Chapter 12
BLOOD CRESCENT
FAYE
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As the car pulled up in front of the Blood Crescent pack house, Cole turned to me and said,” We’ve arrived,” as if I couldn’t already tell.
The mansion before us was impossible to miss. Still, I understood he was just trying to be polite, probably trying to ease the tension he could sense radiating from me.
I didn’t say anything. The building loomed ahead, grand and intimidating, with towering pillars that framed tall, glossy double doors. The silence that surrounded it felt thick, almost unnatural–like the house was holding its breath, or maybe it was just me.
Before I could reach for the door handle, Cole was already out and walking quickly to my side. He opened the door for me, offering a small smile as I stepped out. The gentleman act threw me off slightly.
Was this how they treated their Luna here? Or was Cole just naturally this attentive, the kind of man who made a woman feel like she mattered?
It was a sweet gesture, I had to admit, but it made me a little uneasy. I wasn’t used to being fussed over unnecessarily, I was a warrior for goodness sake, not some princess. My upbringing in Silver Hollow had taught me to do things for myself. Even when I was announced as Alexander’s mate, no one had gone out of their way to roll out a red carpet. Still, I wasn’t going to push against Cole’s gesture, so I smiled politely.
“Thank you,” I said.
“You’re welcome, Luna,” he replied, giving me a slight nod.
I glanced around the compound. It was quiet, uncomfortably so. No one stood outside. There were no howls or voices in the distance, no sign of Alexander waiting on the porch to welcome me home. It was just me, Cole, and a large, empty space.
No welcome committee, I guess.
No excited pack members lining up to meet their new Luna.
No Alpha Alexander.
I wasn’t sure how I felt about that.
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Chapter 12
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Grateful, maybe? At least, I didn’t have to pretend to be excited, I didn’t have to smile at strangers or meet curious gazes trying to study the woman who had somehow become their Luna. Then again, I couldn’t help but feel the tiniest sting of rejection.
Cole seemed to sense my confusion.
“This way, Luna,” he said gently. “Don’t worry about your things. Someone will take care of bringing them in.”
I fell into step beside him as we approached the front doors. I couldn’t stop my eyes from drinking in every inch of the structure.
“You’ll love it here, don’t worry,” Cole said. I guess he took my expression for skepticism.
I felt the need to correct that impression for some reason. “I always thought the Silver Hollow pack house was big,” I said. “But this makes that one look… small.”
Cole laughed softly. “Oh! I see…this is just the front. You should wait till you see the rest of it. The west wing alone could house an entire pack on its own.”
“I can’t wait,” I replied, managing a weak smile.
We stepped into the house, and my jaw nearly dropped. Polished wooden floors stretched into a long hallway flanked with intricately carved walls and soft–glowing sconces. The ceilings were ridiculously high, with crystal chandeliers hanging like floating stars. Everything gleamed, smelled expensive, and whispered, you don’t belong here.
Don’t get me wrong, we’re not small or poor at Silver Hollow. But you know how you think you’re all that…then you meet the real boss in the game, and then suddenly realize you’re not all that? Yes, that’s just it.
“How many rooms are in this house?” I asked, trying to shake off the growing tightness in my
chest.
“Sixty–three,” Cole answered, as if it were perfectly normal.
I gaped. “Seriously?”
“Including the guest suites, training quarters, library, and offices,” he added. “Alexander’s father liked things big. Overcompensated, if you ask me….he did most of this.”
I chuckled. “Sounds like a lot of maintenance.”
“That’s why we have staff,” he said, then glanced sideways at me. “But don’t worry, you won’t have to lift a finger unless you want to.”
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< Chapter 12
“I might,” I muttered. “Lifting fingers keeps me sane.”
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We passed corridor after corridor. The deeper we walked into the house, the more I realized just how lost I would be without help.
“I’m guessing I’ll need a map just to find the bathroom,” I said.
Cole chuckled. “Nah, just give it a day or two. You’ll be leading people around by the end of
the week.”
I didn’t answer. I wasn’t sure I’d be here by the end of the week.
Finally, he stopped in front of a pair of double doors. He reached into his pocket, pulled out a key, and unlocked them. He stepped aside and gestured for me to enter.
“This is your chamber,” he said.
I stepped inside slowly. The room was beautiful…lavish, even. Cream–colored walls, high arched windows with sheer white curtains, a bed so large it looked like it could fit five people. There was a vanity table, a couch set, and a fireplace already crackling with warmth.
Still… it felt foreign like it wasn’t meant for me.
“Where is everyone?” I finally asked, turning to face Cole.
He blinked. “Oh…sorry, I should have mentioned that earlier. They’re all at the square right now for the weekly assembly. It’s standard protocol here. Alexander’s probably still addressing the pack. They should be back soon.”
I nodded slowly. “Okay.”
Cole offered a small, apologetic smile. “I’ll let you settle in. If you need anything, I’ll be downstairs.”
I quirked a brow. “Assuming I can even find downstairs.”
That made him laugh again. “Fair point. I’ll have someone stationed nearby in case you need help navigating. It can be overwhelming at first.”
“Thanks,” I said, then added quickly, “Oh, and… my luggage?”
“Would be right on its way up,” he assured me. “I’ll make sure they know to be gentle with everything.”
“Thank you,” I said again.
Cole gave me a small bow of his head and stepped out, quietly closing the door behind him.
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The moment he was gone, I stood there in the middle of the room, arms crossed over my chest, staring at the empty space around me.
This was it.
My new home…my new identity. Ready or not, I was here.
I walked over to the window and peeked through the curtains. The compound was still silent, the car already gone. Somewhere out there, my mate was addressing his people. Somewhere out there, everyone already knew I had arrived.
And
yet, here I was, alone in a grand room, with no idea how to feel.
I let out a long, shaky breath and murmured to myself, “Welcome to Blood Crescent, Faye.”
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