoke.
Liora nodded and bent down a little to connect with Priscilla at eye level.
"Hey Priscilla. I'm Liora. I would love to show you around and answer any questions you have. No need to be scared, this is your new home."
Priscilla looked at Alex who gave her an affirming nod and she slowly stepped out of Alex's shadow to approach Liora. Alex smiled and knew he had nothing to worry about. He gave the two women a single nod and left to attend his meeting.
Priscilla didn't know what to exactly think of Liora but she seemed friendly. She smiled a lot too. So far, no one seemed miserable or hurt in the pack house and that made Priscilla ease up a bit. She walked side by side with Liora as she showed her the layout of her new life.