Chapter 2 Daughter Of the enemies

Selena

"Watch your tone, boy!"

Alpha Kingsley's voice cracked like a whip, slicing through the heavy silence. "You will respect my late friend's daughter. She is your sister now, and you will treat her as one."

Stephen stood rigid, jaw locked, eyes burning into me with a look that made my stomach twist. The air between us was charged-anger, grief, something I couldn't name-but one thing was clear.

He didn't want me here.

"I will never take her as my sister," he spat, his voice thunderous. "Her father killed my mother!"

The words hit like a blade. My legs froze. No. That couldn't be true. My father-my kind, gentle father-who taught me to braid flowers and carried me on his shoulders. He wasn't a murderer. He couldn't be.

A cold weight pressed into my chest.

I staggered back, instinctively pressing behind Alpha Kingsley. Stephen's fury was suffocating, and in that moment, reality sank in: this wasn't my home.

"Enough, Stephen!" Kingsley's command rolled like thunder. "Your mother's death was not his fault. Luca was my Beta. He carried out his duty. And as the future Alpha, you'd better start acting like one."

But Stephen's glare never left me. Hatred smoldered in his eyes. Then, without another word, he spun on his heel, boots pounding the staircase until the slam of his bedroom door rattled the walls.

I flinched.

Kingsley's hand closed over mine, firm but gentle. "Don't mind him," he said softly. "He'll come around."

I wanted to believe him. But how could I live under the same roof as someone who despised me for who my father was?

"Selena?"

I blinked up at him, realizing a tear had slipped down my cheek.

Kingsley crouched, brushing it away with a thumb. "What's wrong?"

My throat tightened. "Is it true? Did my father kill her?"

His gaze hardened, unreadable for a heartbeat. Then he shook his head. "Your father was no murderer. He was my warrior, my friend, my Beta. He gave everything for this pack." His grip on my hand tightened. "Don't let anyone take that truth from you."

I clung to his words, but Stephen's accusation dug deep. Doubt gnawed inside me like a shadow that wouldn't let go.

Kingsley rose to his full height. "Take her to her room," he ordered.

An older maid stepped forward, bowing.

"She is my daughter now," Kingsley warned, his tone lethal. "If so much as a strand of her hair is harmed, you will answer to me."

The maid paled. "Yes, Alpha."

I followed her down endless marble halls. The eyes of painted Alphas seemed to follow me, stern and cold, as though weighing my worth.

At last we stopped at a door. She opened it, and my breath caught.

The room was beautiful. Soft pink drapes spilled from the canopy bed, fairy lights sparkled above, plush animals lined the sheets. A dream room.

But it didn't feel like a dream.

It felt like a cage gilded in gold.

"Ma'am?" the maid's hesitant voice broke my thoughts.

"My name is Selena," I said quickly.

She shifted uneasily. "I... I cannot call you that. You are Alpha Kingsley's daughter now. To do so would risk punishment."

Her words stung. I was only a child, but even I could see the fear in her eyes.

"Then let it be our secret," I whispered, managing a small smile. "When it's just us, you can call me Selena."

Her lips curved, just slightly. "Alright. I will."

I climbed onto the enormous bed, feeling swallowed by the silk and space. My fingers traced the pillows, but my mind was restless.

"Can I ask you something?" I whispered.

She hesitated. "Of course."

I swallowed. "Why does Stephen believe my father killed his mother?"

The room fell silent.

The maid's eyes darted to the door. Then, lowering her voice, she said, "That is a story only Alpha Kingsley can tell."

Her words hollowed me out. I curled into the bed, hugging my knees tight. My father had always told me to be strong, but tonight I couldn't. Not with Stephen's hatred echoing in my ears.

And the worst part?

Tomorrow, I would wake under the same roof as the boy who wanted me gone.