Chapter 9 The Castle
Emily's POV
As we reached the big steel gates of the castle, we were suddenly stopped by two guards who looked ready to throw us straight back out. Their muscular frames loomed over us, and I couldn't help but feel a little intimidated.
"Name and pack," one of the guards barked, his voice deep and firm.
Liam, however, with a calm confidence that reminded me of why he was our Alpha. "I'm Alpha Liam Mickelson of the Silver Moon Pack. The car behind, is with us."
The guard's expression softened very slight as he nodded, stepping aside to allow us through.
Once inside, my breath hitched at the vintage beauty of the castle. It was a patchwork of rich history, as if each brick held stories of the past. I felt like I had stepped into a movie set. As our car came to a stop, I noticed a man standing on the grand steps, his posture radiating authority.
As we climbed out of the car, the man approached us with an eager smile. "Good day, Alpha Mickelson," he began. "I'm Michael... Michael Anthony Harrison—better known as Beta Harrison."
"A pleasure to meet you," Liam replied, his voice steady and polite. "I'm Alpha Liam, but please, just call me Liam."
Beta Harrison grinned and shook hands with everyone. "And this is Beta Lucas, his mate Ashley, and my Gamma Mason." When he reached me, his eyes twinkled with warmth. "And you must be Emily. Welcome!"
I smiled back, feeling a little warmth at his welcoming demeanour. "Thank you," I said, trying to sound as composed as Liam.
He then looked at Liam, concern in his eyes. "No Luna yet?"
Liam cleared his throat, a hint of awkwardness creeping into his voice. "I haven't found her yet, so my sister Emily has kindly stepped in to help with pack duties until I do."
Beta Harrison's demeanour softened further. "That's commendable," he said, before gesturing for us to follow him. "Come, I'll show you to your rooms. You can freshen up, and we'll serve supper in about four hours. One of the staff will come to escort you and your pack."
We walked behind Beta Harrison, and I tried to absorb every detail of the castle's stunning interior. My eyes widened at every painting we passed. As we ascended to the second floor, I assumed we were heading to the east wing reserved for pack leaders.
We first stopped at Liam's room. It was modest but nice, with a clean look that suited him perfectly. "It works," Liam said, a small smile on his face. Next, we moved to Lucas and Ashley's room right next to Liam's, but I didn't step inside.
Soon, it was my turn, and as I entered my own room, I felt a certain coziness wrap around me.
It wasn't as big as Liam's or Lucas's, but the soft queen-sized bed looked inviting, and the warm cream colour of the walls made me feel at home.
Though, I did wish that Lucas and Ashley's room wasn't so close by. ..
Once we were all settled in, we freshened up and met outside our rooms. At that moment, a tall warrior approached us, giving off authority. "Good evening, Alpha Mickelson and guests," he said with a respectful nod. "If you would follow me, I'll take you to the dining hall."
We followed him through a maze of corridors that seemed to go on forever.
I was captivated by the rich paintings lining the walls, trying to memorize the way we were going.
Eventually, we arrived in the dining hall, and my stomach rumbled in anticipation of the meal ahead.
The aroma wafting through the air was simply mouth-watering.
As I moved toward the food line, I marvelled at the buffet spread before me.
There were an array of dishes, fresh salads, and steaming sides that made my mouth water.
I served myself some roasted chicken that looked amazing, pairing it with a side of lightly dressed cedar salad and a refreshing bottle of water.
As I approached a table, I caught Lucas's gaze again. He was staring, an intense look on his face, and I rolled my eyes, feeling a warmth rise to my cheeks. I quickly chose a seat as far away from Ashley as I could manage.
Just as I settled in, a hush fell over the hall. Someone stood up, ready to speak. "Good evening, everyone," a voice echoed through the room, commanding our attention. "On behalf of the royal pack, I want to thank you for gathering with us this week. I hope you are all enjoying the meal."
I felt a flutter of excitement as I wondered what news was coming next.
"The Alpha King has decided to step down, allowing his son to take over the pack and kingdom," the voice continued.
"A crowning ceremony will follow this meeting.
However, due to recent events, the King has chosen to keep his son's identity concealed.
He will blend in like any other Alpha among you. "
A collective murmur of surprise rippled through the hall. "Wait, we won't know who the new Alpha King is?" I mused, my mind racing. "What if we've already met him?"
Ashley turned to everyone, her eyes sparkling with intrigue. "Oh, imagine if he's here right now!"
I kept a light smile, but my thoughts were still swirling. Who could he be? As I continued to eat, I felt a bit of curiosity building inside me. With so many alphas in one place, secrets hung in the air.
As the evening slipped away, everything felt just right.
I found myself in my room, ready to unwind for the night.
dressed in my favourite satin night set, I nestled into bed, hoping to get lost in the pages of a good book.
But out of nowhere, a sharp pain pierced through me, making me gasp for breath.
It felt like the walls were closing in, and panic bubbled up inside me.
I knew I had to get out of that room. Stumbling into the hallway, I make my way outside.
I was completely oblivious to the fact that I was not the only person outside.