Chapter 53: Knowing the pack

Sarah.

I had been rehearsing a lot on how to convince Milano to Mark me. But nothing helped me. For some reason, a very naughty idea popped up in my mind. I agree that I am a virgin. But I am a girl with needs too. Milano hasn't been in any relationship since the death of his wife. He too can be called a virgin for the last 3 years. Being alone is really hard for a woman but it's harder for a man. Why don't I try to seduce him? It would be easier to make him mark me when we are intimate. I got out of the mansion when my thoughts began to become wild. Just imagining myself in his arms is making me wet.

I had to distract myself and I thought a walk through the garden would change my thoughts. But I was wrong. My imagination went further and it became a hallucination. I started to see myself making out with Milano in the garden. It would be really embarrassing if someone saw my face right now. Pulling myself out of all the thoughts, I ran inside the mansion and straight to the play area. But to my dismay, Teddy was not there.

I went to find Bella or Pam. The kitchen was empty, so I guessed where they could be. Every member of the Raymond family had their lunch and so all the employees will be having their lunch in the backyard. I went through the back door and as expected everyone was having lunch. Since I already had my lunch, I joined them after taking some ice cream from the refrigerator. By making myself busy in conversation with them, I forgot about Milano for the time being.

After lunch, I asked Bella to accompany me. I really need someone to talk to. Bella might know more about the werewolf world than I have heard.

“Bella, is there somewhere in this mansion where we can sit and talk without any disturbance?” I asked.

“We can go to the guest room.” She suggested.

“I want to talk somewhere open. I mean somewhere we can get some fresh air.” I said,

“What about the rooftop garden? It's rare for Madam Raymond or Master Raymond to go there. It's always kept neat and clean because Young Master likes to spend his time there whenever he is upset.” Bella said,

“I never knew that there was a rooftop garden in this mansion.” I said,

“Your life has been unpredictable after you entered this mansion. I swear, you don't know even half of this mansion.” She said,

“You are right. Let's go to the rooftop.” I said and walked towards the stairs.

“Are you going to use the stairs to the fourth floor? We use the elevator.” She asked.

“Do they allow you to use the elevator? I have usually read that elevators are for the owners.” I asked.

“Do you know why no one leaves the job at this mansion? It's not just because Raymond's pay is really high but also because of the working environment and hours. We have a lot of privileges that a maid never gets. Now let's go by the elevator.”

Bella pulled me towards the corridor where the elevator was. Whenever I used this elevator, it reminded me of the day my life changed in that basement below. Bella pressed button 4 once we were inside the elevator. The elevator stopped on the fourth floor. The fourth floor just had a big hall with tinted glass walls and roof. I could see the whole rooftop garden from outside the elevator itself. We walked towards the glass door. I was really amazed to find a security lock on the glass door. Bella entered some password and the door opened.

The whole garden is so well maintained that my wild thoughts began to pop up again. The variety of flowers, especially the roses added to the beauty of the garden. The whole garden is arranged in a way that a rooftop party can be organized with ease. There are garden benches and a big 3 seater swing in the garden. I went to the swing and sat on it, then motioned Bella to sit beside me. She hesitated and said,

“I will sit on that bench.” She said,

“Why don't you like to swing?” I asked.

“No, actually the Young master sits here.” She said,

“So what, he is not here now. Did he reserve this swing for him?” I asked.

“No, I agree that we do have privileges but as a maid, I have my own limitations which are being set up in common for maids through the ages. I am a maid and I shouldn't forget my limits.” She said,

“I used to be a maid too. No one told me about those limits then.” I said,

“You were born to rule, princess. It's in your blood. You lived a life of a maid just because you were fated to but now you know that you are a princess and future Luna. But still you are so humble and down to earth. We all are really excited to welcome you as our new Luna. You have already honored me by making me your friend. Please, don't let me climb up cloud nine. I don't want to get hurt when I fall from there.” Bella said,

“Don't worry, I will never let you fall. Now come and sit here “ I made her sit next to me on the swing.

“Now tell me about your experience when you got your wolf. I have heard that it's really painful.” I asked.

“Yes it is painful but it's worth it. The pain is just for the first time. After that, your wolf is always with you. You will feel more powerful and confident. The only thing we females are worried about is the shifting. Usually when we shift, we keep a set of clothes somewhere nearby. But in a time of emergency, it's really hard to make the decision to shift just because of the reason that we can't shift back to the human form without clothes. For males, they don't have to worry much. They can even cover their private parts with some leaves. I have always wondered why we have to rip off the clothes when we shift. If it wasn't for our Alpha, each member of our pack would have to buy a new set of clothes every month.” Bella said,

“What did your alpha do?” I asked.

