Chapter Five
Danae
The hum of the engines softens as the captain's voice filters through the cabin speakers. "Ms. Walker, we are now commencing our approach to Howls Peak. Please ensure your seat belts are fastened."
I draw in a deep breath, steadying myself. This is it. I wish I had company here right now, a familiar face, but it’s just me making this journey on board my family's private jet.
I squeeze my hands, tightening my fingers around the stem of my champagne flute, the cool glass grounding me against the tide of anxious thoughts that I’ve been battling throughout the flight. I try to focus on the bubbles rising to the surface, but it’s no use. My mind won’t quiet.
Just a few days ago Jerome was telling me about my parents having a potential match lined up for me. And now, here I am on our private jet, leaving my city, my family, and my best friend Leila behind, heading to meet someone I know only by reputation.
"Ms. Walker?" The gentle voice of the cabin hostess interrupts my thoughts. I glance up to find her smiling politely, her hands extended to take my empty glass. "We’ll be landing soon. Please prepare for arrival."
I return her smile and pass the glass over. "Thank you."
As I fasten my seat belt, a pang of sadness swells in my chest. I’m really about to land in this strange place. This is the first time I’ve ever truly left home. My parents insisted that I come ahead of them to Howls Peak to meet Silas Jorg, the one alpha who, according to them, picked me.
But the thought of being in a city where I know no one . it’s overwhelming.
I pull out my phone and immediately dial Leila. She answers almost instantly, her face lighting up on the screen. "Danae! How are you holding up? You look like you’ve just lost a puppy."
I laugh despite myself. "I miss you already. And I don’t know what to expect in Howls Peak. What if I don’t fit in? What if…"
"Stop," she cuts me off, her voice firm, but that typical warm kindness is unmistakably there. "You’re going to be fine. Ryan!" She calls out, turning the phone to show one of her husbands, who’s sitting on their couch. "Tell Danae she’s overthinking."
Ryan chuckles, setting aside what appears to be a work file. Yeah that’s exactly how Leila said he is, always working. "Danae, you’ll be fine. I’ve been to Howls Peak a few times for business. It’s different, sure. The people are a bit rough around the edges, but they’re good folks. Oh, and I should add, they’re big, bigger than most people here. But hey, that just means you’ll fit right in with your height."
I laugh softly. "Gee, thanks for the reassurance," I say with a hint of playful sarcasm.
"No, really," he insists, grinning. "You’ll be fine. And this guy. Silas Jorg? I’ve heard a lot of good things about him and his family, I think he will be a great mate for you. He’s the third strongest alpha worldwide in your generation. Right after Ares and Henry."
Leila chimes in, her voice warm. "Whoever he is, he’s going to be so lucky to have you. You’re amazing, Danae. Don’t you dare forget that."
Which makes me wonder why I was picked.
Still, their words bring a flicker of comfort. "Thanks, guys. I’ll call you once I settle in."
Just then, the captain announces, "Prepare for landing."
"I have to go. Talk soon," I say, ending the call and switching my phone to airplane mode.
As I make to put my phone away, a text from my mom catches my eye. Good luck, sweetheart. You’ll do great.
Oh, Mom. My heart melts at the words before I tuck the phone into my bag. She was so excited about this trip. Her face beamed as she spoke about Silas Jorg and the Jorg family. I really hope this goes well, not just for me but for her as well.
I’d be lying if I said I’m not a bit confused, though. Just like Ryan said, Silas is the third strongest worldwide and the strongest Alpha in Howls Peak. His family is renowned. He could have any Omega he wants, and he chose me? A recessive Omega all the way from another city? I don’t know whether to feel extremely lucky or suspicious. It’s almost too good to be true.
My heart pounds like crazy as the plane touches down. The runway is sleek and private, lined with towering pines and cradled by jagged mountains. The city itself is hidden beyond the forest, but the sheer presence of the landscape is imposing.
The moment the plane comes to a stop, I stand, smoothing my dress and grabbing my coat. When the cabin door opens, a gust of cool mountain air greets me. I descend the steps, bracing myself for the sight of Silas Jorg.
But it isn’t him who greets me.
"Ms. Walker," a deep, smooth voice calls.
