Chapter 2: New Beginnings
Today was the day. Cherry Brighton prepared for this one interview for an entire month. It was fair to say that she was shaking with nerves as she drove up a winding mountain trail through the woods. She wasn't the greatest with a map and a GPS, but she was trying to get herself to the Centauri pack's territory without losing her way in this massive forest. Thankfully, the sun was out so she could see the roads clearly in her small, white Fiat car.
Cherry wasn't even sure why she was shaking with nerves when she didn't know if she was going to be able to get the job. After living on her own for two years, she found an opportunity to be part of a pack again. And it wasn't just any pack, this was the mighty Centauri pack. She applied for the position of a librarian at the Institute, which she didn't even know that they had one. The only requirements were that she needed to have a history of working with books and in a school, which she had since she was a pre-school teacher for three years now. And the second requirement was to join the pack permanently. This was the reason she jumped at the opportunity and secured the interview.
For the past two years, Cherry has lived on her own in the city and as much as she liked her freedom, it wasn't what she desired at all. She was a wolf and she ached for a pack that would be there for her. She wished for a community where she could be herself and trust them to accept her, unlike the pack that exiled her.
A part of her thought that she'd be able to live a normal life after leaving the Silver Crest pack. But the humiliation of being exiled by a pack never left her. She was betrayed by her own parents and the wolves she grew up with. Cherry thought that she built a bond with those wolves, but it seemed that one mistake could cause such a massive drift, that it never repaired again.
Following up the trail through the forest, she adored the view that was only trees. This was the perfect place to shift into her wolf and run. Living in the city took that from her and she hasn't been able to shift for the two years. Her apartment wasn't even that big where she could just hang around there in her wolf form. But now, if she got this job in this pack, then perhaps she'd be able to run in her wolf form again.
That was if she got the job, she thought. There was a large chance that she wasn't going to be able to get this job if the pack knew that she's an exiled wolf. She just prayed that if all the rumours are true about the Centauri pack, then maybe there was a chance they'd hear her story out. With all of her belongings in the trunk of her car, she hoped that this worked out because she had no other options.
Finally, after the long drive, she arrived at these massive silver gates that had two towers on each side. She couldn't help but notice the cameras everywhere. She glanced down at her purse and made sure that she had all of an identification on her and the letter that allowed her to come here in the first place. Cherry waited for someone to come to her and check her papers, but no one did. The gates in front of her merely parted through the middle and allowed her access.
Cherry pressed her foot down on the gas and drove through hoping she didn't get shot in the face right here and now. There was a long path ahead through the archway made from trees, that she crossed in her car. She emerged out at the other end and the enormous property was exposed. Cherry lost her breath as she looked out the car's window at the beautiful view. There were trees everywhere framing a perfect circle around the field. She saw all the cabins and then her eyes fell on the old castle, it was like out of a fairy-tale. She guessed that that must be the Institute because on the other side was a white manor with a porch and rocking-chairs. There were even dark green bushes surrounding the perimeter of the house with lovely white roses blooming with their rich fragrance. The house felt cozy, like a family lived here and not the prestigious heirs to a golden legacy.
Cherry parked her car on the drive-way which was sitting between two black Lamborghinis, it felt like a little mouse between panthers. She grabbed her red purse and got out of the car carefully so she didn't hit the car. She glanced at the glass window hoping her hair was in place and nothing was between her teeth. Fixing her lip-gloss, she stared at her reflection and hoped that she didn't come here for nothing. This job was all she had for a new life and she needed to earn it, otherwise she was lost from here on out.
The letter told Cherry to go to the house and knock on the door. She followed the instructions and walked up the porch as she lost herself to the sun shining through all the trees. That was when she caught the glimmer of water through the trees and she instantly smiled. There was a lake here and she needed to see it.
Cherry went up to the door and knocked on it. She clasped her hands together that were trembling and she couldn't stop it no matter what she did. The nerves in her belly made her feel as if she was going to say something stupid any second. But she tried to focus herself and just trust that these were ordinary people like her.
Suddenly, the front door opened and the man that stood in front of her was anything but ordinary. He towered the doorway and her small height too. The man had dark black hair and a grim expression that screamed dangerous. His shirt clung to his muscular form and he wore heavy leather boots with cargo pants. If he was a wolf then she immediately felt like a rabbit. His golden, amber eyes assessed her with his arms crossed over his chest.
