| Body |
Evelyn’s POV
I sat at the bar, downing drinks and trying to forget about my problems. “Pour me another, please,” I said to the bartender. As the omega refilled my glass, I looked at my phone and sighed for the umpteenth time. Still no word from my boyfriend, Alex, and no news from my father’s doctor either.
Just as I’d prayed the moon goddess would spare my mother and bring her back to me, I now prayed for my father’s life. Out of the blue, he’d slipped into a coma, and a month later, the doctors still had no answers. Meanwhile, I lost hope and my heart broke more with each passing day.
The pack wasn’t faring well without their alpha, either. They needed a leader, and as my father’s only legitimate child, I would become the next alpha of my pack if he didn’t make it. I sighed again as I wondered if the pack would be better off with my stepbrother Kevin in the role. He was a male with a powerful wolf.
Conversely, I was a female with no wolf. If that weren’t bad enough, an ug-ly scar that ran from my cheek to my ear marred my face so prominently that others stared constantly. Even patrons in the bar stared, though I did my best to ignore them.
I took a swig, downing the last of my drink. “Another,” I said to the bartender.
“Miss, you’ve had quite a lot already. Maybe it’s best to stop and go home for now?” the bartender, an obvious omega said. I looked at her and rolled my eyes.
“I don’t want to go home. I want to drink until I forget about life. So give me another, please.”
As the bartender hesitated, a waiter approached. “I have the perfect drink for you,” said the omega. “A new brand of whiskey, and it’s strong. It’ll take the edge off and make you forget. I can promise you that.”
“I’ll take it,” I slurred.
The omega waiter nodded. “Very well. I’ll be back in a jiffy.”
Once he left, I focused on my phone once again. Still nothing from Alex or my father’s doctor.
A minute later, the omega waiter approached with an open bottle. “Here you go. This’ll help you forget all your worries and cares. Dare I say, you’ll be in ecstasy for at least forty-eight hours.”
“You’d do well, as a brand ambassador,” I said with a chuckle. “All right. Let me sample its glories.”
The waiter nodded and poured a substantial amount into my tumbler. I tipped the glass back, gulped its contents in a single swig, then slammed the tumbler back onto the bar. I addressed the bartender as I grabbed my bag to retrieve my wallet. “Tab, please.” It was time for me to get going. I needed to see my father.
The bartender acknowledged my request, then walked to the register. Before the bartender got there, my image wavered.
I rubbed my suddenly blurry eyes. “What the heck?” I mumbled as I stood. I almost ended up on the barroom floor, barely able to catch myself in time. I gripped the edge of the bar, working to stay upright.
The omega waiter rushed to me, grabbing me by the waist to help me. “Princess, are you okay?”
I gently extracted myself from him. “Yeah. Fine,” I said, then put a hand to my forehead. Too hot, and my stomach was queasy too. That thought barely registered before blackness engulfed me.
Sometime later, I sighed, then opened my eyes. My face twisted in confusion. “This is not my house. It looked more like a hotel room. What was I doing here? And how did I get here?” I muttered to myself, rubbing my blurry eyes.
Before I could think long enough to answer either of those questions, giggling came from the room next door. Then a familiar female voice said, “Oh, Alex. Do you know how long I’ve waited for you to touch me?”
I covered my mouth to hold back a gasp. I’d know that voice anywhere. It was my stepmother, Quinn. But what “Alex” was she talking to? It couldn’t be my Alex. That couldn’t be possible. Even the idea of that was outrageous. Yet, I didn’t know any other Alex, and I didn’t think Quinn did either. Still, there had to be some reasonable explanation.
My legs felt like jelly, so I used the room’s furniture and walls for balance as I staggered to the hotel room door. I opened it and, with blurry vision, looked around. When I didn’t see anyone, I walked to the next door.
Quinn’s voice came from the other side. “You’re not truly going to marry that scarred wench, are you? I mean, she doesn’t even have a wolf. Meanwhile, you could easily have all of this with me.”
