Chapter 5

The alarm continued echoing through the room. My heart pounding in my chest and on the screen next to me. 

Beta Luca’s eyes narrowed at the corners. His once soft honey eyes were hard. I could feel the anger in his stare.

Oh goddess what did I do? 

He released my shoulders. 

“Who? Who killed your parents?” His voice came out in a low growl, causing me to flinch. I hesitated. I don't know what I did wrong but he seemed furious. 

“My…my Alpha.” I cried out, shaking uncontrollably, now remembering that my parents were gone. I felt so alone these last couple of years, but now I truly was. Suddenly I wanted my mother there, even if she was constantly telling me ‘no’. 

The doctor looked between the two of us.

“Ok, let's keep calm.” He said as he shut the monitor off to stop the blaring beeping noise. 

He poured me a new cup of water and placed it in my hands, waiting before letting go to steady my grip. 

“Take a drink, and let's start from the beginning.” 

2 DAYS AGO

“Why does Alpha Killian want to see all of us?” I asked my mom as she ran her fingers through her hair, looking in the entryway mirror. She had just finished getting ready to leave. 

My father’s a Delta here in the Dark Hills pack; he's used to meeting the Alpha, but why do I have to go?  

Alpha Killian is the most intimidating man.  The pack doesn’t see him much, which I’m thankful for. He watches from afar letting his men and warriors do his bidding. My father worked his way up the ranks and now, being a higher up has helped us afford a good life. 

Unfortunately my father’s stress has only grown since becoming his delta. Being in the presence of our Alpha was unsettling. He ruled over our pack for around 25 years now. 

His cold dark eyes were the ones of a complete sociopath. They showed no feeling, no emotion, and only instilled fear when they gazed upon you. Which he did. When near him, I could feel his icy stare on my skin, like he was trying to read me, waiting for something to happen. But that was years ago.

He had short black oily hair that he slicked back, and the deep scars on his neck and arms were like mangled souvenirs from his many battles. 

“Alpha’s orders dear. I don’t know why we all have to go. It's not unheard of. Your father meets with him regularly. Just get ready and put on something respectable.” My mother commanded while she sat on the sofa and finished putting on her sandals.

I ran upstairs and changed out of my training clothes; my father and I had just finished sparing. Throwing on a gray thigh length tank dress and a pair of silver sandals, I quickly dressed. It used to be knee length, but I just seem to keep getting taller. At 5 '10, I passed my 5' 4 mother years ago. She was petite, with shoulder length chocolate brown hair. I get my height from my father’s side. He’s 6’2.

But I get my hazel green eyes from my mom. She has the same flecks of gold in her stare just like me. People said I was her twin, growing up. Something I was proud of because my mother was beautiful. 

Our features were very similar, same eyes, dark hair, same nose, and smile though my mother had a beauty mark just above her lip. I loved it. When I was little I would often kiss it. It gave her face character. I asked why I didn't have one and she said it was because I was already beautiful. But as a child I remembered penciling it on my face to be just like her.

I took my dark brown hair out of my high ponytail and quickly brushed it. It was almost to my waist at this point. I wore it down when I needed comfort. It was like a safety blanket, always with me, that I could hide behind. 

‘Lets go. The Alpha does not tolerate tardiness.’ I could hear my father’s voice filter into my head as he spoke to me through the mind link.

‘I know, I’m almost ready.’ I quickly replied back.

I looked back up at myself in the mirror and let out a deep breathe.

I ran down the steps taking two at a time, knowing we could not be late. “I’m ready. Let's go.” I let out a deep breath.

“I still don’t know why I have to be there.” I shook my head. 

I was trying desperately to be spared having to go. The unease in my stomach was growing.

My father gave me a sharp look, “He said for the 3 of us to report to the packhouse at 10am.” 

My mother stepped forward and took my hands in hers. 

“You can do this. Just stay calm.” She rubbed my hands with the pads of her thumbs. Then she kissed my forehead.

I know what she was referring to, even though we never talked directly about it. My secret. 

Just stay calm. 

My mother and I hurried out while my dad locked the house. When we got in the car I could feel the tension coming off my parents. They seemed more nervous than me. I was so confused why the alpha would want to see me, and it only peaked my anxiety.  Mom and dad barely spoke during the drive, just giving each other short looks. 

The drive wasn’t long. The packhouse sat in the middle of the territory. It was a huge white stone building with a large lawn. Marble stairs led up to the two oversized metal front double doors. Inside was an enormous entryway with white marble floors. And a winding staircase with gold railings. Everything was adorned with gold. It wasn’t warm or friendly. The building felt rather cold like a museum. It wasn't often that simple pack members, like my mother or I, would even be allowed to be here.

Gamma Mark met us at the front door. A chill ran through my body as I crossed the threshold inside. He walked us straight back to the Alpha’s personal office. The only sound was the heels of our shoes on the hard marble. My father and our Gamma gave each other a quick nod, but never spoke as we walked. Everything in our pack was very formal. 

Gamma Mark finally broke the silence when we stopped in-front of the Alpha’s door.

“The alpha is expecting you right now Mr. and Mrs. Reis. Your daughter can wait a moment out here until she is needed.” He gestured to a crimson velvet covered bench that sat across from the office door. 

‘Go ahead, Farah. Listen to him.’ I heard my mom’s voice in my head. ‘You can do this.’

My eyes went from my mother’s to my father's, searching for comfort, but their expressions only increased my worry. My father was one of the strongest men I’ve ever known, but right at this moment his eyes showed fear. My mother took him by the hand as Gamma Mark opened the door to the office and showed them in. Before closing it and disappearing down the hall.