The car stopped on gravel before a house too large to take in at once. Roman lifted Elena out despite her stiffened body and carried her through the cold, across the porch, and into a dark, glowing entrance hall.
"Put me down."
He set her on her feet immediately, but kept her hand. Staff filled the hall and watched her with smiling faces. The main door was behind her, and another front door stood in the side wall.
"Welcome, the Alpha's mate. We are so glad you're here."
"This is your house now."
He led her beneath the stairs and along the broad inner hall.
"The library is there."
He took her through a smaller breakfast room and into a warm working kitchen.
"If you're hungry, come down and help yourself. Someone is cooking dinner for us today. I usually cook for myself, but I had this kitchen renovated when the house passed to me, for the day I found my mate. I want you comfortable here. Happy."
He smiled and pulled her into a hug. She let it happen, then stepped free and counted the terrace door and the side door to the gardens. A way out.
"These are the offices. Whenever I work from the estate, I'm in here. Our living quarters are upstairs. Come."
He brought her up past the gallery and along the silent private floor.
"That is the sitting room. You can relax there whenever you want. This is my room."
He opened the door. Elena froze, then backed beyond his reach.
"No, no. I'm not sleeping with you."
"All right. There's another room along the hall. It's yours."
At its window, lawn and water stretched beneath a raw grey sky.
"Look at the view. I want to take you down to the lake. It's beautiful."
"I'm tired. Can I just have a moment?"
"Of course. Yes, of course. Are you hungry? Do you need anything?"
"No. I'm fine."
"I'll have the housekeeper sort your room and arrange your amenities. Let me know if you need anything."
He went. Elena looked straight down at the terrace stone, far below. No jumping from the third floor.
"May I come in? Welcome, the Alpha's mate. We're so pleased to have you."
Elena admitted her. The housekeeper made the bed and spoke cheerfully of clothes and washing things already chosen and ordered, arriving today. When she left, Elena stood alone amid the doors she had counted, the lawn and trees, the water, the impossible drop, and the fact that every authority in the country answered to Roman or men like him.