Alpha Loren
Chapter 4 Stupid Decision Number Two

October 10th

It was an unusual but attractive scent coming from the other side of the border. It was interestingand peculiar and somehow built enough curiosity up inside me to compel me to gingerly cross theborderline, the gentle crunch of the leaves resonating from my steps in the otherwise silent forest.I suddenly paused and took in a short breath, realising what I had done. Stepping into anotherAlpha's territory...in the middle of the night...? Did I want a premature death?

But after a few agonising moments, the forest remained still and I let my anticipation crumbled.After a deep sigh of relief, I almost laughed how easily I had let fear grip me and stepped furtherinto the unknown territory.

After all, I still hadn't found the source of that scent.

I pushed a low branch with a brittle network of twigs out my path and kicked up a mass of leaveswith every kick. Judging by the fact that there was no beaten track, wolves clearly didn't often crossthis territory which brought the question of “why to my attention but I quickly pushed the thoughtaway as the scent got stronger.

The most curious thing about it was that no noise accompanied it. There was no rustling in thebushes, no footsteps anywhere around me, no faint evidence of breathing and not a single gestureof life. Everything was quiet and it no longer seemed so peaceful. An air of eerieness seemed todescend amongst the trees and it unsettled me.

Just as the idea of turning back was becoming very appealing, a voice sounded.

"Hello," it said.

"Shit," I cursed as a jolt of surprise seized me.

I whipped around to see the figure of a man before me. How the fuck did he creep up on me soquickly and so discretely?

I looked up slowly. His sheer height made his size immense regardless of the breadth of hisshoulders and strength of his build. It was enough to intimidate me and I took pride in beingparticularly hard to frighten.

He wore the black hood from his sweater over his head so that it left his eyes covered. His face hada menacing expression about them with defined cheekbones casting shadows on his chin andoutlining his sharp jawline creating something exceedingly beautiful but at the same time chillingand cold.

"What do we have here?" He said his words dripping with amusement.

I stayed totally silent and stumbled back a few steps.

"You appear to be on my territory little wolf," He continued in a melodic voice. He had a slightaccent elongating his words, only intensifying the fluidity of his voice.

"I-I was just leaving. I'm sorry," I said quickly.

He let out a short laugh, "Leaving already? You haven't even told me your name...or moreimportantly why you dared cross my border without permission.”

"It was a mistake,” I said. "I'll go now."

"No," he said, after looking me up and down. "..You can stay."

It felt like more of a command than an invitation

"What kind of man would leave a pretty girl like you alone in the woods?" he said. "It's late and cold.Let me take you to somewhere warm."

"I'll be fine on my own," I said, not loving the idea of going anywhere with him. "Thank you though.”By this point, he had stepped close enough to reach forward and run a long finger along my cheekbefore pausing at my chin. I froze.

His touch was so soft and gentle yet it triggered something powerful inside me. I could feel his stareburning into me but I refused to look back. I kept my eyes fixated on a tree ahead, completely stilland quiet.

"There's something intriguing about you," he said eventually.

I said nothing.

"You're different,” he continued.

I forced a smile, "I'm flattered but I've really got to go.”

He let out a short laugh and only brought his fingers to my hair and then down to my neck again."That's not how this is gonna work, Sweetheart," he said. "Now would you please look at me?"

He then reached for his hood and pulled it down revealing his whole face. From the corner of myeye, I caught sight of some tousled dark blonde hair and a well-sculpted broad foreheadappendaged with dark, thick eyebrows and a perfectly shaped nose. But I couldn't bring my self tolook into his eyes. For some inexplicable reason, I was terrified of what I might see.

"Look me in the eye,” he demanded.

"No," I said keeping my eyes on the tree. "I can't.”

"So you're a defiant one? All the more fun for me,” he said grabbing my face in one of his hugehands and forcing me to face him

I scrunched my eyes shut.

"Open your eyes. Do not make me say it twice,” He ordered in a firm authoritative tone. He didn'teven have to raise his the volume of his voice before some subconscious instinct made me do it.

