Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Solene's POV

I was still shaken, my mind tortured by the events of the entire day when I heard the reception door open.

My pulse racing, I whirled around and paused as I saw the Alpha King standing at the door.

From Adrian’s words, it seemed he had a savior complex towards sisters?

“We should play it to our advantage.” Anya pushed. “Lord knows we need some sort of protector in this manic household.”

I ignored her, bowing to greet the Alpha instead. “Thank you, Alpha… for everything.”

His expression was unreadable, but his eyes were soft as he spoke.

"If you ever need help, girl. Come to me.”

What?

The idea of reaching the Alpha King directly was so shocking, my head snapped up immediately.

But before I could respond, he was gone, his long coat sweeping behind him as the door clicked shut.

In the same vein, the door opened and Elise slid in bewildered.

"That's odd, isn't it?" Her sweet voice sharpened as she frowned.

Adrian followed behind her and from the serious expression on his face, he’d also heard the Alpha King’s words.

"Why would the Alpha King offer help to someone he's never met?” She sounded on the verge of tears as she turned back to Adrian. “He’s here for my ceremony. What if she tells him things about me and ruins my marriage chances?”

My head hurt too much for this nonsense. “What the hell are you talking about?” I cut in dryly.

“I mean, it makes sense.” She sniffled. “That’s the only reason the Alpha would be invested in you,” 

“Adrian.” I cut my gaze from her to where my brother stood motionless by the door.

He was seeing his crazy sister spin accusations in the air but would do nothing to stop it?

“Why are you doing this?” Elise’s voice heightened. “I’ve only been good to you but you hate me and—- “

“Where’s Bella?” I cut in. Completely ignoring her meltdown as I looked past Adrian to the empty door with a frown.

I’d been home for over an hour with no sign of my dog.

Normally by now, she’d have smelled my wolf and come yipping around.

Utter silence met my question.

From the doorway, Adrian shifted uncomfortably but held his ground while Elise just pouted at being ignored.

“Didn’t you hear me?” I felt my annoyance heighten as I took one step closer on my injured leg. “Where is my dog, Elise?”

“Don’t ask me." She sniffed. “It’s not my fault you didn’t train the little beat well.”

I went still. “What?”

For the first time, fear flickered in Elise’s eyes, and she threw Adriann a look.

“The little thing almost bit me.” She repeated, her voice lower now. “So… so Adrian had him put down.”

“I’m going to kill her," Anya growled immediately.

But as my wolf surged and the fire in my chest grew, it was not Elise I turned to but my brother.

Adrian.

“Is it true?” I could barely hear my voice as my entire being began to tremble.

Adrian had bought me that dog.

Bella wasn’t just some stray pup. She– 

“ANSWER ME!” My voice cracked as I moved towards him, ignoring the spikes of pain shooting up my leg. “Did you kill our dog?”

All at once, images seemed to flash before my eyes.

Bella, the first day Adrian had bought her home on my tenth birthday. 

“So you don’t miss me too much when I’m at the pack office.”

Bella rolling onto her back as Adrian rubbed her belly and fed her scraps. And the last time, I’d seen that golden brown fur.

Bella barking and chasing after the prison van on that damned day three years ago.

“Don’t blame him,” Elise whimpered, then sniffled. “I- I was just so scared, he had to protect me.”

“FROM WHAT?!” I almost lost it, turning back on her. “A ten-pound dog?!”

“I’m sorry,” Her voice trembled as she looked down. “If I'd known how much he meant to you… "She bit back a sob. “I’d have let him bite me properly.”

“Enough Solene.” My brother chose that moment to speak.

My traitorous cowardly brother. Gods, I could barely look at him. Had he done it himself? Killed a loyal pet with his own hands?

Adrian flinched, like he could read the disgust on my face. But it didn’t deter him as he crossed to Elise’s side and wrapped a hand around her shoulder. 

“It’s alright, Elise,” he held her calmly. “You did nothing wrong."

He continued to comfort her while I just gritted my teeth and stalked away before I gave in to temptation and let my wolf rip them both.

---

Upstairs, the exhaustion of the entire day finally hit me. Plus the grief of losing Bella, all I wanted to do was shower and crash. But the second I stepped into my bedroom, I froze.

It was my room, and not.

From the princess-pink walls to the white canopy bed and insane amount of fur carpets. Nothing resembled the room I’d grown up in.

For a second, I stepped back and looked at the doorway again. Just to be certain that after three years, I hadn’t forgotten my own house and wandered into the wrong room.

But no. This was my bedroom. Except all my photos, my books, and even the little wooden figures Adrian used to carve for me. Everything was gone.

I dragged a hand through my hair, forcing myself to stay calm when a soft voice spoke from behind me.

“Oh, Solene. You’re here?”

I turned to see Elise smiling softly. “Sorry, you weren’t here and Adrian wanted me to have a better room.”

At this point, I didn’t even care. My body was so ragged, I’d sleep on a potato sack if I was offered one. “Where are my things?” I breathed defeatedly. “My diary, my pictures, and clothes?”

The threadbare outfit I had on now did little to dispel the chill already creeping into my bones.

Elise blinked. “Oh, were you still using those?”

My mouth dropped open as she blushed and wrung her fingers.

“Sorry, I had the maids throw them away. I didn’t know you still wanted those old things." 

At that moment, Adrian appeared behind her in the hallway, and her voice went smaller. “You can have the room back, really. I’ll just sleep in the basement—"

"No," Adrian's objected sharply. Then sent me a look like I’d suggested his sister sleep in a pigsty.

What was this melodrama?

I could barely believe my ears as his voice turned sharp. “Haven’t you seen how weak Elise is? She needs a comfortable room.”

Then he frowned. “Stop this, Solene. You can’t expect everyone to bend over backwards because you came back. It’s unfair to Elise."

By my sides, my nails dug into my palm from how hard my fists were clenched. 

I was livid but over and over a mantra rang in my head.

Endure, Solene. Endure.

Right now, my body was breaking, and getting rest was a priority. 

“Fine,” I breathed.

Adrian’s eyes gleamed in approval and his voice softened. 

"Look. The Alpha King is here for Elise's ceremony. If things go well, he might help arrange a good marriage for her. That's what matters right now. So for the next few days, just… behave. Okay? Don't mention the correctional center either."

Correctional center?

This time, I couldn’t stop the harsh laugh that spilled out of me. “You don’t have to worry about embarrassment, brother dearest. I already repaid everything I owe this family so you can be rid of me." I met his eyes calmly. "After the ceremony, I'm leaving."

Adrian's POV

Why was she so insistent on throwing tantrums?

I rubbed my temple and sighed but felt something twist in my chest.

Truthfully, before Solene went to the camp, I'd made some arrangements. Nothing serious… just something to keep her in line, you know?

Hard labor, some strict discipline. I just… wanted to teach her humility. Not this.

She looked like a shell of her old self. Stick thin. And when I saw that leg… with the scars and injuries. It almost broke me.

But I knew Solene. 

With a sigh, I shook my head to clear the thoughts. This was exactly what she wanted— to invoke sympathy.

Besides, Sol’s wolf has always been very strong. She probably got wounded by her reckless behavior.

“Don’t, bother threatening me.” For her own good, I let my voice be cold as I turned to leave. “You have no money, no other family, and you’re covered in injuries. Where will you go? Just sit tight and behave properly.”