A large sixty-inch television is mounted on the wall. I move up the stairs, admiring the wolf photography hung up.
I ignore the blond traveling a few steps behind me and pause at the second-floor landing.
Fell grunts. “Are you honestly going to keep this up, Yl?”
I turn to the left. “Keep what up? We’re strangers who used to know each other.”
“We’re far more than that—.”
“Funny. You didn’t want to talk before, now you can’t shut up.” I smile cruelly.
“I didn’t know what to say.” He shoves his hands in his pockets and shrinks into himself.
His pitiful expression doesn’t move me at all. “Anything would’ve been better than ghosting me. You turned me into a fool. I asked myself what I did wrong so many times over the years.”
“Nothing.”
“Bullshit.” The words explode from my mouth as my emotions overflow. I shove his chest, and he takes a step back.
“Why would you do that? The drive was torture. There were times I had to pull over because I was crying too hard to see. I was so sure something horrible had happened to you.” My chest squeezes tight. “I called everyone I could think of.” I grip his shirt, pulling him toward me like a mobster collecting money.
“That was the cruelest part. You didn’t even bother to message me.” I take a breath. I feel like I’m breathing underwater as my nostrils burn. “I trusted you.”
“I know.”
“Never again.” Releasing him, I step back and force myself to turn away.
I focus on the large rooms on the either side of the hallway. Each one shares the same nightstand, desk, dresser, and king-sized four-poster bed. I nickname them by their theme color.
The blue room, green room. A bathroom with a shower all done in black and white tile with black cabinets, and black slate shower tiles with gold accents.
“It was a complicated situation.” He rubs the back of his neck.
“I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Art with a minor in English lit. Maybe you can finally explain it to me.” I move around him and explore the right.
The rooms are identical except for their red and yellow themes. Another bathroom with the same motif.
Curiosity sated, I walk the final flight and gasp. This is an entire floor made just for me.
From the wooden floors layered in boho rugs with interesting patterns, to the large window with pale gray panel curtains with a white overlay with delicate silver stars on top, it’s paradise.
“Wow.”
Warm egg-shell white walls covered with interesting pieces of landscape art, and macrame create a cozy environment.
Plants line the walls on bunny plant stands. A large, round, antique silver mirror hangs on the wall beside a glass and silver vanity table.
“How?” I shake my head awed. A large wicker chair straight from the eighties sits next to the window.
There’s a hanging swinging chair secured around a thick beam. The main attraction is the four-poster California King bed. White fairy lights are tangled in the gauzy white curtains.
The billowy pale green comforter resting on top of the sheets peeking out from beneath it with a soft rose pattern is inviting.
“Like it?” Fell asks joining me.
“Who wouldn’t?” I ask with a laugh.
“Keep looking.”
Fell’s excitement is contagious. I hurry to the bathroom and find a white sunken garden tub with steps. A beautiful floral meadow is painted on the wall beside the tub.
“You’re responsible for this?” I’m touched.
Fell shoves his hands into his pockets. “When they asked me about your tastes, I had no clue it was for this, but I’m glad it can bring you some comfort now.”
“Guys. You need to come to the basement.” Cadoc stops me from further exploration. There’s something about the floor that’s nagging me.
“We found a meditation room,” Kirk adds.
The Alpha’s commands and deadlines return to the forefront of my mind. I leave the sanctuary behind and return to the main floor.
I approach the basement door, pause, then descend to the cellar where the others are waiting. The air is cooler here, and the massive floor is divided into several working parts.
Made to facilitate shifters, there’s a spa area with a shower and a hot tub for those sore muscles and aching bones post-shift. A natural stone theme is followed.
Through the next door, I find a salt room. I admire the tan-themed stone, contrasts beautifully. Instantly I’m at peace when I stick my head inside.
Salt protects us from spirits, helps us breathe deeply, and supports our immune system. A jar filled with the nine sacred herbs.