BOUND TO THE DYING HEIR

Odessa

“ODESSA... ODESSA!”

My brother kept yelling my name like the house was on fire or something. I just rolled my eyes. I didn't even move from where I was sitting in front of the mirror. I kept applying my makeup like it was no big deal.

When he got to my room, he didn't bother knocking, just pushed the door open and walked in. He looked so... annoyed. I couldn't help but smile. “Why do you always do this?” he asked, his tone gentle, which was actually unexpected.

“What do I do, my darling brother?” I said, annoying him even more. I didn't bother turning to face him. My eyes locked on my reflection in the mirror. I didn't use too much makeup, but I was beautiful nonetheless.

“We are already late, and you are making things worse.”

I finally turned to look at him. “Why is Mom and Dad making us go to this stupid birthday party anyways? They both can just go alone.”

He sighed. “Beats me, honestly, but we just need to suck it up, get through the night, and we never have to see the Sorrels for the next ten years.”

“Fine,” I said grumpily. He walked out of my room, and I followed behind him. I would rather pull my own tooth out than be in the same room with the Sorrels, but oh my, I guess my parents know best.

The car ride was so quiet, one would think we were a family of mutes. I stared out the window. Josh did the same thing while both our parents tried and failed at starting a conversation, and right now I was regretting the dress I chose because I was already very cold.

After a moment and an hour plus of driving, we finally got to the Sorrel estate. I immediately had a sinking feeling in my stomach. It was my first time here after six years, and nothing changed. It looked exactly the same.

The car stopped beside seventy other luxury cars lined up like a car dealership. Joshua was about opening the door when Mom gripped his hand, stopping him.

“I need you to keep it together today, please. I'm begging,” she whispered, her grip still tight on Josh's arm. “You are going to see Evan in there, and he's going to try to get on your last nerve because that's what he does...”

“Mom, you have nothing to worry about. I can handle my emotions,” he cut her off before she could finish, and I watched as both my parents shared a concerned look. Dad and I stepped out of the car first, then Josh and my mother.

There were cameras everywhere. The light was blinding. If I didn't know any better, I would think this was like a red carpet event because why in the name of the Moon Goddess was there so much paparazzi?

“Your best friend sure knows how to throw a party, Dad.”

My father only smiled, but I could see that he, just like everyone of us, didn't want to be here. Why would you even invite us in the first place? That was one question I kept asking myself. It was not like our families were still on talking terms.

When we stepped into the hall, it was beautifully decorated, from the flowers to the lights. It was unbelievable, but I wouldn't have expected anything less for Alpha Grayson's sixty birthday celebrations.

Alphas from different packs were in attendance with their Lunas. Everyone here was someone who was powerful, feared, and respected.

I knew a lot of people who would kill for an opportunity to be in this room, but I was ready to do whatever it takes to leave this room.

From the corner of my eyes, I could see a lot of people whispering about us because no one expected us to show up, and in all honesty, we didn't want to come, but according to my lovely mother, it would be rude not to.

Slowly, people started approaching my dad, exchanging pleasantries.

“Sweetie, I have to go say hi to a couple of people. Will you be fine on your own?” Dad asked.

“Of course,” I said quickly, and he rushed off.

I scanned the crowd for my mother and brother, but they were both lost in the large room of people.

The music was soft. The sound of chit-chat and laughter filled the air. My plan for today was simple: make sure there was enough liquor in my system so that when I got home, I would just pass out and forget about this horrible night.

The waiter passed by me with a tray of champagne, and it felt like the gods were on board with my plan. I quickly picked up one glass and slowly headed to a small corner where no one would disturb me and I would be able to watch everyone like a hawk.

But immediately I turned around, I instantly collided with someone who was way taller than me, and I think their chest was made of brick or something, and I wasn't even exaggerating. My glass of champagne spilled all over the floor.

I moved back quickly. “I'm so sorr...y,” but before I could even finish apologizing, I saw the face of the stranger who I had bumped into, and it wasn't any stranger at all. It was Evan Sebastian Sorrel.

“Odessa Kade,” he whispered my name like he couldn't believe his eyes.

It had been almost seven years since the last time I saw him. I was seventeen, and he was twenty.

For a brief moment, I couldn't speak... I was completely gagged by how incredibly handsome this man was.

A couple of years back, he was fine, but now, with the platinum blonde hair, well-chiseled face, and dreamy blue eyes, I couldn't peel my gaze off of him.

A small smile played on his lips. “You have really grown, my little wolf.”

His voice was deep, commanding, and unbelievably soft. When I was younger, I had a crush on him, and after six years, one would believe that that crush would have been long gone by now, but nope. Hearing him speak brought back every single feeling I thought I buried after our families fell out.

He waved at me, and that quickly snapped me out of whatever state of mind I had been in a couple of seconds ago.

He tilted his head slightly. “Are you good, little wolf?” Then slowly, his gaze moved to my dress that had champagne stains on it. “Should I get the maids?”

I looked at the dress, and thankfully, the stain wasn't that obvious.

“Why the fuck do you keep calling me little wolf?” I snapped at him. A couple of people around us turned to stare. I quickly placed a hand over my mouth. Oh shit, I had no idea my voice was that loud.

Evan stared at me for a couple of seconds, then he gave me a smile. He was literally grinning from ear to ear.

“What is so funny?” I asked, annoyed.

“You,” he said, still smiling. “You have no idea how cute you are when pissed, do you?”

I didn't know if I should take that as a compliment or an insult, but it was clear Evan still saw me as the little girl he trained.

I opened my mouth to speak, but before I could even form a complete sentence, he took my hand in his and began leading me to the middle of the dance floor. I wanted to pull away, to yell at him, to resist. I hadn't seen this man in so long, and now he was holding hands with me. But instead of yelling at him, I did the opposite. I followed without question. It felt like my body just listened to him.

When we got to the middle of the dance floor, he took both my hands, placing them on his shoulders.

“Dance with me,” he whispered, and slowly we began swaying to the music that played. It was soft, gentle, and the way he moved with me, it was unbelievable. My heart sped up in my chest.

What the hell is happening? I kept asking myself as we kept moving to the rhythm of the music.

“Why exactly did your family invite us to your father's 60th birthday?”

He smiled. “Because we can and because we have free will.”

“That is not an answer. Our family hasn't spoken to each other in more than six years after what you did.”

I watched as the playful expression on his face wavered, but he quickly hid it with another smile.

“So you truly believe that everything that happened with our families was my fault?” he asked, and the tone of his voice made me feel a certain kind of way.

“Yes, I do,” I said, but then I felt his hand on my waist, and I immediately froze up.

“Then why don't I fix things?”

“Huh?” I said, confused.

He quickly let go of me, and my eyes landed on Joshua, standing in the crowd. He looked so angry, like he was going to explode any second now.

I turned to Evan, who was now standing in front of everybody, holding a glass of champagne in his hand.

“Can I get everyone's attention?” he said, raising the glass, and everyone turned to him.

“What the heck was he doing?” I whispered under my breath.

“Today is a great day. My father turns 60, and I think this is the right time to settle all unresolved past issues. So I am offering... Kade groups a partnership with my family's company, Sorrel Groups. A partnership, and with this, I hope for a new dawn.”

Everyone clapped and cheered out of excitement.

“And Odessa Kade would personally get a seat at my family's table of trustees and I would also like to offer John kade his possession back as the beta to blood Feng pack but that would be discussed in private” he winked.“Cheers, everyone!”

Oh my fucking god Evan what have you done.