Chapter 15

*****Tessa's POV*****

After a long afternoon of exploring the nearby town, we made a quick dash back to the house in order for Kane to make it in time for whatever important meeting he had in his diary for today...

Our conversations were curt, ever since I had attempted to bring up Erin once again - only seeming to piss him off more when I did.

"I'll be in my office for an hour or so... feel free to explore the house since you've barely seen any of it yet... just don't leave, because I'll find out if you do!" He warns, pointing an accusing finger at me to instil his words as I all but nod and watch him walk off - leaving me by the front door.

After Kane left for his meeting, the mansion beckoned me to unravel its mysteries.

He did say I could, right?

I decided to start downstairs, opening up some random doors first before working my way up.

I discovered more rooms that spoke of luxury, elegance, and timelessness.

In one room, I marveled at a grand piano, its polished surface gleaming under the soft glow of chandeliers as I wondered to myself whether or not Kane could play.

I eventually got bored of the first floor, and so decided to venture up. Instead of going towards my own room in which I knew all too well by now, I turned down in the other direction - a way I hadn't yet gone.

As I ventured deeper down the hallways, I stumbled upon a room seemingly frozen in time. Boxes of forgotten trinkets and memorabilia lined the shelves, and a thick layer of dust cloaked everything. It felt like a sanctuary of memories left to fade away - deliberately being ignored in the darkness of the room.

Among the dusty relics, a framed photo caught my eye. The glass was clouded with neglect, but the image beneath was vivid— a younger Kane, a version of him which seemed less stern and intense, as he stood on a bright sunlit beach smiling from ear to ear.

If I had to guess, I would say he was around my own age here which meant that this could have only been taken a few years ago!

I took instant note of the beautiful young blonde woman whom in which clung to him dearly, the two of them sharing the happy moment together as her arms hung playfully around his neck.

To put things gently... the pair seemed timelessly in love...

A pang of unease settled in to my chest as I stared on at the mystery girl.

Who was she, this woman captured in a moment of intimacy with the formidable Alpha? Questions swirled in my mind, and a sense of intrusion accompanied the discovery...

I looked around at the many dust gathered boxes, taking note of the dresses and heeled shoes which were displayed in the far corner.

Was this room filled with this girls things? Who else could this stuff belong to if not her?

The mansion's grandeur suddenly felt like a façade, concealing stories and connections I was not yet privy to. The weight of the unspoken hovered in the air, making my exploration more complex and unsettling.

Deciding not to intrude further in to Kanes past, I leave and close the door to the room gently behind me.

I still for a moment, back in the brightly lit hall, as I press my back to the wooden door and take a moment to catch my breath!

The discovery left me on uncertain ground, and the mansion's walls seemed to echo with the secrets they guarded.

I couldn't mention my findings to Kane, since by the looks of things, the things left behind in that room were set there in order to be forgotten...

I brushed myself off, sighing heavily, before I turn and steadily continue down the corridor towards the next room.

As I continued my exploration, the grandeur of the mansion carried a new layer of complexity, and the untold stories within its walls became palpable, leaving me with a sense of disquiet that lingered.

Many of the main rooms had evidently been decorated to look more modern, in contrast with some of the hidden ones I was now stumbling across that seemed to have gone untouched for what felt like fifty years...

Empty bedrooms and spare bathrooms was mostly what I had discovered next, as I sighed and decided to plod my way back down the main staircase in search of the kitchen to fetch myself a drink. 

I knew that I still had many rooms left to explore, but I couldn't ignore the other thought which was still nagging at me... what about Erin?

Erin desperately needed me... and I still hadn't worked out how and if I could even do anything to help her.

There must be something... I thought to myself, groaning slightly as I round the last corner towards the kitchen area (or so I hoped I had gone the right way again) before I suddenly collide with a hard chest - knocking me sideways and in to the closest wall.

My hands flail outwards, as a short scream escapes from my lips before I crash against the hard brick.

"Shit sorry!" I hear a familiar lighthearted tone, before a loud cackle is released next - causing me to turn wide eyed to find one of Kanes friends - Seth.

"U-Uh... it's... it's ok..." I try to compose myself as quickly as possible, using the wall to stand myself back upright.

"You humans are so damn fragile!" He shakes his head, teeth growing out in to another smile as my cheeks flare a little.

I suppose that the whole scene was pretty damn dramatic... the way I flew over in to the wall just from bumping in to him... and with the thought, I laugh a little, which I couldn't prevent from escaping.

Seth however, takes this as an opportunity to laugh loudly again too - and I was almost thankful to have someone as lighthearted as him around this place.

For a male wolf, he didn't seem too scary!

"So where are you going? Kane actually sent me down here to check on you because the meeting is set to run over time... but I've been looking everywhere for you for twenty minutes now." Seth states, folding his arms and raising his brows expectantly.

"Oh... I was just uh... going to the kitchen... t-to grab a drink... I was exploring the r-rooms!" I rush out, my cheeks growing hot.

Seth's eyes glint with amusement as he takes in my slightly flustered state. "Exploring, huh? Well, welcome to the mysterious world of Kane's fortress. It's a maze in here, and trust me, you've barely scratched the surface in this place." He explains, continuing to smile lightheartedly.

Seth then turns to gesture down the hallway. "Kitchen's that way.” He points in the direction in which I definitely wasn’t heading.

Great… I couldn’t even remember how to find the damn kitchen!

He makes a move to walk in the said direction, as I hover behind him like a stray animal.

As we approach the kitchen, the aroma of various spices and dishes wafts through the air. Seth opens the door for me with a flourish, and I step inside, greeted by the spacious, modern kitchen once again.

Seth leans against the doorway, a grin plastered across his face. "I actually wanted to ask you something… about that little friend of yours…” He trails off, as my eyes widen at the randomness of the question.

He wants to ask about Erin? I mean, that’s the only friend I have right? So then It must be about her!

“E-Erin?” I blunder, as my head cocks to the side a little in confusion.

“That’s the one! She’s a pretty one isn’t she?” Seth continues, as my heart begins to pound in my chest.

This was not expected…

But maybe…

This is my only chance to save her?