"Cherry Brighton?" he asked with a domineering tone.
She couldn't use her voice, so she nodded her head up and down.
"Come inside," he said as he moved to the side in one move.
Cherry followed his orders because she had a feeling that this man didn't like being kept waiting. She stepped into the house that smelt of warm sugar and spices, like someone had been baking something sweet. This was another thing she didn't expect.
"I'm Hunter," the man spoke behind her as he shut the door.
"Hello," she finally used her voice.
Hunter stepped in front of her and that was when she caught the gun strapped to the belt on his waist. "I'm the beta of the pack," he told her then.
Cherry's eyes widened. If he was the beta then that meant he was a Centauri. She internally screamed and hoped he didn't hear her. No wonder he didn't look like he was from this planet. The man was a Centauri heir and his dictatorial expression and immense height proved it.
"It's nice to meet you," she smiled at him and it was clear that he could tell she was nervous as hell.
"Just follow me this way," he said as he walked up the stairs.
Cherry glanced to her left and saw a living-room and then quickly to the right and spotted a kitchen. This house wasn't one that she saw on those magazines where the rich showed their money by having a fridge that opened on its own. Or the entire living-room was one colour and had a single orb on the coffee table. This house had wallpaper and rugs with a fireplace. She saw that the fridge was a normal white one that didn't match the stain-less steel stove. A part of her was comforted and she didn't lose hope here and now.
Suddenly, she bumped into the beta when he stopped at the top of stairs because she was too busy daydreaming.
Cherry stepped back. "I'm sorry," she glanced at his amber eyes that hadn't changed their gaze at all.
"Wait here," he said sternly before he went through the door and closed it behind him.
Cherry covered her face and knew that she was doomed. This man hated her and he was probably telling the alpha that she was an idiot. She couldn't even blame him because she was one. God, she was going to lose her mind.
The door abruptly opened again and Cherry stood with a plain smile and not the horrified expression she felt inside.
"He'll see you now," Hunter said as he held the door open.
Cherry's throat dried and she wished she brought a bottle of water with her. She faced the threshold of the room wondering if she had the courage. But it was now or never, she had to take this chance. Cherry stepped inside and walked into the office with her heart in her hands and her mind made up.
"I want this done by tomorrow," a voice said.
"Sure," another person answered.
The beta of the pack walked around her.
"Brother, she's here," he announced.
Cherry met the eyes of the man sitting behind the table. He had those deep golden eyes that the beta had, but his shined with a rigid authority. This was the alpha of the pack and she sensed it immediately from every fibre off his body. His black hair was raked back to fit his clean style and he wore a white suit that contrasted against his bronze skin. He was even more handsome than the pictures on the internet that she saw.
"You must be Cherry?" his voice was calm and collected, which was kind of daunting.
"Yes," she answered nervously before she glanced at the one standing on the right. He was in a leather jacket that was black like everything else he wore. He stared at her with his piercing blue eyes and stern frown like he wasn't impressed at all.
She didn't blame him since she stood her in a thrifted clothes and flats with nothing to offer to the most honourable pack. To these three men, she was probably the lowest of the low. She couldn't offer anything except for the librarian position that she was good for.
"I'm Gabriel, take a seat," the alpha offered.
Cherry moved as the three men had their frightening eyes on her. She took a seat in the white chair in front of the table that had papers and files scattered all over it. There was lamp and a photo-frame but she couldn't see the photo in it.
"I'm going to head out," the one behind the alpha said.
"Check the stats by today, River," the alpha said.
"Got it," the man named River answered before he walked out of the room.
Hunter, the beta settled behind his brother and he was leaning on the wall. Cherry clutched onto her purse that was on her lap hoping that she didn't screw this up.
"So, you applied for the librarian position at the Institute?" Gabriel said.
"Yes," she answered.
Gabriel opened a file before him and he read through it. She guessed that it was her application. "Do you know what is required of you if you except this position?" he asked then. "You will have to live here."
"I know, that was the reason I applied for the job," she told him.
"So, you are sure that you want to join my pack?" he inquired.
"Yes, I am," she said.
