I entered the hall and noticed that the dining room was already filled with people; hungry people, all seated patiently waiting for food.
"Bella!" A loud voice called out in my direction. It was Isabella, and she was waving at me in such a crazy way that I was afraid it would fall. I felt my face flush as several heads turned towards me. "I saved a seat for you." She continued in a loud voice, patting the chair beside her.
I marched to the chair she patted, trying to prevent further attention. But it was too late. Numerous eyes were following my every move. Everyone was curious about the fresh meat who had made friends with the Alpha's sister. I got to the chair and threw myself on it, wishing I could vanish.
The attention was taken away from me when the food arrived. This is strange. No one waited for the alpha before they started eating. I kept glancing at his seat in between bites, wondering where he could be by this time that he couldn't come for breakfast. Sophia was sitting with some of her female friends, so he was obviously not with her.
"He doesn't eat breakfast with the pack."
"What?" I turned my head towards Jessi, looking at her strangely, wondering who she was referring to.
"Your mate. He doesn't eat breakfast with the pack. Or weren't you looking for him? "
"Uhm, n-no. I-I." I struggled to defend myself.
"It was quite obvious that you were worried," she chuckled, drawing a few glances from those around her. "Your eyes kept glancing at his chair."
There was nothing I could say since I was guilty as charged, so I merely nodded as we continued our breakfast in silence. My skin started crawling, goosebumps spreading all over my hands as I had the feeling I was being watched.
I looked around, my eyes scanning the room as I tried to look for the person. I noticed some familiar faces from yesterday and acknowledged them with a nod when our eyes met. I was still searching until my eyes met him.
My breath hitched as he smiled. This is probably the first time he has smiled at me, and it was really good. He should smile more. It suits him. He gave me a little nod, and I waved back before digging into my eggs.
"Who were you waving to?"
Shit! I almost jumped out of my skin. "Jessi!" I whispered furiously, angry that I had almost caused a scene, "Don't scare me like that."
"Sorry." We continued eating as the sounds of forks hitting the plate filled the air. I was sure that she had forgotten what she was asking me until she whispered again.
"Who were you waving to?"
"No one."
"Uhh, I don't think so." She narrowed her eyes at me, looking at me intently. For a moment, she looked like Richard.
"Mmm, the tea is really nice." I commented loudly to her ear as I gulped the colored liquid. She looked at me like I was crazy, wondering who called tea nice. But whatever, it still worked. It was able to distract her.
After some minutes, breakfast was over, and people began to file out, each one going to attend to their respective duties. I sat back in silence, relaxing in the chair, observing everyone as I waited for my food to digest. I was also waiting for Isabella to come back. She had offered to wash both our plates.
"Well, howdy, stranger." That scent and voice seemed so familiar. I turned to see piercing blue eyes on me. It was Harry, and he had his hair in a bun and was wearing a pair of sweatpants. I've never really had a thing for man buns, but he made them work.
"Harry!" I exclaimed, genuinely pleased to see him. He was my first friend here—if he considers me a friend. "How have you been?"
"Just here and there. But forget about me. How are you? How did your talk go with the Alpha? I hope you aren't in trouble." His eyes were scanning my body for any signs of what? I don't know. But his searching eyes were on me. My heart soared at his kind gestures and words.
"Who is in trouble?" Jessi chipped in, squeezing herself in between us.
"I was asking if Isabella was in trouble with the alpha."
"Why would she be in trouble? She is literally his m-ouch!" I gave her the eyes, warning her not to spill anything.
"Sorry, my bad." I apologized in an overly high voice.
Harry stared down at us with raised eyebrows, trying to figure out what we were hiding. After a while, he shook his head, giving up when he saw that neither of us was willing to talk.
"Al-right. What do you say about completing the tour, Isabelle? "
"I would love that very much. Shall we?" I grabbed his hand to lead him out of the room before Jessi could stop us. The morning sun greeted us, casting her soft rays on us.
On our way, we were greeted by a lot of people. Well, they were greeting Harry. I found out he was kind of a celebrity, with his own fangirls and boys. One thing actually struck me: he always made sure to introduce me to his friends. It may seem like a small gesture, but it warmed my heart.
