The guards did as he had instructed, and they showed me to a beautiful room—it was large, comfortable, and warm; above all, it was far better than anything I had back at my Uncle Marcus's house.
I sat on the soft bed, a total opposite of the one I had, with fresh linens and a fire that cracked lively in the fireplace, but yet I couldn't find peace in this luxury.
I was alone for a few minutes and I felt the tears threatening to pour again. I couldn't help it, I was so drained, drained from the anger I felt and from the fear of being used.
After what seemed like a thousand years of staring into space, there was a soft knock on the door and I quickly sat upright, trying to compose myself before I answered in a small voice.
" Come in"
The door pushed open and my face hardened as I saw him. The Alpha, my child's father.
He stood there in the doorway. His frame was magnificent, and the expression on his face was unreadable; those eyes —blue, piercing, and intense—stared at me. His presence seemed to steal the air from the room and I forgot to breathe.
"Hi," He said softly, almost like he had no other words to say other than it.
"Hi," I echoed, but my throat felt dry—perched.
He strode into the room, closing the door quietly behind him, "I owe you so anything, and an apology is one of them. An apology for what happened between us at the bar...I feel so terrible and I didn't know any of this would happen"
"There is no need to apologize, "I said bitterly, my voice low and regretful," You used me and took advantage of me because I was vulnerable and you walked away without thinking what would become of me"
"I was drunk that night, "He told me, it sounded as if the words choked in his throat, "I never intended to hurt you in any way"
I looked up at him, the anger I had tried to swallow bubbling inside me again," You never intended to hurt me" I repeated and scoffed, "It doesn't matter, whether it's intended or not"
The look in his eyes was soft, he stepped closer but I quickly got up to my feet, "Keep your distance, please "
His face shifted, and his expression became serious and understanding before he spoke again," I really can't undo what happened, but as I promised, I won't leave you alone in this. I will take responsibility for you and the child, I'll make sure you lack nothing"
I bit my lips; his words felt so good to be true; I spoke up in a quiet voice," You don't know what it's like, what it's like to be discarded, to be told that you're nothing but a mistake, a disgrace. I don't need anyone's pity, especially not yours "
"I don't pity you," He said, his voice soft," I don't know what you've been through but I want you to know that you are my responsibility now and I will take care of you as long as my seed lives in you"
I stared at him, I lacked words at that moment. He was different from the man I saw at the bar, different from the Alpha I had imagined him to be. But still, I was unsure whether to trust him.
"My name is Caden," He said after a long moment of silence, his eyes —gentle, not leaving mine, "What is your name?"
I swallowed the lump in my throat, "Emerald. My name is Emerald"
He gave me a small smile and I saw a flash of something in his eyes, but it was gone before I could place it. He nodded slowly and then his expression changed to something between regret and pain.
"I came to the bar because I was facing a lot of pressure"He started slowly, his voice lowering with each word, "As an Alpha, I have so many responsibilities and I am expected to join with a woman I don't love, I would join with her during the next full moon. But that night, I was looking for something, something which isn't about obligations and responsibilities"
I stared at him, and my heart clenched; I couldn't help but feel hurt and broken as the memories slid into my head.
"I guess I was someone you used to clear off your worries, to fill the void...to get you relaxed. You didn't even care who I was " I told him, my voice bitter and shaky as I spoke.
His gaze softened, and he drew in a deep breath," I didn't plan for all this to happen, and no, you were not someone I used to clear off my worries. We were both in the wrong place at the wrong time and I regret my actions. I promise to make you forget about whatever pain I must have caused you"
I drew a deep breath but I was still unable to hold back the tears at the side of my eyes anymore." You know, I'm already used to being used and abandoned. I'm just an orphan, looked down on by my Uncle Marcus and the entire Pack, I'm nothing but an Omega, who is constantly bullied and pushed aside"
His expression softened as he listened to me," You are not alone anymore, Emerald. This I promise you. You won't have to carry this burden all by yourself and I will take care of you. No one will hurt you again, not in my pack...not with me"
I stared at him and then nodded slowly. I wasn't sure what to say next but I couldn't deny the shred of hope that stirred inside me.
There was a moment of silence between us, and I looked down at my palm, and then he spoke again, his voice gentle but yet so powerful.
"Welcome to WolfHowl Pack, Emerald"