2.Stepfather

Tabitha’s POV

Emery rises slightly from his seat and extends a hand with the confidence of someone who’s used to being in charge of entire cities, not just lunch tables. Of course, he is. Emery Aldair is the Alpha of Crystal Ridge pack and the commanding officer of the Kaelara Naval Station!

“It’s nice to finally meet you again,” he says with a warm smile. “You used to be schoolmates with my sons, back in Kaelara. I believe you were in the same year.”

This must be some kind of bad dream, because there’s no way that my mother’s fiancé is Emery Aldair. And yet, no matter how hard I pinch my arm, I just won’t wake up. Shit. This is real. That’s why the symbol on Gerald’s cuff looks familiar… there’s only one family whose staff wears that exact design… the Aldairs!

Is this really happening?

“Sweetie, Emery wants to shake your hand,” my mom whispers and lightly nudges me.

I snap back to my senses and take the man’s hand. He gives me a firm handshake and gestures to the table.

“Shall we eat?”

I barely manage a reply as we take our seats. The servers roll in a cart stacked with plates of what looks like the most delicious food I’ve ever seen, but my stomach stays quiet.

“I told them to bring out the specials and their best-sellers. But if you like anything else on the menu, do not hesitate to order,” Emery says.

“No, uh, these are plenty enough… sir,” I reply awkwardly.

I don’t think I have the appetite to eat anything anyway.

“Now, sweetie, I understand this may come as a shock to you but I want to use this opportunity to help you and Emery get to know each other better. He’s not just my fiancé, he’s going to be part of our lives now.”

I stare at my plate, still untouched.

“Emery is a good man. He’s kind, respectful, and incredibly accomplished,” she continues with a smile. “And he’s made me really happy, Tabitha. I think, if you give it a chance, you’ll see that he can make you feel safe and taken care of too.”

“Your mother speaks very highly of you. I know this is sudden, but I hope, in time, we can build a good relationship,” Emery seconds.

I nod again, just to be polite, but my mind is already spinning. I can’t believe I’m sitting across from Emery Aldair right now. The Emery Aldair. The most influential figure in Kaelara. The Alpha of Crystal Ridge Pack. The man who practically runs the entire place like it’s his own private kingdom. The place where I was born and raised. The place we ran away from five years ago. It’s insane. The reason we severed every tie to that place in the first place was because of his sons. Because of what they did to me. And now, here he is, sitting in front of me like fate just hit rewind and pressed play on the same nightmare again. This time, I’m not sure if running away would help me anymore.

I grab the glass of water and take a sip, trying not to tremble from the absurdity of it all.

“I just want my mom to be happy. I won’t stand in the way of her happiness,” I say plainly. Because honestly, I don’t know what else to say.

Emery Aldair may look exceptionally kind and charming right now, but I know to not be fooled. This man is dangerous. He commands a whole fleet of navy, and a whole werewolf pack at his disposal. He’s not someone to be crossed with. And while it’s true that I value my mom’s happiness enough to compromise for the sake of it, I also understand that getting too close to Emery Aldair’s world comes with consequences. His power isn’t just some title in a pack registry or a ceremonial position in the military. It’s real. It’s felt. People obey him without question. People fear him without saying it out loud.

And we don’t have the power to face the wrath of this Alpha if we ever land on the wrong side of him.

“Oh, sweetie. I knew you’d understand. We’re going to be a real family now. Isn’t that wonderful? I’ve always wanted that for you.”

I simply smile at her and nod. Emery looks pleased enough and we continue our lunch while they talk about some details of their wedding—the theme, the dress, the venue. Although it’s mostly my mom doing all the talking while her beau just nods and hums in agreement. Well, with a wedding as grand as this, I’m sure he’s going to be the one footing the bill, anyway.

Not that it would be a problem. Aldairs are filthy rich.

“Oh, and we’ll be moving to Kaelara in four days,” my mom announces excitedly. “It’s your summer vacation, anyway, so it shouldn’t be a problem. You won’t be missing anything important.”

I already expected this much but hearing out loud doesn’t make it horrifying.

We’re going back to that place… the very hell I tried my best to forget for the past five years. Suddenly, I lose the very little appetite I had earlier.

“And the boys are still living in the main house. I’m sure they’ll be thrilled to meet their new stepsister,” Emery says, smiling.

Yeah, I don’t think so. It’s in the tip of my tongue, but I just choose to stay quiet.

They probably would not even remember me. And somehow, I wish that would be the case. I’d rather have them forget that I was the loser they used to bully at high school. That would make it easier for me to survive living with them.

But then, I doubt they’d even recognize me now. I’ve changed so much in the last five years.

The lunch wraps up soon after, though I barely touch anything on my plate. Emery makes a call and his driver, Gerald, pulls the car around. We ride in silence most of the way. When we finally return to our apartment, I follow her inside, drop my bag by the door, and turn to face her.

“You’re really going to do this? You’re marrying into the same family that made our lives hell?” There goes my plan for a peaceful conversation. All the pent-up frustration that built up during lunch just explodes now.

“I thought you were okay with it. You didn’t say anything at lunch! You were… civil.”

I let out a dry laugh.

“Yeah, because I didn’t make a scene. I love you, Mom, but seriously? What were you thinking? Marrying Alpha Emery Aldair?”

Her brows pinch together, but she says nothing, so I keep going.

“I thought we were done with Kaelara. I thought we were done with werewolves. We left that place for a reason. You told me we were going to live a normal, quiet life. Just the two of us. Among humans.”

She looks away, and for a second, I think I might’ve actually gotten through to her.

“I’m sorry you feel that way,” she says quietly. “But Emery is a good man, Tabitha. You don’t know him like I do. He’s kind. Generous. And whether you believe it or not… he’s given us something we haven’t had in a long time.”

