Chapter 4 Four

(Zarah)

Sunlight hit my face as someone pulled open the blinds.

"Apologies, Miss," the maid said gently. "Your mother left instructions to wake you. You're to meet the Alpha."

My mother.

That still felt strange to hear-but I let it slide.

"Alright," I mumbled, rubbing my eyes. "I'll get ready now."

I hurried into the bathroom, took the quickest shower of my life, then slipped into something simple-a soft floral dress, black boots, and a matching jacket. Casual, but not careless.

As I stepped out, Mrs. Blackwood was already waiting.

"Rylle," she greeted with a warm smile, pressing a kiss to my cheek. "Are you ready?"

I gave a small nod.

We proceeded to the Alpha's quarters. Everyone has been looking at me weirdly but no one dared say anything. Probably because of the Luna.

We reached the Alpha's quarters, and the guards at the entrance immediately bowed in greeting.

"Where's Ryker?" Mrs. Blackwood asked, scanning the hallway. "Have him meet me in the dining room," she told Stan-one of the men who had escorted me here.

He gave a sharp nod and hurried off without a word.

"Go ahead," she said to me, gesturing toward the long table. "Help yourself to whatever you'd like. Ryker will be here shortly."

"Okay... mother," I said, the word tasting foreign in my mouth. It felt wrong-like wearing someone else's clothes.

"Hello, mother" a voice said from the stairs and almost immediately the room become cold.

The voice was oddly familiar.

I turned and -

"You," I said flatly, pointing at him.

"Rylle!" Mrs. Blackwood's voice cracked like a whip. "You will show the Alpha respect. Whether or not he is your brother."

"That's alright, Mother," Ryker said smoothly, taking her hand and kissing the back of it before walking her to the table like nothing had just happened.

I stood frozen, completely mute. Ryker's presence alone was terrifying. The room seemed smaller with him in it.

"Ryker," Mrs. Blackwood began once seated, "I'll be traveling to Wales soon for treatment. I had hoped to take Zarah with me, but... that's no longer an option."

Please don't say what I think you're about to say, Luna whimpered inside me.

"I'm leaving Zarah in your care."

Ryker's silver eyes darkened instantly. I swear, I was shivering from where I was.

"Mother," he replied with polite calm, "she can stay in your quarters. I'll assign guards to watch over her."

Mrs. Blackwood shook her head. "No, Ryker. I can't lose her again."

"Fine," he said at last.

"Thank you, Ryker. I can finally rest easy," she said, then turned to me. "Rylle, try to bond with your brother. I'll be back soon."

Before I could move, Ryker was already in front of me, gripping both of my arms tightly.

"I warned you, kid," he growled, voice echoing through the room.

His eyes were no longer just silver. It burned with a frightening mix of blue, red, and something inhuman. They weren't just angry... they were unhinged.

"P-please... let me go," I stammered, my voice betraying me, tears already streaming down my face.

But he didn't let up.

"The next time you get this close to me," he snarled, "I will rip you apart."

He threw my arms down like they disgusted him, turning sharply.

"Stan!" he barked. "Tell the maids to burn everything she's touched. I don't want a single thing of hers left in this room."

I stood frozen, trembling.

Then I heard him mutter as he walked up the stairs, venom in every word-

"A slave for a sister. What a damn joke."

My legs gave out, and I collapsed to the cold marble floor. I was sobbing.

"'Maybe we should've stayed in the Crescent Pack,' Luna whispered, sorrow lacing her voice."

I pressed my palm over my mouth to muffle the sound, but the tears didn't stop. They just kept coming.

He looked at me like I was filth.

Not even a person.

"I hate it here," I whispered to the empty room, voice raw.

I picked up what little was left of my dignity and walked out-tears streaming freely down my cheeks.

"She actually pointed at Alpha Ryker? Is she insane?"

"She's lucky he didn't rip her throat out."

Whispers followed me like shadows down the hall but I didn't stop. I didn't look back.

The next morning, Mrs. Blackwood took the earliest flight to Wales.

I was told I was to move into Ryker's quarters. I didn't ask questions. I didn't argue. But I didn't go either.

I am going to stay far away from that beast of a person. That was the promise I made to myself.

And for most of the day, I actually had peace. No insults. No cold glares. No Ryker.

The maids came by now and then, gently knocking, asking if I needed anything. I politely declined each time. I didn't want anyone hovering.

It was quiet. Almost... safe.

Until it wasn't.

"Where is she?!"

His voice thundered through the entire house, shaking the doors and glasses. The hairs on my arms stood. My blood turned cold.

Alpha Ryker.

I peeped out from a crack in the door.

Every single maid was down on the floor, trembling, heads bowed. One of them was whispering a prayer like that might be her last day on earth.

"Come out." his cold voice called out, "I can hear your heart racing."

I swallowed hard.

He knew exactly where I was. There was no hiding from him.

My fingers trembled as I slowly pushed the door open and stepped out. I couldn't even feel my legs move.

He looked at me from my head till my toe. I felt so small

"You little thing, do you have a death wish?" his voice low

"N..No. Alp..ha" I stuttered in fear.

"You dare to disobey my orders?" he said a step forward.

I took another backward.

I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. Not even breath.

"Kid, I'm the last person you'd want repeating what you've been instructed to do," he said, voice low with a warning edge. "Get your things."

I didn't move.

"Now!!! Don't make me drag you there" he yelled.

The maids flinched while I scrambled into the room, gathering the little I owned into a small bag.

Once I was done, I turned to him, bag in hand. I didn't say anything. I knew better now.

He gave a single nod and turned.

And like a stray, I followed behind.