On the way to the pack house, my mind raced with different ways to escape. Maybe run as fast as I can into the forest, but that damn warrior was just a few feet behind me, and I know he already knows what I'm up to from how my head keeps darting around.
Letting out a shaky breath, I brace myself and follow Ruth; at this point, I know that my impending meeting with the alpha is unavoidable.
We arrived at the enormous pack a few minutes later; just like before, the entire place was eerily quiet. We made our way toward the western wing, where the Alpha resides.
However, as we neared there, I began to get a whiff of wild dandelion, mixed with the muddy scent of earth after rain.
The scent became so intoxicating as we neared the alpha's dark-colored door ahead, and my heart skipped a frantic beat.
That is not possible, right? I question inwardly as Ruth begins to knock on the door, formally announcing my arrival.
"Alpha. The slave is here."
But my heart was racing so much I didn't know why Ruth didn't ask about it because I know she can hear it.
Please, moon goddess, don't let it be what I'm suspecting. What kind of twist would that be?
"Send her in," came his annoying deep, raspy voice that used to do things to me in the past.
Ruth pushed the door open, and I didn't wait to be told before I walked in. The moment I crossed the threshold and the door closed behind me, my wolf, Silver, stirred within me, just as the scent faded.
I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. He's not my mate; that also means I just felt my mate. He's in the packhouse.
"Silver? Is that really you? I thought you left?" I called softly, waiting for her response, but it never came. "Silver… please, if you're there, just say anything. I thought I heard you at the hospital." I try again, but still nothing.
I felt dejected as I lowered my head, but Alpha Trevor's voice interrupted my thoughts.
"Why are you standing there?" I jump, my face turning pale when I realize I'm in the alpha's room. I take desperate steps back, my body colliding into the door behind me, heart racing.
The room is dimly lit, but I knew where he was sitting in the past, so I looked over and saw him, a frown etching lines on his chiseled face as he looked at me.
He stands up, in the same black sweatpants and t-shirt that hugged his muscular build so perfectly. The tattoos on his arm and neck peek out of his collar.
This man is the embodiment of sin.
For a moment there I forgot he's the same man I hated to the core. I looked away; I was staring too much.
"Oh, don't stop. Go on. I don't mind taking off my clothes so you can see more." He says with a grin, and I roll my eyes. But I didn't say anything.
He switches on the light just as my stomach growls.
Okay, this happened the last time, and then there was food, and knowing how hungry I was, I ate everything; it was one of the best meals I had since I became a slave.
"Come, eat with me," he invites, gesturing to the food arranged on the table.
Oh, moon goddess. Why this very day? I'm very hungry now, but I can still feel the hunger pangs from my previous life, so it feels so intense.
Just then, a hand wraps around my wrist. I look up, only to get lost in the mesmerizing pair of gray eyes.
"Come on, don't be shy. I prepared this meal just for you."
'Who is shy?' I scoff inwardly as I try yanking my hand out of his grip; he didn't move a muscle, but he was like a rock.
"Please. Let me go, Alpha. I'm just a slave, and this may send the wrong ideas to others." I say, eyeing his grip around my wrist.
His jaws clench as his grip tightens before he says,
"I don't care, and stop being stubborn! Go and eat." He commands in his alpha tone, and I look up only to see one of his eyes glowing red; his wolf is in partial control.
That's strange; this didn't happen the last time.
"Thank you, Alpha. I'm not…" I begin, but he cuts me off.
"Trevor!" he snaps in a low growl. I looked at his face but didn't say anything to his satisfaction. I approached the table, taking my seat.
I might as well just have a few quick bites and get the hell out of here. I told myself.
However, the moment the first bite touched my palate, I couldn't hold myself back.
Like I said, it was the best food I had in my three years of being a slave. Before, when my dad was alive, this was my life; I was the pampered princess who got whatever I wanted.
My dad was the beta to the previous alpha, and my mother was a warrior delta, but when she gave birth to us, neither of us took her delta bloodline; we were all beta bloodline.
And growing up, my bond with Trevor was so strong; he trained me and taught me a lot of things. Everyone believed I might become his appointed beta once he became alpha.
And that didn't sit well with my big brother. I knew how hard he had worked for that position. So I told Trevor I don't want to be just Beta, but Luna.
I asked him to make my big brother his beta instead.
But he misunderstood that as my thirst for power.
On the day of the rogue's attack, that's what the captured rogue told everyone—that I wanted to become Alpha.
"Caroline," Trevor calls, and I turn to look at him, who is now sitting beside me, his gaze piercing into mine with an intensity I hadn't seen in a long time. Not even when he made love to me then.
"Do you remember those times we used to train together? When I told you, you can always count on me, and I will stand by you in every situation?"
Those clearly were lies.
Lies I held sacred in my heart, until it all went south.
I couldn't help the smile that crept onto my lips. Yeah, this is it. Like in the past, he took me on a trip down memory lane, and I fell for it.
Back then, I believed my Trevor was back, and it filled my heart with hope. I had thought everything was going to be alright from then on, but I found out too late that he had only wanted to get inside my pants.
And it has caused the death of my unborn pup and myself.
Never. Never again. The old Caroline died on that hospital bed, cut open, with her pup nowhere in sight.
I'm reborn.
I am a new Caroline.
"I'm sorry, Alpha. I don't remember," I reply, my voice steady yet distant. And his expression shifted, shadows crossing his face.
"How could you not remember? What about those times I used to sneak you treats your mother forbade you from having?" he asks, looking at my face expectantly. He was searching my eyes, probably for some kind of recognition, but I simply shook my head.
Resolute.
"I'm sorry, Alpha. I really don't remember—"
"Trevor!" He growls louder this time; it reverberates in the air between us, and once again, I see his wolf in control.
What is happening? If there's one thing I know about Trevor, it's how good he is at controlling his inner beast, but why? I would have misinterpreted it as possessiveness if I didn't have a reality check.
I placed the spoon down with trembling fingers and quickly got to my feet.
"Please, I'm full. If you don't mind, I need to return to my chores. I can't risk another punishment. Thank you so much." My words tumble out of my mouth in a rush as I bow slightly and turn toward the door, desperate to flee his presence, but the next thing, he's standing in front of me.
"Stay. I want to spend some time with you." His words hung in the air, and I'm so glad he didn't use his alpha command.
"I'm honored, but a slave like myself is not fit to accompany the almighty alpha," I reply, emphasizing the word "almighty" with a touch of defiance.
He frowns, emitting a cold aura that sends chills running down my spine.
"I don't give a damn what you are! I insist!" He grabs and drags me back into the room amidst my protests.