Chapter 11

Amelia’s POV

"Holy guacamole," I gasped, staring up at the castle before me. The structure was immense, looming over the landscape like a giant. The towers were tall and stately, the walls thick and imposing.

Every surface was carved with intricate patterns and designs, making it seem like a work of art more than a fortification. I had never seen anything like it before, and it took my breath away.

“You like what you see?," Jackson asked, his voice almost reverential.

"This is way better than Elliot's castle," I said, i didn’t say it because I disliked Elliot, it was the truth. Jackson let out a laugh, his eyes dancing with amusement.

"You've never been one to mince words, have you?" he said, leading me towards the massive doors of the castle.

I grinned, feeling the thrill of anticipation coursing through me. "Nope," I said, the word popping from my lips like a cork from a bottle. "I'm always honest, even when it gets me into trouble."

Jackson chuckled, shaking his head as he pushed open the doors.

“You’ll be a good Luna you know that?" Jackson said, his voice low and thoughtful. He glared at me with those eyes like he would devour me right there.

“You're not like some she wolf I’ve met, you're not afraid to speak your mind and be yourself."

I felt a flush rise to my cheeks at his words, and I ducked my head, unsure of how to respond. Jackson was right, I wasn't like most people. I'd always been a little bit different, a little bit wild and free.

I'd never been able to fit into the mold that society tried to force me into, and I was proud of that even though I was not fully a wolf yet.

We stepped into the foyer of the castle, and I couldn't help but gasp in wonder.

The room was massive, with vaulted ceilings and stained glass windows that cast brilliant colors across the floor. The walls were covered in tapestries and paintings, depicting scenes from long ago. It was like stepping into another world, a world of knights and princesses and castles.

“Alpha!” A man called out, approaching I and Jackson’s way. His dark hair was curly and smooth, falling in waves around his face. He was tall, with broad shoulders and a strong build.

He looked a bit like Jackson, though his features were a bit sharper, a bit more severe. He wore a long black shirt, with sleeves that fell to his wrists, and black trousers that were tucked into a pair of knee-high black boots. He looked like he could have stepped out of a gothic novel, or a dark fantasy.

"Finally back!" The man exclaimed

“Simon!" Jackson responded

“Here’s my little brother, Simon!" Jackson said, introducing me to Simon.

“And Simon, here's Amelia, my soon-to-be Luna." Jackson stared at me in some way I couldn’t explain. I was sure he couldn’t wait for me to be his Luna but still he had to fulfill his own side of the bargain, finding my pack.

Simon looked at Jackson with wide eyes, clearly surprised by the announcement. He was definitely surprised that his brother just brought a lady from nowhere.

“You should go in and freshen up.” Jackson looked towards me. I nodded

“Bella” Jackson called one of the maids who came running to our direction.

“Take Amelia to her room”

“My lady, shall we” I heard the middle aged lady honor me with so much respect, I smiled a little following her behind.

I turned round, seeing Simon being serious with Jackson. I knew he had lots of questions for Jackson. I wondered how Jackson would be able to explain it all to him.

“This is your room my lady” the maid said. I glared around the magnificent bedroom, it was definitely nothing like the maidens quarter.

“I’ve prepared your bath ma’am and also some dry towels, there is a neat, pressed dress placed on the bed. Alpha Jackson wants you down for dinner. Just tell me if you need anything else” Bella explained, letting my eyes notice everything she had mentioned .

“No thank you, this is enough”

“And please address me as Amelia”

Bella scoffed, dunking her head lower

“I might get fired from my job if I do that my lady”

What the heck? I knew Jackson was behind this.

“I’ll leave now my lady” Bella bowed her head in respect as I watched her leave and close the door behind her.

I sank into the warm, bubbly water, letting the troubles of the past few days melt away. I'd gone from being a mere maid, to an engaged Luna-to-be, and my head was still spinning from the whirlwind of change. I could still feel the weight of my previous life, like a shadow over my new one. But, for a moment, as I soaked in the fragrant water, I allowed myself to relax and enjoy the simple pleasures of a long, hot bath.

