Chapter 5 5

Delilah's POV

"Let me show you inside." Ryker's voice was warm as he guided Mom toward the packhouse entrance. "You both must be exhausted from the drive."

I followed behind them, acutely aware of Dante and Mateo's eyes tracking my every movement. They stepped aside to let us pass but didn't say a word. The air between us crackled with tension.

The packhouse interior was massive and imposing. Dark wood floors stretched down long hallways and portraits of past Alphas and Betas lined the walls. Everything looked expensive and old and nothing like our small cottage in Riverbend. Crystal chandeliers hung from high ceilings and cast warm light across the space. Thick rugs muffled our footsteps as we walked deeper into what would now be our home.

"Your room is upstairs, Vivienne." Ryker led Mom up the grand staircase with his hand on the small of her back. "And Delilah, I've prepared a room right next to your mother's. I want you to feel at home here. This is your home now too."

His words were kind and genuine. I could tell he really meant them. The problem was his sons standing behind us radiating hostility with every breath they took.

My new room was beautiful. Warm cream walls, a large bed with soft lavender sheets, a wooden dresser with fresh flowers on top, and a window seat overlooking the gardens. There was even a small bookshelf in the corner waiting to be filled.

"I hope you like it," Ryker said gently. "If you need anything changed, just let me know. I want you to be comfortable here, Delilah. You're part of this family now."

"Thank you," I managed to say. "It's perfect."

Ryker smiled warmly and squeezed my shoulder before leaving me alone. I stood in the middle of the room and felt the weight of everything that happened crash down on me. Storm was still silent in my head and I reached for her but got nothing back.

I unpacked slowly, hanging clothes in the closet and placing books on the shelf. I laid out my grandmother's quilt on the bed and the familiar pattern made my chest ache.

By the time I finished, the sun was starting to set and golden light streamed through the window to paint the walls warm orange.

A soft knock on my door made me turn from where I was arranging things on the dresser.

"Delilah?" Mom's voice came through. "Can I come in?"

"Yeah."

Mom entered looking better than she had this morning. She'd showered and changed into a pretty blue dress. "Ryker's pack is wonderful," she said softly. "Everyone's been so welcoming. I think we're going to be happy here, sweetheart."

I didn't have the heart to tell her I'd seen nothing but hostility from Ryker's sons, so I just nodded. She deserved to be happy after everything she'd been through.

"Dinner's in thirty minutes. Ryker wants us all to eat together so we can get to know each other as a family."

"Okay."

Mom kissed my forehead and left. I changed into clean jeans and a dark green sweater, braided my copper hair over one shoulder, and stared at myself in the mirror. I looked tired but presentable enough for dinner.

At exactly seven, I made my way downstairs following the sound of voices and cooking smells. I paused outside the dining room and took a deep breath.

I walked in and my stomach dropped.

The table was set for five with fine china and crystal glasses that probably cost more than everything we owned. Ryker sat at the head with Mom beside him looking happy and relaxed for the first time in days. Dante sat across from them with his arms crossed and his storm gray eyes cold and assessing as they swept over me. Mateo lounged in his chair like he didn't have a care in the world, but his amber eyes tracked me with predatory focus the moment I entered the room.

"Delilah!" Ryker gestured to the empty chair between the two brothers with a welcoming smile. "Come sit. Dinner's ready and it smells wonderful."

The only open seat was between them. Of course it was.

I sat down stiffly and kept my eyes on my empty plate. The brothers didn't acknowledge me or move to make space. The air around us felt thick and suffocating.

Staff brought out food and filled our plates with roasted chicken that was perfectly golden, roasted vegetables that smelled like herbs, and fresh bread that was still warm from the oven. It smelled amazing but my appetite vanished completely.

"So, Delilah." Ryker's voice was kind as he cut into his chicken. "Your mother tells me you were studying healing arts at Riverbend University. Were you close to graduating?"

"Three days away," I said quietly.

"That's wonderful news. We have an excellent healing center here run by some of the best healers in the territory. I'm sure they'd be happy to have you continue your studies and maybe even apprentice with them once you're settled in."

I nodded because I didn't trust my voice. The idea of going back to classes and facing new people who would inevitably judge me made me want to disappear.

"She's probably exhausted from all that running she did last night," Dante said suddenly. His voice was cold and sharp like a blade. "Must be hard work fleeing your own pack in the middle of the night with everything you own."

"Dante." Ryker's voice held a clear warning.

"What? I'm just making conversation with our new step-sister." Dante's smile didn't reach his eyes. "I'm curious what could make someone run from their own pack so desperately. Must have been something pretty serious to leave in such a hurry."

My hands clenched in my lap under the table. Mom's face had gone pale and tight with worry.

"Delilah had personal reasons for leaving Riverbend," Mom said carefully. "It was time for a fresh start for both of us."

"Personal reasons." Mateo's voice was smooth as honey but just as cold as his brother's. "Is that what we're calling it now? Because I heard through pack gossip that her fated mate rejected her publicly at her own mating ceremony. That's got to sting worse than anything I can imagine."

My blood ran cold. How did they already know? We only arrived this morning. The rejection happened last night and we drove straight here. How could pack gossip have spread that fast across territories?

"H-how do you know about that?" My voice came out barely above a whisper.

Mateo's smile turned cruel. "News travels fast between packs, especially when it's something as interesting as a public rejection. A Sterling rejecting his fated mate? That's the kind of scandal everyone wants to talk about."

The words hit like a physical slap and my chest tightened painfully. Storm whimpered faintly in the back of my mind for the first time since the rejection.

"That's enough from both of you," Ryker said firmly. His gray eyes flashed with anger as he looked between his sons. "Delilah is family now and you will treat her with respect. I won't tolerate this behavior at my table."

"Family." Dante's laugh was bitter and harsh. "Right. Because that's what she is. Not some random girl dragged here by a woman trying to replace our mother."

"Our mother has been dead for two years and already there's someone new sitting in her chair," Mateo added. His charming mask slipped completely as he looked at Mom with cold eyes. "Sleeping in her bed and acting like she belongs here."

Mom flinched like she'd been struck. Ryker's face darkened with real anger now.

"Your mother would want me to be happy," Ryker said quietly but his voice was pure steel. "She wouldn't want me to spend the rest of my life alone and miserable. And she certainly wouldn't want her sons acting like disrespectful children who can't see past their own pain."

Dante's jaw clenched so tight I could see the muscle jumping. Mateo's smile turned sharp and cruel and dangerous.

The rest of dinner passed with polite conversation between Ryker and Mom while I pushed food around my plate. Every time I looked up, one of the brothers was staring at me with cold eyes that promised this was only the beginning.

Finally, Ryker stood and offered his hand to Mom. "Vivienne, let me show you the gardens. The moon flowers are blooming tonight."

Mom glanced at me with worry clear in her eyes. "Maybe I should stay and help clean up."

"The staff will handle it," Ryker said gently. "Besides, the kids need time to bond. They'll be siblings soon."

"Ryker, I'm not sure that's a good idea right now."

"They're good boys who just need time to adjust. Trust me."

Mom looked at me one more time, torn between leaving and staying. I forced a small smile. She let Ryker lead her out toward the gardens.

I started to stand, desperate to escape to my room, but Dante's voice stopped me cold.

"Sit down. We're not done talking yet."

I froze. Both brothers turned to face me fully with expressions that made my blood run cold.