Chapter 8

• Rhys
• She looked like she was plucked out of my dreams. She looked more healthy and beautiful than she looked that night. Those green eyes shone bright. There was insanity in them instead, I saw confusion.
• Her blonde hair was let down and called me to run my hands through its lusciousness. The gown she put on was short and very flattering for her exquisite figure.
• That's why it had to be a dream. I was so exhausted that she'd left my brain and was now appearing to me. But apparitions didn't stagger and fall on your bed.
• “What the fuck are you doing here?” I repeated.
• Her eyes widened and she gripped the bed behind her.
• “You….” She stuttered.
• All the bravado she had that night was nowhere to be found. She didn't have that spark that she had that night. She looked terrified and weak.
• It suddenly dawned on me. “You were stalking me?!”
• “What are you doing here?” She accused, pointing at me and getting to her feet.
• My wolf wasn't as surprised as I felt. It was excited to see her and that triggered me even more.
• “Are you insane? Did you follow me here? Aren't you supposed to be dead?”
• I vaguely remembered Devon telling me that she was no longer with us. I thought that she was dead. But then, he also mentioned that she hadn't gone rogue and that she was manifesting all the anger she'd suppressed. That sneaky bastard.
• I set her family's house on fire with them inside because I wanted to avenge her and she was alive and in my room? What the hell?
• Wait, was she one of those thieves? Was that it? Because now that I think of it, she came to me. What in hell was happening?
• I just realized that part of the anger that wrecked through me throughout the night was because I thought she died. I thought she had been wrongfully treated. I had been mourning both her and Devon.
• Like he always did, Devon tricked me. It hurt that I couldn't go back to argue with him about it.
• “Do you know where you are?” She asked, “You're trespassing. Are you here to complete what you started last night? Are you here to kill me? I'm not a rogue.”
• I only heard the first two sentences. It was so ridiculous and annoying.
• “Trespassing in my own home? This is my fucking room. If there's anyone trespassing here, it's you.” My voice boomed.
• She visibly shrunk away. Looking like I'd somehow transformed into a demon or her worst nightmare. Her fear annoyed me. This was not the woman I was with last night. She looked a lot better, but she looked too frail. I disliked women like this. Women who needed to be handled with care.
• I didn't want to pamper anybody's feelings. I didn't have that time. I only wanted to satisfy my needs and the women I associated with understood this well.
• I could bet everything I had that this woman didn't follow me, much less sneak into my territory. It was an impossible feat for even the strongest or smartest werewolves. How then was she here?
• She took several breaths and stepped away from my line of vision. I followed her movement. My wolf loved her scent, it was obsessed with it.
• “What's your name?” I grumbled, “What exactly are you doing here?”
• “You don't know?” She murmured.
• “Tell me your name before I lose my mind!” I barked.
• “Dawn!” She gritted out. “My name is Dawn Griffin and this is supposed to be my husband's room.”
• My blood turned cold. Memories of our night together resurfaced. She mentioned something about being sold off into marriage. Like clockwork, I remembered Marcus's last threat. He'd asked me to begin dating someone before he did something drastic and got me a wife. I dared him to try it and he did?
• I ran my hand through my hair, then noticed that she was watching me with something I didn't understand.
• I looked at my hands which were smeared in blood then looked at her.
• “I don't know what the fuck you're talking about.” I barked, “Get out.”
• She looked like she was about to argue but changed her mind immediately and scurried past me.
• I didn't understand why seeing fear flash in her eyes unsettled me. Normally, I relished in the fear of others but hers just made me uncomfortable. Maybe it has something to do with knowing her past.
• “Stop,” I commanded.
• She didn't listen. She ignored me and dashed to the door. In quick strides, I grabbed her arm and pulled her into my arm.
• My wolf purred excitedly. It wanted me to take a sniff of her neck. Her eyes were so wide that I feared that it would tear.
• Why the fuck was she so afraid?
• “I don't have a fucking wife.” I declared. She looked away, shrinking even further.
• “But you're going to sit down and wait for me to clean up. We'll find Marcus and figure this out.”
• As soon as I let her go, she subtly released a breath and planted herself on the chair.
• I hated that she was quiet. That night she talked back to me without a single care in the world.
• Her dress was ruined now, but she clutched its edges, her knuckles turning white. I raised an arm and she turned like she was expecting a hit.
• All my anger crashed and burned. She'd been fucking abused. I stormed into the bathroom with trembling arms.
• Who the hell was this woman and how did she end up here?
