Chapter 5 A stranger in my bed

Nicole's POV

I woke up with a start surveying my surroundings grimly. I could feel a mild throbbing pain in between my legs and on my forehead as I tried to lift myself up from the bed. I blinked in confusion at first as I noticed someone was with me on the bed. All the memories of the night before came crashing down on me and I quickly clamped my hands over my mouth to keep myself from making any noise.

The stranger's hands were still wrapped around my stomach, his naked body warm against my touch. I winced inwardly from embarrassment. I can't believe I had a one night stand and lost my virginity to a complete stranger. What was I thinking?

The early rays of sunlight were already streaming down the window casting a glow on the stranger's face. I leaned in slowly to take a closer look at his features intently. He looked ethereal and peaceful while asleep like he was content.

It was such a shame we probably would never see each other again. Despite his dangerous aura he was very gentle with me. I kissed him softly on the cheeks. His eyelids fluttered slightly but he didn't wake up. Maybe in another life we might again in different circumstances.

I carefully slid his hands away from my stomach and crept slowly out of the bed. My clothes were scattered all over the room and I bent over to pick them up. I noticed my blouse clasp had been ripped open and my cheeks blushed as I remembered the hunger I felt emanating from him. It felt good to be wanted even by a stranger especially after the ordeal with Julian and Nadine.

I hastily dressed up and started towards the door when my phone suddenly rang filling the hushed silence in the room. I quickly turned it off, cursing inwardly at the caller. The stranger turned sideways, his eyes half closed before going back to sleep again. I watched him curiously for a while.

For someone who seemed like he'd probably had a couple military training from the scars I had seen on his body last night, he was quite a heavy sleeper.

I turned and tiptoed to the door, pushing it slightly open, I checked the hallway to make sure no one was passing by. I made sure nobody was in the hallway before racing out of the hotel. The last thing I wanted was to be caught coming out of a hotel room looking disheveled.

My racing heart finally eased up as soon as I stepped out into the early morning breeze.

I raced through the streets until I reached the pack house. Kristen was waiting for me at the gate, her eyes filled with worry.

"Where have you been? Your father came to look for you at the servant quarters last night. I think you're in big trouble Nicole. Where did you run off too?" Kristen lamented as soon as I reached her.

"I had to go out for some air. Just relax and calm down I'll handle it"

She looked at me with a puzzled expression on my face. Usually when I did something wrong to make the alpha or Nadine angry I would already be panicking and Kristen would always try to console me. After everything that had happened and the sacrifice I was going to make for Nadine I didn't care anymore what they did to me anyway.

I left Kristen and went into the pack house. The alpha, Nadine and Julian were sitting in the living area and discussing in hushed tones. I heard the alpha mention my name.

"Where the hell have you been? Where did you go last night?" Nadine yelled as soon as she saw me approach. There was panic and worry all over her face.

"Don't even think about running away because it won't do you any good," she continued. Her nostrils were flared in anger and her fists were balled up. She must have thought that I ran away last night and then she'll have no choice but to take the blame for everything.

I watched her intently without saying a word. I enjoyed the brief moment of anxiety and panic my silence made her feel. She had never made me feel like a human and it was about time she felt it too.

In that instant I made up my mind to run away as soon as I entered the palace. I wasn't going to succumb to the evil plans they had prepared for me. They have never made me feel like a family member but now they expect me to take responsibility for their actions. I can't let them use me like that. I need a plan good enough to make sure Kristen and her family would not be affected when I ran away.

"Are you deaf? Didn't you hear what Nadine asked? Where have you been all night?"

This time it was alpha that questioned me. His face was livid but it also held a hint of relief. With his daughter now pregnant if I run away now it would mean war on his pack.

"It's none of your business," I answered gruffly and their faces turned wide with disbelief. Never have I ever responded that way to any of them. I didn't know where the confidence was coming from but I was so done with being a punching bag for their family.

"How dare you talk to us like that?" Nadine roared, taking a step to hit me across my face.

I flinched and readied myself for the slap. Nadine was a very strong wolf with a strong lineage and I was no match for her with my weak wolf that could barely shift at will. Suddenly the alpha stopped her.

"Control your temper. Are you going to let her marry the lycan king with bruises all over her face and body?" He berated Nadine and turned towards me.

"I don't care what happens to you. All I know is that I need you proper and ready for the entourage to pick you up tomorrow so we can finally be rid of you. It's the least you can do to thank me for adopting you and caring for you like a family member"

I scoffed loudly and I could see his jaw ticked in anger. He was trying to hold himself back from hurting me and I couldn't care less. He had never though if me as a family member but instead made Nadine treat me as a fucking maid now when he needs me he's trying to sacrifice me on behalf of his daughter. I was so disgusted at being in their presence I wanted to throw up.

The alpha took a step back and turned towards Nadine who was still furious at me.

"I want you to go to your room and pick a suitable dress for her. I want her to look presentable so the lycan king's entourage would suspect anything"

Nadine's eyes blazed in contempt but she remained silent and nodded slightly at her father.

One by one they all started exiting the room leaving me alone with Julian. He looked drawn and tired and my heart reached out to him for a moment before I could stop myself. Then the memory of Nadine and him in bed jumped into my head and I stepped back hesitantly before walking away.

I started towards my room to begin packing my stuff when Julian suddenly grabbed my hands stopping me.

"Where did you go last night Nicole?" he asked quietly, jealousy and guilt shadowing his eyes.

I struggled to free my hands from his grasp but he was much stronger.

"Why do you even care anyway? Go be with your new mate and leave me alone," I yelled at him.

"What's wrong with you? You know my situation with Nadine already. You know I had no choice but to reject you. Nadine would have hurt my child"

"Then what? Did you expect me to welcome you with open arms? When you decided to reject me we were no longer mates and you have no right to ask me these questions. Now stay the hell away from me," I screamed, pushing him away.

In my anger I accidentally exposed the torn part of my blouse and Julian saw the hickey I got from my one night stand. His eyes grew dark with fury and I recoiled in shock at his expression.

I had never seen Julian so angry before. His grip around my hand tightened and I winced from pain.

"I thought you were different but you were just like other girls. Nadine was right. You are nothing but a whore and a slut," he spat out in disgust.

I couldn't hold in my anger any longer and I slapped him across the face with my free hand.

"How dare you call me a whore when you have not only been sleeping with Nadine but you also got her pregnant, you hypocrite. I never want to see you ever again," I said in disgust as I turned away and silently said goodbye to my first love and one time friend.

The tears finally burst out as soon as I stepped into my room and I cried uncontrollably. I couldn't wait to finally leave this horrible place. Nadine had succeeded in taking away the one thing I loved and held dare to me.