Chapter 10: _Hate It Here

Chapter 10: _Hate It Here I gulped when Beta Marcellus finally stopped scrutinizing my room like some house inspector, his gaze landing on me. His expression was calm and he had a kind smile on his face. But I just couldn't bring myself to see him past what he was. A werewolf. Just like every other person in this fucking pack. "You look so... Shaken." He pointed out, his tone laced with amusement. My face heated up with embarrassment as I coughed awkwardly, shaking my head. "I– I'm fine. Just a little stunned that the Beta would take it upon himself to come visit me, especially since we last saw last night." I remarked. How suspicious... What? Was he spying on me or something? What's with the frequent visits? Was Kaelos going to be cool with this? "Trust me, I have no intention of making you uncomfortable." He raised his hands in a mock show of surrender, causing me to relax a bit. "On the contrary, your husband, the Alpha King, sent me to you. From now on, I'm going to be your guide around the pack." There was an odd feeling all around my body when I heard him call Kaelos my 'husband'. The mere idea was revolting, but it also brought butterflies to my stomach. I'm one confused witch... "Does the Alpha king really qualify to be called my... Husband?" I asked with a flat tone, my expression just as plain. I wanted to be cautious around the Beta just like every other werewolf in this pack, but he seemed different. He seemed to be the only one who respected me as a person and saw beyond the fact that I was a witch, his race's sworn enemy. Anyway, as soon as those words came out of my mouth, Caroline, who'd been standing at the corner, gasped but then quickly used her hands to cover her mouth when Beta Marcellus and I turned our gazes to her. She coughed awkwardly, bowing slightly in embarrassment before she spoke. "I'll... I'll go prepare your bath now, ma'am." With that, she scurried toward the bathroom, leaving the Beta and me alone in the room. I grew a little anxious, especially when I turned my gaze back to the Beta and saw him staring at me with those piercing green eyes of his. He's one fine specimen, I'll give him that. Too bad he wasn't a witch or human. Oh, and too bad that I'm married to a beastly control freak! "You can't blame your maid for her reaction." Beta Marcellus said with a wry smile. "Not many people talk about the Alpha king like that and live to tell the tale. Trust me, as his best friend and confidant, I should know." I plastered a smile on my face, but deep down, I was shaking with fear. Gosh, someone get me out of this hellhole! "Anyway, as your guide, I'm here to take you on a tour around the pack." Beta Marcellus suddenly blurted, taking me by surprise. "There's so much to explore in this one estate. I mean, as the Alpha king's wife, you'll have to get yourself used to other packs around North America, but this small pack should do for now." Small? This pack was anything but 'small'. Not only was it luxurious and had well-planned building structures, but it was HUGE. It was only an 'estate', but its size looked similar to that of a small city. The fact that the Alpha king's predecessors were able to acquire such a large amount of protected land in times of war like this was just another testament to his power and the power of his predecessors. Anyway, I sighed heavily, smiling awkwardly at the Beta. "I don't think I'll want to take a tour around the pack just yet, Beta. I'm good right here in the mansion." I blurted. However, he stared at me for a few seconds before bursting out into an amused laugh. "Why's that? I thought you didn't like it much here?" He asked. What a great observation! There's only one problem there though... "Yes, I don't like it here," I admitted plainly, before turning my gaze to the door leading out to my balcony. "But I'd rather remain protected here than risk being ripped to shreds by those–" "Beasts?" He interrupted me with a knowing smile. I whipped my head back to him, my mouth parting in surprise. But he merely smiled at me before he added. "Werewolves have super hearing, love. So, if you really want to make a good impression around them... I'll advise you to stop secretly calling them monsters." I was probably redder than a tomato now but luckily for me, Caroline walked back into the room before the situation could get any more embarrassing. "Ma'am, I have your bath ready and–" Before she could complete that statement, I barged past her but not before yelling out. "Thank you!" However, Beta Marcellus called out before I could step into the bathroom. "So, I'll be waiting for you outside then." Argh! Screw them all! They might have super hearing, but at least they couldn't read my mind and hear what I have to say about them. . . After an intentionally prolonged bath, I walked out of my room with Caroline walking behind me. I had tried wearing a pair of jeans or simple pants, but she advised it would be better to wear a dress. Like... How much more braindead could these people get? "Do you have to follow me around everywhere I go?" I couldn't help but ask, trying and probably failing to sound polite. Okay, that was an obvious failure. Fortunately, Caroline didn't seem to mind and responded hastily from behind as we walked down the stairs, walking past a few maids. "Yes, ma'am. It's orders from the Alpha king. However, I could stay behind whenever you want to have private moments. Like breakfast or a conversation." She explained. Hmm... Breakfast. My stomach rumbled just then, reminding me that I didn't even eat anything last night. "Can't this meeting with the Beta wait until another time? I'm hungry as a bull after a–" "Such a sharp tongue for a witch. Though it's expected... You do need a sharp tongue to cast your spells after all." A female voice that sounded a bit elderly but yet was also elegant interrupted me. At this point, we'd gotten to the ground floor and were just about to walk through the grand foyer so we could step outside. I raised my head, my eyebrows snapping into a frown when I saw the owner of the voice. Oh, brother... Not another one. It was a woman who seemed to be in her early fifties, her black hair streaked with white all over. She had grey eyes and wore an elegant satin mermaid gown that lacked sleeves. "Uhh... I'm sorry, who are you?" I couldn't help but ask, plastering a smile on my face and hoping that would make me 'polite' enough. Unfortunately, that didn't seem to work as an ugly scowl appeared on the woman's face. "Who am I? It doesn't matter to you, witch. But what I do know is that you are much worse than the rumors said. You barely reek of magic." She said with disdain. My hands balled into fists as I stared at this woman. Wait a minute... Grey eyes, a bitchy face that looked like the result of years of plastic surgery and cosmetics, and a bitchy attitude to match. Could she be...? "Mother!" A voice screeched excitedly from behind me, forcing me to swerve my body to its source.