The sun was streaming through the lone dirt covered window when I opened my eyes. At least the bed had been clean and somewhat comfortable. I had scrounged through the cupboards for something to eat but only came across some protein bars and bottled water. It was better than nothing.
I was munching away on the cardboard tasting protein bar and scrolling my socials when I heard the sound of a vehicle approaching the farm house. It was still too early for Marcus. He had said he would meet up with me here in the afternoon and it was still mid morning. There had been no messages from him or Alex to let me know plans had changed.
I wedged myself between the back of the couch and the wall to wait for the person that had arrived to enter the safe house. Though I wasn't sure what I was going to do if it ended up being someone that was here to harm me. I didn't have any weapons on me and I wasn't a great fighter. Maybe I would just hope they didn't find me and decide to move on.
I however didn't have to worry. I watched two figures appear at the door, they were talking to each other but it was too quiet for me to make out. The brass doorknob turned and I heard the groan as the door opened. Then in stepped Marcus and his beta. I let out a breath that I didn't know I had been holding and crawled out from my hiding place. "You are early." I grumbled as I plopped down on the couch.
Marcus grinned as he took a seat beside me. "I was able to get away sooner than expected. I also brought lunch." He placed a greasy fast food bag on the low table in front of the couch. I grabbed it and started shovelling the fresh and salty fries into my mouth. Marcus chuckled as he watched me. "What? I haven't eaten anything other than nasty protein bars since before the bonding ceremony." I said through a mouth full of food. I was glad that I was busy eating or Marcus would have seen the slight flush in my cheeks as his chuckle made my heart flutter.
It was odd. I didn't feel a pull that a usual mate bond would indicate but I felt more comfortable around him than I ever did around other alphas. "You should take better care of yourself Riley." A flash of concern crossed Marcus' face. "Your father has called a pack meeting to discuss what happened to you." He continued talking as I ate. "Most think you were killed by a cursed creature that wandered out of the dark forest, your father however is still holding out hope that you are still alive."
I swallowed a bite of my burger and looked up at Marcus. "And what about Cynthia?"
Marcus shrugged. "She is playing the supportive mate role right now. Though it's only a matter of time before her mask slips. Alex is keeping a close watch on her."
I just nodded as I licked the last of the grease and salt from my fingers and sighed in contentment. It was nice to have a full belly again.
"Now that you have eaten we can get moving. I don't want to linger here for much longer just in case Cynthia has her enforcers out sweeping the safe houses." Marcus got up and headed towards the door. I scrambled off the old couch and grabbed my bag. I slung it over my shoulder and followed Marcus outside.
A black SUV was waiting for us along with Marcus' driver. His Beta Sylus had already climbed into the front passenger seat and Marcus held the back door open for me.
I shoved my bag in the back of the vehicle and climbed inside. Marcus slid in beside me and closed the door.
The interior was warm and smelled like alpha, like Marcus' leather and spice. It was comforting and for the first time since I lost my mother I felt safe.
The drive to silver moon was a quiet one. I leaned my head against the cold glass of the window and watched as the farmland turned into thick forest.
Silver Moon was nestled on the north west side of the dark forest. Dark Pine was to the south and Blood Dawn was to the North East. All three territories had the job of protecting their packs and the human cities from the creatures that resided within those cursed woods.
The sun was starting to dip towards the horizon when we finally reached Silver moon territory. The village was smaller than Dark Pine's with a quaint and cozy feel to it. The pack house was not as ostentatious either. It looked more like a hunting lodge made from thick trees and a warm glow eminated from the main floor windows.
"Welcome to Silver Moon." Marcus rumbled quietly beside me. "I have a guest room setup for you in the pack house."
I sat up straight in my seat and whipped my head to look at Marcus. "I can't stay in the pack house!" I cried. "I'm just an omega, I have no wolf, I'm a nobody." The panicked words kept spilling from my lips until Marcus grabbed my shoulders, his scent wrapped around me, grounding me.
"You are under my protection." He growled. "The pack house is the safest place for you right now. You will have your own space and Sylus will assign a guard to you so that no one will bother you while you are here."
I just nodded in defeat as I slumped back against the seat of the SUV. Once it reached the doors to the pack house it parked and everyone filed out. Marcus grabbed my bag from the back and lead me to the door.
The inside of the pack house was all natural wood with a fire roaring in a large fireplace in the sitting room.
I followed Marcus up the plush carpeted stairs to the second floor and down the hall. He stopped in front of a door and opened it for me.
"This will be your room while you are here." He entered and placed my bag on the giant four poster bed. "There is an ensuite bathroom that is fully stocked. If you need anything just let myself or Sylus know."
The room was smaller than the one I was using at the Dark Pine pack house but was still larger than my room at home. It followed the all natural wood decor with deep forest green bedding and a matching plush area rug. It was cozy and I loved it.
"I will leave you to get settled." Marcus said warmly. "Someone will come to get you for dinner shortly."
With that he left the room and closed the door behind him with a soft click. I was alone once again, but this time it felt different. There was a sense of belonging here that I never had at home. I wasn't exactly sure what that meant but I was too tired to think about anything at the moment and crawled up on the giant bed instead.
It was comfortable, not too soft, and the blankets were warm and inviting. Before I realized it my eyes had fluttered closed and I was pulled into a peaceful sleep.