Oath of the Hunter

8 - Promise Me

Unlike her fated, Imogen seems to be a kind and welcoming host. She leads the way through the pack house, pointing out the lounge, kitchen, dining room, and office, before leading us down branching hallways to a set of spare rooms tucked at the back. It gives the impression of a maze stuffed into a cottage, with full bookshelves and low ceilings and hallways twisting in on each other in an effort to confuse us. The air is permeated with a soft vanilla scent and lush houseplants frame every free space, lending earthy undertones to the pleasant aroma.

"I'm assuming you'd like to share a room with your fated, is that right?" Imogen asks, glancing at Matteo over her shoulder. Her voice is silky and twinkling like bells and her attention is more like a candle's flame compared to Darius' spotlight.

Speaking of the alpha, he and Milo are nowhere to be seen. I scan the branching hallways and rooms fervently for him, but to no avail.

Matteo shares a glance with Kay, in which a thousand silent words appear to be spoken, before shaking his head. "No, they'll have their own, if that's alright."

Imogen nods, her gaze sliding to Rowan and me. "Of course. How about you two?"

Mercifully, Rowan seems to read my mind. "I think we'll share," he says, catching my gaze to double-check. I nod in agreement, not at all eager to be on my own in this unfamiliar place.

Imogen's lips twitch with a knowing smile and she gestures to the row of doors behind her. "That's fine. These are all empty, so pick whichever ones you'd like. Though please keep in mind this is an old house and the rooms aren't quite as soundproofed as we'd like them to be."

Lachlan conceals a startled laugh behind a cough. I glare at him, a snap of fire, and he holds his hands up in surrender.

"Good to know," Rowan manages, a note of strain to his voice. A coppery blush burns his cheeks and my focus stutters there for a moment before I'm hauled back to clarity by Imogen.

"I'll leave you to settle in," she says, offering us a warm yet tired smile. "Make yourselves at home. Dinner's at six." She starts down the hallway only to falter and glance at us over her shoulder. "Matteo?"

"Yeah?"

"Thank you for coming back to help us. It means a lot."

Matteo smiles. "Of course."

And with that, she drifts down the hallway and out of sight, leaving us alone.

For a moment, we're all quiet, listening to her retreating footsteps. And then Kay strides for the closest door, peeks inside, and waves us all in. Obediently, we all file into the room under their request. It's quite cosy, with a double bed, a low ceiling divided with old support beams, and oaken furniture giving a rustic feel. A small window looks out onto the emerald woodland creeping close and a huge rug covers most of the creaking wooden floor which whines its protest as we all disperse.

Once we're all inside, Kay closes the door with a soft click before turning to face us all. "First thoughts?" they ask in an undertone.

Matteo sighs, resting his shoulder against the wall and sliding a hand down his face as though exhausted. "Fucking hell."

"Yeah, same here," Lachlan says, wandering over to the window and peering out at the woods. Watchful. Alert. I know the feeling.

My guard is entirely up, right now, and I doubt that'll change anytime soon. I scan the room as though expecting Darius to leap out of the closet demanding more from us. Rowan drops his bag and then himself onto the bed and falls back with a deep sigh.

"I mean it. Fucking hell," Matteo reiterates. "They've lost their daughter and their beta to these hunters. Milo seems to think it's a lost cause to stay, but I... fuck, I can't leave them like this."