I closed my eyes and leaned back, taking a deep breath and letting the stress of the day drift away, knowing fully well that this would only last for a little while until I finally find my pack.

Jackson’s POV

Simon slammed the door to my bedroom shut, and I knew immediately that he was angry. His fists were clenched at his sides, and his face was red with rage.

"You're seriously going to get mated to a stranger from the crescent pack?" he demanded, his voice raised.

“And worse, she has no wolf. Its no good for this pack” Simon concluded, his voice hitting with disappointment.

I watched myself in the huge mirror, loosing my buttons. I hadn't expected this kind of reaction from Simon. I thought he would be happy for me, but it seemed like he was anything but.

"I don't see what the problem is," I said, trying to remain calm.

“Amelia is wolfless because she has no pack, crescent pack only stole her and now she needs my help”I calmly explained to Simon

“And you asked her to be your Luna in return?”

I heaved a sigh, exhaustion weighing down my bones. I closed my eyes and opened them seeing Simon waiting for my answer.

“I felt something, something strong in her. She’s more than a Pack-less girl Simon”

“Fine”

“Let’s agree your wolf senses are right”

“How do you intend on finding her pack?”

Simon popped out the question to my hearing and now i wondered how I could achieve what I’ve promised Amelia.

“I’ll need your help on that” I said, looking straight into Simon’s eyes and all I got from him was a scoff.

“Looking into a stranger? where do I start from? And I’m sure you don’t know so much about her either”

“Start with crescent moon pack, Elliot and crane especially. They took her away from her pack and I’m sure they know just where her pack is”

“Cmon Jackson, we know so much about those lying and manipulative brothers.” Simon sounded so certain.

“That’s not enough information, look into them the more.”

She’s taking so long! I had secretly awaited Amelia’s presence, looking at the stairs from time to time expecting her to appear soon enough, as I and Simon dug into our meal. Our cutleries covered the absent of silence in the dinner table.

Just then, I heard the sound of footsteps approaching from the stairs. I looked up to see Amelia, my soon-to-be Luna, walking towards us with no facial expression but she was still a gorge.

“Here comes your future Luna” Simon whispered he was only trying to annoy me as usual. My heart pounded in my chest, Amelia was the epitome of beauty, with her long brown hair and perfect features, no one would ever imagine that she was once a maid.

I saw the way Simon smirked, clearly enjoying my discomfort. Amelia sat down across from me, her movements full of grace and poise. But I could see the nervousness in her eyes, the way her fingers fidgeted as she reached for her silverware.

I wondered if it was the formality of the situation, or the presence of my brother, that made her so uneasy. Simon exuded an air of cool confidence, his dark eyes and slicked-back hair giving him a mysterious air. He had the kind of presence that drew people in, even if they didn't know what to make of him.

I couldn’t help but scoff at Amelia’s calm attitude, this definitely wasn’t her.

As I watched Amelia struggle to handle her cutlery, I felt a mix of amusement and empathy. She fumbled with the knife and fork, her brow furrowed in concentration. It was clear she was out of her element, and I couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for her.

“Do you need any help with that?" I asked, trying to keep my tone light and non-patronizing.

She looked up at me, her eyes wide and slightly embarrassed.

“I think I've got it, but thank you," she said, her voice sounding slightly strained.

I smiled and nodded, giving her a knowing look. "No worries, everyone has to start somewhere," I said, hoping to put her at ease. "The first time I used a knife and fork, I ended up wearing half my meal.

That got a laugh out of her, and the tension around the table seemed to dissipate slightly

"I'll take your word for it," she said, smiling back at me.

It felt good to have broken the ice, even if only a little bit. I could tell she was still a bit nervous, but hopefully now she felt a bit more at ease.

“It won't be long before you learn how to use a cutlery," Simon said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

“After all, it seems like it's just as easy for you to manipulate my brother as it is to hold a knife and fork."

“Simon!” I growled at my brother