Chapter Five

I stood there shocked, forcing my brain to process what was happening.

I turned to look at the face of my tormentor, the one who made me question whether I deserved to live.

I was too mortified to speak.

It is written on her face that she is enjoying this; she has a smirk on her face, and I want nothing more than to wipe the smirk off her face.

In my mind, I tried processing what brought her here.

I was curious to know what her mission here is.

Did Clay send her? Are they trying to monitor my movement?

I wanted answers to the questions on my mind.

Let's find out what this witch wanted.

I cleared my throat and asked the one question that was on my mind.

"What are you doing here? Why are you here?"

"Did Dad send you? Was it mom?"

"You mean, my dad? It seems that you are confused about who your father is Clarissa. I don't blame you, poor Clarissa, born out of wedlock, without her daddy," she taunted in her baby-like voice, a voice that I loathed so much.

"For all you know, he might be a slave, a thief, or a useless rogue."

I was furious and wanted nothing more than to retaliate, but I had a bad day, and I didn't

have time for this.

She quickly switched to a sweet voice and a big grin.

"I came to see you, Clarissa; I missed you so much."

That wicked witch and her pretense—why did she wear her mask?

I heard footsteps, and I turned to face, who made my sister wear her mask again.

"I take it you have seen her."

"She wanted to see you; immediately she arrived here, she was so excited to see you again," he said.

She moved closer to him, trailing a line with her finger on his chest with a big smile.

"Yes, babe, I have seen her; it means so much to me to see her again."

Babe? What is going on here? Why is he not doing anything to stop her from using such words?

Why is she calling him that, and why is he letting her trail her finger on him or even touch him like that?

"Liam, what is going on? Why is Miranda here?"

"Oh, she didn't tell you?"

"Tell me what Liam," I asked, dreading the answer to the question.

"Well, I am excited to tell you that Miranda is my mate, and I am claiming her as mine."

"What!" I screamed

Why is this happening to me again? Why is the moon goddess hell-bent on making my life a living hell?

Why did she have to mate Liam with Miranda of all people?

I wanted to cry or go back to sleep; this must be a dream.

All I had to do was wake up from it.

I closed my eyes for a second and opened them again, hoping that they would tell me that this was a joke.

"Liam, you are too good for Miranda; she is a horrible person."

"I won't advise you to be with her."

"Look, Clarissa, I know all about what happened when you were still staying in your former pack."

"I wasn't too happy to hear how horrible she was to you—that she didn't help you out or even stop your father Clay from locking you up."

"She said that she did not help because she was too afraid; she was afraid of her father taking out his anger on her."

"She promised me she had changed; she would treat you well, and she missed having you around."

"She said that she would apologize to you and prove to you that she was being sincere. I believe that she is sincere."

She lowered her voice to a whisper and muttered,

"Clarissa, sis, please forgive me for all I did to you.

I didn't mean to hurt you; I was afraid of my father and what he could do to me."

"Please, sis, you know I love you."

I was flabbergasted to hear that; he wouldn't believe anything I said to him.

I looked at her and noticed the smirk on her face.

She has that on her face when she has succeeded in her deception.

I nod, showing that I have accepted the apology.

I just want to get this over with.

She took his hand, and they walked away, leaving me there to ponder my fate.

"Come here, pup; I was looking for you."

I was so not in the mood for this. I don't want to see this big oaf.

"Leave me alone!"

"What did you just say to me, pup?" he growled.

"Go away Alpha, just let me be!" I screamed

In a heartbeat, he was standing face-to-face with me, his huge figure blocking me.

I looked at him, and I could deduce from his expression that he is pissed at me for screaming at him, and he is contemplating what my punishment will be.

"I don't like to be screamed at; I don't tolerate insolence."

"I have said this before, and I am saying it again. I expect obedience and respect from you."

I rolled my eyes at him.

I wanted to provoke him further; I wanted him to react.

I needed an outlet.

He raised his hands, and I squeaked, cowering out of fear. I quickly hid my face.