"Why?" Gabriel leaned back in his chair. "What do you want to achieve by staying here?"
Cherry considered his words carefully and she couldn't lie to him otherwise he'd see right through her. "I've been on my own for a while now," she confessed. "But I've never been able to make myself a home. I feel like I'm alone in this world and I want somewhere to belong."
Gabriel's golden eyes softened. "I understand," he said as he looked back down at her file and a few moments passed. "Are your parents alive?"
Cherry held her hands from trembling. "Y-yes," she said. "They are alive."
"Aren't they going to move in with you?" he asked.
"No," Cherry felt her heart squeeze in her chest. Her parents would rather jump in a fire than stay with her. Besides, they were the leaders of the pack that she was kicked out from.
"Where are they right now, Cherry?" Gabriel inquired.
Cherry looked down at her hands. "They are living in the Silver Crest pack," she told him as if it was something disgraceful. But it was, she thought. Her parents lived with a pack while she wandered the world alone.
"And why aren't you with them?" Gabriel stood from his seat then.
Cherry felt the world darken around her when she understood that Gabriel Centauri already knew her truth about her exile. He was taunting her by making her confess everything herself. Both of these men knew her past and she was a fool for thinking otherwise.
Cherry faced his heavy gold eyes as he leaned on the table right in front of her. "I was exiled two years ago," she confessed.
"And your name isn't Cherry Brighton, is it?" Gabriel remarked.
Cherry shuddered from the ice in his tone. "No," she told him. "My parents Ian and Grace Crest disowned me and kicked me out of the pack, so I changed my identity and made sure that they couldn't find me." That was the truth.
He drew in a heavy breath. "Hmm," he considered her words. "Do you know what it means to be exiled, Cherry?" Gabriel asked. "It means that an alpha and alpha-female can't trust you."
Cherry knew what it meant to be exiled. A wolf that was banished from a pack was considered an enemy and a warning for all other packs. No one ever took in a wolf that was rejected. She didn't know what she was thinking by coming here today. This pack wasn't going to accept her for being what she was. Cherry felt the tears in her eyes but she swallowed them down like always.
"I understand," she answered shakily.
"But it's your lucky day," Gabriel revealed. "I'm not like other alphas and neither is my mate."
Cherry gaped up at him. "Wh-what?"
"The only thing I don't know is why your parents kicked you out of the pack despite being the leaders," he said.
Cherry faced the alpha and wondered how to tell him the truth. She was afraid of it coming out to everyone because in her old pack they all rejected her. They hated her for it and claimed that she was strange.
"I- I'm a lesbian," she revealed. "My parents and pack didn't understand this about me and they banished me." She still remembered the night she told them and they were disgusted by her, everyone was horrified by her. Now, these two men were probably going to be disgusted by her too.
"That's ridiculous," the beta in the back remarked.
Cherry felt his tone lashed at her and she just thought that all the taunts and remarks would begin again.
"Well, my pack doesn't care about things like that," Gabriel told her as he straightened to his full height. "You can see it for yourself as well-"
"Wait-" she interrupted. "I got accepted."
Gabriel and Hunter shared a look. "Yeah, I thought that was obvious," Gabriel said.
Cherry felt like she could breathe again and the bigger smile appeared on her lips. "I won't let you down," she got up and held her hand out to him.
Gabriel smiled too, it was soft and kind. "Good to know," he shook her hand back. "A cabin is prepared for your arrival. You can take a few days to get adjusted for the move-"
"I came with all my stuff-" Cherry answered surprising them.
"Really?" the beta said.
"This was my one shot, otherwise I wasn't sure what I was going to do," she admitted to them.
"Well, welcome to the pack then," Gabriel congratulated. "My brother will help you get settled in."
"Hold on, are there any rules that I should be aware of here?" she asked them knowing that her parents had a whole book of rules.
Gabriel frowned as he stared at her. "I have one rule," he affirmed. "Trust me and I'll trust you."
Cherry knew that she would have to earn that trust and she would do it since he gave her a chance, despite knowing everything about her. "Thank you," she said.
Gabriel smiled. "Get settled in," he told her. "I'm sure you're going to want to meet the rest of the pack. It's not every day a new member joins us."
