JUNIPER’S POV:
“Alex, I… I didn’t expect to see you,” I stutter as she walks into the apartment. Her face doesn’t hold a single smile, and I can tell she is here for business.
“I didn’t plan to see you either,” she says in a cold tone, and I swallow hard. “But I have no choice.”
My body is taut with emotions, and I want her to tell me something about Hiram. I want her to say he misses me, and he hasn’t gone off with someone else.
“Please sit,” Rhea says to her, and she puts up a hand.
“I have not come here to stay, and I will be very brief, as I am only here to deliver a message from Hiram.” My heart skips a beat as she mentions his name. “He says he misses you, and he loves you,” she says, then she turns to leave, but I reach out to her.
“Alex, please, I know I am the last person you want to speak with, but I… I care about Hiram, and I want to know how he is doing,” I say at once, and she yanks her hand away, turning to face me.
Her face contorts.
“Well, if you must know, he is in a terrible state. His father died.” My blood runs cold when she says this. He never mentioned the passing of his father, but the memory of my mum saying something about the alpha king dying flashes through my mind, but I was too pissed on that day to remember. I wonder how is doing, and I instantly feel the need to be with him.
“Yesterday was his brother Hollis’ coronation as the new alpha king, and he saw a video of you with Troy. It hit him hard, and he got too wasted. He passed out from the pain he has been keeping in him. Everyone is busy, and he didn’t tell anyone about you, because of the circumstances of his family at this point, so he had only me, and I have come now to deliver the message.” She turns to leave as she says this, but I do not want her to leave yet.
I know it may sound stupid, but I want to see him.
“How do I see him?” She pauses when I ask, and then she glares at me. “You might not believe me, but I love Hiram, and it was never my intention to hurt him. I never asked for any of this, but I cannot be with any man but him. I have told Troy off because I love Hiram, and I want to see him, please.”
She inhales deeply when I say this.
“It is true the both of you make me sick, but Hiram is still my best friend, and I will do anything for him.” Relief crosses my chest as she says this. “Getting to the Shadow Pelt Pack isn’t difficult, but then you are human and you will face the guards the moment you get there. They will seize you for trespassing, but Hiram will probably come for you,” she says, and I feel a streak of fear cross my heart, but I am not willing to give into it.
“Tell me what I must do, please,” I say to her.
“You have to head to his house. Winston might still be around, but all workers have been laid off. If you can make it into his house, then you walk to the last floor. There, you’ll find a portal door. Just click the button and walk into it, then you’ll be in his pack.” I nod when she says this. “I will advise you to stay back,” she says to Rhea. “Because they might be quick to attack you before you are saved, but she carries Hiram’s scent. Also, I will not be coming with you. You both have put me in the middle of this too much, and I need a break.”
Before she can speak further, I throw my arms around her.
“Did Hiram not tell you I do not hug people?” She sneers, and I pull away.
“S… sorry,” I mumble, and she rolls her eyes. “Thank you,” I add, then she walks to the door, holding it open.
“Good luck, and I hope you both work it out. The Moon goddess is never wrong.” These are her last words before she leaves.
As soon as she leaves, I rush into the room and change into some pants, throwing on a random shirt.
“Come on, Rhea,” I say to her before she can say a word to me. With no choice left, she grabs her car key and leaves the apartment with me.
Rhea drives off, and as we get closer to the house, my heart thumps in my chest. Soon we arrive at the front of Hiram’s house. The area is as quiet as ever.
As I reach for the door handle, Rhea reaches out for my hand.
“Good luck,” she mutters, and I hold her gaze for a moment before throwing my arms around her.
“Thank you,” I say to her, then I open the door and step out of the car, making my way into the house through the side gate.
Walking into the compound, I take a deep breath, heading straight for the door. As soon as I get to the front door, Winston opens it.
“Miss. Alex informed me you were coming,” he says, then he moves slightly for me to enter the house.
He shuts the door and walks me up the stairs until we get to the last floor. There, he opens the room, which leaves me in awe. There is no time, as I have a huge matter at hand, so I follow him until he stops in front of what appears to be the portal door. He clicks a button, and it roars to life. Then I take a deep breath and walk into it, shutting my eyes.
The next time I open my eyes, my vision is clouded by bright lights in a vast area of land. From where I stand, I can see an enormous mansion. Before I can take a step, a group of people in uniform surround me.
“State your mission, human,” one of them says at once.
“I am here to see Hiram, my mate,” I say to them.