Chapter 139: FEELING OUT OF PLACE

HELENA. As we were led through the winding halls, I tried to steady my breathing. The elder's words echoed in my head, but I still couldn't shake the nervousness. I was relieved, but being in a place full of wolves wasn't something I could easily get used to. My heart hadn't stopped racing since we stepped into that room. The Alpha House loomed ahead of us, tall and impressive, its stone walls seeming to radiate power. Wolves passed by, nodding respectfully to Aaron. Some even stopped to greet him, their faces lighting up with recognition. It was clear how much Aaron meant to these people. But me? I felt like a ghost, slipping between them unnoticed, and I was fine with that. The last thing I wanted was for anyone to pay too much attention to me. Luna must have sensed my discomfort because she stepped closer to me, offering a reassuring smile. 'You did good back there." 'I thought she was going to call me out," I whispered back, my voice still shaky. Luna chuckled softly. 'They don't suspect anything. You blend in better than you think." I wasn't sure if I believed her, but her calmness did help ease some of the tension in my chest. I glanced at Aaron, who was still busy greeting people. He was in his element here. I, on the other hand, felt out of place—like I was playing a part in someone else's world. Finally, after what felt like an eternity of polite greetings, Aaron turned back to us. 'They've prepared rooms for us in the Alpha House. Let's head there." As we walked toward the house, more people stopped to talk to Aaron, leaving me and Luna alone. I glanced around nervously, still feeling like I was being watched, but Luna's presence kept me grounded. As we walked towards the Alpha House, the attention on Aaron grew. Wolves were excited to see him, and it was clear they were eager for his return. He had a lot of responsibility here, and even though I didn't know the full story, I could see how much he meant to this place. Luna and I trailed behind him as more wolves gathered around, welcoming him back. It felt a little strange watching Aaron step into his role. He belonged here, surrounded by his people. I, on the other hand, felt like I was watching from the sidelines. Luna nudged me gently. 'You're looking a bit tense again." I sighed, running a hand through my hair. 'It's hard not to be. I mean, I'm in a town full of wolves. Real wolves. And I'm not… you know, one of them." 'You're with us," Luna said simply. 'That's all that matters." I gave her a small smile, appreciating her words even though my nerves hadn't fully settled. 'Thanks. I guess I just need time to adjust." 'You'll be fine," she said, her tone light. 'Besides, you survived last night's attack. You're stronger than you think." I couldn't help but laugh softly. 'Barely." Luna smirked. 'Barely counts." We walked in silence for a bit, the sound of distant chatter filling the air as more wolves came out to welcome Aaron. The town itself was coming to life. The streets were lined with houses made of stone and wood, giving it a rustic yet powerful feel. Wolves in human form moved about, some carrying out daily tasks, others stopping to look at us as we passed by. It was like stepping into a hidden world. 'You know," Luna said after a moment, 'the elders already think you're one of us. That's a good sign." I raised an eyebrow. 'You think so?" 'Definitely. You've got this." Her words did make me feel a little better. Maybe she was right. Maybe I could make it through this without messing up. After all, the elders had bought the story that I was a wolf. That was a huge relief. We continued walking, the Alpha House looming closer, and I tried to shake off the last bit of unease. Luna's confidence was infectious, and it helped me feel a little more at ease. If she believed I could pull this off, then maybe I could. As we passed more wolves, I noticed how they greeted Aaron with such respect. Some even nodded to Luna, but most of them didn't seem to pay me much mind. That was fine by me—I didn't want to draw any attention. It gave me a chance to observe the place without feeling like I was being watched too closely. The streets were wide, with large stone houses on either side. The town felt both ancient and alive, a strange mix of history and energy. It was as if the air itself hummed with the presence of wolves, their power woven into every corner of the place. Just as we neared the steps of the Alpha House, Aaron turned to look at us, his expression calm but serious. 'We'll be staying here for the night," he said, his voice firm. 'It's the safest place for now." I nodded, grateful for the reassurance. The idea of being inside, away from prying eyes, sounded like heaven. I had spent the whole day feeling like I was on edge, so a quiet place to rest was exactly what I needed. As we walked inside, the grandeur of the house hit me. The walls were adorned with intricate carvings, and everything had a sense of importance. This wasn't just any house—it was the home of the Alpha. Aaron's home. I could see why this place carried so much weight. Aaron was immediately surrounded by more wolves, and I watched as they welcomed him back, their voices excited. He exchanged a few words with them, nodding and smiling, but I could tell he was focused on the task at hand. Luna and I were left standing by the entrance, a little out of the way. I leaned closer to her and whispered, 'It feels like everyone here knows him." 'They do," Luna said with a grin. 'He's the Alpha, after all. People don't forget someone like that." I glanced over at Aaron, who seemed to handle the attention effortlessly. I couldn't help but admire the way he carried himself, like he was made for this role. It was strange to think that this same Aaron had been living away from all this for so long. Luna nudged me playfully. 'Don't worry, they'll forget about us soon enough." I chuckled softly, grateful for her humor. 'I sure hope so." The hustle and bustle around Aaron continued as we moved further into the Alpha House. We finally reached a set of doors, and Luna led me through them into a quieter part of the house. I could hear the chatter of wolves outside, but inside, it was much calmer. The rooms they'd prepared for us were spacious and comfortable. Luna gave me a quick tour, pointing out where everything was. The place felt welcoming, with its warm, wooden interior and soft, glowing lights. I took a deep breath, trying to let go of the nerves that had been gnawing at me all day. 'You can relax here for a bit," Luna said, gesturing to a cozy chair near the window. 'Aaron will be busy for a while with everyone. We might as well take advantage of the quiet." 'Thanks," I said, sinking into the chair. 'I could use a break."