Twisted Fate

Chapter 22

Astrid

I was a nervous wreck as the car entered Blood Rose territory. For a moment, I'd thought Kiera had gotten lost because we keep descending deeper down the road with nothing but trees and darkness surrounding us, but soon the entrance gate came in view.

Kiera pulled up to the security keypad, but a few patrollers stopped her from entering the code. She rolled down the window as one of them tried to approach my side. Their hard eyes never left me, and the interrogation began.

"Who is that woman in the backseat?"

"Alpha never said anything about a visitor tonight."

Kiera rolled her eyes, "Lose the attitude, boys. She's here to see the alpha. He's expecting her, and he won't be happy to know that you're keeping his guest waiting."

The patrollers gave me one last cold stare before they nodded and let us pass.

"Sorry, alpha Astrid. The security here strictly has a no-nonsense policy when it comes to the guys' safety. Everyone here, including me, must follow these protocols when entering the pack. Not a lot of people are okay with their existence."

"It's Alright. I'm well aware," I shook my head in understanding, wondering how many intruders in the past have tried to break through the uptight security team.

I planned to converse more with Kiera, but the vast overflowing fountain demanded my attention with its beauty. A woman's sculpture stood tall at the fountain's crown, the stone sparkling under the solar lighting. As we got closer, I noticed the golden plaque read 'In loving memory of Loretta Jane Blackburn.'

Although Loretta's memorial was beautiful it, wasn't the jaw-dropper of the place. The real star waited for my arrival ahead.

My mouth fell to the floor as Kiera pulled into the driveway of a lakefront mansion with the tall trees in the background. From the outside, I could see some light through the windows and the top balcony. Noticing my astonished expression, Kiera began explaining how the mansion held six bedrooms, but only Arlo and his younger brother stayed in the home.

Some hell of a home for only two guys.

Kiera dropped me off at the front, waving me goodbye from her window. I glanced up at the mansions beauty once more before I walked up the steps leading to the front door. With a deep faltering breath and shaky hands, I reached for the doorbell. Before I could get the chance to press it, the door swung open, revealing an enthusiastic Arlo.

"You're here," Arlo smiled before his eyes drifted down to take in my appearance. I shivered from the darkness in his eyes and the chilly night air. He cleared his throat and moved aside, "Please come in," He gestured for me.

I deeply inhaled the scent of his musky cologne as I entered the foyer. It instantly birthed the butterflies in my stomach, exciting me and making me nervous all at once. To top it off, he stepped close behind me and took my coat, purposely tracing his fingers down my arms to ignite the sparks.

"You look beautiful," His deep voice rumbled close to my ear, sending a shiver down my spine.

"Thanks," I mumbled, avoiding his smoldering gaze. As he stepped back to hang my coat, I got busy looking around. The crystal chandelier hovering over the double staircase caught my eyes with its shimmering effect against the lighting.

"You have a beautiful home."

He chuckled once, "You haven't even seen half of it. Come on, I'll give you a tour," He offered, taking my hand in his. A small smile crept up my lips from the sparks and his excitement.