Chapter 9

Melody kept me company during dinner. She had told me about the castle and everything there was. The property was huge, there was a lot to see. For today I was banished to my room, but she promised to show me around soon.

It seemed to be the beginning of a friendship. It would certainly do me good if I had at least one girlfriend. Otherwise, I would be completely lonely.

Melody was assigned to me anyway, so we would see each other more often. It was an advantage that she was very friendly and helpful. That should make it easier for me.

I didn't want to envy the alpha, so I stayed in the room as he instructed.

I had just said goodbye to Melody and closed the door behind her.

My first step was to grab my cell phone and there were a few messages listed from the Finns. He had been worried for a long time. So I decided to call him.

As the bell rang I threw myself onto my huge bed and it was as comfortable as it looked. It must have been bloody expensive, but that's what everything in this building looked like.

I rolled onto my stomach and stroked a fluffy pillow, there were quite a few on this bed. In general, attention was paid to details when setting up. Whoever did this wanted you to be comfortable.

The large windows made the room nice and bright, which is why it seemed friendlier and that was good for the soul.

The balcony was always a pleasure, I could always get some fresh air there if needed. Or use him to flee, but I quickly dismissed the thought because that was a very stupid idea.

Who knows how long I locked her in my room, so a cozy room was a bonus.

Already I heard my best friend's familiar voice on the phone: "Finally, you're still alive." He sounded incredibly relieved and I started to grin. Finns had always managed to lift my spirits like best friends do.

I put the picture frame with the photos of us on the bedside table and looked over at him. I already missed Finns, it felt good to hear his voice.

"Hey, Finns. Yes, I'm still alive. The Alpha couldn't kill me with his freezing gaze." We both laughed, but after that, I immediately became serious again when I asked, "How are Jason and Ana?" He sighed and replied, "They're both at large, but your brother's freaking out."

I expected that. Jason was probably out for murder, and my father brought that problem on himself.

Before I could ask any more, he said, "Tell me about your new home and the trip. Jason and Ana are fine so far, so go for it."

So I told him about the journey here and that the driver hadn't exchanged a single word with me. It was a strange ride in general. Then I told about Melody and that made Finns happy that I had found a kind soul.

I told him about my day, only skipping Alpha Blackmoon altogether. Finns listened carefully and asked a few questions now and then.

But eventually, I couldn't take it anymore, I had to get rid of it and Finns was the only one I could tell. I didn't have to kick it wide in front of others. I didn't even understand that this man of all people was my mate.

Quick and painless was the best method, so I said, "Finns, we have a problem. I met my mate." There was a brief silence, which was understandable. He should get the time he needs to process this info. It was also the same for me because I hadn't understood the full extent yet.

Finally, he said, horrified and slightly pleading, "No, please don't." I remained silent, which should be answered enough. Sometimes it didn't need words and this was one of those cases.

After a short pause, he started cursing and then said: "Now you are being forced into marriage and that's where you meet your mate. Is it a servant or one of the wolf pack?"

I had already told him that it was a castle with countless servants. Finns didn't think it was an option for Alpha Blackmoon to be my mate.

I sighed and replied, "No." Amazingly, my voice had sounded steady.

Impatiently, he said, "Don't keep me in suspense and finally speak up. I need to know the facts to be able to help you."

I took a deep breath and the words escaped my lips: "The Alpha." It was harder for me to say that than I thought. Probably because I would prefer to deny and suppress it myself.

There was total silence and I wondered if he had hung up. Not a single breath or anything else could be heard. Still, I kept my mouth shut and would let him process the shock.

Every minute, which with a high probability was only seconds, felt like an eternity. I wanted his judgment or advice, or I had no idea what I wanted.

Suddenly he asked a bit too loud and stunned: "That's a joke, isn't it?!"

I clawed my fingers into the poor innocent pillow and desperately replied, "You don't know how much I would wish that. It's crystal clear to me since we've met my eyes. You can't be wrong, it is you immediately clear."

I cleared my throat as tears welled up in my eyes. I compulsively tried to hold them back. My mate was a monster, but that wouldn't make me cry again.

He said softly, "Damn. And I was wondering why you didn't tell me anything about him."

"Yes, it's a shock to me. Finns, he..." I stopped and had to clear my throat. "Alpha Blackmoon even put his hand to my throat. You should have seen that look. This man despises me." In the end, my voice almost broke, so I didn't add anything more.

I looked at the ceiling and stifled a sob. I didn't want to let the tears fall or mutate into a crying pathetic thing.

"Layla, I'm sorry. I honestly don't know what to say to that. It's like you punched me in the face, which is why I have a broken jaw." That was a nice analogy and suited him.

Finns took a deep breath and now his voice sounded angry as he said: "Damn. What kind of asshole is that guy? What has to go wrong with someone if you don't want a mate? This is pure madness."

Yes, I would like the answers too. Once I became better friends with Melody, I should ask if she might know something.

Finn's questioning continued, but this time his voice was softer, "But the Alpha didn't reject you, did he?" I shook my head, which was pointless, so I replied, "No, not yet."

"Hm, that's a good sign. Wait a minute, Layla. Maybe he'll get around." Finns tried hard, but I disagreed. Rejection would come, and soon.

I didn't want to talk about it any further so I changed the subject. This was the best strategy for getting a desired distraction.

We chatted forever about everything but my mate. As a best friend, he knew exactly how best to take my mind off things.

We ended up with funny stories from our past together that always cheered us up.

Finns asked, "Do you remember your 18th birthday? Coming of age." I had to laugh and he agreed. Finn's birthday was the day before mine, so we were the same age so we celebrated twice.

We got very drunk. It had been way too much, which made it a completely insane evening. The result wasn't that great, because I had been throwing up for what felt like an eternity. Finns held my hair like a hero and I nearly died.

I stifled my laughter to reply, "Oh yeah, that was something."

I pictured his mock disgusted expression as he said, "You puked your heart out, I've never been so disgusted with you." I got tears in my eyes from laughing, I remembered it all too well. I didn't quite remember the night itself. Unfortunately, there were only fragments left.

"Exactly, I puked all over your new shoes, that was horrible. Your mum whistled at you like that, you seriously told her you threw up on them."

I burst out laughing and rolled onto my back. My stomach hurt from laughing. He was very good at cheering things up. One of his special talents, which he exercised to perfection.

He replied confidently, "Oh no, I would never have betrayed you. Otherwise, my mum would have thought you were a bad influence." I couldn't stop laughing and this time it got him too.

He continued, once we'd both calmed down somewhat, "You've held your head in front of your parents often enough."

"Don't remind me, but I had to. Otherwise, my father would have ground you up and I wouldn't have had any friends at all." It wasn't actually funny, but we both laughed anyway. The topic was too familiar for us.

"After all these years, I don't even know which of us is the bad influence. I have to admit that most of the bad ideas came from you."

Then I got serious and tried to defend myself by saying, "But you always played along." He laughed out loud again and said, "That's because someone had to make sure one of your great ideas didn't kill you."

My room door slammed shut with a loud bang, I jumped up in fright and looked in that direction.

No, the Alpha.

My heart stopped, I hadn't heard him when he opened the door.

I quickly said, "I have to stop." I took my phone from my ear and hung up, I'll explain that to Finns later.

How much had he heard? Who knows how long he stood there? We also had super good hearing. Alpha Blackmoon would have heard Finns as well.

Hmm, I didn't care. After all, he didn't want me, the way he glared at me menacingly like Alpha Blackmoon was about to charge me. His look said more than a thousand words.