Zendaya's POV
The night after the stressful events from the day before, I couldn't settle into my new room. Sleep eluded me as my thoughts went back to the prophecy that made Damien seem nervous when his Gamma mentioned it. What did the prophecy mean? The heaviness of its consequences troubled my mind. My annoyance bubbled just below the surface, an unseen battle I fought on my own.
Eventually, tiredness took over. I didn't recall falling asleep, but the loud knocking on my door startled me awake. My head hurt, and I squinted at the weak morning light coming through the curtains. For a brief moment, I thought I was still at the Craven Pack, preparing myself for Luna Elena's harsh comments or Annabel's patronizing looks.
However, instead of anger, a gentle, quiet voice spoke when I opened the door. There stood a small girl, maybe thirteen years old, her Omega status clear from her shy stance and delicate build.
"Good morning, Luna. Breakfast is ready," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. She bowed slightly and scurried away, leaving me frozen in place.
Luna.
The term startled me. It reminded me that I was not part of the Craven Pack anymore but was now in the Raven Pack, holding a title that I felt undeserving of and unprepared for.
Clearing the fog of sleep, I hurried to the bathroom. I washed my face and fought my bed-tangled hair into submission, tying it into a bun. Pulling on a simple vest, hoodie, and tights, I stared at my reflection. The woman looking back at me was a stranger. Could I play the role of Luna here?
I didn't have the answer as I made my way to the dining hall.
The only noise in the dining room, apart from the soft clanging of dishes and cutlery, was the usual tension that always came with Damien's presence whenever he entered the room. So, it was quite shocking to see him relaxed, sitting at the dining table, cup and newspaper in hand, while his muscles twitched in the harsh morning light.
Is it me or did things get a little hot? It's all good, I'm just placing my wolf at ease, looking at the dominant male who sat across me.
He's so handsome, she mused dreamily.
I attempted to concentrate on my food, but much to my annoyance, I kept looking at him. The way his lips rubbed together and the slight twitching of his jaw were…interesting.
"You can stop staring now," Damien said abruptly, and his deep voice cut me out of whatever daze I was in.
It was apparent that I had been exposed, as I could feel my cheeks burning. His hard glare was almost as piercing as that of a great white shark and I felt like one of its appetizers.
"Good morning," I mumbled and turned my face to not look at him.
I was terrified when he removed the chair casually. In just a moment, I was chased by the waves of powerful aroma combining musk and pine as he took the seat next to me!
Slowly, the man raised his head and tilted his chin so that his eyes met with mine. His fingers caressed my chin – and I had the impression he was trying to manipulate my head closer to him. My knowledge about him was correct; the haze in his sights was an indication that his wolf had been quelled but was bursting to escape.
"You smell so good, mate" I heard him say under his breath before he proceeded to take a whiff and massive shake. His presence forced a throat clearing as went on to muffle nearly everything else that came out.
I felt a slight jolt sparks through me, but I resisted allowing him to see how he was instigating me. While I feigned relief, instead I turned my focus to my food.
"I'm going to work, little mate," he said casually, unfazed by my cold demeanor. "I'll see you when I get back."
Without a word, he walked out of the room, leaving me enveloped in the heavy silence of his absence.
Cassidy whined in my mind as I made my way back to my room.
"You were rude to him. Why can't you just admit you like him?"
I sighed, her words igniting a sense of guilt within me. Why was I so guarded around Damien? What was I really afraid of?
I didn't know anyone here, and that loneliness ate away at me. Back in the Craven Pack, I hadn't had many friends, and now I was the new Luna in a place that felt so foreign. I hadn't even been marked yet. Did the pack see me as a true Luna, or was I just an outsider to them?
Cassidy's voice interrupted my thoughts. "You should've asked Damien for a tour this morning. Now you'll have to make things right with him if you want that tour."
The idea of approaching him made my cheeks heat up again. "Get it together, Zendaya." I decided to explore the pack house instead, hoping to distract myself from my swirling emotions.
The Raven Pack's house was massive, a sprawling three-story mansion with two distinct wings. I was staying in Damien's wing, with our rooms conveniently close to each other.
As I strolled down the hall, I stumbled upon a series of portraits. They were arranged chronologically, showcasing the lineage of Raven Pack Alphas. One picture caught my eye—a young Damien with his parents. His innocent, boyish smile stirred something deep within me.
But then I noticed a door next to the portrait, slightly ajar. My curiosity got the better of me, and I pushed it open. Inside, I discovered a portrait and by other items hidden beneath a cloth.
Lifting the cover, I was taken aback by the beauty of the woman in the painting. Her features were delicate, and her smile was radiant. Who was she? My heart sank as the realization hit me; this must have been Damien's first mate.
A wave of unease washed over me. Why was her picture hidden away? What had happened to her?
Before I could ponder further, a hand touched my shoulder. I spun around, ready to defend myself, only to find Beta Enzo standing there.
"Luna," he greeted, bowing slightly.
I placed a hand over my racing heart. "You startled me."
"My apologies," he replied, his tone formal yet kind. "Alpha Damien asked me to show you around the pack."
I blinked in surprise. Damien had thought of me?
"Thanks, but I think I'll pass," I said, feeling the exhaustion from my wandering finally catch up to me. "I need some rest," I added as I headed back to my room with beta Enzo following closely behind.
Enzo's expression softened as he moved closer, his presence suddenly feeling intense.
"If you need anything, Luna, just let me know," he said, his voice low as he lingered a moment longer than necessary.
I nodded, unsure of how to interpret his closeness. I still was tempted to go back there and uncover everything, as the door clicked shut behind him, leaving me alone again, my mind still racing from the events of the morning.