“True,” said a male voice—Alex’s voice.
My Alex!
What the hel? How could he?
“But she’s the heiress,” he said, continuing. “And I can always come to your room at night whenever I get bored with her.”
Quinn chuckled, and I could barely believe what I was hearing. So it was all about me being the daughter of their alpha. Alex was with me just to get his hands on my father’s properties and wealth.
“Please,” Quinn said flippantly. “She might be Alpha’s daughter, but with that scarred face of hers and no wolf, she’s no better than a rogue omega. It’ll be my son, Kevin, who ends up with everything, not that weak girl. Besides, you’re too handsome to have such a disgusting wife.”
I folded my fists in anger. How evil could Quinn be? And Alex—could he be more of an ingrate? Still, I couldn’t help but press my ear to the door to hear more.
“You say that like it’s a certainty,” Alex said. “Just remember that, unless I marry Evelyn, Kevin gets nothing.”
So they had a plan. Alex intended to marry me to secure the properties and the seat of the pack. Then it seemed he, along with Quinn, intended to ensure everything would somehow be transferred to Quinn’s son, Kevin.
They’d plotted against me! I had to pick my gaping mouth up off the floor.
“But enough with all that for now,” said Alex. “I want a taste of that fleshy hole of yours.”
“Only if you tell me I can steal you away from that silly girl. She doesn’t deserve you. You’re too good for her.”
Alex laughed. “Of course. Once everything’s in place, you can do whatever you want with her. In the meantime, you can still have me, especially once me and Evelyn are married, and all of us are living in the same house.”
“No worries about access,” Quinn said with a giggle.
“That’s right,” Alex said. “And I’m looking forward to having constant access to this beautiful succulent body of yours, too.”
I couldn’t take any more. I barged into the hotel room, allowing the back of the door to slam against the wall. “How dare you!” I thundered.
Chapter 2
I stare from Quinn’s nonchalant face to Alex’s petrified face. “You ungrateful slime!” I yelled.
I reached for the vase on the room’s front table and flung it at Alex’s head. He ducked, and the vase hit the wall behind him, shattering. That I missed made me even angrier.
Quinn wore a smug smirk as I staggered a few steps into the room. I shook my head. It didn’t feel right. It felt like something more than a hangover, like I’d been poisoned. Still, I wanted to pounce on these two traitors, so I pressed on, getting dizzier by the step.
Quinn’s smirk grew evil as she saw me struggle to keep consciousness. She looked like a villain whose plan was falling into place perfectly. I saw it, the mischievous look in her eyes. It seemed like it had been her plan for Me to get poisoned, and be brought here, so I could find her and Alex in Bed.
“What can you do about it?” She asked Me and I scoffed, unable to believe the amount of shamelessness I was seeing in Quinn.
Then ignored her, turning my attention to Alex. “I fcking trusted you!” I screamed. “How could you do this? And with my stepmother? What’s wrong with you?”
“Oh, stop being such a drama queen,” Alex said. “What if I have an interest in older women? That doesn’t mean I don't love you.”
“That’s my fuking stepmother, Alex! My dad’s wife! This is the height of immorality,” I said, shaking my head. “I can't believe you! Really!” I yelled again.
“Eve, dear,” Quinn said, “you need to stop yelling. You don’t seem well.”
I glared at her and clenched my fists, wanting to pummel the two of them until they couldn’t feel anything but pain.
Instead, I said, “Don’t pretend to care about me. You think I don’t know how much you hate me? Goddess knows, you don’t hesitate to show it. So stop pretending like you really care what happens to me. For all I know, you planned this whole thing so I could see you both, have a heart attack, and die.”
Quinn gasped and laughed mockingly. “I am not that creative, Evelyn. Besides, why would I want you to know Alex and I fell in love?”
I stared at her in disbelief.
