I remained at the party for a while, but then I excused myself to Dylan early, saying I didn't feel well. Every important Alexander and official in Crowalt Pack was still there, and preoccupied, so I figured it might be a good chance to sneak back to see Ryan.
Michelle was staying to cover for me in case anyone asked about me, and then I traveled the night, the streets alone, wary and suspicious of every shadow. I was paranoid that Jennifer might have seen me leave and sent someone to spy on me.
My insides felt jittery after that tense interaction with my sister. I wanted to cry, but I could not, I had wasted so many tears from her cruelty towards me. I truly hated her.
But the night was quiet with the most important wolves at the party. After a few hesitations and wary glances, I approached an
Ryan's POV I woke up beside Alyson, and tried to remain calm. She had stayed the night, and I wanted to get her away from here as soon as possible. But her peaceful face during sleep was so beautiful I wished to start all days like this once it was safe. I kissed her cheek gently to rise her. Any tension from yesterday had dissipated over night, but her story was still strong in my mind. I could not believe what this she-wolf had gone through, but I understood her so much better now. "Alyson, we fell asleep." I said softly. "You should probably get going." Her purple ball gown in the morning would be a terrible thing to wear home. It would be too obvious that she was out all night. She stirred and her eyes shot open at my words, "S
Alyson's POV "What?" I exclaimed excitedly. Looking around a charming little apartment that Dylan has just presented to me. It had several rooms including a maid's quarter for Michelle. It would be perfect.Dylan was smiling, "You can stay here as my trade associate with your own salary and apartment of course.""That's amazing news!" I had wanted to stay under my new identity, especially after the elders announced that Ryan was an official Alexander and he had bought a mansion here. "You're the perfect choice for it." He said. "It was actually Ryan's idea, so I can't take full credit. The Blood Bane's supply is technically his after all." He finished the last part in a hushed tone. Clan Alexander did not know where Clan Harris derived their stash, and
Alyson's POVEven as some time passed, I struggled to move around Crowalt Pack's territory because there were many faces that I recognized. Everyone only knew me as Alyson, Clan Harris' goddaughter who ran the trade operations. I was still too hesitant to wander through my old neighborhood where I grew up, no matter how badly I wanted to find my mother, she should not recognize me if Jennifer had not.Michelle and I had discovered the paths to traverse on my way to Ryan's where we would be less likely to be noticed. I was glad that his mansion was on the outskirts of all the other Alexander mansions.On one particular day, I left Michelle at home to sneak to Ryan's myself. He was not expecting me, and I knew it was risky, but I was gaining enough confidence to feel sure I could get there unnoticed. My excitement might have put some blinders on as I did not realize that someone else was about to cross my path before it
Ryan's POV A light tapping at my door roused me from my thoughts. It was Alyson, I smelt her immediately. My desires rose whenever I smelt that delicious smell of vanilla and warm strawberries and I delighted when she came to me now that we were a little safer. I wanted us to be mates so badly, but I had to be patient till she was ready- only hoping that someday she would be. She had to be the most stubborn she-wolf in existence, but she was my love. I opened the door, and she darted inside without even a kiss to greet me. It was odd, but she seemed to be panicking. "What's wrong?" I asked, kneeling down beside her as she fell back to catch her breath on the nearest chair.&nb
Alyson's POV My face was still swollen from crying all night. I'd not slept well. Michelle had slept in my room with me, making me feel a little less alone, but I still felt very secluded and unloved in the world. This morning, I felt angrier at Ryan than ever. But also angry at myself for trusting him. He said that he would never hurt me, and last night he almost did. It scared me to my core. What was worse, was the memory that he'd handled me roughly another time. The pendant around my neck was proof of that. He hadn't even been drunk this time. Had I said something wrong to make him act like that? I poured through my memory of our interaction. I had spoken of Jacob, but if Ryan had been listening at all, he would have known my feelings about him.&
"Today?" I called back to Michelle through the door. "Yes, by 3 o'clock. In two hours." She answered, her voice sounding regretful. While she didn't know the whole story, she was smart enough to pick up on my dislike for the Luna, especially with Jacob and Ryan's animosity. "Thank you, Michelle, I will be ready. Could you prepare yourself to come with me?" "Of course," She responded. "Whatever you need. Let me know when you are ready to go." We heard her footsteps venture away from my door. Ryan and I looked at each other. His eyes were as wide as I'd expect that mine were. "Fuck," I asked. "What could she want from me
A servant answered the door. "The Luna is expecting you upstairs if you would please follow me." She bowed, and led us up the stairs. I swallowed a lump in my throat, looking towards the dark stairs that led to the basement. I remember before when I'd expected to proceed upstairs towards luxury, but they'd dosed me with blood's bane. The fear in those memories was a force inside me that I had to ignore. I looked upwards towards the beautiful furniture laced with gold and the finest paintings of all the Alexander Alphas over the generations. At the end of the hallway was one painted of Jacob standing in his imposing stature with Jennifer sitting beside him on a gold and velvet throne. It was strange like seeing the life I should have had, the face I used to have only colder and crueler looking back at me from that w
"Are you threatening me?" I asked, deciding that it was best to call it out to test what Jennifer might say. Finally, Jennifer took a sip of her tea, setting down the cup carefully on the saucer. She looked thoughtful and pleasant again. "Of course not, I'm offering you an unbelievable chance to rise through ranks and riches… and for what? A little blood that you can spare, unless you've been lying to me, and you're already a blood provider to someone." My sister always did know how to suck the air from the room. My breath grew short for a second, and I realized her gaze had lifted straight to mine. She sniffed the air slightly to catch my reaction in all her senses. "I don't know what you're talking about," I said, trying to make the fear sprea