CHAPTER 45: NEW SPACE (II)

Rhea walked in the middle of the hallway, the sound of their footsteps echoing softly against the marble floor. Tavian and Jason flanked her sides, trying their best not to draw attention while she lazily twirled a strand of hair between her fingers. Her gaze drifted over the polished walls, wondering just what kind of room Ellie had arranged for her.

Ellie, leading ahead, glanced back once and caught the sight of her confident stride—and the two omegas practically tiptoeing behind her like nervous attendants. He shook his head with a quiet chuckle. "You’ve caused quite the chaos in the pack you know?" he said. "And it looks like you’ve even gained yourself a pair of bodyguards."

Tavian and Jason both straightened, eyes widening. "We’re..." Tavian began.

"They’re not bodyguards," Rhea cut in smoothly, flashing a grin. "They’re my friends."

The two omegas blinked, surprise giving way to a hesitant warmth. Friends. That word still sounded foreign to them.

"Friends huh?" Ellie said without turning around, his tone teasing. "A few days ago they were among the people against you, and now you’ve already made them your friends?"

Tavian’s ears turned red, and Jason’s head dropped instantly. Rhea’s brow furrowed. "Stop it," she said. "You’re making them uncomfortable."

"I’m not wrong, though," Ellie replied easily.

Tavian stammered, "We...we’re really sorry, Rhea. It’s not like we had the power to help you even if we didn’t like how they treated you."

Jason nodded quickly. "Yeah, we’re really sorry."

Rhea waved a hand dismissively. "It doesn’t matter. That’s all in the past."

Ellie muttered under his breath, "At least you could have been nicer to her back then. Especially you, Jason."

Jason startled, his head snapping up in shock. The Beta knew his name? His throat bobbed nervously.

Ellie continued, "You worked in the kitchen, didn’t you? You could’ve sneaked her some food when they were starving her."

Jason’s face paled, guilt washing over him. His mouth opened, but before he could stutter an excuse, Rhea’s voice cut through sharply. "That’s enough, Ellie. Stop it."

Her tone softened slightly. "They were just trying to survive too. I don’t hold it against them." Then, with mock seriousness, she added, "But if you don’t drop it, I’ll disown you as my brother right now."

Ellie let out a low laugh and glanced back at her, amusement flickering in his eyes. "We just became siblings and you’re already ready to throw me away, for people who barely lifted a finger for you?"

Tavian and Jason looked like they wanted the floor to swallow them whole. They’d heard stories about the Beta’s bluntness, but this was their first time being on the receiving end of it.

"Oh, I see what’s going on here," Rhea smirked. "You’re scared I’ll start favoring them more than you."

Ellie shook his head in disbelief but didn’t respond, his pace steady as he continued walking.

"Don’t worry," Rhea said, her grin widening. "No matter how many friends I make, you’ll always be my favorite brother."

"Lucky me," Ellie muttered dryly, then slowed his steps as they reached a sleek matte-black door with a chrome handle. He stopped and glanced back at her. "We’re here."

Rhea looked around, her gaze tracing the smooth walls and the faint golden glow spilling from the recessed ceiling lights. This hallway looked different from the rest of the pack’s halls, it was cleaner, quieter, and far too refined.

"Isn’t this the west wing?" Tavian muttered, uncertainty lacing his tone.

"Yes, it is," Ellie replied, pulling a small key from his pocket. The metallic click echoed as he approached the door.

"As in... the Alpha’s wing?" Jason asked, brows furrowing.

Ellie smirked as he slid the key into the lock. "The very same."

Rhea tilted her head, lips curling. "Did that big head know you’re giving me a room in his part of the pack house?"

Both Tavian and Jason froze instantly, eyes widening in pure horror. Tavian’s hand twitched like he wanted to cover her mouth, while Jason looked ready to drop to his knees and apologize on her behalf.

Ellie nearly burst out laughing, pressing his lips together to contain it. He swung the door open with a small flourish. "After you," he said, voice strained with amusement. "But maybe watch how you address the Alpha next time. No matter what, he’s still the Alpha of this pack. He deserves some respect."

Tavian and Jason nodded rapidly, agreeing before Rhea could even roll her eyes.

Ellie continued, "Besides, he’s the one who asked me to provide you a room in this part of the house."

Rhea blinked, genuinely surprised. "He did? The same big head Alpha?"

Ellie gave her a pointed look. "Are you coming in, or do you want to stand there and keep insulting the Alpha till you get yourself in trouble?"

Rhea smirked. "Fine, fine. Don’t rush me." She brushed past him, stepping into the room with her usual lazy grace. Tavian and Jason followed close behind, and then both gasped audibly.

"By the goddess..." Jason whispered. "This room is...wow."

"Beautiful," Tavian finished, almost reverent.

The space around them was a masterpiece of modern design—sharp lines softened by warm light. The walls were painted deep matte black, balanced by rich red accents that wrapped around the furnishings. Gold trimming glinted along the edges of the sleek furniture, catching the soft light. A large bed sat centered against the wall, dressed in crimson sheets that shimmered faintly.

Rhea’s brows lifted, genuine surprise flickering across her face as she slowly turned in place, taking it all in.

"Do you like it?" Ellie asked, a smile tugging at his mouth as he closed the door behind him and stepped further inside.

Rhea turned toward him, suspicion mingling with amusement. "How did you know I like the color red? I was scared I’d walk into a pink nightmare or something too flashy."

"I didn’t," Ellie said simply, slipping his hands into his pockets.

Rhea frowned, folding her arms. "Then how?"