Chapter 8: The Past Comes Back

She ruined everything.

  I didn't want to think about those painful memories again.

  My heart was still racing as I lay in the darkness. Stella and Grace were already fast asleep beside me.

  Just seeing his silhouette had been enough to stir up so many emotions I thought I had buried.

  What was I going to do when I actually saw him face-to-face?

  I had to prepare myself because I knew that sooner or later, our paths would cross.

  I remained still in bed, listening to the steady ticking of the clock on the wall as I tried to force myself to sleep.

  A knock on the door woke me up.

  Another knock followed.

  "We're up," Grace called out sleepily.

  "It's Lorraine. You girls need to get up now. Madam wants to introduce all of you to the Alpha."

  "What?" Stella exclaimed, immediately sitting up.

  "Lorraine, thank you. We'll be ready in time," Grace replied.

  I quickly got out of bed and began getting ready.

  Soon, the three of us were freshened up and heading out of the room.

  But I couldn't stop fidgeting.

  "Aly, calm down. We're just going to meet the Alpha, not the devil," Stella teased with a chuckle.

  "Not the time, Stella. Even I'm nervous," Grace replied.

  "I can't relate. I'm as chill as ever," Stella said confidently.

  We all laughed.

  They had no idea why I was so nervous.

  What if the Alpha recognized me?

  Or worse...

  What if I saw him?

  What if I saw Sebastian?

  "Hurry up, ladies! We aren't keeping the Alpha waiting."

  Claudia's irritated voice cut through our conversation.

  "Here we go again," Stella muttered, rolling her eyes.

  We exchanged quiet chuckles before hurrying to join the other girls who were already lined up.

  We stood in formation with our heads bowed.

  "The Alpha and his family will be arriving soon. None of you will speak or raise your heads unless you are spoken to. And none of you will embarrass me. Do you understand?"

  "Yes, Head Maid," we all answered together.

  A moment later, footsteps echoed through the hall.

  "Alpha," Claudia announced respectfully.

  "Are these the girls you selected to prepare for the Umber Ceremony?" the Alpha asked.

  "Yes, Alpha."

  "I assure you, they will not cause any trouble or disappoint you in any way."

  "Good."

  The Alpha turned his attention to us.

  "You girls should feel comfortable here. If you encounter any problems, you can come to me.

  I could feel someone's gaze boring into me.

  Someone was staring at me.

  I tried to ignore it, but eventually, I couldn't help myself.

  I slowly raised my head.

  And our eyes met.

  For a moment, it felt like every where freezed.

  Yesterday, I hadn't seen him clearly.

  But today...

  Today, I could see him.

  He was just as breathtaking as I remembered, but it was his cold eyes that held me captive. They stared directly into mine, and I couldn't bring myself to look away.

  Did he recognize me?

  Was that why he was staring at me like that?

  Someone gently tugged at my sleeve.

  Grace.

  Her touch snapped me out of my trance, and I quickly lowered my head.

  What I didn't realize was that the Alpha had already noticed the exchange between us.

  My legs felt weak, as though they could give way at any moment.

  "Okay, girls. You can begin working at your assigned positions."

  The Alpha's voice brought everyone's attention back.

  Then Claudia spoke.

  "Not you, redhead. The Alpha wants to see you."

  I stopped in my tracks.

  Me?

  The girls immediately began giving me strange looks.

  Stella and Grace looked especially worried.

  "It's fine," I whispered. "You guys go ahead and start cleaning. I'll join you when I'm done."

  They nodded before walking away.

  I turned toward Claudia.

  "Follow me."

  We walked through the hall in silence until we stopped in front of a large black door.

  Claudia knocked once.

  "I've brought the girl, Alpha."

  "Come in."

  The gruff voice from inside sent a nervous shiver through me.

  Claudia opened the door, and we stepped inside.

  "Alpha."

  She bowed.

  "Leave us," Alpha Richard ordered.

  "Sir?" Claudia asked, clearly confused.

  "I want to speak with her alone. Leave us."

  "Yes, Alpha."

  She gave me one last look before walking out and closing the door behind her.

  I was alone with the Alpha.

  Silence filled the room.

  The only sound I could hear was the frantic beating of my own heart.

  I rubbed my hands together nervously.

  Why did the Alpha want to speak with me?

  Was he going to throw me out of the estate?

  Or was it something worse?

  "Calm down, Alyssa."

  His voice broke through the silence.

  Slowly, I raised my head.

  He remembered my name.

  "Alpha?" I asked, confused.

  "I said calm down, Alyssa. I'm not going to hurt you."

  My tense shoulders relaxed slightly.

  "You've grown so much, Alyssa."

  His eyes softened as he looked at me.

  "Look at you. You've become such a beautiful young woman."

  He smiled.

  "Won't you come and give your old man a hug?"

  Without hesitation, I ran into his arms and hugged him.

  Tears immediately filled my eyes.

  "I thought you wouldn't remember me... or that you would hate me," I whispered through my tears.

  "Why wouldn't I remember you, troublesome girl?" he asked with a laugh. "And why would you ever think I'd hate you?"

  "Because of what happened years ago."

  "I never blamed you, Alyssa. And I never would."

  He paused.

  "You didn't come to see your old man even once all these years."

  "I couldn't bear to see him," I admitted.

  He immediately understood who I was talking about.

  "Not him. Me," he said softly. "You didn't think I'd want to see you?"

  "I'm sorry."

  Tears continued to fall.

  "Don't cry, dear."

  He gently wiped them away.

  "Now that you're here, everything will be okay."

  I didn't understand what he meant by that, but I didn't question him.

  "Okay, Alpha. I'll leave now. I'm sure everyone is probably wondering what I'm discussing with you for so long."

  He laughed.

  "If anyone troubles you in any way, come to me immediately. Though I know you can handle yourself."

  I smiled.

  "I know I won't have any problems as long as you're around."

  "I'll leave now, Alpha."

  "Okay, dear."

  I walked toward the door, my heart feeling lighter than it had in a long time.

  The Alpha hadn't asked about my parents, but he didn't hate me.

  For now, that was enough.

  I opened the door and stepped outside.

  But before I could take another step, I bumped into someone.

  "Ouch."

  I looked up, ready to see who had walked into me without watching where they were going.

  Then my breath caught.

  He was standing right in front of me.

  So close.

  Those familiar eyes stared down at me.

  Sebastian.

  "Sebastian," I whispered.