“In love? You conniving snake. It's only been a month since Father slipped into a coma, and you’re claiming to be in love? With my boyfriend?”
Alex came over and rubbed my arms. “Now, calm down.”
I kept my focus on Quinn as I got away from Alex. “How shameless can you be? Is your love that fickle? Does it change that fast?”
“Come on,” Alex said, drawing my eyes. “It's no big thing. Hey, maybe you could even join us. What do you think?”
I glared at him. “Join…?” I landed a loud slap on his face.
“You filthy pig. You’re worse than a rogue. And you don’t think there’s anything immoral about what you’re suggesting? About what you’re doing? Sleeping with my stepmother… your future mother-in-law?”
Alex’s face contorted into a frown. “Oh, stop being such a goody two shoes.” Alex grabbed my elbows.
I pulled away from him. “Don’t touch me! To think I wanted to be your wife. Ever since the day I met you, I wanted that, too. How silly of me. I should have heeded the warnings about you.”
“Don’t be disrespectful, Eve,” Quinn said. “I’m still your father’s wife and head of this pack. And I will not tolerate it.”
“Leader of the pack? Is that so? You haven’t even done anything to find out why my father, your husband, ended up in a coma. Pfft. You’re a terrible excuse for a leader… and a mother.”
“Excuse me?” Quinn rose from the bed and approached with her eyes narrowed. “Are you undermining me?”
I shook my head. “Simply stating the bitter truth. Ever since you came into my father’s house, there’s been nothing but pain and discomfort. I wish it was you instead of my dad in that coma.”
Quinn slapped me hard across the face. “That’s for your insolence.” She slapped me again just as hard. “That’s for hitting Alex.” She slapped me once more. “And that’s for wishing me dead.”
Alex grabbed her hand. “Quinn, please. That’s enough.”
Quinn glared at him. “This young lady is a spoiled brat. She needs to be taught a lesson.” She turned back to me. “I’m in charge of this pack and also your legal guardian, and I’ve had it up to my guts with your tantrums.”
I stared at her in disbelief.
“Wake the fvck up, Eve,” Quinn yelled. “I make the rules now, and you will do as I say. Do you hear me, you worthless omega?”
I wished I had a wolf so I could shift and have it out with this crazy bit-ch. But maybe not having a wolf was what allowed me to remain calm, despite the fact that I’d never been hit in the face before. Either way, I kept my cool while I stared into my adulterous stepmother’s eyes. Eventually, I shook her head and said, “You disgust me,” then turned and left the room.
As the door closed behind me, tears came to my eyes. What a betrayal. As if it weren’t bad enough that Alex cheated on me, he chose to do it with my stepmother. Why? Why me, of all people?
I aimlessly headed back to the room I came from, still staggering to get my things. I opened the door and then stopped, wondering why she was bothering to go back there. Everything was a blur, and I wasn’t sure if it was because of my welling eyes or the pill I’d obviously been given. But then I felt a presence behind me.
Chapter 3
“Who are you?” I asked, as I tried to shake off the wave of discomfort and dizziness that had suddenly hit me. I wiped my eyes. “You!” I exclaimed, looking at the omega waiter from the bar. “What are you doing here?” Nerves crept up my spine as I stared at the man who had given me the drink—the drink that had obviously been dru-gged.
“Oh, come on Princess.” He stepped forward, forcing me to go back up into the room. “You know why I’m here,” he said with a wicked grin. “And your body wants it. I know it does.”
I wanted to puke, “Please let me go home. I need to go home to my dad.”
“I’ll let you go home”—he started to unclasp his belt—“as soon as you give me what I want.”
I backed up another step.
“It will be over soon, Princess. I promise.”
“Why?” I asked, still seeing him through blurry eyes and wondering if there was any way I could escape him.
He gave me a perverted smile, then wagged his brows. “Well, your body is a nice prize on its own, but there are better reasons.”
