Chapter 15 Sage " Welcome to the Silver Crown pack ! " The girl who's currently cutting off my air supply with her vice - like hold exclaims in my ear . " Iris , let her go ! " Alaric barks gruffly . " She can't breathe with you smothering her like that . " The girl , Iris , releases me and takes a step back , wearing a sheepish expression . " Sorry ! It's just , Ric told Garrett he was bringing a friend and my brother so rarely makes friends , I mean , you've met him , right ? So you can see why . Anyway , I was excited to meet you . I'm Iris , by the way , " She talks so fast , I have trouble keeping up . She sticks out her hand to shake mine and I take it , but I'm glancing in Alaric's direction , gauging his response to her insinuation that he's difficult to get along with . He wears an exasperated expression and rolls his eyes at her but I can swear there's some affection behind it . I can see why . I like Iris already . " It's nice to meet you , iris . Thank you for the warm welcome . I'm- " " Sage ! " She finishes for me . " I know . Garrett told me . He's my mate . He's Ric's best friend and Beta too but that's , whatever . " She waves her hand in the air to emphasize her lack of interest . " Come meet him . " Iris grabs my wrist and drags me along with her . She introduces us and Garrett offers me a mischievous smile . " Nice to meet you in person , Sage . Though Ric's told me so much about you , I feel like I already know you . " The Lycan King spoke to him about me ? Why ? I just stare back at him mutely , unsure what to say to that . I can't help flicking my gaze to Alaric . But he just grunts in irritation . " Now that we all know each other , do you think we could actually go inside ? " He doesn't wait for an answer , placing his hand on the small of my back and leading me to the door . The massive ironwood doors groan open to reveal a grand entrance hall . Towering stone columns line the hall , each carved with intricate wolf motifs that spiral upward into the shadows of the vaulted ceiling . Wrought iron chandeliers hang overhead , their flames casting dancing shadows across the walls . 1 The stone floor is covered in rich pelts and runners in deep crimsons and midnight blues , adding warmth to the otherwise austere space . Elaborate tapestries depicting great wolf packs and historic battles adorn the walls..Floor -to - ceiling windows allow shafts of natural light to pierce the hall , though they're partially covered by heavy velvet drapes in royal purple . I've never seen anything this extravagant , not even in my wildest dreams . I curl in on myself , shoulders hunching and my head bowed , immediately feeling out of place . I feel eyes boring into me and risk a glance from the corner of my eye . Eris sports a triumphant smirk as she stares back at me . I don't belong here and we both know it . " Welcome to Sterling Hall ! " Alaric announces proudly , oblivious to my existential crisis . He angles his body to face me and gently tilts my chin up to look at him . " My home is your home , Sage . I hope you feel comfortable here . " I'm sure you'd like to get cleaned up . Let's get you settled in a room where you can bathe and rest . I'll see you again at dinner and afterwards , I'll give you a tour if you're up to it . " " Thank you , " I say , barely above a whisper , suddenly feeling shy with all these people staring at me . " I have a room all prepared for her . " Iris pipes up . " I'll take her upstairs . " She leads me up a grand staircase that splits into two curved wings . I'm breathless by the time we reach the top Chapter 15 +25 BONUS floor and make a note to myself to exercise more , or at all since I never have before . 1 She opens a door and ushers me inside and my jaw hits the floor . The room is so opulent , and ginormous , way more space than I need . I start to tell her that but she's already chatting away as she describes the room's features . " I had one of the maids run you a bath . It should still be warm but if you like it hotter , just pull the cord and someone will come right away . " She explains , but I'm too busy staring at the swimming pool sized tub . My feet move closer on their own accord , my body already yearning to be submerged in the clean , fragrant water . I can't remember the last time I had a real bath and not just a block of soap to wash in the stream by my house . " I'll leave you to it . " Iris ' voice startles me . I almost forgot she was here . " There's a robe hanging up for you to put on while you rest . I'll come back shortly before dinner to help you get ready . " " I- , uh , " I feel my face flush at what I have to say , " I don't have any clothes to wear . " A conspiratorial grin spreads across her face , " Oh sweet girl , I've got you covered . I didn't have much time to prepare , but I managed to pick up enough to ensure you have plenty of options in your closet . " I stare after her , dumbfounded , until I hear the snick of the door closing behind her . The sound snaps me out of my stupor and I waste no time undressing and sinking into the luxurious bath . The water stings my wounds but I breathe through the pain while I shampoo and condition my hair and scrub my skin until it's a bright pink and nearly raw . I didn't realize until this moment how badly I needed to wash away Cassius ' touch and everything about my old life . I dry off with a towel so large and thick it engulfs me , then slip on the comfy robe . I'm about to pull back the covers to the ridiculously massive bed when I hear the door click open and the sharp scent of silver birch hits my nose . Eris . " Making yourself at home , I see . " She sneers at me . " I'm sure this level of luxury is something you've only dreamed of . You must feel like you've walked straight into the pages of a fairy tale . " If that makes me the wicked stepmother to your Cinderella , then so be it . But I'm here to tell you right now , little girl , enjoy it while it lasts . Because you will never be queen of this castle . Stay away from Alaric ! He's mine ! " " And if I don't ? " I'm not sure where I find the courage to challenge her but she has no right . She doesn't even know me so who is she to talk to me this way . I may not want the Lycan King for myself but I'm done letting women like her bully me . " Try it and find out . " She leaves the threat hanging between us as she turns and walks away , leaving me gaping