Chapter Twenty-Four

Bridger

There are two main reasons werewolves choose to not establish packs on/near the coast: not enough forestry and Meri. When we stepped foot on Corzo's land, I immediately smelt the salt in the air from the ocean not too far which put me on high alert. It's not that I think all Meri are bad, but it would be foolish of me not to admit that some are; that some still attack packs because they think we're still actively fighting the war.

It's especially worrisome when we cross onto the land that Corzo has given to Kian. I notice that Kian's land is even closer to the ocean. Kian seems ecstatic by the idea of being able to see the ocean and I can tell by he keeps taking deep breaths that he loves the smell.

Corzo must sense my discomfort as he slows his walk next to Kian and waits for me to catch up.

"The Meri I've met in these waters are peaceful and docile," he says, "I wouldn't be foolish enough to place omegas close to a dangerous species. Plus, I knew I'd have to use this land eventually and figured, who better to put here than peaceful omegas?"

"What kinds of tribes are there?" I ask. It's a valid concern, I think. Corzo's point makes sense and I won't question his reasoning, but I also want to make sure that Kian and his friends will be safe as well as the other omegas that are to come.

"I've met the leaders of three different tribes," Corzo says, "one of them is militant but we have long since talked and they live further out, there is no reason for his tribe to be on land. They want nothing to do with werewolves."

"And the other two?"

"Do occasionally come on land. Selkies and Merrows."

'Oh good, those aren't dangerous' I think to myself. They are both Irish Meri; Selkies turn into seals for mating and whatnot while Merrows are almost extraterrestrial. Meaning, they don't possess the ability to turn into humans and they don't usually look like the typical Meri. Which also means they can't come on shore for a long time.

"Are you and Kian dating?"

The question throws me off. I jerk my head to face Corzo who has a knowing smile playing on his lips. I look over to Kian who is dragging Mika everywhere while looking around with excitement. Mika clings to him like a child, allowing Kian to pull him this way and that way. I swear Kian's smile might break his face if it gets any bigger. I hear him making plans with Mika, saying what can go where and Jenna happily chimes in from time to time.

We're walking along a smooth paved walkway, up a hill that seems to flatten out at the top.

"We are," I say, "so that means you don't–"

Corzo rolls his eyes and shoves me. "I wasn't going to try to. I'm not into men. What're you doing as a beta to Arron then?"

I know I can trust Corzo, but I'd prefer people not knowing what I'm going to do. Alpha Corzo is an alpha first and I know he'll surely think less of me despite all the planning and preparation that I will put into leaving my place as beta. As an alpha, he will see me leaving what should be a permanent place with the utmost loyalty. I can't have my stained character stain Kian's as well. Right now, only Kian should know because he will be the most understanding. We both are about to take big leaps and defy societal norms.

"Everything will come into place eventually," I decide to say before changing the subject, "this land you've given him is gorgeous."

"Yes, we don't have any nymphs so we have groundskeepers and they ensure that everything is well kept. I also tasked my builders to build a packhouse for–"

As if on cue, I hear Kian gasp. I look up and see a huge house. Where Arron's packhouse has more floors and is dark to match the woodlands, Kian's is wide and a beautiful light blue complimented by white trimming, shutters, and pillars. The packhouse is, from what I can tell, three stories, each story equipped with a wrap-around deck. Despite the land being high above the flat floodable grounds, it stands high above the ground on pillars and it looks as though the bottom floor goes underground. I bet Corzo secured the packhouse with underground compartments.

There are too many windows in this packhouse to count and it, no doubt, has a bright interior, allowing for optimal lighting and a positive atmosphere. I'm blown away by the gardening around the packhouse. In front of the house is a huge garden that makes a wobbly triangular shape. In the garden sit thick bushes and vibrant flowers. The paved walkway merges with a driveway that seems to wrap around the entire house, widening on the side where a garage separated from the house is located.

"Is this our packhouse?" Kian asks, his brown eyes huge and sparkling with joy. I can't help but smile when I look at him. The bright, warm sun shines down on him like he's an angel. His blonde ringlets are golden in the light and his skin...Goddess...it shines.

"Yes, it is," Corzo nods.

Jenna squeals and shakes Kian as they start to ascend the stairs. That leads to the high-standing porch. I would be lying if I said I'm not jealous of this beautiful packhouse. I can't even imagine the inside. Standing on the porch is a young guy in a black and white sweater vest and white slacks. He looks like a rich beach guy as he gives us a lazy smile, the end of a sucker sticking between his teeth.

"This is Vic," Corzo introduces, "he's my delta and he drew up the blueprint for the house for the Chi's and Psi's to build."

