I was completely hypnotized.

The book that I had in my hand faded into the background, I no longer even remembered the words I had just read.

My mind was invaded by the magnetic aroma of black tea and dark chocolate. The peculiar combination flooded my room, inviting me to go in search of it. For a moment it seemed like someone set a trap to lure me to them, and if that was the case, then I was willing to fall for it.

I looked at Faustina, she was too focused on the television to notice my shock. The way she leaned her body back against the cushion and the smile on her face was an indicator that she wasn't going to move any time soon.

"I will go to the kitchen to get something to drink, do you want me to bring you something?" I asked her, placing the book on my bed.

"No, I'm fine. If I eat a lot now I won't have dinner, like I did yesterday."

A grimace escaped me as I remembered the previous dinner. It was one of the most uncomfortable I have ever witnessed in my life. It started out normal, with my sister and I talking about the most absurd things, Faustina had forgotten about her anger and it seemed like everything would be perfect until Almec arrived.

His presence was overwhelming, he had the kind of aura that people would expect from an alpha. It was inexplicable to me how at times he could be a reserved but kind man, and suddenly when other members of the pack were present he would transform into a serious and powerful leader.

As soon as he arrived, the conversation died down and only the clatter of cutlery was left, accompanied by uncomfortable glances. No one said anything until the food was over, and a tense atmosphere remained until Almec left the dining room.

If all the dinners continued like that I would end up regretting inviting him to join us.

"Okay, I'll be right back," I told Faustina.

Following the scent was not as easy as I expected. The combination of tea and chocolate remained in different areas of the mansion, it was as if someone had walked through the hallways with a cup of the infusion in their hands. I assumed that it must have started in the kitchen, so I headed there in search of the evidence.

"Looking for a snack before dinner?" Demian asked me as soon as I entered the room.

"I was thinking of having some tea," I replied. I didn't want to ask directly about the scent.

"Excellent choice. Dinner will be ready in about fifteen minutes so I wouldn't recommend eating. What tea would you like to drink? We have Earl Grey, berries, and honey and lemon. I'm afraid that we're out of the rest of the flavors since yesterday."

"You know what, I better wait for dinner if it's that close. Maybe I'll have tea after dinner."

"Whatever you want," said Demian as I left the kitchen.

My body returned to my room and the words to let Faustina know that it was time to go to dinner came out of my mouth. Everything happened automatically as my mind continued to process what had happened with the scent. Was I already losing my senses and smelling things that didn't exist? Was I losing my mind?

You're not crazy, I can also smell the aroma of tea and chocolate.

I tripped on a step and almost fell down the stairs.

"Are you alright?" Faustina asked me.

I managed to nod after resuming the walk. My throat refused to cooperate because of the wave of emotion that invaded my body.

I had heard it once again, the voice of my wolf spoke to me after so many years.

"Is it really you?" I asked her in my mind.

"Yes," the response was so soft I could barely hear it.

"I missed you," I told her.

I waited for a response but the connection had disappeared once again. I wanted to scream of joy, if we were able to connect even for a few seconds that meant there was still hope.

I was not a lost cause, my wolf still lived inside me.

"Valen, hurry up, don't stay behind," Faustina yelled at me from inside the dining room. "Mr. Alpha is already waiting for us."

I fixed my hair with my hands, arranging my waves a little to at least look decent on the outside. If I didn't say anything, maybe I could hide my inner turmoil.

"Sit next to me." Faustina pointed to a chair that was close to Almec who was sitting at the head of the table.

"Hello," I greeted the alpha as I passed next to him.

"Good night." He was back in his formal role. He smiled at me and then he turned his gaze to Demian. "Thanks for the food."

"No need to thank me, it's my job," the cook responded as he served the last dish. "I'll be in the kitchen as always, if you need anything else don't hesitate to call me."

"Mr. Alpha, what do you do all day? I never see you around the mansion," Faustina said after taking the first bite.

The silence and uncomfortable looks of the previous dinner didn't seem like a bad option to me anymore. I preferred them more than having my sister question the alpha's actions.

"I have work to do," he replied calmly.

"What job? What do alphas do?" Faustina asked.

"I have to receive visits from the beta and make decisions about the future of the pack. I also protect the population."

"Ummm, so boring." Faustina let out a sigh. "I thought being an alpha was more interesting."

I kicked Faustina under the table. Her curiosity was something my parents insisted on encouraging and I agreed, the only problem was when her questions and opinions disrespected authority. We were going to have to talk about respecting our alpha once we were alone.

Almec seemed surprised by Faustina's words, he looked at her with a frown and defended himself against her. "Today I did something different, I think you would find it fun."

Faustina lifted one eyebrow. "Really? What did you do?"

"I can show it to you after dinner if Valentina agrees." He looked at me expectantly.

"I have no problem if Faustina wants to go."

My sister gave a little cry of excitement. "Finally something interesting. I hope it's fun. Eat quickly so we can go."

True to her convictions, Faustina took the next bites with surprising speed. She didn't even finish swallowing and she was already putting more food into her mouth.