"Also, I don't want anyone to know about me," she told them both. Cherry didn't need people staring at her with those eyes nor talking behind her back like she was a disease of some sort. They all isolated her back then and she never wanted that to happen.
"That's fine, this is your secret to tell, not mine," Gabriel revealed. "I'll have your application processed."
"Thank you for everything," Cherry smiled with all her teeth, she couldn't help it.
Gabriel faced her with his golden eyes that shined. "Don't lose your trust in people, Cherry," he told her. "My pack accepts others and I make sure that no one feels left out."
Cherry held onto his words as she put the strap of her purse over her shoulder. She followed the beta outside of the office. The door closed behind her and she felt like she was in there for hours, but it had only been five minutes. It was finally done, she thought. She was part of a pack... again.
"You can head down first," Hunter said. "I have to grab a few things. I'll be right with you."
Cherry nodded. "Sure," she said as she went down the stairs alone.
There was noise coming from the kitchen and Cherry curiously peeked through the entryway. A woman with flaming-red hair stood in a yellow dress and an apron. She was hunched over a tray of cupcakes with a piping-bag in her hands as she created perfect dollops of icing on them. That's where the smell of sugar and vanilla came from when Cherry arrived. This woman was baking treats here. However, she was so immersed in the piping, she didn't notice the tray that nudged against her elbow was about to fall over.
Cherry knew that she shouldn't intervene, but she had to help her otherwise all those fluffy cupcakes were about to go to waste. "Watch out!" she said as she ran and caught the tray quickly. The woman screamed and dropped the piping-bag. "I'm sorry," Cherry tried to calm her down as she put the tray back.
"Who are you?" she asked as her blue eyes stared at Cherry.
"I'm Cherry Brighton, the new pack member," she said. "I am here for the librarian position."
The woman screamed again in excitement and she hugged Cherry. "I'm Hailey," she said. "I was the one who accepted your application and brought it to Gabriel, our alpha."
Cherry gaped at her. "Oh, well, thank you for giving me a chance," she said.
"Now, that I think about it," Hailey stared at her. "You look exactly like your photo. I can't believe I didn't recognize you. But aren't you supposed to be here on Wednesday?"
"It's Wednesday," Cherry answered.
Hailey's mouth dropped open. "Oh yeah, it is," she laughed. "We have a bonfire tonight and I'm preparing the cupcakes. I've made so many that I'm losing my mind."
"I can help if you want," Cherry offered. "I worked at a bakery once."
"I'll keep that in mind for the future, but I've already made a hundred cupcakes," Hailey clapped her hands. "But more importantly, congrats on getting accepted. I'll help you settle in."
"Oh, the beta of this pack was supposed to-" she glanced behind her and he was coming down the stairs.
"That's my mate," Hailey told her.
Cherry gaped at her. "Oh," she couldn't believe that a man like him was with a woman as sweet as Hailey.
"I know, he can be pretty scary," Hailey whispered to her. "But he's a total softie on the inside."
"I heard that," Hunter remarked.
"You were supposed to, honey," Hailey said as he came to her and kissed her lips sweetly.
He did have a soft side. Well, he did for his mate at least, Cherry thought with a smile.
"How about my mate and I show you around?" Hailey offered.
"Oh, are you sure?" Cherry said.
"Definitely, I need a break from baking all morning," Hailey chuckled as she untied the ribbon on her back and pulled off the apron over her head. The yellow dressed hugged her curves and that was when Cherry noticed that she was pregnant. She already liked this woman and that she had red hair was the cherry on top.
All three of them stepped out of the house with Hunter leading the way down the field. Cherry walked beside Hailey as she explained that she joined this pack as well to be a teacher at the Institute.
"I love working there," Hailey told her, "and I can't wait for you to meet everyone."
Cherry felt excitement bubble in her heart. "I can't wait either," she said as she fell in love with the entire property already. The forest was beautiful as it surrounded the trail they were on.
"Is Cherry's cabin near my old one?" Hailey asked her mate.
"Yeah," he answered. "Those are the newly built, so it'll be easier for her."
Frankly, anything was better than the apartment she was staying at for two years. She could even live in a shoe-box and survive. But after spending those two years on her own and saving every nickel she owned, she couldn't wait to decorate a real home.
