Page 37 of Mitchell's Untamed Mate

Lena pursed her lips.“Yes, well, I’m sure Ty has something that will fit until we can have some items delivered.”

Tracy breathed a sigh of relief when her brother stepped forward and captured Ella’s hand.He gave Tracy a wink.Of course he hadn't missed her reaction.

“Mom had the staff ready the room next to yours.Lucky for Mitchell, I went shopping yesterday and picked up some new clothes.Looks like he’ll get to test them out,” he said.

“Thanks, Ty.”

“No problem.It’s good to know that you survived.I was about to send a search party out for you,” he teased.

She elbowed her brother in the side, snickering when he gave an exaggerated grunt.Ella giggled at their playfulness.They walked behind her parents and Michaela who were talking about more serious issues.

“How is… everyone?”Ella asked, peering up at Mitchell.

“As well as can be expected,” he replied.

Ella bit her lip.“How’s Jayden?”

Tracy didn’t miss the slight hesitation before Mitchell replied.From the slight change in Ella’s expression, neither did she.

“The same old Jayden,” he finally replied.

“Oh.”

Mitchell tried not to show the awe he was experiencing as they crossed the wide, perfectly manicured lawn.He had never seen anything so beautiful in his life.At least, not manmade.

Shifter… shifter-made.

The gulf of experience between himself and Tracy seemed to be growing exponentially.How could he ever compete with anything like this?What did he have to offer her?Cold nights, hard ground, and little food to stave off her hunger?

He pushed the dismal thoughts from his mind.Mitchell carefully scrutinized the massive building in front of them.The dark, reddish-brown bricks rose into the air.A series of curved arches were held up by carved pillars.They reminded him of the ones in the scroll that Cyrus had shown him when he was a boy.While most of the bricks ran up to the slate roof, there was a section of the home that had a glass roof that reminded him of the pyramid image from the design illustrated near the bottom of the ancient scroll.Windows lined the bottom, allowing for ample sunlight to enter through the stained glass.

Tall spires rose on each end of the building.Tiny windows, cut into the roofs, made him wonder who could live in the hidden recesses of the manor.His eyes widened when he noticed the carved stone shapes with their gaping mouths sitting atop the building or carved into it, the slow erosion of time and water making them darker.

Elegant balconies jetted outward from large doors on the upper floors.The side panels were etched into colorful patterns.His mind boggled at the amount of skill it must have taken to build such a structure.Even the simple huts his village built took the combined strength of his people and days to construct.This home must have taken thousands of workers and dozens of years!

He climbed the steps, noting the smooth stone that gave way to brightly colored tiles.A man dressed in a dark blue suit opened the door before they reached it.Lena, Art, and Michaela entered as if it were a natural thing for people to wait upon them.He caught the eye of the shifter holding the door as he passed.A glimmer of curiosity flashed through the man’s eyes before he masked his emotions.

“Why do people open the doors for you?Can’t you do that yourself?”he asked, looking over his shoulder.

Tracy grinned.“Yes, we can, and we normally do when auntie isn’t here.She gets so distracted, it’s probably a good thing someone does or she might run right into them.”

He didn’t know how to respond because he wasn’t sure if she was serious or not.Glancing around, he noted the rich wood panel, glossy marble floors, and luxurious furniture that filled each room they passed through.They entered a second room down the hallway.Looking up, he realized it was the room with the glass ceiling.He turned in a circle, admiring the variations in colors between the different panes of glass.

“I felt the same way when I first came in here.This room is one of my favorites.I love how the light plays through the glass.It makes the room change depending on the time of day.It can be overwhelming until you get used to it,” Ella said.

“Tracy, why don’t you and Mitchell get cleaned up.I’ve asked Martha to hold off for another half hour on refreshments.Is that good for you?”Lena asked.

“Yeah, that should be enough time,” Tracy replied.

His focus landed on Ella.She had taken a seat near the window.Ty was standing beside her, talking to Michaela.Mitchell didn’t miss the way Ty’s hand rested protectively on Ella’s shoulder.He blinked down at Tracy when she cupped his hand and gave a gentle tug.

“Hey, are you alright?”

“Yes.It will be nice to get cleaned up.”

He hoped the strain in his voice didn’t come through.Her return smile gave him hope that he had been successful.He followed her down another hallway.They stopped in front of a wood panel door.She reached up and pulled on a chain.A low humming sound echoed behind the door.A second later, the door slid open to reveal a metal door.

Tracy pulled the iron door open and stepped inside.He followed, realizing it was the same type of magic box, only smaller, that he had traveled in earlier this morning.Tracy closed the metal door before pressing the number four on a panel.The wooden door slid closed.He reached out and braced his hand against the wood paneled interior when the box began to move.

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