Chapter 5
The heavy wooden door closed behind me with an ominous click. I was alone with him—the Alpha who'd decided our fate. I glanced back at the door, where my parents waited anxiously on the other side, then turned to face the man who held our future in his hands.
He was studying me from behind a massive oak desk, his silver-gray eyes intense and unreadable. The air in the room felt charged, making it difficult to breathe.
"Please, sit," he said, gesturing to the chair across from him.
I perched nervously on the edge of the seat, my hands fidgeting in my lap. Up close, I could see just how imposing he really was—broad shoulders, powerful build, and those strange eyes that seemed to see right through me.
"I'm Charles," he said, his deep voice unexpectedly gentle. "You can call me that. No need for 'Alpha' when it's just us."
My eyes widened at the casual invitation. Alphas usually demanded respect and formality.
He leafed through some files on his desk—my parents' records and what looked like my birth certificate. "So, Margaret Tudor," he continued, "you're seventeen?"
I nodded. "Yes."
"Almost eighteen," he noted with what seemed like particular interest. "An exciting time. You'll be able to find your fated mate soon."
I suppressed a bitter laugh. Right. As if anyone would want a freak like me. I'm practically human, just with slightly better senses.
"Are you in school?" he asked, still scanning my file.
I nodded again, unconsciously biting at my thumbnail—a nervous habit my mother constantly scolded me for.
"Final year of high school, I see." His tone shifted, becoming more authoritative. "You'll complete your education here, at Sunrise Peak Pack."
It wasn't a question.
"Does anyone actually like school?" I muttered before I could stop myself.
To my surprise, his lips quirked upward. "I did, actually. I'm surprised you don't, being the daughter of a Beta."
Yeah, school was great until they discovered I was a Wolf-less freak, I thought bitterly.
Charles set down my file. "Your parents explained why you left Gregory Pack. Something about a conflict with Alpha Gregory's daughter, Saskia? Your mother struck her."
I remained silent. Better to say nothing than risk exposing our lies. The real reason we'd left—my lack of a wolf—would likely get us kicked out all over again.
"Gregory," Charles practically spat the name, "should be put down." The hatred in his voice was palpable, revealing generations of animosity between our Packs.
Suddenly Charles stood, and I jumped reflexively, backing up a step. "Come here," he said, extending his hand.
My heart hammered against my ribs. This was it—the blood oath ceremony my parents had warned me about. Swallowing hard, I placed my trembling hand in his.
A strange tingling sensation prickled my palm. I yanked my hand away, startled.
"Static, perhaps," Charles murmured, recapturing my hand with a mysterious smile playing at his lips.
The tingling didn't stop. I looked up at him, realizing just how massive he was. I barely reached the middle of his chest, and he was all hard muscle beneath his expensive shirt. He smelled intoxicating—like a forest after rainfall.
Without warning, Charles bit into his own wrist. Blood welled from the wound, and he extended it toward me.
I noticed two glass cups on his desk stained with blood. He expects me to drink directly from his wrist?
"Time is short, little one," he urged, pulling me closer. His arm snaked around my waist, drawing me against him as he brought his wrist to my lips. "Drink."
I did as commanded, surprised to find his blood didn't taste awful. It was almost sweet. When he withdrew his wrist, his arm remained firmly around my waist.
"Now you must swear allegiance," he instructed, his breath warm against my ear.
I hesitated. "I, Margaret Tudor, swear allegiance and my life to..." I faltered, realizing I didn't know his last name.
I turned my head to look at him, finding his face mere inches from mine. Our eyes locked, and for a moment, I forgot everything else.
"Howard," he whispered, his lips nearly brushing mine.
"I, Margaret Tudor, swear allegiance and my life to Alpha Charles Howard of the Sunrise Peak Pack," I finished, my voice barely audible.
The moment the words left my mouth, excruciating pain exploded in my head. I would have collapsed if not for Charles's arm around me. Every voice I'd ever heard in the Gregory Pack link flooded my mind, every interaction replaying at once. I screamed, clutching my head as the agony intensified.
Then, like a rubber band snapping, it stopped. The connection to my old Pack severed completely.
You're alright. It's over now. Charles's voice echoed in my mind through our new Pack link.
I became acutely aware of his arms around me, supporting me just below my chest. Heat rushed to my face as I realized I was pressed against him. Why am I blushing over the Alpha? This is ridiculous.
The door burst open as my parents rushed in. Dad immediately came to my side. "See, Muffin? Not so bad, right?"
I rolled my eyes, pulling away from Charles's embrace. "I'm fine, Dad," I insisted, mortified by their hovering.
"You'll stay in the Pack house tonight," Charles announced. "Tomorrow, I'll show you to your new home." He looked curiously at my father. "Though I'm still wondering why you requested to live so far from the Pack center."
Mom jumped in. "Margaret doesn't do well with others. She prefers solitude."
Charles raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?" He turned to me, waiting for an explanation.
"I just like being alone," I said simply, unwilling to elaborate on my secret.
"I've arranged for you to start school on Monday," Charles continued. "You can skip tomorrow's Pack run. We'll meet Monday morning to discuss your positions within the Pack."
"Pack run?" I asked before Mom jabbed me with her elbow.
Charles's eyes narrowed slightly. "Is there a problem?"
"No problem at all," Dad interjected smoothly. "We're just tired from the journey."
Charles nodded, turning to my mother. "Ophelia, I understand you're skilled in training. Would you be interested in working with our younger students?"
"I mostly train my daughter and the older she-wolves," Mom replied carefully. "But I'm open to new challenges."
"Perfect. We need additional help at the high school," Charles said. "That way, you can also keep an eye on Margaret."
Mom nodded gratefully, recognizing the opportunity to protect me.
"My Beta will show you to your quarters for tonight," Charles concluded, returning to his desk. Our audience was clearly over.