I cautiously and slowly opened my eyes only to reveal the most beautiful eyes in existence. Theywere a brilliant shade of blue with a dark outer rim and gold flecks streaked through them likeintricately woven threads. Nothing like what I expected at all. But underneath the comforting maskof colour, was an underlying evil. Something that sparked a churning sensation deep inside.

My wolf was screaming something in my ear. Just a four-letter word. And that is what I feared, notthe eyes. The concept that this man, stood tall and dangerous in front of me is my...

mate.

A little grin twitched at my lip as I looked up to him

The more I looked into those beautiful eyes, the more I was sure. His touch, his voice, his scent. It alladded up.

This man is my mate.

He now smiled and held out his hand out to me.

Oh, the smile. He was simply the most handsome man I'd ever had the joy of looking on. The wayhis face creased with it and the way it triggered indented dimples in his cheeks to form and hisbrightly coloured eyes to glint even more. It made me forget how terrifying he had previouslyseemed.

"Who are you?" I asked as I shook his hand.

"Your mate I suppose,” he said deeply trailing his hand up to hold my face. I stood there in completestillness utterly hypnotised by the mellow tone of his voice. "Pleased to meet you."

I slowly brought my hand to his soft cheek, passing his impeccable jawline and lips. He placed hishand on top of mine.

A few moments later our fingers were entwined.

"I knew there was something about you," he said.

I smiled and let him kiss my hand.

I then caught his scent again. It was so rich and authoritative and his eyes so blue and mesmerisingand his build so powerful and strong. He was just like they described him.

Just how my father used to describe the man every wolf feared.

"Alpha Leonardo Loren," I whispered.

His eyebrow raised.

"I mean...urgh...you remind me of him," I said quickly.

"I do?" he replied an amused smile creeping onto his lips.

I nodded.

"Why thank you. I hear he's very handsome,” he joked

I blushed and looked down for a moment to hide it from him.

"But since I'm still standing here alive I would assume you are not.”

"Why's that?" he asked.

"Because of the stories. The evil, the suffering, the fear, the death that he brings to everyone in hispath. They used to terrify me. They still do in fact.”

"Then we should get out of this dark forest,” he said taking my hand. "We wouldn't want to comeacross anybody like that tonight.”

"Wait, my home is this way," I said resisting his gentle pull in the opposite direction. "I live inKellington.”

"Kellington? What are you doing so far from home this late at night?" he asked

"l was on a run," I said.

He narrowed his eyes and let out a low hum before he tugged my hand again, "Well, you must beexhausted. Come, come.”

"So I need to go home," I repeated.

He smiled again but this time with a little twinge of frustration.

"You're coming home with me," he replied pulling me with a little more force further away from theborder.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I can't,” I said. "My brother will worry about me and I have to be at work at 7 am-."He let out a short breath, "Your brother will be informed. Don't worry about your job. Now comewith me."

I furrowed my eyebrows and opened my mouth to speak but closed it shortly after.

"Come," he repeated when I made no movement.

He looked and spoke as if he was fighting hard not to lose his patience but did he not hear me?"What?" was all I could say.

"Do I have a halfwit as a mate? I don't know what simpler way to put it," he said, his facestraightening. "You are coming with me," he added slowly and clearly.

"Why?" I questioned.

"Because you..." he said pulling me closer to his chest, "Are mine now."

I stood for a moment inhaling his alluring scent, pulling me into his trance.

He then took my hand firmly and continued walking.

"1 don't even know your name and I'm supposed to come home with you? And who's pack is this?"I asked, suddenly snapping out of his spell. "And who gave you the right to decide what I do?"

He didn't answer but his grip on my hand tightened.

"Wait," I ordered, stopping moving again. "I demand that you answer my questions and stopdragging me like some kind of animal!"

"For fuck's sake," he growled before spinning me around and grabbing my arms, pulling me into hischest. "I tried to be calm and gentle with you but now I have lost my patience.”