Chi's and Psi's are pretty much the same in packs that have them. They are ordinary wolves who either didn't take on any major role like a zeta or tau or didn't pass the tests needed to do so. They do important tasks, however, like taking care of the land, building, generating more money, and such. They also interact more with humans as they can travel more than other members of the pack. Some even go to college. This is only true for our pack, I'm not sure about others.

"Pleased to meet you," Vic says, his lazy smile staying as he looks at all of us. I notice how his eyes linger on Kian, but I don't do anything. My eyes would linger too, Kian is simply too beautiful for you to only look at once for a second.

"Thank you!" Kian says, "can...can we go inside?"

Vic takes his sucker out of his mouth, fighting back a smile as he nods and walks towards the big brown doors. They're double doors with glass making up most of the surface. I assume it's a one-way window as we see our reflection from the outside, but Kian will be able to see who's at the door from the inside.

"Here are the keys," Vic says. Kian takes them gently in his hand and I watch him shove the key into the keyhole before opening it. The door swings open and we're met with a huge circular foyer. Kian gasps and Vic lets himself in, turning to face us with yet another lazy smile. He spreads his arms as he walks backward towards two open white wood doors that lead into what looks like a living room.

"Welcome," Vic says. He begins the tour and sort of zone out, only paying attention to Kian. He's mesmerized by everything despite how bland it is. Everything is white and...beachy. The ceilings are high, the walls are white, everything is either a light brown, white, or blue – it reminds me of a vacation house Arron's father took us to when I was young. While that isn't a problem for me, I know how much Kian loves color and I curse myself for not telling Corzo that. But then again, I didn't expect Corzo to build him a packhouse. I know once Kian makes himself at home, he'll add his own personal touches.

Dr. Edkard retires to a random room we pass by on the first floor, explaining that he'll get a tour another time and that he's old and needs to rest.

The first floor consists of the main room/living room, a huge kitchen equipped with almost two of everything you need in a kitchen. There's another, tinier kitchen inside the huge pantry which shocked me because why didn't we think of that at home? There are seven bedrooms on this floor, all available to becoming doubles but are currently singles each bedroom has its own full bathroom as well as a guest bathroom.

I'm surprised by the sheer massiveness of the entire first floor because not only does it have all that I've mentioned but it also has a full laundry room equipped with a high-tech washer and dryer set, a table in the center for folding, and a sink for handwashing. There are laundry bins underneath the table and lots of storage above the washer-dryer set and sink. The first floor also boasts four big offices and a meeting room – naturally, as a packhouse has.

On the first floor, there's yet another living room albeit smaller that leads you straight to the pool. The pool?!

"What's a house near the peach without a pool?" Vic asks as he sashays towards the full glass doors, "the deck wraps around out here, and if you– come on out."

He gestures for us to come outside and leads us past the pool and towards the edge of the deck which is lined by glass fencing, a wood surface on the top where you can rest your arms.

"Bridger!" Kian calls my name. I look over at him and watch as he leans against the railing. I walk over to him and I'm absolutely blown away.

"It's beautiful," Kian says.

We are situated on the edge of a mountain. From this view, you can see not only the beach below us but also the mountains that roll over each other and fade off into the background in a green blur. It's insane the change of scenery that a five or so hour car ride brought us. From the cold, dull forest that's about to be hit by winter to a hot beach surrounded by mountains and insanely bright sunlight. I love the forest as much as the next wolf, but I can see the appeal that the coast has, especially here. While they are near Meri, there's also protection thanks to the mountains and water. No werewolf in their right mind would want to come here and start problems.

"It definitely is," I agree, "but I've seen better."

"Really?" Kian asks, his big brown eyes on me now, "where?"

"You," I don't give him time to respond as I plant a quick kiss on his lips and return to the group. I glance back at him, pressing my lips in a thin line to keep from smiling when I see his bright red face. His ears are always the first to turn a deeper run. 'Goddess, he's so cute'

'Watch it or you'll be sporting a boner and everyone will know' Jace says.

'I wasn't even thinking anything inappropriate so you watch it'

Kian returns, his redness fading into a soft pink dusting his cheeks. I reach down to grab his hand, wondering why I hadn't been holding him close to me the entire time. Nonetheless, I've got him now and he doesn't protest.

"Shall we go upstairs?" Vic asks, turning to face us. His face falls on mine and Kian's intertwined hands. He looks up at me and I look back at him, squinting a bit as if asking what he's looking at.

"Um...I'm ready to see my room, Hal is getting cranky, s-she must be hungry," Jenna says, taking our eyes off each other and onto her.

Hailey – or Hal – whines in her wrap. I see her little hand appear from underneath the wrap and pat against Jenna's chest as she wiggles. The wrap was given to Jenna by an iota who explained how important it is to keep the pup as close to you as possible for the first few months.