They emerged through the trees and she smelt the deep fragrance of water and soil waft towards her. She saw the sun right in the blue sky over the tall trees and her heart immediately gave in to this treasured abode. Close to the shore was a huge cabin made from wooden logs and had an oak porch, that called for rocking chairs and a late-night session with lanterns and wine with a book. This house was small but perfect for her to manage on her own. Cherry covered her gaping mouth as she tried to convince herself that this wasn't a dream and she was actually living here.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Hailey said.
"More than anything I ever dreamed of," Cherry answered.
"Well, it's your home now," Hunter told her.
Cherry's eyes instantly burned with tears as she longed to hear those words. She wiped her cheeks and hid her face by turning away. "Sorry-" she sniffled her nose.
"No, don't be sorry," Hailey laid a hand on her shoulder supportively. "I know more than anyone that this can be overwhelming."
Cherry followed the couple up the stairs and the beta unlocked the door for her. The musk of wood and wilderness filled the space as she stepped inside. The large space was brown and shades of white all around her. There was a kitchen and living-room connected together with a staircase leading to the second floor. She was surprised that there was a television here and all the appliances as well. She could even see that there was a heater for winter and air-conditioning for summer, which was more than she could imagine. Her eyes caught the glass vase that had the same white roses sitting in the water. Someone must have left them here freshly this morning because they weren't wilting and the water was clear.
"Do you like it?" Hailey asked.
"I love it," Cherry beamed, "especially the roses."
Hailey smiled. "Bone wanted to make it cozy for you," she answered.
"Bone?" Cherry questioned.
"He's the current librarian," Hailey informed.
"Is he retiring?" Cherry wondered.
Hailey shook her head. "Actually, he met his mate and he's travelling soon," she told her. "Bone can't take care of the library if he's there."
That made sense, Cherry thought before she looked around her new house again. There weren't many accessories that screamed her name, but she could easily just add that herself and make this place a real home. She had so many ideas now that she was really paying attention to the walls and couches.
"You said that everything you have is in your car, right?" Hunter said.
Cherry faced him. "Yeah," she answered. She should probably bring it now.
"I'll bring it for you," Hunter held his hand out. "Key."
"Are you sure?" Cherry asked as she fumbled through her purse. "I can do it."
Hunter just stared at her with his stoic expression that made her hand the key to her Fiat. He left the girls alone in the cabin.
"Is he always that serious?" Cherry mumbled.
"He is," Hailey chuckled. "But don't hold it against him."
"I'm not," Cherry said. "He's a lot better than the beta I used to know." Crap, she said too much.
"You used to live with another pack?" Hailey asked as she turned on the lights in the cabin and fixed the thermometer.
"Yeah," Cherry had to confess it now.
"What made you leave that pack?" Hailey asked.
Cherry's stomach tightened and she couldn't think of what to tell her. "I had a different outlook on life than them," she said vaguely.
"Good for you to pick up and leave," Hailey said.
Suddenly, Cherry's phone pinged and she took it out of her purse wondering who had sent her a message. The screen to the phone lit up and she saw a notification from her bank and it clearly told her that ten-thousand dollars had been deposited into her account from the Centauri's. Cherry screamed scaring Hailey.
"What? What's wrong?" Hailey astonished.
"I- I- I-" she had no words so she just flipped her screen to Hailey so she could see the notification.
"Oh," Hailey laughed. "That's from Gabriel. He gives every new member a deposit for joining the pack."
"Wh-what?" Cherry never heard of anything like that before. "Why would he do that?"
Hailey smiled at her. "That's just the Centauri way," she said. "They take care of their own and now you're a part of their pack too."
Cherry couldn't tell if she was standing or sitting anymore. Her hands trembled as she held her phone and didn't know what to do with all that money now. But this was a dream and she was living it with the hope to never wake up ever again. How was this her life? What made her worthy of all this? She didn't deserve this at all even though she craved it day and night.
She turned to Hailey. "Why did you pick me?" she asked. "Out of all the candidates, I'm sure there was someone better."
"Honestly, there were only two applicants," Hailey confessed. "But I was drawn to you by your hair. Cherry-red, it's beautiful."