I tried to shove him off me but he was impossibly strong. So as I wriggled and squirmed, I felt hiseyes on me. He glanced down at my neck, uncovered by my hair before looking back at my face."Don't even bother trying to fight me. You can't win," he said still with a low growl. "Now what isyour name?" He said still in a deep but softer voice.

"Get the fuck off me," I answered before trying to struggle out of his grip again. And yes I have anawful mouth, little kids can learn a lot from drunk dads.

"Beautiful name," he remarked.

I managed to break a hand free and slap him across the face. A notion of anger swept over hisfeatures turning the amused expression into one of indescribable rage. The gentle being that wasonce stood in front of me was gone now. In his place a murderous monster.

He pulled me back into him, this time, pinning my back against his chest and wrapping a tight armaround my throat.

I stopping fighting him and instead brought my hands to his arm, trying to ensure it doesn't takewhat little capacity to breathe I had left. For the first time in my memory, I felt helpless and unsafe.This man could do anything and I don't know him enough to know he wouldn't.

"This whole stubborn empowerment thing is really hot, but save it for the bedroom sweetheart,” hegrowled. "Now did I mention how I don't like repeating myself? What is your name?"

"You have not told me yours," I gasped. "Yet you are the one dragging me through a forest in theopposite direction to my home.”

His grip tightened around my throat and I whimpered.

He laughed as I clasped at his shirt with my fingers, "Please let me go."

"I love it when they start begging,” He articulated wickedly. "It always comes with desperation.”"Please," I whispered.

He finally loosened his grip on my throat.

I breathed heavily. At no point did actually block my windpipe but the panic had taken seige of mylungs and I gasped for air.

"Your name?" he asked again, his lips right by my ear.

"Ella," 1 said quietly.

He let go of me before twirling me around to face him.

He smiled and took my hands.

"Let me get a few things straight, Ella," he began, "You are going to come with me and you aregoing to be my mate, like the Moon Goddess clearly wants. You will submit and obey. You won'traise any questions and you won't disrespect me or there will be punishments. Okay?" He saidcalmly, before kissing the side of head, "Take what just happened as a warning."

I clenched my jaw. Now that there was oxygen back in my lungs, I was angry. How dare he use hisstrength against me like that? How dare he assume authority?

So I lifted my leg and kicked his shins. He barely even winced but his distraction was enough for meto slip out his arms and run. He didn't seem to be following me at any great speed but I stillsprinted through the forest as fast as I could.

"I happen to love hide and seek my dear," I heard his voice say coldly from not far away as if he hadallowed me to get away just so that he could hunt me down.

Evil. Totally evil.

I quickly scurried over to a thick-trunked tree and lay my back flat on it, frantically searching for abranch to use as some kind of leverage to climb but so far: nothing.

"These games never last that long though,” My mates voice continued.

I tried to control my breathing so it wasn't quite so loud but that's hard when so much fear andadrenaline is pumping through your body. I scanned the darkness for a tree hopefully more suitablefor climbing.

There was a perfect one no more than 10 metres away.

I spun around and headed straight for it only to crash into something incredibly hard. Either I hadmisjudged how far away the tree was or I had lost this little game of hide and seek. A pair of handswrapped around my waist confirmed that it was the latter.

"God taming you is going to be riveting,” He said quietly under his breath, before he pinned metightly to a tree, standing so close I could feel his breath fanning over my face.

I took a short breath in and froze.

"I should perhaps bring to your attention who I am," he said before pausing.

His scent reeked of power. I knew he had to be a higher rank wolf but as a rogue that meant little inthe way of deserving respect to me.

"But something tells me deep down you already know," he said brushing a displaced strand of hairout of my eyes.

I looked into his blue eyes once again. They were so cold and piercing and the little thought thathad been toying at my consciousness since I first looked at them came spinning back.

"Say it," he added, his voice commanding and sharp.

He matched the description perfectly.

"Alpha Leonardo Loren."

His lips curled into a smile, confirming what I had hoped wouldn't be true.

"That's right,” he confirmed. "Alpha Leonardo Loren of the Stella pack."