I glance up to find a tall man waiting at the bottom of the stairs. He’s bald, his head gleaming under the afternoon sun, but his lack of hair only emphasizes the sharpness of his features strong jaw, high cheekbones, and piercing gray eyes. His black suit fits him perfectly, hugging a muscular frame that seems almost too perfect to be real.
I blink at the sight of this man throwing me off for a moment. This isn’t Silas. I know because I’ve seen photos of him. Silas has auburn hair and colder eyes.
The man extends a hand. "I’m Joseph Cane, Silas Jorg’s assistant. I’m here to take you to the estate."
Gulp!
I swallow a sudden lump in my throat as I reach out to shake his outstretched hand.
Stop thinking about how big his hands are! God, but his fingers are so slender and firm.
“Danae Walker, it’s nice to meet you, Mr. Joseph,” I say in my best composed voice.
He gives me a small, reassuring smile. "Welcome to Howls Peak."
I follow him to a sleek black car waiting on the tarmac. As we drive, the scenery morphs from the rugged wilderness to a sprawling city nestled between the mountains. The architecture is imposing sharp lines, tall buildings, and an air of strength in every structure.
"Is this your first time in another city?" Joseph asks, glancing at me through the rearview mirror.
"Yes," I admit, fiddling with the strap of my bag. "If I’m honest, I’m a little nervous."
He chuckles softly, the sound warm and comforting. "That’s normal. The city can be intense. People here are straightforward. Harsh, even. But it’s just how they are. Don’t take it personally."
I smile faintly. "Well, you seem fine. If everyone’s like you, I think I’ll like it here."
He laughs, his gray eyes twinkling. "I hate to break it to you, but not everyone’s like me."
I smile sadly. “Well, if they could accept someone like me, I think they’re charitable enough,” I murmur.
Joseph raises a brow at my self-deprecating words, looking at me in the rearview mirror, but I just look away, watching the window instead.
The car turns onto a private road, and my breath catches as the Jorg estate comes into view. It’s massive, with multiple mansions dotting the pristine landscape. Gardens stretch in every direction, perfectly manicured, and fountains glisten in the sunlight.
"Wow," I whisper. "It’s beautiful. And everything just seems so organized."
Joseph nods. "The Jorg family legacy is built on perfection, excellence, and organization."
The word perfection makes my stomach twist. Perfection isn’t exactly my strong suit. That all too familiar anxiety starts to creep up on me again, and I change the subject to steady myself. "How long have you worked for them?"
"Worked for them? As soon as I wrapped up college, but I’ve been around them since I was a kid," he says, his voice softening. "I was an orphan, and when I was a boy, I would get bullied a lot. That all changed when Silas stood up for me one day, and I’ve been around him and the family ever since."
"That’s kind of him. He sounds like a really kind man," I say sincerely.
Joseph nods, but there’s a slight tilt in his expression, a little less warm, now just unreadable.
There’s something about this man a kind of friendliness that puts me at ease.He’s got this natural ability to quiet the worries spinning inside me. All the anxious thoughts I was drowning in just seem to fade the more I talk to him.
And, okay, it doesn’t hurt that he’s ridiculously good-looking. Like, unfairly so. But I can’t let myself dwell on that. He’s my intended friend and employee for crying out loud.
Still, I hope we can be friends. He seems like a really solid guy.
The car comes to a stop in front of one of the mansions. As I step out, servants immediately rush to grab my luggage. Joseph leads me to the grand entrance.
We make our way up the stairs, each step drawing us deeper into a world of sheer luxury. The space feels like something out of a monarch’s palace ornate designs on the walls, gold accents catching the light, and heavy drapes that scream wealth and power.
At the top, we stop in front of an oversized door. Joseph steps forward and pushes it open. My eyes adjust to the dim lighting inside, blinking quickly as I take in the figure before me. Tall and commanding, he stands in the center of the room like he owns not just the space but the very air around him.
Silas.
My heart skips a beat as I take him in. He’s massive, far taller than I imagined. His shoulders are broad, his chest powerful and defined even beneath his crisp white shirt. His auburn hair is perfectly styled, and his icy blue eyes lock onto me, freezing me in place.
For a moment, I can’t think. I can only stare, overwhelmed by his presence. This man will be my mate?
But then he speaks, and his words hit me like a slap.
"Good," he says, his voice cold and sharp. "You’re finally here. Well, at least you’re not a midget."
Excuse me?