I didn’t need him to tell me those reasons. If he took my first time, I'd be forced to marry him, which would damage my reputation and leave utterly no chance of becoming an Alpha heir.
I couldn’t bear the thought of sleep with him, let alone marrying him. I had to find a way out. But the blurry vision was making me dizzy. All I thought to do was plead. “I need to get home immediately,” I said as authoritatively as I could in my current condition. “It's late.”
The omega smirked. “You know I can’t let you leave, Princess. Not without a taste of the forbidden fruit.” He approached. As soon as he got within range, I slapped him hard with all the strength I could find.
His face twisted in rage. “This isn't the fuking palace.” He hit me back so hard that he knocked me onto the bed. “This is my turf. I do as I wish.”
Alex POV
“We need to get Eve,” I said. “She didn’t look too good.”
Quinn stared at me in disgust. “Are you really worrying about her right now?”
I looked at my phone, biting my finger as I saw all of Eve’s messages for the first time. And now, she wasn’t responding to me. What if she went off and slept with some other guy?
I turned to Quinn. “I’m just worried. She didn’t look well. She seemed off, like she was sick or something.”
Quinn rose from the bed and sauntered to a table in the corner, where she picked up a bottle of booze and poured a glass. With the glass in hand, she strutted seductively back to me. “Here. Drink this. It would help calm you.”
I accepted the drink and took a gulp, then walked to the window. Quinn approached from behind and wrapped her arms around my bare waist.
“I fear she isn't okay,” I said.
Quinn sighed in irritation. “She was drunk. That’s how she is these days. She gets drunk, and I don't even know her whereabouts. She probably goes out sleeping around. Maybe she’s out sleeping with some omega right now,” she said with mischief in her voice.
I spun around, squinting at her. “Wait a second. Did you…? Was this your idea, when you said I should be your sneaky link? You know I can't afford to lose Eve.”
Quinn sighed. “Was what my idea? To get her drunk and have her brought to our hotel? Pfft. Don’t accuse me of such outrageous things. Yes, I wanted her to find out about us, but I didn’t do that.”
I ran my hands through my hair, unsure whether I should believe her.
“And why are you so worried about her sleeping around?” Quinn asked. “Why should you care what she does?”
“Fuk,” I whispered. I always knew this play-boy attitude of mine would get me into a ton of trouble one day, but I never expected it to be with a girl I actually cared about. Yes, I was using her for her inheritance, but that didn’t mean I had no feelings for her.
“Listen,” Quinn said. “I’m sure you feel like she’ll betray you because you betrayed her. But do you really think she’ll risk it, knowing she’ll have to marry anyone she sleeps with? Not only that, in her position, Eve would lose her dignity in the community, too. She’d end up begging you to take her back.”
“Are you sure about that?”
Quinn took the glass from me and kissed me slowly. Once she drew her li-ps away from mine, she peered at me. “I’m here to help you,” she said. “So even if she doesn’t beg for you, I can always ensure you end up owning some Carson family properties. I’m married to Alpha Carson after all.” She bit her li-ps seductively. “So be a good boy and come undress me.”
Something pricked in the back of my mind, a warning I couldn’t put into words. But it was something that told me to resist her, that I couldn’t trust her. But I wanted her, so I put a lid on that warning, and a few minutes later, my tongue grazed her vagi-na.
Chapter 4
Evelyn POV
I struggled to keep my head straight, as I fought for consciousness. I heard footsteps and I knew that the weird omega was back. I staggered up, reaching for a weapon. My hand found the neck of an empty wine bottle. I swung it in an arc and hit him across the head. He went down with a thud, and I ran out of the room and directly into a man.
“I'm sorry,” I mumbled as I tried to scoot past him.
“Miss, are you alright?” he asked.
I turned and saw the omega coming after me. “Help me,” I said, with panicked eyes and a voice filled with urgency.