"Yes, of course, if you are tired, I can show you an elevator," Vic offers but Jenna shakes her head. "Wonderful, here we'll take the stairs outside so you can choose a room on the fifth floor."

"Fifth?" I ask, my eyes widening. "There are only three visible ones."

Vic smiles. "I'm quite the architect, you see, the third floor from the outside is just a little fun room for games and such but it has a hidden section that leads underground," he looks at Kian, "I understand being an omega in these times is hard and I consider all types of horrible things that could happen and made sure to give you and your family top-notch secrecy and security. It's simply genius, you'll be impressed."

Corzo snorts. Vic is very humble. Little does he know, Kian is impressed by everything. I roll my eyes and tighten my grip on Kian's hand as we follow Vic to a set of white stairs. They lead from the second deck to the third where the apparent fifth floor is located. Up here is a big, beautiful garden that makes Mika almost scream as he scurries towards it. There are chairs circling the garden as well as a few closer to the edge where a shorter glass railing is.

On the fifth floor is a movie room with all-white seating and the biggest flat-screen TV I've ever seen. There are also another seven bedrooms with private bathrooms. Jenna claims a bedroom for her and Hailey before retiring to it.

I help Kian find his perfect room. I push him to choose the biggest one with the most natural lighting, knowing he'd love to look at the stars while he's sleeping. Vic explained (or bragged) about how all the windows are one-way. We can all see out but never in.

Vic then takes us to the first visible floor, below the one we entered through. Just as he explained, it's mostly a gaming room with stairs that lead to more bedrooms.

"I'll teach you all how to play pool," Vic says.

"Like swimming?" Katie asks. She got tired of walking and is riding on Char's back who hasn't broken a sweat since she got here.

"No," Vic laughs and points at the pool table. "Don't worry, I'll show you another time." He looks at Kian before gesturing for him to come closer. Kian releases my hand and warily walks near him.

"Press your hand against the wall, anywhere."

Kian does as told, flattening his hand against the wall. Without warning, the wall unlatches and moves inward before sliding left, revealing an identical wall with a door camouflaged in the center.

"It's a lock basically," Vic explains, "you press your hand against it, it reads your fingerprints but also does a full scan of your body and allows you in. For now, I've set it so that it takes only three unique prints – Corzo's is already in, then yours, and then whoever else you trust – you may change that later, but I think three is best for now."

"I want Bridger's in it too," Kian says. Vic glances at me and I smile at him.

"Yes, we'll add his later then."

The second floor (from bottom to top) is basically the same as all the other floors with fewer bedrooms. Vic explains that these rooms aren't meant to stay in casually, they're solely meant for hiding or other "omega problems".

"What does that mean?" Katie asks.

I get what he means before he explains. Though, Omaga heats aren't a "problem" – they're normal.

"I designed these rooms with the help of our lovely omegas in Blue Palm," Vic explains. "They're made to be optimal places to ride out your heat if your own bedroom isn't enough. The Heat rooms are small and padded for comfortable nesting as well as uh...other items that will come in handy. These special rooms make up most of this floor and then the first floor is where you'll safely hide if that time comes. Goddess forbid it ever needs to be used."

We don't visit the first floor but Vic walks us through how to get there.

When we resurface to the top, Vic stands proudly in the living room, hands on his hips.

"How do you like it?"

"It's so, so, so pretty!" Mika exclaims, hugging Kian close to him. "I love it Kian, we have to live in it forever."

Kian smiles and rubs his head before looking at Vic. "I think it's great, I think you did a wonderful job. You're a great...what did you say?"

"Architect."

"Yes, you're great at that."

I think if Vic could bust a nut at the praise, he would. He gives Kian starry eyes but I don't feel a hint of jealousy, really. Like I said, Kian is simply beautiful for lack of a better word and I would do the same – I do the same, actually. But I will plan to tell him that Kian and I are together, I may or may not leave out the part about us not being mates.

When Vic is officially done with the tour, Char and Katie leave to explore some more and Kian tells Mika to go check on Jenna. Vic awkwardly moves to talk to Kian but Kian doesn't notice as he rushes over to me and grabs my hands. Leading me away from Corzo and Vic who fall into a conversation.

"Do you like it?" he asks me, his curls getting stuck in his long eyelashes as he looks up at me.

"I think, with some color, it'll suit you very well," I say, "I'd be lying if I said you didn't look extra gorgeous in the sun. You were made for the coast."

His face turns pink again and I continue. "I'm telling you, Kian. This is a beautiful place to live and it just intensifies your own beauty."

"Stop it," he whines, releasing my hands and crossing his arms.

"I'm not playing. But anyway, this packhouse is gorgeous, the land is gorgeous. I can't wait to see what you do with it."

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Word Count: 3096

Okay I lied, I can't wait for nEXT CHAPTER 🥵🥵🥵✋🏽