Years ago...

"Ella! Connor! It's time for bed!" My dad called up the stairs. Immediately our little feet could

be heard scurrying towards our warm beds. We knew that if we were quick he would tell us a story.We snuggled tightly under the warm covers and awaited our father. We were 11 and 12 but youcould never be too old for his stories.

"Are we ready?" Dad said creaking the door slightly open allowing a small strip of light to illuminateour faces.

We nodded and he sat on the small rocking chair in-between our beds and began to speak.

"Can it be a scary one Dad!?" Connor asked excitedly.

"Are you sure. We don't want nightmares again now do we?" My Dad replied. "Mom will have a fit.""Please, please, please,” We begged.

"Very well," He said with a nod.

"Have you ever heard of “The Bringer of Darkness'?" he began and we both shook our heads. "He'ssaid to be the most powerful, most ruthless Alpha ever to rule. He's tall and he's strong. He's braveand he's scary. Some say just one of his deathly glares can paralyse a grown man, leaving

him defenceless. They call him “the bringer of darkness" after all the misery and despair he bringsand because just the utterance of his real name brings some to a sweating, shivering wreck. But doyou want to know the worst part?” Dad said and we both nodded. "He takes packs."

"Whole packs?" I asked in shock.

"Whole packs,” My dad reiterated. "Mercilessly killing anyone who tries to stop him whether they bemen, women or children.”

"He won't take our pack will he?" Connor asked.

"He won't bring any darkness here will he?" I asked.

"The last we heard of him was two months ago in a small pack in North Washington. It wasNovember 16th. The night was cold and dark and the storm clouds from earlier had just clearedleaving the eerie moon to sit all alone in the sky. The teasing stars twinkled around it fading andbrightening as the night went on. A few members of The Silver moon pack were sat peacefullyaround a fire. They were a small pack and vulnerable so they always had guards on watch.” Hestopped for a short breath before continuing.

" “Did you hear that?" One of them whispered to another as a few leaves and twigs crunched in thebush beside them.

'Yes.' He replied.

'lt's maybe just a sheep’ the third said.

“That's no sheep, the first said as a low grumble emanated from the same bushes.

Those guards were found days later, their limbs scattered throughout the forest along with the restof the pack,” My Dad said his voice growing deeper and more sincere as he spoke. Connor and Iwere cowering under our sheets as we listened, scared to learn what would happen next but at thesame time filled with excitement.

"Nobody ever heard from any of them again. It is thought that there were no survivors, but that'snot true. When a neighbouring pack went to investigate the horror they found consisted of piles ofash, belongings scattered all over the territory and bodies. But only the bodies of Men, Women andgirls. Where the boys went is not known for definite, but It is believed that he took them and istraining them up to become soldiers, to become warriors, to prepare for something bigger, toprepare for a war to end all wars. Nobody really knows what to expect but one thing is for certain'The bringer of Darkness’ is the most brutal, most ruthless Alpha ever to live and to stop him gettingwhat he wants would be plain stupid. Soon after, the Silver moon territory got a new scent- hisscent. Nobody dared to go back after that, nobody dared to go in the rest of his rapidly growingterritory either so I guess we won't know...until it hits us.”

By the end Connor and I were trembling with fear.

"But don't be scared my darlings. It's only a story. Probably not even true.” He said gently strokingour hair out of our faces before planting a kiss on each of our foreheads.

"But he does exist doesn't he?" I uttered

"Maybe... but somewhere far from here. You don't need to worry Ella.” He said before headingtowards the door.

"Daddy?" I asked quietly my child's curiosity getting the better.

"Yes, my child,” he replied turning to me.

"What is his name?"

My father's expression changed to become far more grave and sincere. He looked down the hall,presumably to check if any one was listening before turning to us again.

"Alpha Leonardo Loren," he whispered before closing the bedroom door leaving us in terrifydarkness. After that sort of story, Connor would always jump across to my bed and we would sleepcuddled together as far away from the door and window as possible.

