The Girl In Our House

Chapter 2

Alexander

Something was wrong with the girl.

I knew it the moment she walked through the front door.

Her scent had filled the entire mansion, awakening something inside me that I had spent years keeping under control.

My wolf had been restless since her arrival.

And that was impossible.

I was Alexander Blackwood, the eldest son of Richard Blackwood, heir to the Blackwood empire, and one of the most powerful Alphas in the country.

Nothing unsettled me.

Nothing.

Yet one nineteen-year-old girl had managed to disturb the peace of my wolf simply by existing.

"Tell me you felt that too."

Sebastian's voice interrupted my thoughts.

I turned toward him.

He was standing near the dining room entrance, his usual smirk completely gone.

Adrian stood beside him, running a hand through his hair.

"That wasn't normal," Adrian muttered.

"No kidding," Sebastian replied.

I looked toward the staircase where our father had ordered Isabella to be taken.

"What exactly did you smell?"

Sebastian hesitated.

"Something familiar. But I can't identify it."

Adrian nodded.

"My wolf nearly lost control when she looked at me."

I clenched my jaw.

Mine had done worse.

The moment Isabella entered the mansion, my wolf had started pacing inside my head.

Then, during dinner, when her eyes met mine, something strange happened.

My wolf had growled.

Not in anger but in recognition.

Mate.

The word had echoed through my mind so loudly that I had nearly crushed the glass in my hand.

I refused to believe it.

She was our father's new wife's daughter.

Our stepsister.

Whatever was happening, it couldn't be what my wolf was suggesting.

"Alexander!"

I looked up.

Sebastian was watching me suspiciously.

"What?"

"You're doing that thing again."

"What thing?"

"The thing where you pretend everything is under control when it clearly isn't."

I ignored him.

Adrian stepped closer.

"Should we ask Father?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because he's hiding something."

I found our father in his private study.

He was standing beside his desk, staring through the enormous windows overlooking the gardens.

"Explain what happened at dinner," I demanded.

He didn't turn around.

"Not now, Alexander."

I shut the door behind me.

"Don't do that."

He finally faced me.

"Do what?"

"Treat me like a child. You saw her eyes. You know something."

His expression hardened.

"Lower your voice."

I laughed without humor.

"You expect me to remain calm after bringing a stranger into this house who can trigger three Alpha wolves simultaneously?"

"Isabella is not a stranger."

"She is to us."

Silence settled between us.

My father walked toward his desk and poured himself a drink.

"Her mother knows nothing about our world. I intend to keep it that way."

I stared at him.

"Then why is Isabella reacting like that?"

He didn't answer.

"Father."

He slowly placed the glass down.

"Years ago, I made a promise to someone. A promise I thought would never matter again."

My eyes narrowed.

"Who?"

"That isn't important."

"It becomes important when it involves this family."

He sighed.

"Keep your brothers away from Isabella's business. Make sure she settles in. And whatever happens, do not let anyone outside this mansion discover what she is."

I stared at him.

"You're still avoiding my question."

"That's all you need to know."

I hated being dismissed.

Especially when my wolf was practically clawing at my insides.

When I returned upstairs, Sebastian and Adrian were waiting outside Isabella's bedroom.

"What are you two doing here?" I asked.

Sebastian folded his arms.

"Waiting."

"For what?"

"To make sure she doesn't suddenly grow fangs and attack someone."

Adrian laughed.

I gave them both a warning look.

"Go to your rooms."

Neither moved.

"Alexander," Adrian began, "something happened when she looked at me."

I stopped.

"What?"

"My wolf spoke."

I stared at him.

"What did it say?"

Adrian swallowed.

"Mine said the same thing yours probably did."

Sebastian looked between us.

"Wait. What did yours say?"

I didn't answer.

Because I wasn't ready to say it aloud.

Before either brother could speak again, Isabella's bedroom door suddenly opened.

She stood there wearing an oversized shirt and shorts, her long hair falling loosely over her shoulders.

Her expression was annoyed.

"Can someone explain why three grown men are standing outside my bedroom?"

Sebastian grinned.

"Checking on our new sister."

She rolled her eyes.

"That's creepy."

Adrian laughed.

I remained silent.

Isabella looked directly at me.

"Your father told me to stay in this room. Nobody has explained anything, and I'm starting to think this family has serious communication problems."

"Go back inside," I ordered.

Her eyebrows shot up.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me."

"Do you always speak to people like that?"

"When necessary."

"Well, it's unnecessary with me."

Sebastian covered his mouth, clearly enjoying the exchange.

I stepped closer.

"You don't understand the situation you're in."

"Then explain it!"

For a moment, I couldn't find an answer.

How was I supposed to explain that her presence had awakened something dangerous inside three Alpha wolves?

How could I tell her that my wolf had already chosen her?

She suddenly pressed a hand against her chest.

I noticed her expression change.

"Are you alright?"

She nodded, but her breathing became uneven.

Then she looked at me.

"Alexander..."

Her voice was barely a whisper.

"Why can I hear you?"

I frowned.

"Hear me?"

She shook her head.

"Not your voice. Your thoughts."

My entire body went still.

Sebastian stopped smiling.

Adrian stepped forward.

"What did you say?"

Isabella looked terrified.

"I can hear someone talking inside my head."

Then her eyes changed.

For one brief second, a golden glow flashed across them.

My wolf slammed against my consciousness.

OUR MATE.

I staggered backward.

No.

This couldn't be happening.

Not her.

Not the girl who had just become our stepsister.

And judging by the horrified expression on my brothers' faces, they had heard it too.

Then Isabella whispered something that made my blood run cold.

"There's a voice telling me to run."

I stared at her.

Because I suddenly realized something.

Whatever was inside Isabella wasn't simply awakening.

It was trying to warn her.

And I had a terrible feeling that the warning was meant for us.