That action cast my mind back to Richard. I just wish he would stop hiding me and just come out and tell the whole world that I am his mate. I couldn't help but compare the difference between them. I wish Harry was... No! I love Richard and nothing would change my mind. I pinched myself to bring myself back to reality.
My perspective on European packs was changing. I had expected the worst from the pack, thinking they would be racists or not welcome me with open arms. But so far, I have only been welcomed with kindness, unless you count Richard's mother. I hadn't even gotten anywhere in my Operation Win My Mate's Mother. I had to start fast or we would never see eye to eye.
"Where do you wish to visit today?" Harry asked.
"The Pack hospital."
"Why?"
"I was hoping I could get to work. I'm tired of staying indoors all day." He threw himself back, shaking with laughter.
"You have barely been here for up to a week and you are telling me you are tired of being cooped up. But no problem, let's go check it out." We trudged along the smooth path as we continued our journey, the sun shining softly.
"So, what do you do, Harry, except be a warrior? Do you work outside the pack?" I probed as we strolled to the hospital.
"I do teach at the local school." My laughter rang out in the air as I struggled to comprehend what I had just heard. Never in my life did I imagine him as a teacher. If he had said he worked in the account section, I would have believed him. Even the hospital is believable. But a teacher? He looked like he would crush the students with his big muscles.
"What? Why are you laughing? " He asked, his brows furrowed in confusion.
"I just can't imagine you as a teacher."
"I'm not exactly a conventional teacher. I just teach PE on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays." He explained removing the strands of hair from his face.
"Yea, that is more like it." I acknowledged. "It is a great job regardless."
"What about you? Are you in the medical line, or do you just want to help? "
"I read anatomy in school. Back at home, I was working with the pack's mortuary, helping with autopsy. But I also know basic medicine, so if they get too swamped with work, I can treat wounds and the like."
"Wow!" He exclaimed, his mouth falling open. I was quite amused at his reaction. It isn't really a big deal.
"Isabella?" I stopped in my tracks, turning my head to the sound of his voice. I didn't even know he had stopped a while ago. I mentally face-palmed. I wasn't aware of my environment, for a werewolf.
"I have been wanting to ask you a question."
"A question?" I asked, my heartbeat increasing as time passed. Has he finally found out?
"Were you a high-ranking wolf back at home? You emit power, although subtle and most of the time, you make my wolf want to submit." He explained.
"Ohh.. that?" A nervous laugh escaped me as I pressed my hand to my chest, trying to calm my beating heart. "I was the alpha's daughter." I hope I am still am.
"Well, that is surprising. You just keep surprising me every day. So, what should I call you? Alpha Junior Isabella, or Alpha Junior."
"Just call me Isabel. I don't want anyone to find out about it. It may cause some tension in the pack."
"If you say so, I will keep your secret." We continued the journey in total silence as we trod through the pack. I noticed some schoolchildren loitering around, but immediately they saw Harry, they all scampered for their lives.
I used my hands as a makeshift fan, trying to reduce the heat wave. The sun was hiding behind the clouds now, so it wasn't that hot, but I don't know why I was experiencing this hotness. I dabbed at my face, getting rid of the sweat that had built up.
The hospital was now in plain sight, and I couldn't be gladder that it would soon be over. And before long, we were standing in front of the building. I felt nervous as we entered the building, but an immense wave of relief washed over me as the cooling system performed its duty.
"Harry, what brings you here?" An aged woman with grey hairs called out making her way towards us. Harry hurried to meet up with her so she wouldn't have to stress herself.
"I came here to visit you gamgam." He said as he enveloped her in a hug. His huge body towered over her and covered her. "I have missed you so much."
I covered my mouth to prevent myself from laughing. Gamgam? I gave Harry an amused look. He didn’t even find it funny as he sternly warned me with his eyes not to say anything.
After a while, they separated from their hug, and she held his hands and started leading us inside the hospital. I had no choice but to follow after them at the back.