Chapter 8
_Lisa’s POV_ I followed Rylan into the mansion, still trying to wrap my head around everything. The moment I stepped through the massive front doors, my breath caught in my throat. The main hall was… stunning. Warm golden light poured from the high chandeliers hanging above. The ceiling stretched so high it felt like I was standing in a castle. The walls were made of smooth stone, with accents of deep wood and soft cream paint. Large paintings hung in golden frames, and elegant rugs lined the polished floors. A fireplace crackled softly at the far end, its warmth spreading through the room. It was quiet, but not empty. I could hear the soft sound of someone laughing in another room, the clink of dishes, the distant humming of someone working. It felt alive. I had never been in a place like this. Not even the Alpha’s home in the Nightshade Pack came close. This place… it felt like a real home. My fingers curled into my sleeves as I followed Rylan across the hall. We reached a huge staircase at the center of the mansion. It curved upward like something out of a fairytale, with dark wooden steps and a glossy handrail. The steps were wide, smooth, and perfectly polished. Two matching lantern-style lights hung on either side, casting a soft glow over the stairs. “Wow,” I whispered. Rylan glanced at me and grinned. “It’s just stairs, Lisa.” “Yeah, but they’re fancy stairs.” He laughed, and the sound sent a little flutter through my chest. I followed him up slowly, gripping the smooth handrail as we climbed. My legs were still a bit sore, but I pushed through it. At the top, we stepped into a long corridor. The walls were lined with paintings of landscapes and forest scenes. There were doors on both sides—big, heavy doors with carved wooden frames and silver handles. “This way,” he said, leading me down the hall. We passed several doors before he stopped at one on the left. He turned the handle and pushed it open. I stepped inside… and froze. The room was massive. The walls were soft cream with golden trim. The floor was made of dark wood, and a plush white rug sat in the center. There was a huge bed with a carved headboard and thick, cozy-looking blankets in shades of beige and soft gray. A pair of tall windows let in the sunlight, and sheer curtains swayed gently in the breeze. There was a dresser with a mirror, a writing desk by the window, and a cozy armchair near the fireplace. A small chandelier hung from the ceiling, glittering in the light. “This is… this is too much,” I whispered. Rylan stepped beside me. “Not even close.” I shook my head slowly. “At my old pack… my sister got the big room. I always had the smaller one. This is bigger than our whole house.” “You deserve it,” he said simply. His voice was quiet but firm. Like he truly believed it. That made my throat tighten. I followed him into the room. My fingers brushed the edge of the bed. It felt like clouds. Everything smelled clean, fresh… like lavender and wood. “Please make yourself at home,” Rylan said. “My sister Alexandra helped set this up for you. She added some touches she thought you would like.” I turned to look at him. “Your sister?” He nodded. “She used to decorate homes for new pack members. She’s got a good eye for comfort.” “She did an amazing job,” I said softly. He smiled again. “I’m glad you like it.” Then he pointed down the hall. “My room is the last one at the end of the corridor. If you ever need anything—anything at all—you can come see me.” My heart skipped a beat. I didn’t know why those words felt so… intimate. But they did. I nodded slowly. “Okay.” There was a pause. Then his lips curved up into a teasing grin. “Though if you show up at my door in the middle of the night, don’t be surprised if I am shirtless.” My mouth fell open. My cheeks turned bright red. “W-What?!” He chuckled. He was clearly enjoying my reaction. “Just a warning. I don’t sleep in full Alpha uniform, you know.” I looked away, my face burning. “You’re impossible.” He laughed again. “You keep saying that.” I crossed my arms, trying to ignore how warm my face was. “Well, you are.” “You’re cute when you’re flustered.” My eyes widened. “I’m not flustered.” “Sure, you’re not.” I stared at him, not knowing what to say. Why was he acting like this? No one had ever teased me like that. Flirting wasn’t something I knew how to handle. I wasn’t the pretty one. That had always been Roxanne. She was the one boys looked at, the one who turned heads. I was the one they ignored. The one who got called weak and useless. I was a burden. So why was he looking at me like that? Like I mattered. I glanced down at myself—at the oversized clothes. I was still wearing the bandages under my sleeves and the faded bruises on my arms. There was nothing special about me. But Rylan was looking at me like I was the only thing in the room. “I don’t get it,” I whispered before I could stop myself. His brows furrowed. “Don’t get what?” “Why are you being so… nice to me? I’m not strong or beautiful or anything. I’m just… me.” He was quiet for a moment. Then he stepped closer. “You’re more than you think, Lisa.” I looked up at him, my heart pounding. His voice was low and steady. “You were strong enough to survive a rogue attack. Brave enough to leave behind a pack that didn’t value you. And kind enough to thank the doctor even when you were in pain.” He tilted his head. “And for the record… I think that you’re beautiful.” I blinked. No one had ever said that to me before. I swallowed hard. My throat was tight. “You don’t have to say that.” “I’m not saying it because I have to.” His eyes searched mine. “I’m saying it because it’s true.” I didn’t know what to say. My heart was beating so fast I could barely hear anything else. Then, as if realizing he had said too much, Rylan stepped back slightly. He ran a hand through his hair, looking a little embarrassed for the first time. “Anyway,” he said, clearing his throat, “you should rest. You’ve had a long few days. If you need anything—food, clothes, a different blanket—just let me know.” I nodded slowly. “Okay.” He gave me one last look—a soft one, the kind that made my chest ache—and turned to leave. But before he closed the door behind him, he glanced over his shoulder. “I meant what I said,” he murmured. “You’re not a burden here, Lisa. You’re safe. You’re wanted.” Then, the door closed with a soft click. And I just stood there, staring at it, my heart thudding in my chest. I didn’t know what was happening between us. But for the first time in my life… I didn’t feel invisible. I felt seen. And that feeling scared me more than anything else. But maybe… just maybe… it was also the start of something new. Something I wasn’t ready for. But desperately needed.
