Chapter 11
Astrid's POV
"Why the fuck is there no television in this room?" Kaeleen's voice broke the heavy silence.
I couldn't help it. I laughed.
He turned to me, his expression serious, but there was a hint of amusement in his eyes. It felt refreshing to do so,to laugh. I hadn't laughed in a long time.
"What's so funny?" he asked, a small smile playing on his lips.
"You," I said, shaking my head. "You're serious, aren't you? You really can't understand why there's no television in this room."
"Of course, I'm serious," he said, his voice exasperated. "If there was a television in this room, there wouldn't be this awkward silence between us. We could be watching a movie or something."
"This building was newly built, which is why there isn't a television," I explained.
Kaeleen scoffed, disbelief written all over his face. "Let me get this straight," he said. "There's no television in this room because the building is new?"
"Yes," I said, nodding. "It's not that complicated."
He stared at me for a moment, then shook his head again. "I don't believe that. Is there even any television in this pack?" he asked, his voice incredulous.
"Yes, there is," I said, trying to suppress another laugh. "Some families have them in their homes, but not all. Most times, if they want to watch television, they gather at the hall."
Kaeleen frowned, his brow furrowed in confusion. "They gather at a hall?" he repeated, his voice rising in disbelief.
"Yes," I said, nodding. "Those without a television in their homes gather at a hall to watch."
He ran a hand through his hair, his expression bewildered. "I can't wrap my head around this," he muttered. "It doesn't make any sense."
"It's normal here," I said, shrugging. "Not everyone has the money to buy a television."
"But a television is a basic necessity," he argued, his voice incredulous. "How can people live without television? I can hardly survive without it."
"We manage," I said, trying to keep my tone light. "We find other ways to entertain ourselves."
"But why would people have to gather in a building to watch it?" he persisted, his voice full of disbelief.
"It's a way to socialize," I explained. "It's a community thing."
He stared at me, his expression a mixture of confusion and disbelief. "This is insane," he muttered.
"How are things done in the Emerald Glade Pack then? You can't tell me you guys don't have a hall to watch television." I said to him,
"We have a hall but it's not really for watching television." He paused. "Things at my pack are done a bit differently from how things are done here."
"Everyone is comfortable," he said, his voice softening. "Most people my age don't live in the compound anymore. They're driven and independent, most focusing on themselves."
He paused, a hint of pride in his voice. "We have actresses, models, CEOs, politicians, musicians, artists. Some are involved in the pack company, while some start their own."
"Artists? Like painters?" I asked with intrigue.
"Yup." He nodded. "There is a famous one, Yvonne Briggs."
"What?" I sat upright.
His eyes held mirth. "What? You are more interested in that brat than me?" He asked me.
Of course I was interested. Yvonne Briggs was a role model. She had been able to build a name for herself at just 21. I aspired to be like her. Yes she was younger but she had done things I've always wanted to do. I never even knew she was from a werewolf pack.
"Wow." I said. "What's she like? What's your pack like?" I was intrigued because if they could get someone as impressed as Yvonne in their pack I wondered who else they had.
He smiled, his eyes lighting up. "It's beautiful. My ancestors knew what they were doing when they decided to settle there. There are lush forests around that we use from time to time. Sometimes we have family dinners, where most members are around in the field. It's joyous and filled with laughter. Various houses scattered around and mind you, each house has a television." He said, making me laugh.
"And as for Yvonne, she's basically a brat. She used me as a canvas when we were growing up. To be sincere, I always knew she was meant for something great and it turns out she did."
He paused, his gaze drifting off into the distance. "The people are beautiful too," he continued, his voice soft. "They're confident, ambitious, and passionate. They know what they want, and they're not afraid to go after it."
"It sounds amazing," I said, my voice filled with awe.
"It is," he said, his eyes meeting mine. "You should visit some time."
I shook my head. "No. That's not possible." I said to him,
He released a sigh. "I thought as much but if you do get a chance, then I'll suggest you visit. You can meet with Yvonne." He told me.
His words held promise and I wanted to jump at the opportunity. But I also knew that I couldn't. I was a member of the moonshade pack and no matter the attraction I felt towards Kaeleen, I couldn't.
"Kaeleen…"
"Just think about it. You can be free, you know. You wouldn't need to beg for a place to sleep, neither would you need to beg for attention." He said to me,
"I can't." I said to him,
"But it'll be better than whatever this is." He said to me,
I laughed bitterly. "'this'? 'this' is my life, Kaeleen. This is who I am." I said to him,
He shook his head. "No. This is definitely not who you are. You are more…"
"I'm not. You don't even know me, Kaeleen. We just met. You know nothing about me. I'm the woman who was tossed aside by her mate. Tossed aside by everyone. I'm nothing." I cried out.
He shook his head as he sat upright, eyes locking on mine. That thrum between us intensified and my wolf growled. I didn't want to acknowledge it..at least not yet but there was something between us.
"Don't ever say you are nothing." He growled out in anger.
"We may have just met but I know you are more than you make yourself out to be. You are fiercely independent and stubborn but that alone makes you more. You are not weak. You are not a nobody. You are strong, resilient and hardworking. You are beautiful in and out…"
I laughed bitterly. "All this from a conversation we just had?" I asked him.
He shrugged. "And that's why I want to know more about you. Only if you'll let me."