I was expecting a blow, but when it wasn't forthcoming, I looked up to see him wearing a look I couldn't decode.

I was shaking and shivering; my feet felt like jelly.

I fell on my back, hugging my legs to cover up my fear.

He looked at me for a while, then sat down and raised his hands, bringing them close to my face.

I dodged, thinking that he wanted to hit me.

I was surprised to see him caressing my face. The hottest bolt of electricity shot through my body.

He must have felt it too; he drew away his hand so quickly, like lightning.

If I did not know better, I would say that his face looked confused or scared.

Yeah right! Him, scared?

He stood up, all serious and everything.

"Come with me; they are waiting for us."

"They are all here to welcome you."

I forced myself up and followed suit.

I followed him to a room packed with people.

I looked around, and there was a group of old people, gathered at a table.

This must be the council, which I heard rumors about.

They are involved in the decision-making of the pack, and they also serve as advisors to the alpha.

They bent their necks in submission to the alpha, acknowledging his presence. I stood there staring and confused.

One of the elders, Gilbert, stood to address us.

"Alpha, I and the entire pack welcome you and your Luna to this assembly."

"Everyone, we were to have this meeting in private to discuss the progress and the security of our pack, but something amazing happened."

"The Shadow pack that is responsible for the deaths of many of our wolves—as you all know, we are at war with them; we wanted to burn their pack down, but they sought peace with us."

"We accepted and sent our alpha to represent us."

"It is with gladness of heart and great joy that I introduce our Luna, our great alpha's mate from the Shadow pack."

"Our alpha, who thought that he would remain unmated, has finally found his mate."

"Please, let's welcome Clarissa Wilson, our Luna!"

They bend their necks into submission.

Should I bow or should I wave? I wondered.

I nodded, acknowledging their greetings.

"Come and meet with the elders pup," I scowled at him.

"My name is Clarissa, not Pup."

"Pup, if you will act unruly, then do it when we are alone. If you disrespect me in public, I will have you beaten and chained in a cell till you learn, he threatened.

That word brought back memories that made me shiver out of fear.

I feigned annoyance and followed him.

He introduced me to Leo,

"Clarissa, this is my Uncle Leo."

I bowed in greeting.

"It is so good to finally meet you, my dear."

"I heard so much about you."

"I must say, they did not do justice to your beauty with their description." He beamed.

I don't know if it was the warm smile on his face or the way he warmly grabbed my hands that made me comfortable.

"It is good to finally meet you, elder," I smiled.

"Please call me Uncle Leo; Elder Leo is too old for me."

"Definitely," I laughed.

We met with the other elders, greeting and discussing with them.

After that, we feasted till it was late.

The assembly ended in a lighter mood. I needed to retire to my room to rest. I was exhausted, and my head pounded.

I wanted to be away from all this drama. As I walked to my room, I bumped into her lurking in the dark.

I don't have the strength for this; I just want to fall asleep and never wake up.

"It must feel good to have that kind of power—a pack that respects you and bows to you even if you are nobody."

"Don't get too comfortable; I will do everything within my power to destroy you."

"They acted the way they did today because of Stephan; without him, you are just an omega, a worthless wolf who doesn't know her father."

I did not wait for her to finish before I landed a blow to her face.

I was satisfied to see her wince in pain.

I grabbed her hair and hit her face against the wall.

I noticed that she was bleeding through her nose.

I hit her once again, and she fell flat on the ground.

I wanted to drag her to the floor. I heard a growl, and I was pushed to the ground, hitting my head.

I turned to see Liam in his wolf form, snarling at me.

He had a murderous look on his face.

He circled me; he was taunting me like a wolf about to devour his prey.

I shifted, afraid of what my fate would be.

I tried talking to him to calm him down.

"Liam, it is not what you think."

"She started it."

It was as if I were talking to a wall.

The next thing I knew, he jumped, ready to tear me apart.

I dodged with my eyes closed, waiting for my fate.

I heard a groan, and something fell with a heavy thud.

I turned to see Liam lying flat on the floor.