The Alpha's Obsession.

The flames were everywhere-licking up the walls, devouring everything in their path. The heat was suffocating, pressing down on me like a weight I couldn't shake. I could hear the crackling of wood, the groan of the house as it began to give way. But worse than the fire was the screaming.

My mother's voice cut through the roar of the flames, desperate and panicked, calling my name. I tried to run to her, but my feet wouldn't move. The floor beneath me was hot, too hot, but I was rooted in place. I reached out, but the smoke was too thick, choking me, blurring my vision.

"Mom!" I screamed, the sound was swallowed up by the inferno.

The walls around me began to close in, the flames inching closer, burning everything I loved to ash. Shadows danced in the corners of my eyes, twisting into shapes, figures that whispered my name, accusing, condemning.

You did this.

My breath hitched. My hands trembled, the smoke curling around my fingers like a living thing, pulling me down, down into the darkness. The air burned in my lungs, searing through my chest as I fought to breathe, to move, to do anything. But I couldn't. I couldn't save them.

You killed them.

"No!" I screamed, but my voice came out as a rasp, barely audible over the crackling fire and the voices in my head. My body was paralyzed, helpless, as the flames closed in. The shadows grew darker, the heat more unbearable. The house began to collapse, and just before the roof caved in, I saw them-my parents, reaching out to me, their faces twisted in agony.

The flames engulfed them, and they were gone.

I was falling. Falling into the abyss, into the endless dark.

I jolted awake, gasping for air, my heart pounding like it was trying to break free from my chest. Sweat soaked my sheets, my hair clinging to my forehead, and my hands shook as I fisted them in the fabric, grounding myself in the present.

It was the same nightmare, the one that haunted me for years, a brutal reminder of everything I'd lost. But it had been months since it last plagued me.

I thought I was finally getting better, my life was finally improving. Then why? All of a sudden?

I forced myself to breathe, deep and slow, but it did little to calm the storm raging inside me. The clock on my nightstand glowed 4:17 AM. The house was quiet, but not the comforting kind of quiet. It was the oppressive silence that only came in the dead of night, right before dawn, when every creak of the floorboards and rustle of the wind felt like a ghost from the past.

My room was dark, the shadows stretching long across the floor, but I didn't need light to know every inch of it. I'd lived here, in this lonely corner of the pack house, for as long as I could remember. And every night, this room, these walls, became the prison where my past came back to haunt me.

I pushed the damp hair from my face, trying to shake off the remnants of the dream. But the accusations still echoed in my head, the images of flames and twisted shadows burned into my memory.

You did this.

I knew they were right. That was the worst part. It wasn't just a nightmare. It was a memory. And the truth was far more terrifying than any dream.

I stared at my reflection in the cracked bathroom mirror, the morning light filtering through the small, grimy window, casting a pale glow over my face. My gunmetal blue eyes were bloodshot, the dark circles underneath a permanent fixture, and my hair was a tangled mess from tossing and turning all night. I sighed, reaching for the hairbrush on the sink, trying to tame the wild strands of black and white that hung past my hips.

Six more days till I turn 19.

Six days, and then I'd be free. Free from this pack, from this house, from these people who had done nothing but remind me that I was different-that I was a burden. The thought should have brought some comfort, but all it did was tighten the knot of anxiety in my stomach. I was so close, yet it felt like miles away. I clenched my jaw, tugging the brush through the stubborn knots, willing myself to stay calm. There was no point in getting worked up. Not today. Not when I was so close to getting out.

I finished brushing my hair, letting it fall over my shoulders, before quickly washing my face and brushing my teeth. After taking a quick shower, I put on a cherry red blazer dress, one of the couple outfits I owned, and Ethan's favorite. The cold water helped to wake me up, but it did nothing to wash away the exhaustion that clung to my bones. I could hear movement downstairs-footsteps, the clatter of dishes-signaling the start of another day in the Hunter household.

Another day of enduring their scorn.

As I descended the stairs, the voices from the kitchen grew louder. I could hear Seraphina's sharp tone barking orders at the maids, followed by my uncle Desmond's booming laughter-a sound that always made my skin crawl. I'd planned to slip out unnoticed, to get through the day without crossing paths with anyone, but the moment I reached the bottom step, something caught my attention. A low murmur, different from the usual noises of the household.

Curious, I inched closer to the doorway of the dining room, careful to stay out of sight. I could hear my uncle's voice, low and sinister, speaking in a tone I had heard many times before.

"...We'll need to finalize the arrangements tonight. I want her gone by the end of the week. No mistakes."

My blood ran cold. I pressed myself against the wall, my heart thudding in my chest.

