"Isn't he beautiful?" Astrid drooled behind me.
"Yes, he is. Indeed." I responded, still taken aback by his beauty.
"It is of my greatest delight to appreciate you all for showing up to my welcoming party," he began, his voice gruff but smooth. "Six months in Venal Camp, fighting for the right of this Pack's territory was not an easy one, but I pulled through all thanks to the support of this Pack."
A server approached, stretching a tray of champagne flutes towards him. He collected one so gracefully and raised it in the air. "Thank you for being part of this journey with me and for coming out victorious. To Sage Pack!"
"To Sage Pack!" The rest of the audience chorused—including Astrid in her ever-so-delighted tone as she followed suit with the remaining guests, drinking gracefully from her champagne flute.
I eyed her. "You seem more excited than every other person."
"I am, baby." She said, her eyes fixed on a figure at the far end of the room. The figure seemed to be moving toward the entrance. I followed her gaze—it was the Alpha. His stride was graceful, like that of an Alpha with so much charisma. I wouldn't blame her obsession with him.
Her eyes followed him as he strode out of the hall. Then she turned to me, slipping her half-consumed champagne into my fingers.
"I have to go."
I held her elbow, pulling her back before she could take off. "Where to?"
"Where else? To the car park. His car is definitely parked there. This is my perfect opportunity to shoot my shot."
I stopped her again. "This late?"
She raised a brow.
"What? It's almost past your curfew. Your father would be mad at you if you—"
"I don't care." She shot back. "This is the only opportunity I can get to finally fulfil my dream." She leaned closer to me, lowering her voice to a tiny whisper I almost couldn't catch. "Listen, I could be the Luna of this Pack and be with the man of my dreams if I push a little harder." She leaned away, her voice back to normal. "Tell my father whatever you wish. I have to do this."
Before I could pull her back again, she had slipped away, squeezing her way through the guests, making it to the back door.
She was really hell-bent on doing this—even if it meant risking her abusive father's wrath should she miss curfew?
I sighed, glancing around. I probably should go home now. I had no one I was familiar with in this Pack. It would be best to leave.
As I set to leave, a familiar voice sounded from behind me.
"Charlotte?"
I froze and slowly turned. Just as I suspected—it was Mr. Barry, one of my former Pack's committee members and my late father's trusted friend. The same man who had betrayed my father a few days before his death, embezzling all the Pack's funds.
He wore a two-piece charcoal-black suit, his dark hair streaked with hints of grey, styled neatly as ever.
"I'm right. You are alive?" He smiled.
Oh, that creepy smile.
I forced a smile in return and began to step backwards.
"Your father told me things about you, but he most definitely left out the part that you have the gift of getting resurrected."
I read the sarcasm in his words, so I didn't bother to fake a smile.
"My car is parked in the mini car park of this hall. Let's go and have a deep conversation. You have a lot of queries to answer."
He grabbed my wrist and pulled me along toward the back door.
I couldn't scream. For some reason, my tongue was tied, and I became speechless as Mr. Barry dragged me with him. Even if I screamed, I doubted anyone would come to my rescue. They still looked at me like a piece of dirt as he pulled me past them. I even heard one of them sneer, "Give way, bulldozer in sight," followed by little giggles.
My heart pounded fast as he reached for the handle of the back door leading to the small car park. He swung it open and tossed me out.
Only two cars were parked there—a Maserati and a black SUV.
He pulled me to the SUV, where two men dressed in black from head to toe guarded the car. They must be werewolf guards. Astrid's father was one, but none of them was him.
He opened the car and shoved me into the back seat, then rounded the vehicle to sit beside me.
I looked around anxiously. The car park was empty. Only the Maserati stood. What about Astrid and the Alpha? Didn't she say she was coming to meet him?
"Where are you taking me?"
He smirked. "Where else? Your Uncle missed you a lot, don't you think?"
My heart thudded.
"No, please. I don't want to see him."
"Why not? You are his family member. He would be delighted to see you."
Well, I won't be!
"I can't leave, please. This is my new home. I—"
"Shut up." He growled. "Now, before I take you back to the Alpha, you will answer my following questions."
I swallowed.
"Number one—who brought you back to life?"
I said nothing—not like I knew the answer. Miss Vivienne had said I resurrected all by myself, but I didn't believe that. Someone was connected, but I didn't know who.
"Let me rephrase my question," he bit out, "who ruined the Alpha's plan by bringing you back to this world?"
"Why are you doing this? My father trusted you!" My voice broke.
"Your father is old news. That old man died like a chicken. Now, answer my question."
"Do you have a hand in my father's death? Did you plan it with Uncle Kieran—"
He struck my face. "It's Alpha Kieran now, you fat bitch."
"I don't care! Just leave me alone. I won't disturb his reign or try to reclaim the Alpha's position—which is my right and what my father left me. I'm living a peaceful life here, and I do not wish to be disturbed."
"Since you've refused to answer the questions I asked, I'll have to force the truth out of you. But first, we need to go see Alpha Kieran."
As he tapped the window to get his guards' attention and have them drive us away, I reached for the handle and flew out, knocking down the guard in my way with my weight.
I sprinted toward the hall door, but one of the guards, using supernatural speed, appeared in front of me, blocking the way.
The other flanked my back, ready to capture me.
"Somebody help! Please, help me!" I tried my luck, but the car park only echoed my plea back at me.
The guards dragged me back to the SUV, where Mr. Barry already stood, his gaze villainous.
"Tie her up and throw her into the boot," he commanded.
But before the guards could respond, a sudden voice rang out at the other end. It sounded familiar.
"Who is that?" the voice barked.
All of us turned in the direction of the voice. It came from the Maserati.
The figure hopped out, and my breath hitched at his sight… again.
Alpha Sinclair. Still dressed in his eloquent suit, he strode toward us, gaze rigid.