Chapter Four

Minutes stretched into hours as the party continued; I was already tired, and exhaustion washed over me. I just wanted to go home and lay on my old shaggy bed; as long as it provided little comfort, I didn't mind. 

I tried to close my eyes for a bit but the noise around me continued to grow louder every minute but the feeling of being watched never left. It lingered like a heavy weight on my chest. 

My father’s voice occasionally cut through the noise, but I wasn't paying attention neither was I interested in anything he was saying. It was hard to focus on anything other than the unsettling sense of eyes on me.

 I was beyond nervous. I just had a bad feeling about coming to this party. No one barely noticed me; it was like I was invisible.

Then it happened in a blink of an eye.

The room fell into an unexpected silence. Jerry walked towards the stage, clicking his glass to grab everyone's attention. The air was thick, and as all eyes turned to him, the noise reduced almost immediately. I didn't know what to expect, but my stomach churned uneasily. 

Jerry cleared his throat as he began to speak; a small smile played at the corner of his lips.

“I have something very important to say,” he said. His voice echoed through the room.

“I would like to officially proclaim Alia Moonshade my one and only princess as my legitimate daughter, the rightful heir to the Moonshade name.” He paused. 

“She is everything I ever asked for: sweet, caring, and intelligent. words can't describe how much she means to me, and she has proved that she has a lot of value and potential to me.”

 Time stopped, and I can barely recognize my own heartbeat, Princess? Me? Was this a joke?

 whispers erupting in hushed tones. I could feel everyone's eyes burning into my skin, all attention was suddenly shifted to my direction. 

But it wasn't the praise or congratulations I had expected it was the opposite. Confusion and dismay laced people's faces, disapproval and disgust in their eyes, particularly in the eyes of my stepmother.

She yanked Jerry’s hand to gain his attention, her fingers digging into his skin. The moments the words left his lips,

 I could see the smoke coming from her ears; she was beyond angry.

“This is totally wrong, a big mistake,” she screamed, her voice cracking. “This is nothing but a joke, right? tell me it is.”

Jerry’s jaw tightened, and I could see the veins in his neck strain. He had never been challenged nor disobeyed without being punished. But before he could respond, she stood up, banging her chair intentionally on the floor.

“What are you doing, Jerry? She spat; her voice was beyond a scream. “This isn't any way like you, Youve always kept your family separate from this weak maid.”

“I'm doing what I have to do even though you can't understand, it's for the best and its none of your business actually.” his tone cold and angry.

My heart almost jumped out of my mouth, my stomach twisting uncontrollably. I had never seen them fight like before, not even once. It was like a dam had broken and all frustration and anger has been poured out, the years of tension coming rushing to the surface.

“You have never really cared about this family; you always put yourself first not caring about me or your daughters,” my stepmother hissed, her voice trembling with rage. “Youve always put your legacy first every single time.”

Her words were sharp like a two- edged sword, cutting deep into my father. my father’s face flushed with anger, his eyes changing color as he walked towards her.

“You’ve been too emotional,” he sneered. “You have no right to tell me what is right or not and you're not part of my decisions anymore.”

The words hurt, though i wasn't directed at me, but I could feel the pain. Everything about this was somehow tied to me, I was the reason for their arguments. My father’s proclamation had been to open a door I never imagined existed, and it seemed like everyone was enjoying the drama as it was unfolding.

Before another word was spoken, I stood up, I couldn't endure the ache in my heart anymore; it was burning. The tension was too much for me to handle; it was suffocating. My chest tightened as my throat went dry. The last thing I wanted was to be the center of attraction, but here I was getting that same attention from everyone at the party who were already judging me with the looks on their faces.

Without thinking anymore, i stood up and ran towards the door, needing to escape this torment unfolding Infront of me. I was grateful that the hallway was quiet, but my retreat didn't last.

As I passed a corner, I collided with something hard. A man's chest. I stumbled back trying to gain my balance before I looked at who it was; I could see three men standing Infront me.

The three Alpha brothers.

Aidan, Bryan, and Callum. 

I could feel the crazy tension between them; an unknown force made the air heavy. They were standing in a formation I couldn't understand. They looked at each other with fury, a silent battle brewing between them.

Aidan's sharp silver eyes looked at me with curiosity. Bryn’s gaze lingered a little longer, almost as if he was trying to see through me. Callum smirked, his eyes gleaming with mischief and amusement.

I took a step backward, trying to go back, but I was already trapped as all eyes were on me. I tried to steady my breath as I realized what I had just walked into. I had no idea what they were up to.

The tension between them was thi

ck and I had just walked right into it.