Zara

The girl was wearing a blue shimmery dress, her dark hair tied back with a white ribbon. She must have been about my age when she rolled my luggage in, set it against the wall, and turned to face me.

"Hello! Mistress. I am Asbela. I am at your service whenever you need me," she offered with a pleasant smile, placing her hand over her heart.

About medium height, with a round face, she radiated a friendly aura. Her smile touched her caramel-brown eyes.

"Hello! Asbela. Zara will be fine. No need for formalities." I smiled back, sliding off the comfortable bed and approaching her.

"Noted, but Alpha might not like the idea."

I turned to the poor she-wolf. I placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder and winked.

"I will deal with your Alpha. Don’t worry."

She pursed her lips tightly, and I saw her trying to suppress a smile.

"Okay! Zara. Should I help you unpack?" she asked softly, her gaze flicking over my suitcases.

"Yes, please."

We both busied ourselves with opening my luggage and arranging it in the closet. I pulled out the cookie jar my father had given Alpha Kane. In all the chaos, I’d completely forgotten about it. Setting it on the coffee table, I reminded myself to give it away.

After selecting my toiletries, I entered the bathroom. The luxurious bathroom was simply gorgeous: sapphire-blue tiles with a floral pattern on the floor. In the center stood a large bathtub of a shiny material, reminiscent of a blooming silvery-white flower.

The shower area was surrounded by frameless glass panels, and a floor-to-ceiling mosaic pattern of azure and sapphire tiles created a waterfall effect. A matte silver showerhead with a tropical rain effect was sure to provide a luxurious bath.

Alpha Kane had certainly spared no expense in the construction of his pack house, and it showed.

Asbela was chatty, and we discussed all sorts of small details while we went about our business.

"Would you like to change before dinner with the Alpha?" she suddenly asked, eyeing my dresses. Her tone hinted faintly that I was preparing for a meeting with Almighty Alpha, it seemed she was mistaken.

Did Alpha Kane often bring women home and leave them in this room?

It was understandable why she assumed I was one of them.

"Is it worth it?" I glanced at my outfit, and she quickly glanced at me.

"Perhaps a dress would be more appropriate." She thought for a moment, tapping her index finger thoughtfully against her chin.

"Do all the women who stay here dress up for Alpha’s visit?" I couldn’t help but ask, and she turned to me abruptly, her gaze frightened.

"Oh! No, no, that’s not what I meant. The Alpha never brought anyone in the pack house. You’re the first she-wolf to come to the Alpha."

Her answer puzzled me. It wasn’t what I expected at all.

Finally, making up her mind, she pulled a soft pink, ankle-length satin dress from the closet and handed it to me.

Yes! She certainly thought it was a dinner date.

Perhaps Alpha Kane was hinting that I was his mate and being properly looked after. She was paying me special attention.

Her eagerness to help me look attractive to the Alpha lifted her spirits, and I decided to play along.

"Thank you for helping me choose." I accepted the dress and turned to change. Once I had it on, she helped me comb and style my hair, carefully gathering half of it into an elegant updo at the top of my head.

When we finished, I thanked her for her services, and we decided to descend the imperial staircase.

She led me into the dining room, where a long dining table was set. Dark brown wood, which...

Most likely walnut, with an espresso-colored finish.

Alpha Kane sat at the head of the table, his hands resting palms down on the smooth surface. A look of joy entered his dark eyes.

Ah, like a chandelier overhead, the surprise that gripped them as they approached me was reflected.

’I guess Alpha Kane didn’t expect us to wear a dress for a casual dinner.’ Nova rolled her eyes.

’I agree.’ I replied to Nova.

Our eyes locked, and without breaking the lock, I approached him.

"Sit," Alpha Kane said calmly, but there was no calm in his eyes, which seemed to rage with a storm of desire at the sight of me.

Asbela pulled out a chair to his right. Elegantly gathering my dress, I slowly leaned against it, fully aware that Alpha Kane was watching me like a stalker.

"Thank you! Asbela," I nodded my thanks, and the girl beamed at me, folding her hands in front of her, waiting.

"You look beautiful," Alpha Kane complimented me in his rich voice. Alpha Kane stuck out his tongue and slowly slid it across his graceful lower lip.

’Was it because he was hungry?’ Nova amused.

’Or did I seduce Ice Wolf with this dress and hairstyle?’ I gave the Alpha a barely perceptible smile.

Nova giggled.

"Thank you!"

"Did you like everything? If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask. Asbela is always at your service." Alpha’s gaze slowly but involuntarily slid from me to Asbela, and she nodded quickly, not even meeting his.

"I had everything I needed, and Asbela was very helpful," I assured the King of Cold Emotions.

"Let’s eat. I didn’t know what you wanted, so I asked the chef to prepare several dishes. So help yourself." Alpha Kane extended his hand toward the set table, and my gaze finally tore away from him and settled on the food.

Various types of rice, soups, fish, lamb, and vegetables were prepared. I immediately felt guilty for preparing so much food. Seeing my face fall, Alpha Kane immediately asked,

"You don’t like it? Can I order something else?" Alpha Kane was about to give Asbela’s order when I turned to him and, shaking my head, said,

"No, I just felt sad that so much food had to be prepared just for me. Please! Can we have just one or two dishes next time?" Alpha Kane’s flawless face lit up with smugness, and Alpha leaned back in his soft wooden chair.

The Emperor, just as I imagined him, only without the crown, that’s exactly how Alpha Kane looked: a proud and arrogant emperor, acting like Alpha, Know-It-All.

"Zara, in my palace, food never goes to waste. Everything we cook is either eaten or donated to homeless wolves. So don’t worry about it and eat as much as you like." Alpha’s words calmed me.

His actions always tugged at my heartstrings, and the deep feelings connected with him resonated within me.

"I don’t have a small head," I pursed my lips, hoping Alpha Kane wouldn’t read the hidden emotion in my eyes.

’But our Alpha, read your mind, too.’ Nova rolled her eyes.

"Okay! Mrs. Big Head, let’s eat," Alpha Kane said teasingly.

I picked up a silver spoon and fork next to my white marble plate with a floral pattern around the edges, and our dinner began.