"You can't be..." I whispered looking back into his eyes at the hidden darkness that was nowbeginning to expose itself with his anger. "You're too young...too real...I've heard stories about you,"I said.

"Everybody has, sweetheart,” The Alpha said slightly softer.

"Are they true?" I asked, looking helplessly up at him, "Are you going to kill me?"

"I have done awful things with these hands but never would I use them to hurt my mate,” he said ina sincere tone. "You have my word."

I nodded.

"Now," he continued with a deep breath. "Are you going to come easily or do I need to drag you?"He asked.

I paused.

There was no way out of this. He wasn't going to back down and he certainly had the power toforce me if I didn't. So not really wanting to get on the wrong side of the most terrifying wolf in theworld, I nodded my head.

"I'll come,” I said quietly.

"Good girl," He said a satisfied smile on his face before he took my hand in his and began towalk...once again.

We walked in silence for a few minutes, our hands entwined, his gripping mine tighter than Igripped him back.

"Where are we going?" I asked eventually.

"My home," he said.

Silence again.

"You're anxious," he observed.

"Are you surprised?” I asked, "I'm sure you're used to people feeling nervous around you."

"I've told you I won't hurt you,” he said.

"And I don't believe you," I replied, "You've already half strangled me and we haven't known eachother ten minutes."

"I don't expect you to trust me yet," he said, "But you will live happily in this pack. I promise.”

"Do you own a dictionary, Leonardo?" I asked.

"I believe so," he said.

"Then look up the definition of happily,” I replied, "Because, I may be delusional, but in my world,there's no such thing as happily ever after with a man like you.”

He let out a short laugh, "A man like me, huh? What's that supposed to mean?"

I then pulled my hand out of his, "You're a deranged murderer."

"What did you say?" He growled coming to a halt.

Watch out guys here comes stupid move number 2

"You've killed people. Many people,” I said trying my hardest to sound like he wasn't scaring me."You're twisted and sick."

He glared at me.

"Say it again I dare you," he growled, crouching down to my level in the most patronising mannerpossible.

"I don't feel I need to," I said, "It's the truth and we both know it."

With that, he pulled me closely, "Do not disrespect me," he said slowly and carefully in my ear.

I stared into his eyes for as long as my wolf would let me before I had to cast my eyes down to theground.

"That's what I thought.” He said increasing the distance between us again. "Now come," hecontinued a little more gently taking my hand and starting to walk. I didn't move my feet causinghim to turn around and face me again.

"Do not do this again. I will carry you through this forest kicking and screaming if I have to."

"I can give you my number, my address, my full name, my fucking social security number if youwant. Please just let me go home and finish school and go to college. Then you can come and replaceme in 5 years if you're still interested?” I said hopefully.

"Do you understand how much danger you being my mate has already put you in?" he asked. "Evenif that idea was remotely attractive, it wouldn't be possible. There will be wolves in this very woodsjust on the other side of that border waiting for me to look away."

I furrowed my eyebrows.

"I am the most powerful Alpha in the world and that doesn't come without enemies. They look forany way to tear me down and until now I didn't have a weakness. It's the rogues mainly, but otherpacks too. They have people constantly watching and now you are their prime target. You are safewith me, they wouldn't dare, but the second I allow you to walk off alone, you are in extremedanger. If you ever want to see your family again, I suggest you come with me."

I looked over to the border. Nothing moved but I still felt like something was there. I shuddered andthen looked back to my mate and I nodded my head.

He then stood up and held out his hand.

"Okay," I said quietly looking back over at the border through the dark forest before accepting thewarmth of his hand.

We walked through the woods for hours. We hardly exchanged a word until we reached a black carparked on the edge of the forest. He unlocked it as we approach before opened the passenger doorand herding me in before he closed the door and walked around to the driver's seat.

I stared out the window, watching the trees lining the narrow forest track whiz by as I appreciatedthe soft leather of the seat that gave my tired legs the opportunity to finally relax.

But my mind certainly could not relax. I was still in a car with not only a stranger but Alpha LeonardoLoren, who happened to double as my mate.

