Rejected To Be Your Second Chance novel Chapter 9

　　　　The outside of the house looked like a 16th-century castle, but the inside was anything but. It was modern, with every amenity you could need. Though it was modern, it had a homey feeling to it, with nicely framed pictures, flowers, and wall decor.

　　"Our mom decorated it; she didn't care for the gold-plated handles and stone-made artwork, or the knight armor that stood in every corner."

　　"She ruined it," Mason, Alpha Kade’s brother, said.

　　"No, she turned a house into a home," they walked us up the first flight of stairs and told us what we’d find here. It was mostly an open space with a couch, a few tables, and seating areas, as well as a few game consoles.

　　Other than that, it wasn't much other than an open space for people to socialize in, which I found weird considering others couldn't get in.

　　I looked back and saw Alpha Kade stepping up behind me; he placed his hand on the low of my back and guided me up another set of stairs. Down one side of the hallway were rooms, and down the other was again an open space, but it seemed more like a big office. There were round tables with beautiful Victorian chairs stacked neatly in pairs of four. Bookshelves adorned the walls, and they were filled with different books.

　　"This way," he said and guided me down the hallway.

　　"This is our room," Alpha Kade opened the door, and we walked into his room.

　　"Our room?" I asked and drew a shaky breath. He looked down on me and nodded his head.

　　"Yeah, our room," I turned around and saw Anna being guided up the stairs.

　　"Wait, where is her room?" I ran out into the hallway, and Anna and Cara turned around.

　　"It’s just up the stairs on the third floor; don't worry," Cara said.

　　"Why can't she be here, on this floor?" I wanted her close.

　　"This floor is for ranked members only, as well as the warrior leaders," I nodded my head, and Anna smiled.

　　"I’ll just put my bags in, and then I'll come down," she said.

　　The sooner the better.

　　"There are a few things you need to know now that you’re gonna live here," I was putting my bags down and looking around the room when Alpha Kade spoke.

　　"And what’s that?" I asked softly and looked at him. It seemed like whatever he was about to say really pressed at him.

　　"The fifth floor and east tower are strictly forbidden for everyone," weird but okay.

　　"What else?" I asked.

　　"You can under no circumstances tell the guards to open the gates once they’re closed,"

　　"Yeah, I've been wondering about that. Why have you divided the pack like this?"

　　"I haven’t; many Alphas before me have, and it works. The gates aren't closed often, but when they are, it’s for a reason."

　　"They’re closed right now; what’s the reason?"

　　"You," he said and tilted his head back.

　　"What else?" I sighed.

　　He took a breath and looked me deep in the eyes.

　　"You’re not allowed to leave the border," what did he just say?

　　My eyes widened, and I had a hard time comprehending what he said because I hoped I heard wrong.

　　"You’re not serious," I breathed, but he stood still.

　　"No, my family! How am I supposed to see them?"

　　"You’re not," I choked on my breath, and Alpha Kade’s eyes were telling me everything I needed to know. Past the masks, I could see the pain he felt over mentioning this but also the suspicions; why was he suspicious?

　　"You can't do this,"

　　"It's not forever, I promise. Just for the time being,"

　　"Why?" His lips parted, but no answer came out.

　　"I’ll let you know when I can,"

　　"Alpha-"

　　"Yeah, he mentioned it, but he wouldn't tell me why I wasn't allowed to shift," her brows furrowed, and a grimace grew on her face.

　　"You’re not allowed to shift?" I shook my head. Looking into her confused eyes. I felt it, the confusion but also the fear; why was she afraid? She was uncertain as well, of her brother, he knew something that he hadn't even told his sister. Something was happening in my body, my heart was clenching, my stomach was twisting, and thoughts were beginning to form inside my head.

　　‘Are you sure about this? I've heard about that pack. Their Alpha is pathetic; he has no control over his pack, he’s basically a child.’

　　‘It’s the meeting of Alphas; it doesn't matter where it is or which Alpha’s hosting, I'm going. I’ll be in and out, a quick meet.’

　　‘Fine, we’ll hold down the fort. Are you alright? You look a little lost in thought.’ Cara twisted her head and looked at Kade.

　　‘I’m fine, it just feels like someone's gonna be there, that’s all.’

　　‘Who?’ He looked back at her, piercing her eyes.

　　‘Danielle’ her eyes fell, her lips parted, and she looked sad.

　　‘Danielle’s-’

　　‘Dead, I know.’

　　"Layla!" I was snapped back. What the hell was that? I was standing in a room with Kade and Cara; they were talking, and I saw everything. It looked like his office, but I hadn't ever seen it before now.

　　"You look pale," Anna said and cupped my face. I gently grabbed her hands and removed them.

　　"I’m fine, it’s okay,"

　　‘Layla, it’s happening.’

　　What is happening? What was that that I saw?

　　‘You saw a memory.’

　　But I've never met these people before.

　　‘The memory wasn't yours; it was Cara’s.’