With great reluctance, I agreed. The alliance was too important to discard, regardless of my wounded pride and heart. We finally hugged it out and I insisted I would come on by the next day.
By Noonday, I arrived at Stormhowl Pack but as the gates opened, I noticed there was a crowd at the entrance of the gate, thinking they had come for me, I came out of my transport, only for me to spot Nadia at the centre of the crowd, talking and greeting them. Our gaze met and she skipped to where I was.
“Welcome Luna Elara,” she said with a warm smile that seemed sincere, her voice sweet as honey. “We’re so honored to have you join our pack".
I forced a smile, returning her greeting with as much grace as I could since the people were staring at us now. “Thank you, Nadia. I look forward to getting to know everyone".
As she hugged me, Nyx’s voice reached my ears. “Be careful of her. Her smile doesn’t reach her eyes. She could be dangerous".
Cyrus then appeared, moving to my side and placing a gentle hand on the small of my back. “Welcome home, my love,” he said, loud enough for the crowd to hear.
I managed another smile and we started towards the pack house. As we went, Cyrus leaned in close to whisper in my ears.
“I know there’s been tension between you and Nadia but I hope you can both move past it. Her father was Beta Marco, he died saving my life in the last rogue war and I’ve looked after her like a little sister since then. I hope you can understand and bear with her presence. You’ll like her once you get to know her more".
I nodded, keeping my expression neutral. I understood Cyrus’s sense of obligation but something about the way Nadia looked at him made me think she wanted more than just brotherly affection.
That night, I laid in bed, willing sleep to come but the unfamiliar sound of Stormhowl pack kept me on edge. After hours of tossing and turning, I decided that a run might help clear my head.
“Perhaps, Cyrus would like to join us,” Nyx suggested and I agreed. Some time running together might help rebuild the connection we had lost.
I slipped out of my room crossed the hallway to Cyrus’s door and knocked on it, wearing a big smile on my face.
But as the door swung open, instead of Cyrus, I saw Nadia standing at the doorway, a towel wrapped over her wet, naked body.