“What are you talking about?”

She reaches for my hand again, and this time, I let her take it, even though my chest is tight with frustration.

“You remember the debt, don’t you?”

My stomach twists.

Of course I do.

When we first moved to the mainland, I got sick all the time. My body couldn’t handle the shift in climate, the stress, the everything. We were in and out of the hospital so much, we might as well have lived there. And we didn’t have insurance back then. So Mom had to take out a huge loan from some sketchy company that still sends us thinly veiled threats every month.

We’ve never been able to pay it off. Not even close.

“What about it?” I ask, my voice rasp.

“Emery took care of it.”

“What?” I gasp.

“Yes. Every last cent. We’re debt free now, sweetheart. No more running from collectors. No more waking up in the middle of the night, wondering how we’ll get by.”

I open my mouth, but nothing comes out.

“And once we move back to Kaelara, Emery’s going to secure you a spot at Kaelara University next semester. One of the best programs in the country. Think about your future, Tabitha. This is a fresh start. For both of us.”

A fresh start for the both of us.

I replay that phrase in my mind like a mantra until I finally drift off to sleep that night. But sleep doesn’t offer any peace.

Instead, I find myself back in Kaelara High. Anxiety stirs in my gut as I walk through the familiar woods near the school. Cruel laughter echoes in the distance. My pulse quickens. I start walking faster, but the voices follow.

“There she is! Hey, Chubby Tabby! Wait for us!” one of them snickers. “She’s too fat, her body shakes every time she runs!”

“Chubby Tabby!”

I break into a run, heart pounding.. The trees blur past as I push forward, dodging roots and low branches. My legs burn but I refuse to stop. I can’t let them find me.

“Hey, Fatty, don’t run too fast. We all know you’re not built for cardio!”

“Get away from me!” I scream at the top of my lungs as I push my legs beyond their limits, terrified at the possibility of getting caught by them.

“Chubbyta, we’re doing you a favor, you know? We’re just teaching you to know your place.”

“You don’t belong in this school. You’re human, you’re fat, and you’re just so irritating to look at.”

No, no, no! Just leave me alone!

“You’re weak and ugly!”

“Stop acting like you’re one of us. You disgust me!”

Their voices grow closer and closer, I can almost feel their blood lust like tendrils of shadows wrapping around my arms and legs—forcing me to succumb to whatever nightmare they have in store for me.

“You better run fast because if I catch you, you’re dead fat meat!”

The laughter behind me warps into low, guttural growls that vibrate into something feral—animalistic. I glance over my shoulder and the shapes chasing me shift. Their limbs lengthen, their bodies swell, twisting into monstrous forms. The shadows that once belonged to high school bullies now tower as giant beasts with glowing eyes and jagged teeth… werewolves.

I need to get out of here! I need to escape… someone help me!

My lungs scream as I try to run faster, but it’s not enough. My foot snags on a root hidden beneath the underbrush, and I stumble forward, crashing hard onto the forest floor. Pain rips through my knee as I hit the ground. The dirt and leaves scrape against my skin, making me whimper in pain. I try to push myself up, but the heavy thudding of paws behind me draws closer, surrounding me on all sides.

As I lose consciousness, I see the silhouette of four people looking down at me from the top of the narrow cliff.

It's the Aldair quadruplets.

I wake up gasping and drenched in sweat. My heart pounds so hard I can hear it in my ears. I sit up, eyes scanning the room as if those monsters followed me out of the dream. My fingers brush over the scar on my knee, and a cold shiver runs down my spine. The memory feels too real.

I don’t want to go back to the island.

But I have no choice.

**

The next few days pass in a blur. I return to the university to wrap up my final requirements, trying to keep my mind off what’s waiting for me back in Kaelara. One afternoon, I run into Andrew near the café. We talk for a bit. When I mention the plan to move back to Kaelara, his face drops slightly.

“That sucks. But hey, Kaelara’s a tourist hotspot, right? Maybe I’ll swing by one day. You better give me a proper tour when I do.”

“You got it,” I say, forcing a small laugh. “Just don’t expect me to wear a tour guide uniform or anything.”

He grins, but there’s a quiet sadness in his eyes. Andrew’s one of the few real friends I’ve made in the city. I’m going to miss him.

**

Then the day of the flight comes. Mom’s practically bouncing with excitement, talking nonstop as we board the plane. I sit by the window, watching the clouds roll by, trying to prepare myself for what’s coming.

When we finally land at Kaelara International Airport, the warm, salty air rushes in as soon as we step outside. The scent of the island hits me like a wave—sun-baked earth, sea breeze, and something faintly sweet I’d almost forgotten.

I hate to admit it, but a small part of me missed this place. Kaelara is a big island, and Andrew was right, it’s one of the most famous tourist attractions in the country because of its amazing beach and breathtaking scenery. If it wasn't for the horrible experience I had in this place, I would feel more thrilled to be back.

A group of men in suits pick us up from the airport and drive us straight to the Aldair estate. I stare out the window in silence as the landscape of Kaelara blurs past.

We’re really back. I still can’t believe it.

When the gates finally open and we pull into the long driveway, I have to hold my jaw before it falls off the hinges. Just… wow.

The house—no, mansion is massive. The kind of estate you’d see in glossy magazines. It looks like a castle. The Aldairs are influential figures all over the island, and have been for decades, but this is my first time to actually set foot in their turf.

My heart thumps louder with every step as we’re led through the grand entrance, where marble floors stretch beneath our feet and crystal chandeliers hang overhead. There’s a staircase that curves gracefully along the wall, like something out of a storybook.

Emery greets us at the top of the stairs with a wide, welcoming smile. “I’m glad you made it safely,” he says, then turns to me. “Come. I’d like you to meet my sons.”

Shit, here we go.