The stranger saw the omega, grabbed my wrist, then dragged me into his room. In one smooth motion, he slammed the door shut, locked it, then spun me into his che-st
With fear of the omega still overwhelming me, I buried my face in his arms and whimpered weakly, latching onto his trousers to steady myself.
“He’s gone,” said the stranger.
I raised my head from his bare front body and peered at him. Despite my blurry vision, I could tell he was handsome. “What’s your name?” I whispered.
He chuckled, then backed away and walked to his table. “Suppose I told you, would you remember? You seem a little drunk.”
I shook my head. “I was poisoned. And there's still quite some amount in my system. But I’ll try to remember. Please, what’s your name?”
“My name isn't important. You look exhausted. I need to get you home.”
I chuckled. “I’d feel safer staying here… with you.”
He walked toward me. “I am a wolf in heat. You know what that means.”
It meant he wanted a woman se-xually. Any woman.
“I can do just the same that omega could do to you. Are you still not afraid of me?”
I chuckled. “I just found my fiancée cheating on me with my father’s wife. You”—I rested my palm on his body the other hand, seem like an honorable person. I'd rather sleep with you than with that cheat or a creepy omega. Besides, you don't seem all that scary.” I held his face, looking into his blue eyes. “A person with a story and many secrets, yes, but not scary.”
“Your li-ps are so beautiful, Evelyn,” he said, and I looked up at him.
“How did you know my name?”
He chuckled and gestured to my necklace. “Your necklace says it. Am I wrong?”
“Ah, right. Silly me. And here I thought you were one of those crazy stalkers I have.”
“And if I was? Would you run away?”
“No,” I whispered, and the stranger kissed me. I returned his kiss with a fervent passsion, and we gnawed at each other’s li-ps, each trying to outdo the other’s needs. I moaned as he kissed me. His hands wandered, touching me gently. A flicker of apprehension came to my mind, but I pushed it back, telling myself this was right. This was what I wanted.
He struggled to unbutton my blouse while continuing to steal kisses from my li-ps. I sighed in pleasure when, moments later, his touch landed on my body and he latched hungrily at it.
“Oh, the goddess,” I moaned as I wrapped my hands around his head. I felt the heat in my pusssy.
“To the moon goddess,” he said, “you have the most gorgeous body and eyes I have ever seen.” He approached and wrapped his hands around my waist.
He picked me up bridal style and carried me to the bed. There, he laid me on the mattress and kissed me again. With his tongue, he languidly strolled down my body to my mound, then inserted a finger. “So tight,” he growled.
I moaned and squirmed under his touch, parting my legs further. He moaned in approval and then shifted, placing himself at my entrance. I flinched in fear when I saw the size of him. He noticed my apprehension and he stopped.
“Are you all right?” he asked. “Do you want me to stop?”
I shook my head. “No. It’s just that it's my first time.”
He chuckled and patted my hair. “I’ll be gentle,” he said and kissed me pass-ionately.
My body soon became receptive, and he got into me slowly. I squirmed as he filled me, the sensation painful at first.
He sighed in pleasure. “So tight. So wet,” he whispered, then kissed my forehead and drove his full length into me.
I grabbed him and cried out.
“Shh. Shh. It's alright. It’ll feel good in a minute,” he said and started moving inside me.
Slowly, my body adjusted to his size, and I loosened my grip on his shoulders. As I relaxed around him, he could feel my calmness and he increased his pace. His growls and my moans filled the room, the both of us reaching the peak of ecstasy in unison.
“I need to take a shower,” I said after the climax subsided. He nodded and lifted me, taking me to the bathroom where he washed me. As he kissed me deeply with the water pouring over our bodies, mating tension rose between us again…
I woke early the next morning, feeling sore all over from the previous night’s activities. The handsome stranger with whom I enjoyed those activities was still asleep. So I rose from the bed and went for my bag, leaving behind an envelope that contained a check. Then I got dressed and tiptoed out of the room, closing the door quietly behind me.
