Chapter 10 Smell like power
/Edlyn/
If someone had told me a week ago that I’d end up in the Supreme Alpha’s packhouse the most feared and respected territory in the entire region I would’ve laughed right in their face.
Yet here I was.
And the last person I expected to see showing me to my room was him.
Nelson.
The Supreme Alpha himself.
The man who made my entire body feel like it was caught between fire and lightning every time he looked at me, Nelson turned Jasmine offer of showing me my room down,after she showed me around... and gosh his pack house is like a paradise.
He walked ahead of me, his steps long, steady, too damn confident. I had to take two for every one of his just to keep up. The halls were quiet, filled with polished stone and the faint hum of magic pulsing through the walls. Everything about this place screamed control, dominance, and power.
Exactly what I didn’t need.
He stopped in front of a door my door, apparently and turned slightly toward me. The light caught on his jawline, sharp and infuriatingly perfect.
“I still don’t understand,” I said before I could stop myself, my voice coming out softer than I intended. “Why you want me here. Everyone downstairs already hates the idea.”
He didn’t look at me right away. His eyes flicked toward the wall, his tone cool, controlled.
“I don’t like repeating myself.”
I blinked. “That’s not an answer.”
His gaze finally met mine steady, unreadable, the kind of stare that stripped away every ounce of pretense. “It’s the only one you’ll get,” he said, before reaching for the door handle.
He pushed it open, revealing a room bigger than the entire cabin I used to sleep in.
Soft silver curtains, dark wood floors, a massive bed that looked like it could swallow me whole.
“This will be your room,” he said, stepping inside. “Jasmine will take you shopping tomorrow.”
I frowned. “Shopping? For what? I already have clothes.”
He looked at me then really looked his eyes trailing to the small bag in my hand. His mouth twitched, just slightly. “You call that clothes?” He scoffed lightly. “Yeah, right.”
I narrowed my eyes at him, but before I could fire back, he was already moving closer.
Too close.
His presence filled the space, all heat and dominance and that maddening scent of cedar and smoke. I froze when he leaned in, his breath brushing the side of my ear.
“I’ll make sure you feel at home here,” he murmured, his voice low enough to vibrate through my bones. “And make it your new home.”
Then he pressed a soft, deliberate kiss to my forehead.
My breath hitched I didn’t even realize I’d stopped breathing until he pulled back. He didn’t look at me again. Just turned and walked toward the door, calm and composed as ever, like he hadn’t just thrown my entire nervous system into chaos.
The door clicked shut behind him.
I exhaled sharply, grabbing the nearest pillow and pressing it to my face.
“What the fuck was that?” I muttered, my heart slamming against my ribs. That was unexpected...
Moon was the first to recover, her voice a mix of awe and excitement.
That… was fucking hot.
I groaned. “No, Moon, that was inappropriate! He’s the Supreme Alpha!”
Exactly, she purred, tail wagging in my mind. And he’s our mate, even if he doesn’t know it yet. The bond is practically glowing around you. He touched you like he already feels it.
Before I could argue, Vamp cut in with a dark chuckle.
Forget the glowing bond. I just want to know what his blood tastes like. Power like that doesn’t come without flavor…
“Vamp!” I hissed, horrified.
What? she drawled, sounding far too amused. It’s been forever since I’ve had a decent meal. You can’t expect me to ignore all that delicious, pulsing dominance walking around unguarded.
Moon rolled her eyes. You’re disgusting.
You’re boring, Vamp shot back. At least I admit what I want.
I dropped onto the bed with a groan, covering my face with my hands. “This is insane. Absolutely insane. I’m living under the same roof as the Supreme Alpha my mate who doesn’t even know he’s my mate, and my vampire side is fantasizing about drinking his blood.”
Moon snickered softly. Welcome home, Edlyn.
I groaned again, staring up at the ceiling. “If this is home, the Moon Goddess has a cruel sense of humor.”
I tossed the pillow aside and sat up, running both hands through my damp hair. My pulse was still racing half from the memory of his voice so close to my ear, and half from Vamp’s constant humming in the back of my mind.
“You need to turn down this whole bloodlust thing,” I muttered, rubbing at my temples. “We’re in a packhouse full of wolves, for Goddess’ sake Vamp. You can’t just—”
Then fucking feed me blood! Vamp’s voice exploded in my head, sharp and loud enough to make me flinch. You think I can keep calm when I haven’t tasted a single drop in years? I’m starving, Edlyn. STARVING!
“Vamp!” I hissed, my hands balling into fists. “Keep your voice down before someone thinks I’ve lost my damn mind.”
Moon sighed, her tone calm but laced with irritation. She’s been worse since yesterday, she said quietly. Ever since last night.
I knew what she meant. Vamp had always been… there. Quiet most of the time. A whisper, a murmur, a presence I could easily ignore if I wanted to. But since the moment she’d caught the scent of Nelson’s blood, his strength she’d been restless. Loud. Almost alive.
I leaned back against the headboard, staring at the ceiling. “She’s right, though,” I admitted softly. “She’s growing stronger again.”
Moon hummed in agreement. It’s the Supreme’s blood. It’s like fire to her the kind of power she craves. She’s been sleeping too long, but now? She’s waking up.
“I noticed.” My voice was barely a whisper. “Usually, she’s silent all day. You and I can talk for hours, and she won’t even blink. Sometimes I forget she’s even there. But now…”
Now she won’t shut up, Moon finished with a dry laugh.
Vamp growled low in my head. You two talk about me like I’m not right here.
“Because you weren’t,” I shot back, my tone sharper than I intended. “You’ve been quiet for years, Vamp. What changed? Why now?”
There was silence for a heartbeat the kind that vibrated with restrained emotion before she answered, her voice lower, almost feral.
Isn't it obvious, she whispered. We have a few months left and all you do is pretend you are try to achieving our goal which is a lie. You are ready for what will come next while Moon is too busy keep secret about what she knows, and you expect me to stay calm? If care is not taken... i will hurt that damn wolve...
Moon bristled. You will not hurt him, she warned. He’s—
Don’t you dare say it, Vamp snapped. Don’t say he’s our mate. He’s a distraction, that’s what he is. A walking heartbeat that smells like everything I’ve been denied.
I closed my eyes, breathing out slowly. “Enough, both of you.”
For a few seconds, the room was quiet again. My own heartbeat echoed faintly in my ears, steady but heavy. The tension between my two halves was building Moon drawn to Nelson’s warmth, Vamp drawn to his blood. And me… caught right in the middle. But everything Vamp said was true, i was kind of ready for death....
“I need to sleep,” I whispered, more to myself than them. “Because tomorrow, if I have to smile and pretend I belong here, I’ll need all the strength I can fake.”
Moon sighed softly. You’ll be fine. You always are.
Vamp purred, low and amused. Not if I decide otherwise.
I pulled the blanket over my head and groaned. “I swear, one day, you two are going to drive me insane.”
Moon laughed softly in my head, while Vamp only chuckled darkly that throaty, dangerous sound that made my skin prickle.
Sleep didn't come after a long time then i realized, it was because i was very hungry, i haven't eaten all day.