"We've kept this quiet long enough," he continued, his voice dripping with malice. "If she finds out the truth now, it'll ruin everything."

The truth? What truth? Were they talking about me?

"Does she suspect?" Seraphina asked, her voice unnervingly calm.

"No," Desmond replied. "She's too focused on leaving. She doesn't know she's walking straight into the trap we set. By the time she realizes, it'll be too late."

A trap? My stomach twisted violently, a rush of panic surging through me. What were they talking about?

Just as I turned to run back upstairs, a hand grabbed my shoulder, shoving me back against the wall.

"Going somewhere, Nyxia?" My cousin's voice slithered into my ear, his breath hot on my skin.

My heart went into overdrive as bile rose in my throat.

"Ezra..." I whispered, my voice pleading, but before I could say another word, his hand shot out, shoving me so hard that I stumbled backward.

Pain shot up my wrist as I hit the floor, the impact jarring and unexpected.

Ezra's grin grew darker as he leaned in closer, his eyes glinting with malicious delight. "When will you learn your place Nyxia?"

I tried to push myself up, but his foot pressed down on my injured wrist, pinning me to the ground.

Another sharp, searing pain shot through me, and I gasped, my heart hammering in my chest.

Dread filled my veins as I looked up. This was not going to end well.

My palms were slick with sweat as I wiped them on my dress, the fabric catching on my trembling fingers.

Six more days.

That's all I had left. Just six days before I could legally take over my parents' company, Evangeline Interiors, and finally escape this hell. But now... now it felt like everything was crumbling around me, faster than I could control.

I stood in the corner of the grand dining room. The pain in my wrist now forgotten. Desmond and Seraphina had me pinned here, figuratively if not literally, and my mind raced over what had just happened.

Ezra, my cousin had caught me 'loitering' outside the room and had dragged me in to stand in front of his parents.

Smirking as they both started seething with anger. Seraphina had gotten up, and even before she did something, I knew what was coming. I braced myself for the slap, and it did, the impact making me hiss in pain. She'd slapped me hard enough to split my lip open, and I could still taste the metallic tang of blood in my mouth.

After a bout of mocking my outfit and shamelessness for eavesdropping she went silent.

"You've been keeping secrets, haven't you, Nyxia?" Desmond's voice slithered through the air, cold and mocking. He stood by the fireplace, his broad frame casting a long shadow across the room. The flames crackled behind him, the only sound filling the tension between us.

I swallowed hard, my throat tight.

Did he know?

"I don't know what you're talking about," I muttered, unable to meet his eyes.

He moved closer, looming over me like a predator savoring his prey. His presence was oppressive, suffocating. Seraphina stood nearby, her arms folded, her lips pressed into a thin line.

"I'm talking about the human," Desmond hissed, his voice low and dangerous. "Ethan, was it? How foolish of you, Nyxia. Did you really think we wouldn't find out? Do you have any idea what this could cost us-what it could cost you?"

No.

I bit down hard on my already injured lip, forcing myself not to flinch. "It's none of your business."

Desmond's hand lashed out before I could react, grabbing my chin and forcing me to look up at him. His grip was bruising, his nails digging into my skin as he leaned closer, his breath hot against my face.

"Everything you do is my business," he snarled. "You're a part of this pack, and you'll follow its rules. You'll end it with him, or I'll end it for you. Do you understand?"

I felt my legs go weak and my heart felt like it would burst out of my chest. Desmond was the Alpha of this pack and as a Beta I was supposed to obey him. But even after four years, I had never, not once felt the compulsion of it like other pack members did, instead I forced myself to stand straighter. "I won't," I whispered, my voice shaking but defiant.

His eyes narrowed, and for a moment, I was sure he was going to hit me. But instead, he released me with a shove, sending me stumbling back a few steps. My head spun from the impact, but I steadied myself before I could fall.

"You'll regret this," he said softly, his voice filled with icy menace. "If you don't break it off, I'll make sure that human regrets it too."

A chill ran down my spine, my blood turning to ice. The threat was clear.

Ethan didn't know about my world, I hadn't told him about wolves, about the power Desmond held in my life. I knew I shouldn't drag him into this. But I couldn't let Desmond win either.

Seraphina smirked from her place by the door, the cruel glint in her eyes making my stomach churn. "You think you can defy us, Nyxia? You're nothing without this pack. Just a silly little girl playing at being important."

Her words stung more than I wanted to admit. I wasn't nothing. I had worked hard-harder than anyone in this house-to keep my parents' company afloat, despite Desmond and Seraphina trying to ruin everything. I had only six days left before I could take over, before I could get out of here with Ethan and finally start a life free from them.

