Terrible Morning

An hour later, I stood like a lamb that was about to be slaughtered.

That was the only comparison my mind could come up with as I stood in the Alpha’s vast living room, my hands clasped tightly in front of me, my back stiff, my chin raised only because pride refused to let me bow.

The Alpha sat opposite me, relaxed, powerful, unreadable.

Beside him was my mother—my soon-to-be-stepped-down mother, if I was being honest. She sat straighter than I’d ever seen her sit in her life, hands folded in her lap, eyes lowered like she was afraid to meet his gaze for too long.

And me?

I was being studied.

Scrutinized.

Judged.

“So,” he finally said, his voice calm, deep, commanding without effort. “She doesn’t have a wolf?”

The question hit me like a slap.

I stared at my mom in disbelief.

She told him.

She actually told him.

My chest tightened as I shot her a glare sharp enough to cut glass.

“Yes,” I said before she could speak again, my voice coming out sharper than intended. “Do you have any problem with it?”

The Alpha’s brow lifted slightly.

Because I do join the other werewolves in their daily pack activities,” I continued quickly, heat rising in my chest. “I pull my weight.”

“Ah, yeah,” my mom snapped suddenly, nodding too eagerly. “She does.”

“Whoa, Mom,” I cut in, turning toward her. “It’s not that I don’t have a wolf. I do.”

Both of them looked at me now.

“I just… can’t transform,” I added, clenching my fists. “I have a wolf. I’m not some wolfless bitch or something.”

Silence fell.

Heavy. Pressing.

The Alpha studied me for a long moment, his gaze intense, golden eyes unreadable. I felt exposed under it, like every insecurity I’d ever buried was being dragged to the surface.

Then he nodded once.

“All right,” he said simply. “Welcome to the family.”

My stomach twisted.

“Have you met my son?” he continued, turning his head slightly. “Your stepbrother.”

My breath hitched.

That was when I noticed him.

The long hair was packed up neatly now, revealing sharp features and those same golden eyes that had haunted my thoughts since yesterday. He stood near the doorway like he owned the space—because he did.

My heart slammed against my ribs.

I glanced away quickly.

The person I saw back then…

Was my stepbrother.

“Why don’t you go see him?” my mom said with a nervous smile, completely oblivious to the internal chaos tearing me apart.

I kicked her shin lightly, trying to signal her to stop talking.

She didn’t.

“Mom,” I warned.

“Don’t worry,” she waved me off. “You two should bond.”

“We’ve already met,” I said quickly.

Both of them turned to me.

“You have?” my mom asked, surprised.

“I’m not lying,” I added hastily. “We got along.”

The words tumbled out too fast.

“I even grabbed his—”

I stopped.

Dead.

Silence.

“You grabbed his…?” my mom echoed slowly.

“Nothing,” I said immediately. “I meant—nothing.”

The Alpha cleared his throat.

“You can show her to her room,” he instructed the man standing behind him.

Relief flooded me so fast it almost made me dizzy.

“Yes, Alpha,” the man said. “Follow me, miss.”

I didn’t look back.

---

My luggage was already inside when I entered the room.

The space was huge—larger than any room I’d ever had. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the garage, the swimming pool, and the garden all at once. The view was breathtaking.

I dropped onto the bed, exhaling shakily.

This was my life now.

“Hey, James,” I heard, I peeked outside moments later.

Three cars pulled in.

Three guys stepped out.

All tall. All confident. All radiating pack energy.

One of them stood out immediately.

My stepbrother.

He spoke briefly to the others before climbing into his car. The engines roared as they drove off together.

I swallowed.

Ugh. I was already calling him my stepbrother.

I shook my head and turned back inside, unpacking mechanically. Clothes. Books. Memories.

Then I placed the picture on the study desk.

I stared at it.

Dad and me.

I was ten.

We were smiling.

We were happy.

Everything had changed now.

I felt it.

“Hey, Lily,” a soft voice echoed in my mind.

My wolf.

“How are you holding up there, Jess?” I asked quietly, slipping in my earphones.

“Don’t shut me out,” she said gently. “I can feel everything you’re feeling.”

“You wouldn’t understand,” I whispered. “The pain of being nothing.”

“You are not nothing, Aria.”

“I can’t even transform,” I snapped silently. “I’m pathetic.”

Tears slipped free before I could stop them.

I wiped them away quickly.

I tossed the book I’d been reading earlier aside. I didn’t have the strength to finish it.

Sleep came fast.

Too fast.

---

The next morning arrived with a dull ache in my chest.

My mom and I sat at the dining table when I came downstairs.

“Hope you’re prepared,” she said lightly. “You’ll be leaving in an hour.”

She looked different.

Just fifteen hours in this place had changed her.

“No need,” I replied, grabbing my bag. “I’m leaving now.”

“Come back here, Aria.”

The Alpha’s voice cut through the room like a blade.

The air shifted instantly.

His pheromones flooded the space.

I felt it immediately.

My mom trembled.

The maids around us lowered their heads.

Cold sweat crowned my forehead as I turned slowly.

“Stay back and listen to your mother,” he commanded.

“No, Alpha,” I said calmly, forcing my spine to stay straight. “I’m leaving for school.”

I gave him a mock bow.

Gasps rippled through the room.

I saw disbelief etched across every face.

Then I turned and walked out.

Into the car.

Chewing my bubble gum.

My heart raced—but I didn’t stop.

Because whatever this pack was…

Whatever my stepbrother was…

I wasn’t going to disappear quietly.