“Our Alpha set up a big changing room for the entire pack in between the woods. We take off our clothes inside our cubicle before shifting on the full moon day. Then when it's time to shift back, we go back to our cubicle and get dressed up.” Bella explained.

“So on the full moon day the whole pack goes inside the woods?” I asked.

“Yes, every pack has their own territory in the Woods. That's our part of the forest.” Bella pointed towards the back of the mansion. There at the end of the mansion premises starts the forest.

“So, all the members of the pack gather inside the woods every month on the full moon day?” I asked.

“Yes”

“What if someone is not here? I mean if someone is out of station or if they had some other emergency. What will they do in such situations? Can they remain as humans without shifting?” I asked.

“No, we don't have any control over shifting on the full moon day. We have to shift wherever we are. Even if someone couldn't return back to the pack, they have to find some safe place.” Bella said,

“What happens on the full moon day?” I asked out of curiosity.

“It's a night filled with entertainment. We sing and dance in our way in the middle of the thick forest. It's so much fun and that's why everyone tried to be present on that day.” She said,

“Don't your kind go and study abroad or even work there? I mean Milano goes on business trips to other countries. What if his meeting is on the full moon day?” I asked.

“First of all, our Alpha is really careful in those matters. He tries to avoid all types of business meetings on that day. About going abroad for studies or work, then we do have agreements with other packs. All the packs try their best to keep up friendly relations with other packs. It's really bad when there arises rivalry between the packs. It just destroys everything. I have heard that since our old alpha, I mean master Raymond, took charge as the alpha, he built up a strong friendly relationship with other packs, especially our neighboring packs. That's why we never got to witness any big fights. Our new Alpha followed his father's steps until that incident.” Bella said,

“You mean the one in which his wife got killed?” I asked.

“Yes, that incident made him lose his control. He completely changed everyone. Our neighboring packs came forward to help us. But he wasn't even ready to hear anyone. That day he even ripped off a few rogues. If it wasn't for beta Kyle, our pack would have witnessed the worst rogue attack.” She said,

“You are confusing me. Now who are rogues?” I asked.

“Rogues are werewolves who don't have any pack. It's really hard to live a life of a rogue.” Bella said,

“Bella, do you have a mate?” I asked.

“No, I haven't met my mate yet. That's why I am trying to get along with Chef Charlie. He doesn't have a mate either.” She said,

“What if you meet your mate after you get along with chef Charlie?” I asked.

“I will definitely choose my mate. We are more powerful when we are with our mates.” She said,

“So, you know every one of your pack members, then why are you not getting your mate?” I asked.

“Might be because he is from another pack and we are yet to meet.” She said,

“So, how will you meet him?” I asked.

“We have some annual gatherings of different packs. In such gatherings all the mateless wolves take part and most of them meet their mates. I actually don't want to leave this pack and so I am not interested in finding my mate.” She said,

“That means that you have to leave the pack when you find your mate?” I asked.

“Yes, females have to join their mate's pack and that's been carried out for ages.” She replied.

“What if the female is the only daughter of an Alpha? She still has to leave her pack and join her mates? That will make her own pack without an Alpha. What happens in such situations?” I asked.

“I know you are asking about your own situation. I don't know what exactly happens. I have heard about the blue moon pack and how they have been running without an Alpha for the last 20 years.” She said,

“Werewolf packs have names?” I wondered.

“Yes, they do. The blue moon pack is your pack and your father was the last Alpha. I don't know why they haven't ever chosen an Alpha but it's been said that they have been waiting for you. I don't understand why they are not coming to meet you even after Mr Buchanan has identified you. By the way, our pack is the gold heart pack.” She said,

“As far as I know I don't have a pack as I am not a werewolf. I don't know the blue moon pack and so I can join your gold heart pack if he marks me.” I said,

“You can be part of both packs because you are the Alpha. I mean, you will be the alpha of the blue moon pack and if our Alpha marks you, you will be our Luna. That actually happens rarely. In your case, there won't be any other option because you are the only daughter of your parents while our Alpha is the only son of his parents. Both of you can't leave your pack and that's definitely gonna make history.” Bella said, excited.