Only a few minutes later, I felt tears beginning to accumulate around my eyes as I thought ofConnor sat at home worrying and having no idea where I was. My phone was out of battery but Iknew his number, all I needed was my mate's phone.

"Why are you crying?" he said, briefly looking down at me before his eyes adverted back to theroad.

"Why do you think?" I snapped.

"You were very into me before I proposed the concept of you coming to live with me."

"You didn't propose it. I don't remember having a say in it at all," I snapped.

"It's almost as if we are mates and we are supposed to be together..." he mumbled under his breath."Remind me of your surname," he added in a softer tone.

"Jones," I said.

"Jones..." Leo said repeating my surname with his accent, like he had heard it before. "And how oldare you?"

"17," I answered. He looked at me, my eyes, my hair, my body like he was checking what I lookedlike.

"You're young," was all he replied with. "That explains a lot..."

I scoffed and wiped my tears with the back of my hand.

"And why do you reek of vodka?" he asked in a low tone.

"I was at a party,” I replied, "And my brother will be wondering where I've gone.”

"If you were at a party why did you go for a run?" he asked.

"Because I was angry and upset and I needed some time alone,” I hissed, "And this is how I'veended up."

"Kellington is thirty miles from my Western border," he said, "You had plenty of time alone before Ifound you."

I swallowed, "What time is it?"

I had no idea how long I'd been running in my wolf form. I'd been practically unconcious and hadno idea how far I'd run.

"It's 3 am," he replied.

"Fuck," I muttered, "I need to call Connor now."

I pulled my phone from my pocket but it wouldn't turn on

No battery.

"Leonardo, can I use your phone,” I said, my voice cracking as I tried to keep my tears in.

He'd be so worried. So would Abi and Charlotte.

"Call me Leo," was all he said.

"Do you have a phone?" I repeated.

"I'll send your family a letter in the morning,” he said.

"Please, Alpha-"

"Do not call me Alpha.”

"Leonardo," I corrected. "Please."

"It is your older brother, right?" he asked.

I nodded.

"He can wait until the morning," he replied. "What about your Mother?"

"He'll be awake wondering where I am," I said, "Why can't I call him now?"

"Answer my question,” he demanded.

"Answer my question,” I responded.

"If you're going to disobey me like that you can kiss your freedom goodbye." He said.

"I feel like my freedom got up and left the minute I smelt you in the woods,” I said leaning on thecar door, realising I was getting nowhere with him.

He was nearly as stubborn as me.

"And I could do without the teenage attitude right now sweetheart,” Leo said.

"Well that's what you get when you kidnap a teenager,” I replied.

"Mates are meant to live together, but for some reason, you don't want to live with me. Why?""Gee! How d'ya figure that one out?" I remarked sarcastically.

"Tell me why," he ordered.

"I wouldn't want to bore you," I replied.

"Tell me," he ordered.

"One, I'll miss my friends and family,” I said.

"They can visit," he answered.

"Do not interrupt me," I said causing him to give me a look. "Two, I want to finish high school andgo to college. Three, I don't agree with your morals..."

"My morals??" he questioned.

"I'm not done yet. Four, I can't stand being told what to do. Five, I enjoy freedom. And six, I'm only17 and I'm not old enough for this and everything that comes with it. I don't want kids for anothereight years at least, especially not with you," I finished. "Just to list a few..." I added.

"One, as I said they can visit. Two, you might as well forget about education now, I will provide youwith everything you need. Three, if you don't like who I am, tough. Four, do what I want you to doand I won't have to tell you. Five, earn my trust and you can have your freedom. Six, you don't reallyhave a choice," he replied.

"Thanks. You made me feel so much better,” I remarked sarcastically.

"You're welcome, babe."

"Don't call me babe,” I ordered.

"Watch who you are giving orders to, woman," he hissed.

I closed my eyes. This man can't be my mate. This man can not be my mate.

