Chapter 1: The Alpha's House

THEA

"Will you stop crying, for Moon’s sake?"

Liana’s voice cut through the car, sharp and loud, her hands were tight on the steering wheel, her knuckles pale, her eyes fixed on the road ahead.

I tried. I really did.

But the tears wouldn’t listen.

They kept falling, hot and stubborn, blurring the passing lights outside. The city stretched around us, tall buildings, glowing signs, wolves moving through the day like shadows. 

Everything looked alive… everything except me.

My chest felt hollow.

Even after everything my family said... "forget him, move on, he’s not worth it," it didn’t change anything.

Noah was my mate.

Or at least… I thought he was.

I thought the bond meant something. I thought he felt it too. The pull, the warmth, the way my wolf would settle just hearing his voice.

But I was wrong.

So wrong.

He didn’t love me.

He just… used me.

Because I was an omega.

Because I was easy.

My chest squeezed, and another tear slipped down.

Beside me, Liana cursed under her breath and hit the brake a little harder than needed before the car slowed again.

I wiped my face quickly, sniffing, trying to pull myself together. My fingers shook as I reached for the handkerchief she had bought for me earlier. 

"I’m sorry," I whispered, my voice small. "I just… I can’t forget it, not that fast."

Liana went quiet, "I know," she said, softer now. "I’m sorry for shouting."

She glanced at me briefly before looking back at the road.

"But listen to me, Thea." Her tone changed again, not harsh, but firm. "Once we reach my house, I don’t want to hear his name, not once, and no more crying."

I blinked, turning to her.

"If my dad sees you like this, he won’t like it. You know how he is." She gave a small snort. "He hates weakness. He might just throw both of us out."

She turned her head slightly, a small smile tugging at her lips. "And I don’t think you want your best friend to be homeless… do you?"

Despite everything, a weak laugh slipped out of me. I shook my head quickly. "No… I don’t."

"Good." She nodded once. "I trust you."

Her eyes softened again, and for a second, she looked less like the strong alpha everyone feared and more like just… Liana. My Liana.

"I know you’d never betray me," she said. "Not like that fool."

My chest tightened again at the word, but I forced a smile and looked away.

Yes.

I wouldn’t.

She had always been there for me, through everything. When the other wolves whispered, when they laughed, when they pushed me around because I was an omega… Liana stood in front of me every time. She didn’t care who they were. Alpha, beta, didn’t matter because he was stronger and she made sure they knew it.

I looked down at my hands, my fingers twisting together. I wouldn’t hurt her. I couldn’t, not even by accident... Or so I thought.

The rest of the drive passed in silence. Not the uncomfortable kind… it was just quiet. The kind that slowly settles around you, giving your heart space to breathe again.

Hours later, the car finally slowed.

I looked up and my breath caught. We had reached the Alpha’s house. No… not this was not a house. It was a palace.

Tall gates stood open, guarded by wolves in black, their eyes sharp, their presence heavy.

Inside, two massive buildings rose under the blue sky, lights glowing from almost every window. It looked even bigger than the last time I came here.

Even more… untouchable.

My chest tightened a little.

This was her world, not mine.

"Don’t worry about your luggage," Liana said as she stepped out of the car. "The guards will handle it."

I nodded quickly and followed her. 

Inside, it was even more overwhelming. Maids moved quietly, bowing as Liana passed. None of them spoke. None of them dared to slow her down, and she didn’t stop; she didn’t even look at them.

She just kept walking, confident, like she owned every inch of the place because she did.

"Come," she said, already heading upstairs.

I hurried after her.

At the top, the hallway stretched long in two directions.

Liana turned right.

We passed a few doors before she stopped at the third one. She pulled out a bunch of keys from her bag, quickly finding one and sliding it into the lock.

There was a soft click.

The door opened.

She stepped in first, and I followed. "This will be your room from now on."

I stopped.

My eyes widened.

The room… it didn’t feel real.

Everything was white and pink, soft and bright at the same time. 

Had she decorated it with my favorite color?

The walls were smooth, decorated with simple patterns that looked expensive without trying too hard. Long curtains fell from the ceiling to the floor, light and flowing, moving slightly with the breeze from the window.

The bed sat in the center, large and soft, covered in clean white sheets that looked like clouds. Pillows were stacked neatly, inviting, almost too perfect to touch.

I took a slow step inside.

"What?" Liana’s voice came from behind me. "You don’t like it?"

I snapped out of it quickly, shaking my head. "No, no… I love it. This is my favorite!" My voice came out softer than I expected. I walked further in, turning slowly, taking it all in again. "This is a palace."

She laughed a little. "Well… my dad is the king."

I smiled, even if it felt small, and moved closer to the bed. My fingers brushed over the surface. It was soft, so soft, letting a small breath leave me.

Maybe… just maybe… I could sleep peacefully tonight.

"Alright," Liana said, clapping her hands once. "Enough of staring. You can admire it later."

I turned to her.

"I’ll show you the rest of the house." I nodded quickly and followed her out again.

We walked back into the hallway, but this time, she turned toward the other side.

The left corner.

Something about that side felt… different, quieter, and heavier.

"This is my dad’s area," she said, her voice lower now. "He stays here." She paused, then looked at me seriously. "Don’t come here unless you have a good reason."

I swallowed.

My chest tightened again, for no clear reason.

"I won’t," I said.

She studied my face for a second, then nodded and continued walking. She explained things as we went... who stayed where, who came and went, which places were for work, which were for guests.

I tried to remember everything but it was a lot, it was too much.

By the time we made our way back downstairs, my head felt full.

We stepped into the living room. Or… living rooms.

It looked like two had been joined together, wide and open, filled with soft couches and low tables.

Liana walked straight to one of the couches and dropped onto it. "Oh, Moon… I’m tired."

I laughed softly. "Me too."

I reached out and gently pushed a strand of her dark hair away from her face.

"Thank you… for bringing me here." Her expression softened instantly.."I love you."

Her face broke into a wide grin. "I love you too, Thea!" She sat up a little, excitement lighting up her eyes. "I’m so happy you’re here. It’s going to be fun now. We’ll do everything together… and maybe, just maybe, if we annoy my dad enough, he’ll loosen up a bit."

I laughed, shaking my head.

"And you," she said, narrowing her eyes playfully. "You’re completely forgetting about Noah."

I raised my hands a little in surrender. "I will." I hesitated for a second, then added softly, "With you around… I think I can."

She smiled, then she stepped forward and pulled me into a tight hug. "I’m sorry," she whispered. "For everything you went through."

My eyes stung again, but this time… the tears didn’t fall. "I’m okay," I said quietly. "Because of you."

Before she could say anything else, footsteps approached.

We both turned.

An older woman walked toward us, her posture straight, she stopped at a distance and bowed her head slightly. "Young Alpha," she said, her voice steady. "Breakfast is ready."

Thank the moon, we arrived early.

Liana nodded without hesitation. "We’re coming."

She grabbed my hand and pulled me up again and just like that… I followed her.