Chapter 4 In A Fairytale

• Harper’s [POV]
• Unlike the rest of the house, the walls are dark wood, and the ceiling has a high cream arch, making the space look massive. A dark wood canopy bed sits on the left side, with an abundance of light champagne pillows and curtains. There’s a reading nook to the side of the stone fireplace, and a chandelier crystal chandelier hangs from the ceiling. The nightstands match the bed, and each one has an antique lamp.
• This is mine for the next week.
• Tears fill my eyes.
• It doesn’t even bother me that Wilson immediately makes himself comfortable, curling up onto the floral loveseat that sits in front of the fireplace.
• “Welcome to your room,” the Alpha says softly behind me.
• “This is incredible,” I breathe, my embarrassment from before all but forgotten. I hurry to the reading nook and pull open the heavy cream curtains, marveling at my view.
• At the night, the gardens are only lit up by small lights, but a gasp still escapes my lips.
• I’m in a fairytale.
• I can only see so far out, but a stone path surrounded by flowers and trees leads to a small gazebo, then extends out into the woods.
• There’s no way I have been here before and somehow hated it.
• He’sa goddamn liar.
• I would never want to leave this place!
• When I finally turn around, the Alpha is staring at me, his expression blank. He’s placed my suitcase next to the bed, and now he stands in the room, his gaze intense.
• “Do you like it?” he asks quietly, and I nod.
• “How could I not?” I reply. “It’s lovely.”
• He nods, then laughs.
• It’s merely a chuckle, but it’s devoid of any amusement.
• It’s cold and crazed, and I lean back into the reading nook, the back of my knees pushing against the soft cushion.
• He shakes his head and the corner of his lip curls up. “Of course, you would like it.” His voice is low, and fear spikes in my chest.
• This is a bad dream, I chide. This is a night terror.
• Maybe I dreamt this whole thing up.
• Maybe I’m not here.
• “Breakfast is at nine sharp. Do you have any other allergies we should know about, Princess?”
• What?
• The pet name is so out of place that my head swims. But, like before, it makes my heart flutter, and I push those feelings aside.
• The man in front of me is unhinged, and I can’t let him affect me like this.
• “No,” I stammer, my hands clenching into fists. If I lean any further back into the nook, I’ll fall, so I plant my feet and meet his crazed eyes. “That’ll be it.”
• We’re in a staring contest, and I catch Wilson out of the corner of my eye looking back and forth between us.
• Please, just leave. I want to sleep. I can’t handle all the chaos that’s happened tonight.
• He nods, briefly. “Right. Well, enjoy your stay.”
• He exits the room, shutting the door behind him.
• I’m frozen for a moment, my chest heaving as I replay our interaction.
• But I won’t let a strange man with mood swings ruin this for me.
• Besides, he’s the owner. It’s not like he’ll be around that much.
• Right?
• I glance at Wilson, who tilts his head at me.
• “That man is a psychopath,” I mutter to the cat.
• Heroes agree.
• “I wish I wasn’t allergic to you,” I continue. “I could use the company, after all the craziness of tonight.”
• He lifts his leg and licks his stomach.
• Great. Now you’re talking to a cat, Harper.
• But I’m not sniffly or itchy near him. My eyes haven’t watered once.
• I can’t remember the last time I was around a cat but he assured me I was allergic.
• I hate cats.
• But I don’t understand what there is to hate about a black blob with a subtle white mustache around his face who is innocently licking his fur.
• One morrow and I snap out of my stupor.
• I’m here to make the most of this trip, damnit.
• If I encounter a bleach-blonde weirdo again, I know how to handle it.
• He may be the owner of the Inn, but I’m still a paying customer.
• And nothing can be worse than what happened hours earlier.
• A grumpy Alpha will not ruin this for me.
• Sighing, I turn the brass lock on the door, then prepare for bed.
• Showers make everything better.
• The hot water cascades down my back, washing away the awful past day
• And when I finally let my guard down, tears fall again, this time turning into full-body sobs.
• I curl into a ball on the tile and bite my fist to quiet my cries.
• I don’t know who else is staying in the Inn and the last thing I want is the Alpha or receptionist to hear me.
• When I’m finally done crying, I sit under the spray and take deep, cleansing breaths.
• But questions race through my mind, and I can’t stop the worry that plagues me.
• Where do I go after this?
• I blew most of my money and I can’t go back to him. Not after what happened.
• My parents are gone.
• I have no family.
• No one to turn to.
• All I have is my car, some clothes, toiletries, and my wallet.
• It could be worse, I suppose.
• Maybe I could stay at a shelter.
• I’m sure there are resources in Aurora.
• Along with exploring the town, I’ll make a plan.
• I can do this.
• When I step out of the shower, wrapped in the fluffiest towel I’ve ever felt, Wilson is passed out on the top of the duvet, baring his fluffy belly to me.
• He’s too cute for his good, and it’s what prevents me from opening the door and shuffling him out of my room.
• Hesitantly, I reach out and pet his head, my fingers dancing over the soft fur.
• A rumble sounds in his chest, but he keeps his eyes closed as my finger drifts over the bridge of his black nose.
• I wait for the telltale signs of allergies, but none come.
• What if I’m not allergic?
• What if he lied?
• A sneaking suspicion racks my brain.
• Ifhelied about this, what else could he have lied about?
• Wilson’s green eyes open and he rolls onto his side, his head nuzzling into my hand.
• None of that matters anymore.
• I’m done with him.
• When I’m dressed in my sleep shorts and top, I lift the covers and crawl into bed, a sigh of relief escapes my lips.
• It’s as if I’m lying on a cloud. The pillows caress my head perfectly and the sheets and comforters cocoon me.
• When has a bed ever felt this good?
• Reaching over to turn off the lamp, I glance at the door again.
• It’s locked.
• He won’t find me here.
• I’m safe.
• And when I lay my head down and Wilson crawls on my chest, I fall asleep before I can push him off me.