Cherry thought it was a bad idea taking an interview photo with her hair this colour, but she was never going back to the boring blonde she had before while living in the pack and being something, she clearly wasn't. Well, thank God, she didn't change it back because it was her hair that got her all the way here.
"I dye my hair actually," she told Hailey.
"Really?" Hailey said as she felt her hair. "It feels so soft and shiny."
Cherry smiled. "Thanks," she said, "for picking me even if it was just because of my hair."
Hailey's eyes softened. "I'm sure you have many redeeming qualities," she said. "I can already tell that you'll get along with everyone here."
Cherry hoped for the same.
Hunter returned then with her luggage and he placed it by the couches. Cherry was grateful to the couple and they invited her later for the bonfire on the field where she could meet the pack members. She was excited and dying of nerves all at the same time. Hunter had work so he had to leave, but Hailey stuck around and helped Cherry unpack in her new bedroom.
The room was average sized and had cabinets for a closet and a bed in the middle of the room. There were a few windows and a balcony that she adored already, it had the perfect view of the lake and a staircase leading down to it from here. The bathroom was already supplied with soaps and towels and other knick-knacks, which made her life a lot easier. Now, she could just focus on decorating.
Hailey told her that the pantry and kitchen was stocked up for her too, since they knew she was coming to live here. Cherry was glad because she was starving and needed food.
Cherry kept the front door open and all the windows, so she could smell the forest and not gas emissions from factories and trucks like in her old apartment.
"I'll give you a tour of the Institute tomorrow," Hailey said as she helped organize the kitchen with her.
"I'd love that," Cherry said as she placed her own coffee-beans that she brought with her on the counter. "Honestly, I didn't even know that this pack had a school."
"This school isn't to gather attention, we keep it private from the world," Hailey said.
Cherry leaned against the counter. "The alpha must really love his pack members," she mumbled.
"Oh, this school wasn't started by Gabriel," Hailey corrected. "The youngest of the five built the Institute."
"The youngest?" Cherry said.
"Klaus Centauri," Hailey beamed. "He's our headmaster. But he doesn't like being called that."
"What made him start a school?" Cherry asked.
"Wolves have always shared a school with humans and it wasn't the easiest hiding ourselves," Hailey explained and Cherry understood because she had to attend normal-people school too. Hiding the shifter secret was hard on everyone and she had to hide her sexuality on top of that.
"Klaus began the school to help the pack and the pups be able to explore their wolf-forms without fear," Hailey told her. "I joined because I wanted to help as well."
Cherry was glad that she took the chance even though she knew that she wasn't deserving of it. "I can't wait to see it," she said.
"You'll meet them all tonight at the bonfire," she said.
Cherry couldn't help but feel a little nervous. "How did you mate a Centauri?" she asked. "They seem unapproachable."
Hailey laughed. "Trust me, I was scared too," she said. "But they're the best once you get to know them. And you have me to guide you. Don't hesitate to ask me anything."
The sun was setting outside and Hailey had to get home to her you pup, Gideon. Cherry had already exchanged numbers with her and she felt as if she made a new friend. But something didn't feel right. Cherry was holding back her truth and it was like a huge wall stood between her and Hailey from being true friends. So far, Hailey's been nothing but kind. Perhaps, she could take this chance. But then, everything would be ruined if Hailey reacted the way her old pack did. They stared at her with these disgusted eyes and they couldn't even touch her like she'd infect them. But then she remembered Gabriel's words in her heart.
"You'll be fine on your own, right?" Hailey asked as she went up to the door. "The bonfire's pretty big, so you won't get lost trying to find it-"
"Hailey-" Cherry interrupted. "I have to tell you something."
Hailey's blue eyes widened but she gave all her attention to her. "Go ahead," she said.
"I'm a lesbian and I was exiled by my old pack because of it," she blurted out hoping with all her heart that she didn't just mess this all up.
Hailey frowned. "Okay," she looked confused.
"You- you aren't disgusted by it?" Cherry said.
"No, never," Hailey said, "because love is love, right?"
Cherry's heart warmed and she ran and hugged Hailey. "Thank you," she held her tightly. "Thank you so much."
Hailey patted her back supportively like a mother would her pup. "Come on, let's just go down to the bonfire together," she said. "You can help me bring out the cupcakes."