"Anyway, as I already said due to the impending doom you now face, you are not going home," hesaid, "Besides, I have plans with you tonight,” he added with a wink.

Unbelievable.

"We have just met,” I said in disgust.

"And we are mates so we will act accordingly,” he replied.

"I have respect for myself and until you can respect me too, I will not be getting in your bed,” Ihissed.

His hand travelled to my inner thigh where he gently ran his fingers along my skin. I swatted hishand ignoring the tingles shooting throughout my body. He can't know how much he really effectsme.

"Soon you'll be screaming my name begging for me to carry on," He replied taking the hint andremoving his hand a self-satisfied smirk on his face.

We eventually reached a huge house at least 4 stories high. It was mainly made of wood and hadlovely big balconies and glass windows. Leo lead me to the door and I watched as he unlocked thedoor with a simple key. The insides were just as beautiful as the outsides, although with the addedbonus of it being warm and snuggly. This isn’t the house I imagined Alpha Loren to own.

"What? Is it not what you expected?" He asked closing the door.

"Not at all. You are Alpha Leonardo Loren, Where are the blood-stained walls, the chains, thedungeons?” I asked looking at the pristine floors and walls. There were even photos of what lookedlike family members or past Alphas all neatly framed and hung.

"So you're into kinky stuff?" He said with a smirk.

"You are well aware that that is not what I meant,” I said with a glare.

"Go upstairs. Our room is the first one on the left. I just need to finish some pack work. I'll be in myoffice if you need me." Leo said.

"Our room?" I questioned

"Yes. Are you not familiar with the term? Basically just plural for my."

"I'm pretty sure I said earlier that I am not getting in your bed," I replied.

"Fine sleep on the floor. I don't care," he said coldly.

With that, I just wanted to be away from him so I ventured up the staircase on the left of the hall,running my hand along the wooden, polished bannister. When I reached the top, I came to a longhallway, lined with windows facing out into the forest on one side and doors on the other. I turnedleft and entered the first door. The walls were cream and dark red with intricate designs branchingup to the ceiling. In the middle was a huge bed- bigger than king-sized. It had white crisp sheetsand about 8 plump pillows.

I like to think of my self as an optimist- at least this guy has a nice house.

I continued into the room noticing three doors at the end. Two closets bigger than my entire roomat home, one filled with men's clothes drenched in his scent and one completely empty. The lastdoor was a beautiful bathroom with a free-standing bath and a shower with a wide selection ofsoaps and shampoos.

I then came back onto the hall. My exploring wasn't done yet. I went into every room on the firstand second floor. There was a weird amount of bedrooms; a huge library; a room with a piano andnothing else; a room that looked like a meeting with a table and 20 chairs (to be precise); a roomwith 20 locked cupboards (again being precise) and finally a room with big comfy sofas and somemore books

The top floor led to one single locked room and hatch in the ceiling. That was it.

The hatch opened out onto the roof so naturally, I clambered up.

A few minutes later, I heard Leo's footsteps come up the stairs to the top floor.

"What are you doing up there?" He asked.

"Admiring the stars," I said as I leant my back against the roof tiles and stared up into the night sky."Didn't I tell you to go to the first room on the left of the stairs?" he asked.

"You did...and I did go there. Then I left. Now here we are,” I replied nonchalantly.

The stars were mesmerising. I didn't care about the irritated tone in his voice.

With that, he climbed out of the hatch, grabbed wrists before plopping me back through the roof."Stargazing can wait for another night,” he said as he climbed back in too, "It's late.”

I followed him down the stairs to the floor with his bedroom before I passed the door and headedfor the next bedroom along.

He sighed, "Where are you going?"

"You have thirteen bedrooms in this house. I thought I'd make use of one of them," I replied.

"Yeh. This one," he said pointing to his own.

"Thank you for the offer but..goodnight, Leonardo,” I said.

I then opened the door to the other bedroom but before I could even pass the threshold, I wasbeing dragged once again.

"Wasn't an offer,” he said shoving me through the door of his room and shutting it behind us.Obviously, my opinion means nothing to him.