Chapter 5
I stirred in my sleep, my body sore from the business of last night. Suddenly my eyes shot open, when I heard my bedroom door open, and in walked Quinn.
I glared at her and shut my eyes. “Sign of bad luck. I open my eyes and I see the adulterous stepmother of mine.” I said sarcastically.
Quinn glared at me and she opened my curtain window. “You should get up. It's time for breakfast.”
I peered at her. “You never care if I eat or not. Is this your guilty consciousness getting to you?”
Quinn studied me, and I squirmed uncomfortably under her intense gaze. “Did you have se-x last night?” Quinn asked.
I shot her a surprised look.
“Hmm. Seems like you did.” Quinn said and I looked away.
“I have no idea what you are talking about. Get out of my room.” I said and Quinn walked towards me.
She didn’t look convinced. “We’ll talk about this later,” she said. “For now, you have a pack function to attend, so come down for breakfast,” Quinn said and walked out of the bedroom.
I stared at my closed door and I wondered why all of a sudden, Quinn was so nice to me. I'd find out at breakfast.
I got up to shower with the events of the previous night running through my mind. Wouldn’t it be nice if that was all I had to think about?
A short while later, I went to the dining room where Kevin, my stepbrother, was seated at the tablet at Quinn’s right hand. But what caught my attention was Alex.
“What are you doing here?”I clenched my fists in rage.
“Don’t make a scene,” Quinn said. “Just sit and have breakfast quietly.”
“I refuse to share a table with this scumbag,” I said. “Get him out of here. Or rather, I wouldn’t want to disturb your happy family, so I’d rather have my breakfast in my bedroom.”
Alex stood and held my hands. “Eve, let's talk in private.”
Kevin’s gaze shifted from me to Quinn, to Alex.
“What’s going on here? Is there something that I don't know about?” Kelvin asked. He and Alex had been very good buddies and that's how he and I met.
I kept my focus on Alex. “Let go of me. I have nothing to say to you.”
Alex simply stared at me.
“I asked you not to make a fuss at breakfast,” Quinn said. “Why can't you obey simple instructions, hmm?”
I stared at Quinn in disbelief. “Maybe I would have yesterday when I still respected you. But not after my discovery last night.”
Kevin straightened in his chair and addressed me, “I can take anything you do, but I won't accept you insulting my mom, Evelyn. Just sit down if you are asked to.”
I shot him a glare. “You stay out of this,” I said and looked at Quinn. “Or would you like for me to tell your son about your shameful acts?”
“Shut your trap,” Quinn said, banging her hand on the table.
I chuckled at Quinn’s discomfort. She obviously didn’t want her son knowing about her escapade. I pulled out of Alex’s grasp. “I am going to check on my father,” I announced to the room, then turned to the kitchen maid. “I'll have breakfast in my bedroom, Sophia,” I said and turned to walk upstairs.
“Prepare yourself,” Quinn called out. “Your engagement is in four days.”
I paused and looked back at her. “Excuse me?” I asked, my eyes strained and narrowed.
Quinn folded her hands. “You heard me. Prepare for your engagement ceremony in four days. Bring the omega you slept with last night.”
I gaped at her.
“What do you mean, the omega she slept with?” Kevin asked. “Her fiancée is standing right in front of her.” He shifted his gaze from his mother to me. “What is going on, Eve?”
“Alex cheated on me with your mother, and I caught them in the act, so our engagement is off.”
Kevin turned to his mom with disbelief etched into his features.
“Your mother is a despicable woman,” I added. “One who sleeps with her stepdaughter’s fiancée. That’s how dirty and disgusting she is. Now, you must understand why I refuse to cower under her authority?” I said, looking Quinn directly in the eye.
“Evelyn Carson!” Quinn yelled as she sprang from her chair. “Shut up.”
“Let's talk about this in private,” Alex implored. “It can be solved.”