Cherry followed her new friend and headed out her cabin. She shut the door behind her and locked it with the key that Hunter handed to her. Both of them crossed the field as the shadows of the evening light emerged over the field. She noticed that many kids were surrounding the fire that was being built in the middle of the field with tons of chairs around it. Many couples were lounging on blankets too with drinks and snacks. This was nothing like her old pack, she thought.
"Sometimes, we even put up a large projector and watch a movie," Hailey told her.
"Awesome," Cherry admitted.
"Guys!" Hailey yelled catching everyone's attention. "Meet our new pack member, Cherry Brighton!"
Cherry was suddenly bombarded with people of all ages and she was asked all sorts of things, like if her hair was really that colour? Was she going to be the new librarian? Many students from the school asked her a bunch of questions and pulled her into a conversation right away. She had never met so many outspoken pups in her life, especially in a pack where their alpha was around. Usually, wolves lived in fear and didn't speak a word while the leader was here. Cherry met Hailey's adorable pup that was old enough to run around the pack with the others. He had dark black hair but kind, blue eyes like his mother.
As she sat on a chair surrounded by the pack, she listened to the stories that they had and the memories they shared.
"Cherry," Hailey came to her side again with someone next to her. "Let me introduce you to Bone, our librarian."
Cherry stood up and faced the strictly tall man dressed primly in a suit. He had neat blond hair and gentle blue eyes that matched the smile on his face. "Hi, I'm Cherry," she greeted him.
"Hello, it's nice to meet you," Bone said as they all sat down on the chairs together.
Cherry sensed the air of calm around him like he was as soft as the roses around the house. That was when she sensed the strong rose fragrance off this man's suit like he was always around those flowers. "Are you the one that takes care of the roses?" she asked.
Bone's eyes widened. "Ye-yes," he looked surprised. "How'd you know that?"
"You smell like the roses around the house and the ones you put in my cabin," Cherry said.
Bone's cheeks brightened red as the fire. "Well," he smiled awkwardly. "I hope you liked the flowers."
"I love them," she said. "You'll have to teach me how to take care of them though."
"I can do that," Bone said. "We can show you the library tomorrow."
"I can't wait," Cherry smiled.
Bone told her a bit about himself of how he lived with his friend and then they moved here. He was about to tell her about his mate, but he was called away by a bunch of students. Cherry took that moment to herself watching everyone around her. The bonfire lit up the field and warmed her as she sat with a skirt and blouse, that wasn't protecting her at all. But the fire was like a snug blanket over her body.
However, that was when she sensed a stronger presence that overpowered the bonfire in seconds. The dark, rich scent of smoke and sensual spiced pine surrounded Cherry as if it held her in this cage. She couldn't understand what was going on when she never went through this before. Her body grew numb and her blood thickened with a desire. This pulsing urge inside brought out the wolf within her subconscious. As she memorized this scent and understood the depth of its fiery nature, she tracked the field wondering where it was coming from. Who could have such strong pheromones that it would penetrate Cherry of all people?
Cherry's searching eyes landed on the woman that walked across the field in purposeful strides. She was tall, sleek and had a strong body as if she trained so nothing was weak about her. Black leather covered her entire body and she wore a tight corset around her midriff, which must be hard to manage but it didn't look like it for this woman. She had long black hair that sat straight down her back up to her waist, which flowed in the wind. The scent carried from her and came over to Cherry like it sought her out and no one else.
"Who is that?" Cherry asked the pups.
The pups all turned and saw the woman too. "That's Azura," Jenny answered. "She's a pack enforcer."
Azura, that name reverberated through Cherry's body and branded her like a tattoo. She stared at the woman's silver eyes, that looked like two steel coins shining under the fire. Her pale, smooth skin and blood-red lips all elevated her beauty. She wasn't a mere wolf. Azura was a powerful woman who had control over her body and the predator inside her.
Cherry tried to control her heart by not letting it beat so fast and she used Hailey's cupcakes to calm down too. But it wasn't helping, not when both her and her wolf were eager to go to that woman. But she couldn't do that and freak her out. There was no way that Cherry was going to admit the thoughts in her head out loud to anyone. She ignored the sensation in her body and the thrill in her wolf and focused on the chocolate cupcake. That's all she needed to do.
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