+15 BONUS Chapter Thirteen - Raina I needed to get out of the car now . I was two seconds from having a full blown panic attack and I refused to have one in front of Xander . I couldn't explain to him why I was reacting this way . " Deep breaths Raina . You can do this . " The sound of Weathers voice helped calm me but I knew it only would for a short time . Eventually , the panic would win and I'd be a prisoner in its clutches . I couldn't even enjoy the drive through the forest that led to his pack . None of the houses and buildings even registered in my brain . The only thing I could focus on right now was keeping my breathing steady and heart rate low . I could hear the beginning of rain and knew it was my doing . If I didn't keep it together , I knew that rain would turn into a serious thunderstorm . A few minutes later we pulled up to a glorious mansion that looked like it was plucked out of a southern home magazine . The lower siding on the house was made of stone while the upper half was wood . There were tall wooden beams holding up a roof over the huge porch where rocking chairs sat . The front double doors had beautiful carvings of wolves and the Crescent Moon Pack sigil . The whole house reminded me of a luxurious ski lodge . I never got the chance to visit the pack my mother was born in . After my parents had me , they stopped all traveling and kept to the palace where I was surrounded by guards at all times . It was sad they had to give up so much but I knew my safety was the most important thing to them . As soon as the car came to a stop I hurriedly opened up my door , taking deep breaths of the fresh air . The light rain coming down around me coated my skin and hair . I was able to keep the rain to a light drizzle but couldn't stop it completely . At least I didn't unleash thunder and lightning but the night was still young . Once I delved into the storm that was my emotions , I'm sure they'd make an appearance . Xander came around to my side with my duffle in hand . " Do you have a jacket ? The rain just kind of came out of nowhere . If not , I'm sure I have an umbrella somewhere in the car . " " I don't need a jacket or umbrella , but thank you . Your house is beautiful . Very fitting for living in the middle of the woods . " " Thank you . I actually tore down the original pack house around five years ago and built this one . The old one was outdated and I was ready for a fresh start . " I looked up and gave him a smile " I love it . " " I'm glad because this is your home now . " If only I could call this place home . While Darren and Apollo drove the SUV to the garage , Xander led me through the front door and into the foyer , which was even more stunning than the outside . The chandelier over our heads , which was made of deer antlers I'm sure the members of this pack had hunted , reflected off the dark hardwood floors . The walls were painted a light taupe and had framed paintings and photos of nature . 1/3 Chapter Thirteen - Raina +15 BONUS There was a double staircase that led up to the second floor with a deep maroon colored rug running down the center . Past the two staircases I could see a living room with a brown sectional centered in front of a large flatscreen tv that hung over a stone fireplace . As I took in my surroundings I asked , " Who else lives here ? " " Just my Beta Micah , my Gamma Liam , and his mate Victoria . You'll meet everyone tomorrow . I figured you'd want to rest before being thrown into the crazy that is my ranked wolves . " I could see a fondness in his eyes when he talked about his Beta and Gamma . I'm assuming they're all very close . " I look forward to meeting them . " " Victoria is especially excited about you being here . She's been waiting for another female to live in the pack house . " The idea of making friends was foreign to me . I was so sheltered as a child and then in the Silver Moon Pack I didn't care to become close with anyone . It was hard for me to become friends with someone when I had to keep my whole life and identity a secret but maybe this was something I could try . A part of me had always yearned for someone to hangout with and just do girl things with . Xander led me up the stairs to the second floor . I couldn't help but wonder if my mother had ever visited the old pack house when she was young . Considering her father , my grandfather , was head warrior back then , I'm sure she had been inside it a time or two . A part of me wished it was still standing so I could walk the halls and see what my mother had when she was a child . Even though my mother had lived here before meeting my father , I didn't have any other family in this pack . My grandparents died when I was young and my mother was an only child . At least I didn't have to worry about anyone recognizing me . With Xander being the current Alpha , he must be the son of Alpha Arlo . While I never met the former Alpha and Luna , my parents always talked highly of them . Alpha Arlo won the title of Head Alpha after Arrick became my fathers Beta . It seems Xander has followed in his fathers footsteps . After climbing the stairs , I followed him down the center hallway . The further we walked the stronger his scent became , leading me to believe this was the Alpha wing . I could see a set of double doors at the end of the hallway, most likely his suite . We stopped at a door to the right of his and he opened it to a stunning bedroom that could fit ten of my old bedrooms back at the Silver Moon Pack inside . In the center was a king sized wooden four poster bed with a matching nightstand on each side . In front of the bed was a small sitting area facing a flat screen tv that hung over a blazing fireplace . There was a door on either side of the fireplace , most likely a bathroom and closet . The carpeted floors were maroon and felt squishy beneath my shoes . The bedding was the same shade of maroon with taupe colored sheets and accent pillows , The bed looked soft enough to melt in and I was counting down the minutes before I could delve into it . " I hope you like your room . I had Victoria put all new bedding and sheets on for you . Not like anyone has ever slept in this room but I wanted your first night here to be as comfortable as possible . " Was that nervousness I sensed in Xander's voice ? Did he really think I wouldn't be happy with the room ? This 2/3 Chapter Thirteen - Raina +15 BONUS was a major upgrade from my bedroom before . Hell , I even had my own bathroom now . " It's perfect . Thank you Xander . " His shoulders sagged in relief and a smile curled at his lips . He was so breathtakingly handsome it physically hurt . My soul was begging for me to close the distance between us and for once , I obliged . I stepped towards him and wrapped my arms around his thick torso , feeling every hard muscle beneath the dress shirt he wore . He only tensed for a second before wrapping his large arms around me and placing a light kiss to the top of my head . It was enough to help calm the emotions raging in my brain for a minute . I couldn't describe the feeling of being in his arms . It was like I was meant to be here . We fit so perfectly together , probably because this was the man the Goddess chose for me . The other half of mine and Weathers soul . It took everything out of me to step out of his arms . As much as I loved the calmness he brought to me , I needed time alone to think . I had a very big battle against myself I needed to sort through before I exploded . The reprieve he gave me from my inner storm could only be subdued for so long . " I will leave you to rest and get settled in . The kitchen is downstairs to the right of the foyer if you get hungry . The cooks have already left for the evening but there's usually a ton of leftovers in there . ' " Thank you . " He gave me one last smile before he left my new bedroom . My duffle was sitting on the couch in the sitting area but I ignored it for now . What I needed was a nice hot shower . While it wasn't the same as fresh rain pouring down on me , it would have to do for now . I made my way to the door to the left of the fireplace and found the bathroom , which was just as magnificent as the bedroom . The floor was a deep brown and walls painted maroon to match the towels placed on the wooden bench to my right . To the left was a double vanity with dark granite countertops and white sinks . The mirror above the sinks had bronze sconces that casted a warm glow throughout the room . Along the back wall was a shower big enough to fit six people comfortably , all in that deep brown tile . What caught my eye the most was the massive bathtub on the right wall . It was huge . It had steps leading up to it and jets all around the tub . Screw the shower , I'm going for a swim . I hadn't taken a relaxing bath in Goddess knows how long and this swimming pool of a tub was calling my name . There were essential oils and bubble baths on the ledge behind the tub . There was also a glass jar filled with those bath bombs I'd heard Alpha David's daughters rave about . I started the water and dropped in a few lavender scented oils and a floral scented bath bomb , impatiently waiting for the water to fill the tub . I undressed and slid into the warm water , my tense muscles singing their relief . Holy shit did this feel heavenly . Now that my body was finally able to relax , it was time to get my brain there as well . " Alright Raina , time to get our shit together . "