ASTRA,
Lying on my bed, the memory of my night with the stranger bothered me. How could I have been so foolish, so vulnerable? I felt useless as I replayed the events of last night over and over in my mind. I mean, I barely even knew the guy.
I wanted to sleep to forget both my regrettable encounter with a stranger and the heartbreak of my mate marrying my step sister as his mate. The sex was great, but now I had lost the virginity I had kept for years. Obviously, there was nothing else that I had to offer now.
Sleep wouldn't come. I felt haunted and sad. I wondered how I made it back from the hotel after Chris or whatever his name was dismissed me.
The knock on my door startled me out of my troubled thoughts. "I'm coming," I called, getting up from my bed, struggling to move as I still felt a throbbing pain between my legs.
The door swung open, revealing a maid standing in the hallway. "Your stepmother demands your presence downstairs," she said. "The New Alpha arrives soon, and everyone must be at the courtyard to welcome him."
I nodded, trying to hide the pain that still throbbed through my body. Losing my virginity to a stranger hadn't been the romantic encounter I had envisioned but it still happened, didn't it?
As I dressed for the occasion, the memories of the night before kept creeping back into my mind.
His body, hot to the touch, like it was illegal. His broad shoulders, sending me to hell and back with the way he held me as he pounded me into the bed.
His touch had been demanding, his kisses insistent, verging on violent. His emerald eyes, so vivid they could rival the deepest jungle, were seared into my memory. Even though I was under the influence of alcohol, I could still tell that he was attractive.
But I pushed these thoughts away, trying to focus on the present.
As I made my way to the courtyard, I offered a silent prayer to the Moon Goddess. I had never met my stepbrother, but the tales of his cruelty were legendary.
He was the strongest Alpha in the region, feared by all, ruthless and unrelenting in his rule.
The mere thought of facing him sent a shiver down my spine, and I prayed that I would not arrive before him, that I would not have to bear the brunt of his notorious temper.
I released a breath I hadn't realized I was holding as I stepped into the courtyard and saw that the Alpha had not yet arrived. The relief was short-lived, however, as the whispers of the nearby women reached my ears.
"I hear he's cute. I can't wait to see him," said one, her voice filled with excitement. I knew that if given the chance, she would let him sleep with her with the way she was acting. She was excited for some reason.
"Cute is putting it lightly," another chimed in, her tone conspiratorial. "He's a tyrant, single-handedly capturing the Sun Pack. Everyone's terrified of him."
I shook my head, amused and slightly disgusted by their gossip.
They were somehow correct about the Alpha. Even though I have never seen him since we weren't related by blood. I heard he was taken away because even as a young boy he already had a cold heart and the people were afraid of what would become of him. But now he is back to take over the pack.
The chatter continued, a noise of whispers and giggles filling the courtyard like a swarm of buzzing bees. I retreated further into the shadows, not wanting to be drawn into their conversation.
Suddenly, a hush fell over the crowd. I turned, expecting to see the Alpha himself, but instead, I saw my stepmother. Her eyes swept across the gathered pack, landing on me with a look of displeasure.
"The Alpha will arrive soon," she announced, her voice cold as ice. "I expect all of you to be on your best behavior. He is not to be trifled with."
My stepmother eyed us all with disdain before leaving.
The courtyard remained silent after her, with none of us saying a word.The air was thick with tension, and it was clear that everyone was scared and apprehensive, even though they were acting like they weren't.
At that moment, I understood how powerful my step brother was.
My heart beat faster, the knowledge of what was to come filling me with dread.
Then, the sound of cars rang out, drawing closer with each passing second.
As the cars approached, their engines roared loudly. The gathered members knelt in unison, their heads bowed.
The entourage rolled into view, a sleek fleet of armored vehicles escorting the Alpha's own sleek, black SUV.
The guards, dressed in black suits, looked like they would trample on anyone that would try to mess with them. As they stood beside the car, their faces looked impassive and intimidating.
And in the midst of this fearsome procession sat the Alpha himself.
The Alpha stepped out of the SUV, and his presence consumed the whole place. It felt as if evil had come to rest among us. He was here, the Renowned Alpha.
He was tall and broad-shouldered, his features chiseled and sharp, his eyes dark but inviting. He wore a tailored black suit, his posture was commanding, radiating an aura of power and authority.
He surveyed the courtyard, his gaze lingering on each kneeling figure, as if taking a silent inventory of the pack's members. And then, he began to walk toward the palace, his guards falling into step behind him.
The Alpha's footsteps echoed through the courtyard, each stride carrying a weight of authority that seemed to press down on the kneeling pack members. As he approached the palace, he met with my stepmother, who stood, a faint smile playing on her lips.
The Alpha stopped in front of her, and it felt like they were conversing even though they weren't saying anything to each other.
And then, with a nod of his head, he passed into the palace, the doors closing behind him with a thud that seemed to reverberate through the ground.
As I watched the alpha leave, the realization struck me like a thunderbolt. I knew him, or at least, I recognized his face from somewhere.
I juggled through my mind for explanations, trying to piece my memories together because I was sure I knew him. But nothing seemed to make sense, until the truth dawned on me. It was terrifying.
The truth hit me hard, knocking the breath from my lungs, causing me to shake and fret. He didn't see me, but it was only a matter of time before he would recognize me too.
He was the Alpha. The man I had spent the night with, the man I had desperately been trying to remember . The Alpha was my one-night stand. By the Alpha, I mean my own step brother. I slept with my step brother.
I tried not to panic, but it didn't work. I kept thinking about what it would mean for me if he found out.
Would I be safe? And how long can I avoid him until he catches my scent?