Bullied by my stepsister; Claimed by the Alpha

✓ RIYA "This is my home, stepmother!” My stepmother snickered. "Indeed." “I've never chosen anywhere else as home than here, stepmother! I've lost both parents for heaven's sake! Please, stepmother. I promise to be at my best…” My voice cracked, and I swallowed. “Please…” Ama shut her book close and stared at me with mirth for a moment, "Damn girl, I thought you were a smart little one. This place, this house,” She closed in the entire house with her hands; like calling me to snap out of my illusion, “Here has never been your home, darling!” Then, she chuckled, and said after returning to her book. “And, at least use some less goddamn approach. You should know begging would do you no good.” “She thinks I'm buying it.” My stepmother scoffed. “Have you forgotten father's last words?!” My father's last words found their way to my head and hot tears filled my eyes to the brim. ‘Riya is an irreplaceable gem, and I hope you wouldn't have a reason to detach her from this

✓ Riya “She's waking up!” A distant voice called as I regained consciousness, my head banging and my throat parched. I slowly opened my eyes, my blurry sight sharpening into a very handsome man with dark wavy hair, the most beautiful grey eyes, and the most perfect features I've ever seen. And, also a woman with an almost identical features hovering over me. My eyes darted around the room, my breathing quickening. There was no escape. Brandon's men had caught me. I was in his den now, and I was doomed. I stiffened, my body turning cold. I started to sit, but winced and gripped the sheet tightly due a sharp pain that shot through my body. “Stay back! You'll worsen your wounds!” The man shouted, and I was surprised at his outburst. But, perhaps he was a nice one. “Please, can you let me go?! I'll give you anything you want. Please, huh?” With tears threatening to fall, I wriggled up into a sitting position, ignoring the pain this time. The man glanced at the woman, shock e

✓ Nathaniel My mind flashed back to the wounded image of Riya on the ground, and my body shook with anger. I had watched Riya in her unconscious state, and I knew she had gone through so much. Her bruised and rough hands were of someone who had spent quite a long time doing hard chores. Her skin was tanned, as though she’d lived under the sun all her life. So, seeing these people hurt Riya made me extremely angry that I wanted to end their existence. My grip tightened on Brandon's neck, and although I knew he was almost dying, my grip on him didn't loosen. My wolf was seething with revenge and was feeling blood lust, and that he needed was for Brandon to die to quench the thirst. “You can go tell your regrets to your ancestors when I'm done with you!” I growled. “No one touches my woman and leaves in one piece.” “She is not your woman!” A lady with a strong resemblance to Riya screamed, cutting me off. I turned sharply to face her, my marbles losing at her statement

✓ RiyaMy gaze swept over the overly sized room which I presently lived in, and I just couldn't believe that I had become one who now lived in luxury. All I could think of was the situation that led me to where I was now. It's been a couple of months and I haven't wrapped my head around the new happenings in my life. While I was lost in my thoughts, a knock landed on my door, jolting me to my feet. Even after staying here for months, I was still scared of every little thing. What if they found out that I wasn't what Nathaniel had portrayed me to be? The sound of the knock on my door again finally took me out of my trance, and I dragged myself to the door, opening it to reveal the face of my maid, Lily, who I had come to really like a lot. However, she looked so scared at the moment. "What is wrong, Lily? You look like you've just encountered a ghost." I chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. "Oh, your highness. It is not my wish to look this way too." "So, who has forced the str

✓ Riya I stood frozen with my eyes fixed on the rattling chains as the guards unshackled Ama. My pulse pounded in my ears, each beat echoing louder than the next. A gnawing unease climbed up my spine, tightening like a vice around my resolve. This wasn’t right—my instincts screamed it. Was I truly doing this for a secret? Or was something else pushing me? Even I didn’t know anymore. Ama sagged as the chains fell away, her body frail and trembling. The sharp lines of her slim and gaunt face seemed etched by anguish, her tangled hair hanging like a curtain of shadows. Torn, stained fabric barely clung to her form, and despite everything, I felt a crack in my armor. Pity crept in, unwelcome but undeniable. Sweat dampened my palms as anger churned within me, coiling tightly like a snake ready to strike. My breath hitched, and I clenched my fists. What am I doing here? The question roared through my mind, unanswered. Still, curiosity burned hotter than my doubts, consuming my reas