Six days.

"We'll see about that," I said through gritted teeth.

Before they could respond, the door creaked open, and the head maid stepped into the room, her eyes wide and nervous. "Sir, madam, your guests have arrived."

Desmond straightened, his expression shifting from anger to a carefully controlled mask of civility. He nodded to the maid. "Thank you, Hilda. Send them in."

Seraphina shot me a warning look as she moved toward the door, her smile tight and unnatural. "Fix yourself up, Nyxia and leave for work. We wouldn't want our guests to see you looking like this, would we?"

I touched the corner of my mouth, feeling the dried blood on my lip. My heart pounded in my chest. Important guests. Whoever they were, I had to pretend everything was fine. Not the first time I had to pretend, and would definitely not be the last. I couldn't show weakness-not now, not when I was so close to getting out.

"Go clean up and be quick about it," Seraphina snapped, shooing me out of the room.

I rushed upstairs, my mind racing. I grabbed a tissue and dabbed at the blood on my lip, wincing as I pressed too hard. I stared at my reflection in the mirror, my pale skin standing out starkly against the deep red of my dress. My hair was a mess, wild from the earlier scuffle, and I hastily pulled it into a half-updo, securing it with a claw clip.

My hands shook as I tried to compose myself. What were Desmond and Seraphina talking about earlier? There was something in their eyes, something that went beyond their usual cruelty.

They knew about Ethan. But what else?

I headed down the corridor, my mind still reeling. My foot caught on something, and I stumbled forward, bracing for impact.

A large hand caught my arm, steadying me before I could fall. I looked up, my breath catching in my throat.

Sharp golden eyes stared back at me and a shiver ran up my spine.

But as I blinked again they were gone. Replaced with dark brown ones instead.

The man before me towered over me, his broad frame casting a shadow across the hallway. His eyes, cold and unreadable, locked onto mine. A jagged scar ran down his left cheek, cutting through his lip, giving him a harsh, dangerous look.

Danger oozed from him and the hand that he held my arm with started tingling with heat.

Was I hallucinating?

His presence was overwhelming, not just because of his sheer size, but because there was something about him that made my skin tingle and my heart race-something eerily familiar. My eyes traced his black suit and vest, and for a split second, I was frozen, unable to move or speak.

My wrist throbbed and I inhaled sharply as I quickly took a step back, his hands finally letting go of my arms.

Where had I seen him before?

Before I could place him, the butler's voice echoed through the hallway. "Mr. Lombardi, your brother is waiting for you in the parlor."

Lombardi? My heart skipped a beat, panic swelling in my chest. Surely not?

The Lombardi's were the most powerful werewolf pack in the region.

Why was he here? Why was anyone from their pack here?

I swallowed hard, trying to hide the rising panic, but the longer I stared at him, the more I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. His scent was intoxicating-earthy, like rain-soaked pine needles mixed with something sharp, almost like smoke. It was unlike anything I had ever smelled before. It clung to me, invading my senses.

He didn't speak. He just watched me, his gaze briefly flicking to the cut on my lip. His frown deepened as his eyes lingered there, and I felt an odd, uncomfortable tension in the air.

Before I could say anything, another voice cut through the silence. "Dominico, let's go. We don't have all day."

I looked past him and saw another man approaching. He was slightly shorter, older in his late thirties perhaps, with similar dark eyes and the same oppressive aura, though not as physically commanding as Dominico. His face was more lined, and his demeanor, while just as intimidating, carried an air of maturity.

Dominico Lombardi.

The name did click and I suddenly felt a very strong urge to run away and hide. Dominico Lombardi was the enforcer of the Lombardi pack.

Then that must be Alaric Lombardi-the Alpha of the Lombardi pack.

I forced myself to stand taller, pushing down the instinct to bolt. "Good morning," I greeted as politely as I could manage, my voice a little too tight. "Welcome to the Hunter estate."

Awkward?

Dominico didn't respond. He just kept staring, his dark eyes unreadable, his jaw tight. Alaric, however, gave me a brief nod of acknowledgment. "Good morning. We won't take up much of your time."

I wanted to disappear. The last thing I needed was to be in the crosshairs of the Lombardis, especially now that Desmond had threatened Ethan. I gave a small, strained smile and quickly excused myself. "If you'll excuse me, I have business to attend to."

As I walked down the corridor, I could feel Dominico's eyes on me the entire time, even when I turned the corner. The weight of his stare lingered, making my skin prickle. My lip throbbed from the cut Seraphina had left, but I forced myself not to think about it, not to think about the way Dominico had looked at me.

I had to focus.