"Don't eat so fast, you'll choke," I told her. "We're not going to escape without you even if you're the last one to finish eating."

"But I want to see what it is, don't you want to know?"

"You'll see it even if you eat slowly, plus you can't leave without us and I'm not going to eat like crazy."

"You're a boring old woman." Faustina looked at me with the best angry expression she could muster.

I had to make a lot of effort not to laugh at how adorable she seemed to me.

"Yes, I am an old woman and in addition to eating slowly I also walk slowly so it will take me a while to follow you."

"Don't you dare," Faustina shouted. "If you can't walk then the alpha can carry you again."

I looked at my food to hide the blush that had surely appeared on my face from embarrassment. "Stop fighting me and keep eating if you want to go," I whispered.

I could swear that I heard Almec's laugh but when I raised my head he was back to his serious facade.

The rest of the dinner continued in silence. We focused on finishing the meal instead of keeping the conversation going. From time to time I felt Almec's gaze on me, making me feel nervous. Was he trying to tell me something? Whatever it was, I wasn't sure if I wanted to hear it.

As soon as we finished eating, Faustina jumped out of her chair and took Almec by the hand. She tried to pull him to his feet, I was about to scold him when the alpha did what my sister wanted.

"We're going to the attic," he said and began to walk without letting Faustina's hand go.

They look adorable.

The thought crossed my mind, taking me by surprise. I shook my head to get rid of it, although it was true that the two of them looked very cute walking hand in hand. Almec was leaning a little to the side so that Faustina wouldn't have to stretch her arm so much, and my sister was jumping next to him.

At the end of the second floor was a metal spiral staircase. Just seeing it made Faustina so excited that she let go of Almec's hand and ran towards it.

"Wait a second," the alpha told her.

My sister listened to him and she stopped her movements right in front of the stairs. She placed her arms on her waist like a cup.

"Why can't I go up now?" she asked.

"It's a surprise," he explained. "When you get to the top of the stairs you have to close your eyes, okay?"

"I love surprises!" Faustina began to climb the steps at high speed.

"Be careful," I yelled before starting to follow her.

We stopped in front of a wooden door, Faustina closed her eyes and waited for Almec.

"You should close your eyes too," he said looking at me.

"Hurry up, Valen, do what he says," my sister screamed at me.

I closed my eyes and my heart started to race. Trusting someone other than my sister was difficult for me. The darkness and the unknown terrified me and my hands wouldn't stop shaking.

I felt a soft touch on my back.

"I've got you, don't worry," Almec said softly close to my ear.

My nerves decreased when I heard his voice, it was like a magical solution.

"Let's start walking, I'll guide you."

The hand on my back pushed me a little and I moved my legs. We took a couple of steps before Almec told us that we had arrived.

"You can open your eyes now," he told us.

My eyelids did not finish opening when Faustina's scream took over the room. Judging by her high-pitched tone it must be something she loved.

When I finished opening my eyes I gasped. In front of us was an art room. Two large shelves full of supplies occupied one of the walls. Two easels with white canvases were waiting in the center, and there were bean bags on the floor.

"Do you like it?" Almec asked Faustina. "I heard you wanted to paint."

"It's perfectly splendid. The best room in the world." She ran to check the items on the shelves.

"Thank you," I said to Almec, standing next to him. "You didn't have to do all this."

"But I wanted to. Plus it wasn't very hard to organize it, it used to be my mother's art room so I just had to get new supplies."

I held his hand and gave it a squeeze. "It's the biggest surprise she ever got. It means a lot to us, I don't know how to return all the favors you did for us."

"Enjoy the room with her, that's all I ask." He smiled at me and caressed my hand with his thumb.

"Can I paint now?" Faustina asked.

Almec looked at me and waited for my answer.

"You can paint a bit now, but not too much because it is almost time to go to bed. Tomorrow you can paint all you want," I said.

Faustina's expression of joy almost made me cry. Seeing her enjoying so much was a distant concept for me weeks ago, however, we had received so many blessings during the last time. And almost everything was possible because of Almec.

"I have some issues to take care of so I'll leave alone to enjoy the room," he said.

"Thank you!" Faustina shouted, taking out the brushes from the shelf.

I said nothing, I didn't know how to express my gratitude anymore.

Almec began to walk towards the door and my body reacted without me being able to think about it. My hand curled up against Almec's arm causing him to stop. I approached him and surrounded his torso with my arms. Shyness led me to hide my face in his chest. I felt the soft touch of his hands on my back, so soft that it made me think that Almec was being extra careful when he returned the hug as if he was afraid to hurt me.

"Thank you for everything," I told him after a few minutes.

"Thank you for being here," he whispered and placed a little kiss on my head before separating from me.

I remained still, trying to process everything that had just happened. After hearing the sound of the door closing I returned to reality.

I would have time to think about Almec later, he always returned to my mind even if I was not waiting for him, so I decided to forget about him for the moment and enjoy the gift with Faustina.