I curled my li-p in disgust. “Bold of you to assume I’m still interested in being your wife. You think because I have no wolf and am deemed a worthless omega that I would settle for a man who doesn’t know the line between family and se-xual relationships?”
“Oh, come on now. Get rid of your pride. Nobody will want to marry someone who already slept with a man,” Alex said.
“Pfft.” I scoffed. “You're finally showing your true colors. I wish I'd never been with you. ” I turned to Quinn. “And about that engagement party. Fine. Set it up. I’ll bring him home that day. Ensure you send out invitations. I'd rather be married quickly to this stranger than marry a cheat.” I nodded toward the kitchen maid. “Sophia, breakfast to my bedroom, please,” I said, then left the room.
Kevin turned to Quinn and asked, “What was she talking about, Mom?” I heard Kelvin say.
“Shut up, and eat your breakfast,” she said.
I know she's planning to get rid of me but I would make sure she's thrown out before she can even achieve her aim.
I'll prove to her that the Alpha's blood runs in my veins.
Three days passed since I and Quinn had fought over the engagement ceremony. Immediately after their argument, I uploaded a profile on a dating site, expressing my need for a contract husband just for the engagement ceremony. I continuously pressed the refresh button on my computer but had no bites, and I was running out of time. The engagement ceremony was tomorrow.
While I was in the bathroom, a notification bell sounded on my computer. I rushed to it to check the message. It was from an anonymous commenter and said, “I have time tomorrow. How much would I be paid? Hit me up.”
Chapter 6
The next morning, Sophia knocked on my door. “Madam Evelyn. It's morning. Please wake up.”
I turned in my bed, then rose and stretched with a smile. It was my engagement day and Quinn and Alex were in for a surprise. I was almost giddy with the prospect, especially since I’v done my own investigation and learned that the omega waiter who’d poisoned me five nights ago had done it under the commands of one of the ‘higher ups’. It turned out that higher up had been Quinn.
I smirked in bliss as my mind went back to the message I had received from the anonymous man who’d agreed to take part in my engagement today. We had agreed on his entrance to the engagement party and how much I would pay him for his appearance, while I figured out the best way to get rid of my adulterous stepmom and treacherous ex-fiancée.
Sophia pulled me from my thoughts, saying, “Your breakfast is served downstairs.”
I looked at her.
“Why downstairs? I do not want to have breakfast while seeing their faces. I made sure I made myself clear a few days back.” I said with my eyebrows raised.
“I apologize,” said Sophia, bowing her head. “The madam wanted you to have breakfast with the family downstairs.”
I rubbed my temple. “All right. I’ll join them.” Only because I didn’t want them to ruin this beautiful morning for me. “Just run my bath for me.”
Sophia nodded and headed to the bathroom.
Thirty minutes later, I walked down the stairs confidently, even with the long scar running across my face.. Alex stared, looking pained, as I walked into the room. Too bad you’re not marrying me, huh, as-shole? He stabbed at his sausages, likely angry at himself for ruining his plan to inherit the Carson fortune, using me, was now thwarted badly.
Quinn noticed Alex’s face and she cleared her throat “Welcome to the table, Eve,” she said to me. I looked at her, said nothing and sat down beside my step brother.
“Congratulations on your engagement party, Sis,” said Kevin, handing me a small box.
I nodded curtly and took the box from him. I opened it and saw a small bracelet. “Thank you,” I said and went back to eating.
Silence permeated the breakfast table. Afterward, Alex left the room, looking like he was going to go brood. Quinn seemed excited about the prospect of marrying me off, probably figuring she could finally have Alex, Carson, and the house to herself. She was in for a serious surprise. I had plans to make their lives miserable for making a fool of me. Kevin was the only one who seemed neutral.
As the preparations for the engagement party began in earnest, I left to go upstairs and battle with my hair, clothes, and makeup.