I spent the rest of the day buried in work at the office, trying to keep my mind off everything. The familiar surroundings of Evangeline Interiors brought me some comfort, but not enough to chase away the unease gnawing at me. Six days. Just six more days, and I'd be able to take control of the company and leave the Hunter estate behind for good. I would be free of Desmond and Seraphina's manipulations. I could be with Ethan.

Ethan.

The thought of him made my chest ache. I needed to see him, to feel his arms around me, to remind myself that there was still something good in my life.

I finished up the day's work and left the office, heading straight to Ethan's apartment. When I reached his door, my hand hovered above the handle for a second, the weight of Desmond's threat still hanging over me. Could I really drag Ethan into this? Could I protect him from whatever was coming?

But the moment he opened the door, all my doubts melted away. Ethan stood there, tall and lean, his dirty blonde hair tousled like he'd just woken up from a nap. His winter-blue eyes softened when they landed on me, full of concern.

"Nyx, what happened?" he asked, his voice full of worry as he reached for me, his fingers brushing gently over my injured lip. "Did someone do this to you?"

I shook my head, trying to keep my voice steady. "It's nothing. Just... My uncle found out about us. About everything."

His face darkened, and I could see the anger simmering beneath the surface. "Come inside."

He pulled me inside and shut the apartment door behind us. It was a small studio flat with only the most basic furniture, but it was our safe haven.

"Your uncle... What did he say?" Ethan asked, grabbing a glass of water as I sat down onto his bed.

I filled him in as much as I could without diving into too much detail. I could tell by his eyes that he knew I wasn't telling him everything. Even so he didn't ask further.

After a couple minutes of tense silence he sat beside me and wrapped his arms around me, "Nyx, don't go back there. You can stay here with me." He whispered.

I melted against his embrace, taking in his scent of fabric softener and old paper. For a moment, I was tempted to take him up on his offer. Ethan had always been my safe place. He was kind and thoughtful, always knowing exactly what to say to make me feel better. He didn't deserve to be dragged into this nightmare, into my world of wolves.

But I couldn't stay with him. I couldn't burden him with this, and I couldn't put him in danger.

"I can't, Ethan," I whispered, my voice cracking. "I wish I could, but if I don't finish what I started-if I don't stay until I take control of the company-they'll take it all away. Everything my parents worked for will be gone."

He sighed, pulling away slowly, his fingers gently stroking my hair. "Nyx, you don't have to carry all of this alone. I'm here. I'll always be here."

I rested my head against his chest, breathing in the familiar scent of him, letting it calm my racing heart. Ethan had always been my rock, ever since my parents had rescued him from a pack of wolves five years ago. Though he didn't remember exactly what happened that night. We'd been friends for years and together for three, but he still didn't know the truth. He didn't know that I wasn't just a regular girl, nor the animals that attacked him were actually people. Well, werewolves to be exact.

"I love you," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

"I love you too, Nyx," he murmured, his breath warm against my forehead.

I stayed with him for a little while longer, letting his warmth and presence soothe the knots of anxiety in my chest. But as much as I wanted to stay, I knew I couldn't.

When I finally left his apartment and headed back to the Hunter estate, a familiar sense of dread settled over me. The sky had darkened by the time I reached the house, and as soon as I stepped inside, something felt off.

The house was eerily quiet. Too quiet.

I set my things down and walked through the hallway, my senses on high alert. It wasn't until I reached the living room that I found them-Desmond, Seraphina, and Ezra, sitting together as if they were waiting for me.

"What's going on?" I asked, my voice wary.

Desmond set down his glass of whiskey and fixed me with a cold, calculating stare. "We've been talking. There's something you need to know."

I crossed my arms, bracing myself for whatever fresh hell they were about to unleash on me. "What now?"

Desmond's lips curled into a cruel smile. "You've been a burden on this family for far too long, Nyxia. It's time we did something about it."

A chill ran down my spine as I looked between them, trying to make sense of their words. "What are you talking about?"

"We've made arrangements," Seraphina said, her voice sickly sweet. "You're getting married. To a man who can actually control you."

My heart stopped, the room spinning around me. "Married? To whom?!"

"Alpha Dominico Lombardi," Ezra said with a smirk. "The second-in-command of the Lombardi pack. He's coming tomorrow to finalize the details."

I couldn't breathe. The walls closed in on me, the reality of their words crashing over me like a tidal wave.

His scarred face flashed through my mind, the way his eyes had lingered on my injury, the dangerous aura that radiated from him.

This couldn't be happening. They couldn't do this to me.

But the cruel smiles on their faces told me everything I needed to know.

I was trapped.