VIKTOR .
I know she is the one before the door opens.
Her scent is already filling my head as well as the happy rumble my wolf gives at her approach.
She is dressed in a light blue shirt that is partially tucked into a pair of stretchy black jeans, that just highlights her long legs. Her auburn hair flows down her back like stormy waves, swaying as she walks towards me and fixing me with a pair of emerald green eyes that reflects her stubborn nature and a strong spirit.
Yeah, I have my hands full with her, alright..
“How are you feeling today!” she asks as she walks up to me.
“Better. I don’t hurt as much as last night. Your healers are a delight.”
“Hmm, they said as much. Any recollections whatsoever? Anything new?”
“No, unfortunately not.”
I thought about it last night, on whether I should carry on with my charade and stick to my story or confess.
If I were any other Alpha, I would have confessed. But I am not. Any other Alpha. I am Viktor Thorn of the Vale pack, renowned to be ruthless to rogues.
Even if he was willing to help or believe me, that knowledge will firmly put me on her blacklist where I will forever remain until the end of time.
So, until I can earn her trust -by lying, I know- I will continue to go by as Louis.
“Hmm, that is too bad. It means you are going to have to be here with us longer. Your family, your pack, they must be so worried. Wondering what has happened to you and the other wolves too, so sad.”
Damn.
She is good.
“I know. Which is why I hope I can recover my memories soon.”
“Anyway, Dawn, the healer that attended to you, she said you are good to go.”
“Good to go, as in how?”
“You are healthy enough to be discharged,” I clarify.
“Oh, that is uh… that is great. Just um, one problem, where do I go? I have nowhere to go.”
“Yes, I did take her into consideration, which is why I am allowing you to stay with us, under watch, until you recover your memories.”
“Oh, I guess that makes sense. Thank you.”
“You are welcome,” she says with a tight smile.
Man, she really doesn’t want me here, does she?
“So, how are we doing this? Are you going to introduce me to the pack?” I ask.
“I already told you. This is not a pack. It is a settlement. People come and go, they are not obligated to remain.”
“But most remain?” I insist.
“Some choose to have the stability we provide without the hypocrisy and sheep mentality that most packs have,” she responds.
Sheep?! Sheep?!
“Sheep?”
“Yes, sheep. Baaah.”
“What do you mean?” I ask, slightly insulted.
“Well, most packs have the same mentality, same behavior. Anyone who thinks in opposition to the pack on a subject or behaves in a manner different from others is instantly labeled a pariah, an outsider, a loser. And then tormented until they have to leave or are kicked out or worse, killed.”
“Is that what happens to you?”
“What?”
“Is that why you became a rogue?” I ask, my voice quiet, with growing, seething rage.
Who dared to do that to my mate?
“That is no business of yours. So, do you accept staying here or would you like to find your way back?” she asks, almost giving me a whiplash with the change of subject.
“I thought I already thanked you and accepted your offer.”
“Hmm, yes, I suppose you did.”
“And I also remember asking if you would leave me to my own devices or if you would introduce me to the pa- settlement.”
“Ah, right. You will be introduced,” she says as she turns and heads for the door. “But not by me.”
“What? By who… then?” I ask as she opens the door to reveal another lady.
Oh oh.
“This is Lisa,” she tells me as the woman walks up in a hot baby pink gown. “She has volunteered to take you around and introduce you to the others.”
“But… wait… what about you? Why can’t you take me around?” I ask, a hint of panic evident in my voice.
“Because I am busy. Settlement to run, threats to plan against and all that. Have fun,” she says as she walks out of the room, leaving me with barbie.
“Hi! I am Lisa. Lisa Blaze. We are all Blaze here, well, not all of us. Just the three of us. Me, Rowan and Rina. We’ll, four of us. There is Jhenelle too. Rina is my twin.”
Someone, please kill me now.
“What is your name?”
“Vi- uh, Louis.”
“Vi Louis. That is a strange name.”
“No, just Louis.”
“What is the Vi for?” she asks.
“It was a slip, my tongue got caught in my teeth.”
“Oh yeah. That happens to me a lot. Ready to go?”
“Actually, I think I will take a nap again. I am quite tired,” I reply as I go back to leaning on the bed.
“Don’t be silly,” she says as she grabs hold of my hand and pulls me off the bed. “Dawn says you have been discharged. Which means you get to feel the sunshine. And besides, too much sleep can’t be good for you. Why don’t you get dressed and I will wait,” she says as she gestures to a pile of cloth on the couch before taking her seat in the bed.
I stare at her for a few moments before giving in and heading to the bathroom, clothes in hand.
Okay, not the way I thought this would go but I at least, I haven’t been kicked out.
That is a win.
I will get to see around the pack, evaluate their threat level, their motives and strength.
It will also give more time to get close to my mate and figure out why she is so averse to me.
Dressed in black t-shirt and black slacks, I head out of the bathtub to dear Lisa.
“I am dressed. Where to first?”