A short while later, after my hair had been arranged with pins and diamond hair accessories, I heard a soft knock on my bedroom door. “Can I come in?” I heard Kelvin ask.
“Yeah sure.” I said and he walked in.
His face held surprise when he saw me, then gulped and looked away. I looked extremely attractive today, so he was probably wondering if they had all looked down on me because I was always dressed plainly.
“I don’t have all day, Kevin,” I said as he continued to stand there mute. “So spill it.”
He sighed. “I'm sorry about what my mom did to you, and I know it's shameless of me to ask, but can you please let it go? If the elders find out this party isn't an engagement ceremony for you and Alex, and it's because he cheated on you with my mom, my mom will lose her dignity and respect as a woman in our pack.”
“I have no plans to tell the elders why Alex and I aren’t getting married, and you shouldn’t be begging for forgiveness on your mom’s behalf. If she needed it, she would have asked for it herself. Now, is that all you wanted? And why are you suddenly so humble and calm toward me when you’re normally so cold and arrogant?”
Kevin shrugged, then turned to the room, glancing back once before he walked out. My attendants went back to preparing me for the party.
After a couple of more hours, I was ready, but filled with nerves because my arranged partner hadn’t yet arrived.
Quinn texted me, “You should come down with that omega now. The party’s about to begin.”
I bit my fingers in fright. But then my phone pinged with a text message from my anonymous partner. “I’m here,” it said. I let out a sigh of relief. With renewed confidence, I strutted out of my room and down to the party pavilion.
I texted him to walk into the compound and go to the pavilion, then raced to meet him. When I arrived at the entrance, Quinn and Alex were already there. Only that the stranger who exited the car wasn’t a complete stranger.
He approached me. “Hello, my love,” he said, then locked kiss on my li-ps.
I was shocked, though my body remained rigid as my brain tried to figure out what was happening.
When our li-ps separated, he said, “Are you happy to see me?” He smiled and leaned in toward my ear. “Wasn’t very nice of you to leave the other night, and without even bothering to ask my name, too. It's Kian, by the way, Kian Sylvester,” he whispered.
“How did you find me?” I whispered back.
“Coincidence, or maybe you’d call it fate, my beautiful. But before we continue our banter, won't you introduce me to your family?”
I straightened myself. “Of course,” I said, still trying to absorb the fact that my paid partner for the day was the man I had spent my very first night with. I turned and took in my stepmother’s expression. The look of shock there in her face satisfied me. I smiled. Anybody could see Kian wasn't just a random omega. Even though I knew little about him, I could feel his powerful aura.
I shifted my gaze from Quinn to encompass everyone there. “Elders, Mother, Brother, this is Kian Sylvester, the man I’m set to marry,” I announced with a small smile.
“What is the meaning of this?” Quinn asked. “Who is this good-for-nothing man you have brought home to marry?” Silence descended on the crowd.
“Do not say another insulting word toward my woman,” Kian said in an authoritative voice. “Do you hear me?” He scoffed. “You call me a nobody? Well, ask Alex here who I am.” He turned to Alex. “Won’t you tell them, Brother?” he asked with a smile.
Wait, I don't remember Alex having a brother. Did he???
Alex folded his hands into fists. “What are you doing here?” he asked through clenched teeth.
“I thought that was clear… I’m here to ask for my woman’s hand in marriage.” He smirked mischievously. “Oh, I’m sorry. Did you think I wouldn’t amount to anything after Father kicked me out?”
Alex glared at him. “Go back to wherever you’ve been hiding all these years before I tear your fcking face off.”
“You will not address our Alpha in such a manner, you scumbag.” Kian’s aide inserted himself between Kian and Alex. He turned to face the now murmuring crowd.
I stood transfixed. He was an alpha? And Alex’s brother? Oh, the moon goddess!
“This is Alpha Kian Sylvester of the Blood Moon Pack, the strongest pack on this continent. Pay your respects properly.” Kian’s aide addressed the crowd.
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