Embrace Of The Villa

The huge house was amazing and very impressive. Alpha Zach promised to give me a tour sometime soon. But not now. He wanted me to meet his friend Cassie, whom he had known for a long time. 

I was just going to be here for his physical pleasure, so I did not get why he wanted me to meet the girl. He said that they grew up together before he became alpha. She didn’t have parents, and he seemed eager for us to meet. 

At night, after I took a shower and had something to eat, I heard raised voices. I hesitated but couldn’t resist checking what was happening. I stood near the closed door of the Alpha’s room, where he was arguing with the Beta. 

They were discussing something intense. 

“I’m telling you, Mark, it’s not happening! I won’t find a mate, and that’s f*cking final!” Alpha Zach’s voice echoed through the hallway. 

“But Zach, the pack needs a Luna. It’s been too long. You can’t keep avoiding this,” Beta Mark argued back. 

“I said no, Mark!” His response was abrupt and cold. 

“I can’t believe you’re still holding onto that promise, sir. It’s been years since Lilac’s death. It wasn’t your fault. You can find happiness again. You’re allowed to.” 

“And you’re not my damn therapist, are you?” Zach’s tone was laced with bitterness. “I made a promise to Storm, and I won’t break it. Lilac’s death was because of my decisions. I can’t risk putting someone else I care about in danger.” 

“I made a promise to my brother, Mark. I can’t just forget it, I can’t afford to. I don’t deserve a mate…it’s forbidden,” He added. 

Their conversation unveiled a deep-rooted pain within the alpha, tied to a promise made to his brother Storm. The mention of forbidden love and the tragic circumstance of someone by the name of Lilac painted a picture of a troubled past. 

I listened in on the conversation, absorbing the complexities of the guy. It was the best way to get to know him…I think. Because there would be no way that he would open up to me. At least not like that.

I was nothing to him but a paid hooker. 

The weight of his decisions and the scars of his past became apparent, leaving me in a momentary state of shock. 

Just as I lingered in the hallway, grappling with the newfound knowledge, my presence didn’t go unnoticed. The Alpha had spotted me, and man, his eyes burned with fury. 

“What are you doing there, Rue? This is pack business; stay the hell out of it!” He snapped at me, causing my heart to skip a beat. 

Startled, I stammered, “I…I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, Alpha Zack. I’ll mind my own business.” 

Beta Mark echoed the sentiment, adding, “Yeah, stay out of pack matters, Omega.” 

Feeling a mix of embarrassment and nervousness, I tried to flee from the scene, rushing away but then Cassie appeared out of nowhere, intercepting me with a sly grin. 

“Caught eavesdropping, Rue?” Not the best way to make a first impression, is it?” 

I blushed, realizing my intrusion into their private conversation. Cassie, however, added a touch of humor, “Don’t worry; it’s a common mistake around here. Just remember to steer clear of Alpha’s Zach’s business. And your name is Rue, right?”

I nodded. “Yes, it is.” My feigned confidence that I had at the club had now faded. 

Let’s be honest, I could not keep that charade up for the next two weeks, it would be too draining. 

I knew that she was the Cassie that the alpha had talked about because the face and body frame just fitted for me.

She looked perfect, just how he had described her. She looked like someone that could be the Luna of our pack.

Plus, she was the only female in the villa that was not not an omega or maid. So yeah, she was obviously Cassie.

Cassie, with an air of familiarity, leaned in, her eyes glinting with a playful yet knowing expression. "You know, Rue, Zach can be a bit mysterious about certain things, but we're a family here. No need to hide anything."

Caught off guard, I hesitated, wondering how much Cassie really knew. "I'm just here for a temporary gig, helping out during the rut weeks," I replied, keeping my tone neutral.

She smirked, her eyes narrowing in a way that hinted at a deeper understanding. "Rut weeks, huh? Zach's way of ensuring he's not alone during those... intense times. But hey, we all have our quirks, right?"

I nodded, relieved that she didn't pry further. Yet, her casual acknowledgment of Zach's unconventional arrangements left me both intrigued and wary.

As the evening went on, Cassie effortlessly shifted the talk to fun stories and jokes. The easy bond between her and Alpha Zach revealed a friendship strong enough to withstand the pack's challenges.

Eventually, she led me through the sprawling mansion, sharing stories of their shared past. "Zach and I go way back, Rue. We've seen each other through thick and thin. It's not easy being an Alpha, you know, and having a friend like him makes it bearable."

Her words resonated with a sense of genuine friendship, making it clear that her connection with Zach extended beyond mere pack loyalty.

As the night unfolded, Cassie's effortless charm and genuine warmth put me at ease, overshadowing the underlying tension that lingered within the villa.

But I had a bad feeling about her. There was this evil in her eyes that I could not explain. 

The night continued, and as laughter echoed through the luxurious halls, a subtle tension remained. 

Cassie excused herself, claiming the need for rest, and Beta Mark departed for his home, leaving only Alpha Zach and me in the vast mansion.

Zach, despite the jovial atmosphere with Cassie, wore a dark aura. His face betrayed a mental strain that hinted at the weight of his responsibilities. 

An hour later, I found myself near the living room, engrossed in a book I had stumbled upon.

Alpha Zach emerged from his room, his eyes piercing and focused. He suggested a walk, an attempt to escape the looming stress that clung to him. 

I hesitated, reluctant to engage further, but his authoritative insistence left me with little choice.

Out in the moonlit night, the air carried a sense of heaviness. Zach, usually reserved, broke the silence. "Rue, you've heard more than you should tonight. Pack matters are complicated."

His voice, though stern, held a note of vulnerability. I cautiously replied, "I understand, Alpha Zach. I didn't mean to intrude."

He sighed, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon. "There are things in my past, promises made, mistakes that can't be undone. It's a burden I carry."

Unsure of how to respond, I simply nodded. The weight of his words hung between us, and the silence spoke volumes. The complexities of his role as Alpha and the unresolved pain from his past were evident.

As we strolled through the moonlit grounds, Zach's inquiries turned towards me. "Tell me, Rue, what brought you here? What's your story? I know your job and all that but who are you?"

I hesitated, navigating the delicate balance between honesty and the facade I was expected to maintain. "Just trying to make a living, Alpha. Nothing more."

His eyes bore into mine, a mix of curiosity and something else I couldn't quite decipher. "Everyone has a story, Rue. You can trust me."

The air grew thick with unspoken truths. I maintained the façade, deflecting his questions. "Private lives should remain private, Alpha. It's better that way."

Zach's expression tightened, a flicker of frustration crossing his face. "You're under my protection, Rue. I need to know who's under my roof."

As we continued our walk, the moon casting shadows on secrets yet to unfold, the subtle threat in his words lingered—an ominous reminder of the power dynamic at play. 

Little did I know, beneath the moonlit facade of protection, a storm brewed, threatening to shatter the fragile balance within the mansion's walls.