Chapter 3

Odessa’s Pov 

The room was enormous.

I stood by the entrance, looking around in disbelief. There was a large bed in the middle, thick curtains covering the windows, a fireplace and a separate dressing chamber.

I walked towards the bed and pressed my palm against the blanket before sitting down.

It was unbelievably soft.

I had never slept on anything like it. Our old mattress in the servants’ quarters was thin and uncomfortable, but this bed looked like something meant for royalty.

I got up and explored the dressing chamber. The wardrobe was filled with beautiful dresses, shoes and accessories. Someone had already taken the liberty of choosing clothes for me.

I stared at them, feeling strangely uncomfortable.

“Is there anything else you need, my lady?”

I turned to see Mara standing near the door. We had exchanged a few words before, but we weren’t friends.

“Please don’t call me that.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I just want to be alone right now.”

She nodded. “Of course. I’ll be nearby if you need anything.”

When she left, I walked back into the bedroom and sat beside the window.

The tears came before I could stop them.

I thought about my father. Ellis had died protecting the royal family, yet his sacrifice had meant so little to them. My mother and I had been left to struggle, and now she had married the very man whose household had watched me suffer for years.

How could she do that?

I wiped my face, but the tears kept coming. I didn’t know whether I was more hurt by her decision or by the fact that she had kept it from me.

A knock interrupted my thoughts.

A royal warrior entered and bowed.

“Your presence is requested at dinner, my lady. It will begin shortly.”

I sighed. “Alright.”

After taking a shower, I returned to the dressing chamber and chose a green dress. I brushed my long, dark coils until they fell down my back, then studied my reflection.

My hair was almost black, and my eyes were just as dark. Beneath the warm light, my smooth skin looked brighter against the green fabric. I looked nothing like the girl who had spent the morning being flogged in the servants’ quarters.

A maid offered to help me get ready, but I declined.

I didn’t need anyone’s help.

****

My mother was already seated beside Edric when I entered the dining hall.

She glanced at me, and I could see the concern in her eyes. I took the empty seat beside her without saying anything.

A moment later, the doors opened, and Edric entered with Zane and Lenora.

Zane wore black, his long hair falling just below his shoulders. He was strikingly handsome, with sharp features and an expression that made him look permanently displeased.

He sat opposite me without sparing me a glance.

Lenora settled beside him, looking as lovely and composed as she had during the ceremony.

Dinner began, and I concentrated on my food, hoping nobody would expect me to contribute to the conversation.

“So, Odessa,” Edric said, “I hope you like your new chambers.”

“Yes, Alpha. Thank you.”

“Good. You’ll have everything you need here.”

I nodded.

He went on to discuss Zane’s upcoming ascension ceremony at Silver Hollow. It was an important occasion, and the preparations were already underway.

“My son will soon take his rightful place as Alpha of Norvale,” he said proudly.

Zane continued eating without much reaction.

Edric turned towards me.

“And how does it feel knowing you’ll soon have Zane as your stepbrother?”

I hesitated before looking across the table.

That was when I properly met Zane’s eyes.

One was grey, the other a deep shade of honey. They were unusual, almost captivating. His long dark hair framed a face that was, without question, one of the most beautiful I had ever seen.

It was difficult to believe someone could look so beautiful and still carry such darkness in his heart.

“I haven’t really thought about it,” I answered.

Edric chuckled.

“Well, you’ll have plenty of time to get to know each other. I think you two should spend some time catching up.”

He turned towards my mother.

“Celine, come with me. I have something I need to discuss with you.”

My mother looked at me briefly before following him out.

Lenora remained seated for a moment, then turned towards Zane.

“Well, I’ll leave you two to catch up. You should get to know your new sister.”

Zane didn’t respond.

Lenora then looked at me with a friendly smile.

“Perhaps you and I should catch up sometime too, Odessa.”

I managed a small nod. “Perhaps.”

“Goodnight.”

She left, and the moment the door closed, the room became painfully quiet.

I looked at Zane, then towards the door. I had no idea what I was supposed to say to this man.

I was about to leave when his voice stopped me.

“Don’t ever think I’ll welcome you as my sister.”

I turned.

He was looking directly at me now.

“You’re a lowly peasant. Don’t mistake my father’s decision to marry your mother for acceptance. You’ll never be my sister.”

My fingers tightened.

I should have walked away. I knew better than to provoke someone like him.

But I was tired.

“Excuse me?”

His expression remained cold.

I straightened my shoulders. “You don’t talk to me like that.”

I didn’t even recognise my own voice. A few hours ago, I wouldn’t have dared speak to him that way. But something about the way he looked at me made me refuse to lower my head.

Zane slowly approached.

He was extraordinarily tall, with broad shoulders that made him seem even more intimidating up close. He stopped only inches away, forcing me to tilt my head to meet his gaze.

Then he lifted my chin with his fingers.

My breath caught.

His mismatched eyes studied my face, and I suddenly became aware of just how close he was.

“Stay away from me, Odessa.”