Ella’s POV
“Someone is following us.” Caleb said and turned around.
We all looked around but everywhere was deathly silent. I didn’t think anyone was following us. I couldn’t even hear the sounds of animals and insects as we walked. It was as if they knew that creatures bigger than they were were on the road and had gone into hiding.
“I don’t sense anyone.” Kevin said, turning to look at Caleb. “Do you sense anyone?” He asked us, turning to his men.
“No,” I shook my head.
“No.” The men said.
I wasn’t surprised that they had said that. I didn’t think that anyone was with us and had let my senses fly out the moment Caleb said someone was following us but I still couldn’t sniff out anyone’s scent.
I was afraid he was paranoid and letting it get to him but I didn’t know how I was going to tell him that without making him mad. It was possible he had heard an animal scurry off into the bush and had let his worry get the best of him and think it was someone following us.
I knew how enhanced Caleb’s sense of hearing was more advanced than average but I didn’t think that he was right.
“Can you still hear anything?” Dad asked him.
“No.” He shook his head.
Kevin exhaled in relief. “I guessed it was a false alarm.”
Caleb shrugged. “I guess it was.”
Dad nodded. “Let’s go.”
We all continued on our journey. I was grateful that we had left early when it was getting dark and still hadn’t gotten to where we were going even though dad kept saying we would soon get there.
Some long hours later, way towards the evening, dad stopped in front of a house and waved his hand in an outspread manner. “We are here. This is my home.”
I didn’t know what I was expecting when we get to my dad’s place but this certainly wasn’t it. This was huge and certainly more than I had imagined.
His place was beautiful and I couldn’t help breaking my hand free from Kevin’s grasp to look around while the others went inside to settle down.
“I will look around the house and be back.” I said to dad and hopped away from them.
“Be careful.” Dad said as I walked away from them, turning away from the entrance and partly running.
I waved at him and smiled. He was funny. What was the worst that could happen? It wasn’t like I could run into any of his neighbors as he lived alone. I could trip and fall in my excitement to look around but that wasn’t going to kill me.
I knew that he was an elder in the pack but I hadn’t imagined that he was as wealthy as this knowing that he said he had been away for long on adventures. I didn’t think someone who wasn’t an active elder in the pack could have this much wealth.
Without meaning to, I found myself thinking of how much wealth I was going to have as the Luna of the blood moon pack. I shook my head, wanting the thought to fly away. That wasn’t why I was with Kevin. I knew he was rich, after all he had tried to buy me back when I was a slave at the utopia town which wasn’t a cheap thing to do, but I hadn’t let myself think of how much he owned.
Looking around my dad’s house started to make me think of it. If an elder had this much and I could be impressed, it was no doubt that an alpha would have so much more.
I didn’t think of his wealth when we were growing up and were friends. I was a mute girl then grateful for his attention and friendship and nursing a childhood crush on him not knowing that my heart was going to be broken for it.
I could finally understand why the other ladies hated me. It was more than Kevin’s beauty, his allure and the position that they would earn as his mate. The wealth that would get dumped in their laps as well after the mating ceremony was enough to make anyone go crazy and mean. I was glad that I didn’t fall in love with Kevin because of that. I was a hopeless romantic and that would have made our love impure if I had thought of his wealth before his heart.
By the time I made it to the house, the men were already gathered around a long wide table and having a meeting. I refrained myself from looking around the interior and moved straight to where they were. The exterior was impressive that I had found myself wondering how magnificent the house he had within the pack would be like if the one he had at the outskirts was this much of a wonder to behold.
I was forced to keep walking and not look around as I was tempted to and reminded myself that we were here on a mission.
I walked to the empty chair beside Kevin, grateful that he had kept a seat for me where he was.
“Thank you.” I said as I sat down.
“How do we let them know that we are here so we can direct them here and not have them fight our packs?” Cephas asked.
I was glad the meeting hadn’t gone on for too long before I joined them. They must have taken a long time to unpack.
“I’m sure the rogues will find us.” Caleb said.
I sighed, hoping he wasn’t still insisting that a spy from the rogues had followed us.
“We can also leave clues to make it easier for them to find us.” Kevin said.
“Maybe we could.” Liam replied.
The men continued talking and making plans for the war till two hours were gone. I sighed, wondering if they knew that it was late and this was the time to adjourn the meeting.
I wanted to have a bath-I knew I would have a bathroom to myself in a house as big as this-but I didn’t want to be the reason they had to end their important meeting.
I wanted to wash off the dirt I couldn’t wash off when all I could do then was wash my face and mouth or have a rushed shower. I wanted to sink into the water and feel my bones relax.
I tried not to look bored and uncomfortable as I felt. Dad glanced at me and looked away.
“Should we stop this meeting and prepare dinner?” Dad asked.
The men finally looked up, saw the dark sky outside and murmured about how late it was. I was glad that the meeting had ended. I could leave now to have the soak I desired.
Dad continued. “We should eat well after a long time of surviving on roasted and canned foods. I have everything you might want so name it. Do you want rice? Pasta? Curry? Stew?”
I smiled as dad listed the food he had in the house. I knew he had noticed that I was tired of the meeting and had forced it to a stop because of me. I threw a smile at his way, letting him know how grateful I was. He smiled back, telling me he got my back always.
“Excuse me, guys. I need to take a bath.” I said as I stood up from the chair.
It felt good to have a dad, I thought with a smile as I made my way to the bathroom. I realized too late with a jolt that I had no idea where my bedroom was as I hadn’t gotten inside with the men earlier. It would be embarrassing to go back now and ask them the bedroom they had allocated to me after walking out of their midst with such a flair.
“It’s that way.” Dad said behind me.
I turned to him with a move so fast I was dizzy and was worried I had snapped my head off. I didn’t even know he had been following me silently and watching me. I had been lost in the thought of finally having a long-awaited bath that I hadn’t heard him coming.
“Uh?” I asked, speechless.
He chuckled. “Weren’t you wondering where your bedroom is? It’s down the stairs, two doors to your right.”
I smiled. “Have I ever told you how much I love you, dad?” I said, surprising myself with the words. He seemed surprised as well.
He shook his head but he was smiling. “No, but it’s not too late to hear it now.”
“I love you, dad.”
“I love you too, daughter. Now, go have your bath before dinner is ready.”
“I should help. I will be down soon.”
“You will do no such thing. Take your time. I’m cooking as the host. I will send the boys to have their baths too and relax so you don’t have to feel uncomfortable.”
“Thank you.” I beamed at him.
He waved his hand at me and turned back, making his way to where I supposed the kitchen was.