Chapter 4

Rory

The drive out of Night Wing took longer than I thought it would. When I snapped my eyes open later in the night, we were still on the road. I ended up pretending to sleep again, staring out at the dark woods.

I don’t know how long I stared at the window, but when I woke up again, it was late in the night, and the car was pulling into a town.

I groaned, feeling my throat and lips dry. My head was throbbing so hard, but the pain in my shoulder was more intense.

I narrowed my eyebrows, then shifted my attention to him. He had sat back, his arms crossed over his chest. I took my time to look at him; his knees brushed against the front seat, even though he had spread his legs. He was tall. My eyes trailed up to his face, a black mask, but I could see he had a chiseled jawline and full lips. Every time the streetlights flashed into the car, I glimpsed his face.

I squinted at my eyes, looking closer, but the car suddenly pulled over. I immediately looked away.

“We’re here,” Darius said, stepping out of the car.

Alpha opened the door, and before I could ask what was happening, Darius opened my door.

“Come on”

My heart started racing so fast as I looked ahead of me, then back at him.

“It’s been a long journey. Let’s get you rested inside,” he said, holding out his hand. I swallowed the lump in my throat, then slowly placed my hand in his, stepping out of the car.

I stumbled forward, but his hand shot out. “Easy there,” he said.

My knees felt weak, my head was throbbing, and my stomach rumbled from staying for three days now without food. Or was it two? I don’t know. I can’t remember the last time I ate.

“Follow me,” Orion ordered, making his way towards the dimly lit mansion. Even in the night, I could see that the lawn was perfectly mowed, and the fountain was lit up.

I kept following him into the house through the floor-to-ceiling glass doors. My eyes darted everywhere.

He kept on walking across the foyer to the stairs.

When we were on the second floor, he kept on walking, his shoulder tense, and a bounce in his walk. He walked so fast that I had to jog after him just to keep up with him.

“Get in.” He pushed one door open as I walked in. My eyes are all over the place.

“I’ll let Daphne give you the details in the morning. For now, I have some rules for you. Sit down,” he growled, pointing to the chair. I played with my nails before going to sit down.

My heart drummed so loudly I could hear it in my ears. I licked my dry lips, pinching my fingernails. My eyes looked everywhere except where this man was.

“How old are you?” he asked, sitting in front of me. His hands were clasped together.

My words caught in my throat. I didn’t know if I wanted to be alone in this room. The way he looked at me made my skin crawl. Suffocating me.

“First rule, when I ask a question, you answer,” he said, his voice low and quiet. His eyes roamed over my face.

I nodded.

“Age”

“I’m nineteen,” I stuttered, my voice betraying me.

“Too young,” he said, sitting back in the chair, nodding his head. I watched him, waiting for him to ask his questions.

“You’re not a rogue,” I said, everything finally sinking in.

“No, I’m not.”

My father was deceived.

This man is not the rogue with whom he had an alliance.

Whoever he is, he went to great lengths to pretend to be someone he’s not. Now the question is, why?

“Who are you?”

“Second rule, you’re not allowed to ask questions. You’ll do as you’re told.” He said, his eyes trained on me as my heart raced.

I nodded.

“I have some rules for you, and I expect you to live by them. Any mistake and I’ll make your fucking life hard that you’ll wish you had died the day you were born,” he warned, his words cold and final.

I knew this man would go through with them, so I nodded my head.

“Third rule, I’m not your alpha and will never be. So don’t ever fucking address me as such.”

“How will I address you then?” I asked, and he let out a low growl.

“Forgive me, I was…I…” I stuttered.

“What does a slave address her master?” he asked me, sitting back in his chair as tears filled my eyes.

“What?”

“Yes. What does a slave address their master?” he leaned forward, his eyes roaming around my face. My lips trembled, but I pressed them together, holding back a retort that threatened to come out.

“Master,” I whispered, my voice barely audible.

“Good. You’ll have this room closer to mine. When I call, you will answer when I say jump, you ask how high. When I say bark?”

“I bark.”

“You get on the fucking floor and bark. Is that clear?” he asked, and I nodded, tears rolling down my cheeks. I was right. I left one monster for another monster.

“I’m not your bride?” I asked him, tears rolling down my cheeks. “I thought Lucienne was to be married for the packs to unite?” I asked him, my mouth ajar, and he chuckled darkly.

“I would rather slit my throat than tie my life to a Nightingale,” he growled, getting up from his chair.

“But… I…” I stuttered, and he came closer, staring me down like I was disgusting in his eyes.

“Did you really think any man would accept you as a bride?” he asked. I moved back, my eyes on him.

“So why… Why…” I stuttered, my heart racing so fast.

He leaned in, pinching my chin so hard. “Because you’re a crucial part of my plans.” The corners of his lips turned up, a cruel smirk that sent shivers down my spine.

No, it can’t be. I shook my head. This can’t be happening.

“Please… you don’t want me. My father…”

“Oh, but I do, Rory. You’re the perfect thing I need for my plans to work.” He said, then pulled away.

“But don’t worry. You will soon find out why” he smiled, sliding his hands in the pockets of his cargo pants. As tears streamed down my cheeks, realization hit me.

“You want something from my father,” I said, barely a whisper, and he chuckled, nodding his head.

“She was right. You really are not as stupid and pathetic as you make yourself out to be.” He nodded his head.

She? Who was she? My heart raced, thinking of the last words he said. He wants something from my father. Revenge?