• When I finished, she was still sitting there. The fear had dissipated, but she looked like she wanted to be anywhere but there.
• Kaden! I barked in my head. Then motioned for her to follow me.
• Kaden met us downstairs, he was unusually more happy than his annoying self.
• “What the hell?” He screamed when he saw her blood-stained clothes. She looked like she'd wrestled with a ghost and lost.
• As soon as she saw Kaden, she visibly relaxed and that further aggravated me.
• “What the fuck is this?” I gestured to her.
• “Did you try to kill her? Jeez man! Sometimes try to help us debunk the rumors spreading about you. Who tries to kill their wife the first time they meet?”
• “Where's Marcus,” I said ignoring him.
• He ignored me and held her hand in an assuring manner.
• A growl rumbled in my belly. I didn't want anyone around her, not until this madness was sorted out.
• Lex, who arrived a few minutes after Kaden, ventured, “He didn't come home. We have no idea where he is.”
• I grabbed her hand and dragged her away from Kaden then ruffled my hair.
• “Because he knew I'd rip his head off,” I grumbled.
• Once she was far enough from Kaden I let her go.
• “Find Marcus. I need her off Golden Crest before the day ends.” I instructed Lex, who willingly nodded.
• “UHM. That's not possible.” Kaden cut in with a knowing smirk.
• “The council is aware of her arrival. The council has also claimed that the Marriage certificate between you two is valid. The council is watching. Last night they passed a verdict that if she isn't able to stay for at least 3 months, they'll declare you unfit as Alpha.”
• “What?” I reeled.
• Kaden shrugged, “I tried to tell you yesterday and you cut me off.”
• “Are they insane? Does this Omega look fit to lead anyone?” I hissed. “Find my uncle before I do so myself.”
• Kaden frowned, “That would be a waste of resources.” He said,
• “Do any of you even listen to me? She needs to get out of here now. Who gave her permission into my lair?”
• “You know she's standing right here right?” Kaden cut in.
• “Did I whisper?” I growled and turned to her, “ You don't belong here. You're leaving!”
• Her expression was unreadable.
• “Get Marcus and solve this shit. He can be married to her for all I care. And tell the council not to get on my nerves.”
• Kaden shook his head in disappointment. “This is not how to treat someone you just met Alpha.”
• “Oh cut the bullshit. We've met before.” I hissed.
• The room became silent. Kaden and Lex exchanged looks. I immediately regretted letting it slip.
• “Look.” I said, “It doesn't matter what happened or what didn't. Find a way to solve this shit. I have bigger things to worry about.”
• “Stop acting like I'm desperate to be by your side.” She said suddenly.
• My wolf purred at the sound of her voice. It was simply regal and sexy.
• We all turned to her.
• “I wouldn't be here if not for you or whatever games you and your uncle are playing. You may not realize it but it's my life that y'all are playing with. I'm a real person. I have emotions. I had goals. I was dragged into this without my consent. So stop making it look like I want to be here. Call for an Annulment and set me free.” She said, her voice betraying no emotion.
• “Who are you talking to like that?” I hissed.
• She glared at me, “I heard rumors about you and you definitely didn't disappoint. I've been with assholes worse than you. I've had worse things said to my face. I didn't even want to be here. I was sold for crying out loud. Don't bark at me. Get somebody else to do that rubbish too. I told you clearly that night that I was done with people stepping over me.”
• A fire ignited in her eyes. It reminded me of that night. I ached to shut her up with a kiss.
• “Tell me when you've made your decision. I'd like to be out of here before night falls.” She finished and stormed back in the direction of my Liar.
• I was stupefied. She'd been quiet all this while. But there was clarity and authority in the way she spoke. No one had ever dared to speak to me like that.
• Kaden was smiling while Lex looked stupefied.
• “Where the hell do you think you're going,” I called after her.
• She stopped and twirled around. “To get these bloody clothes off and find my way out of here like you said, smartass.”
• I was mildly surprised.
• “Alpha,” Lex said, the seriousness in his voice sent a chill down my spine. “There's something you should know.”
• “What?” I growled
• “Marcus just informed me that the Crest of the Alpha Prime disappeared soon after the Alpha Prime died.
• I shrugged. That wasn't new information to me and it didn't concern what was happening here.
• “You don't get what it means right?” Kaden said seriously, “There will be a bloody tussle in Creekside for the position of Alpha. Other Alphas will wait until whoever it is is crowned to confirm the Crest is truly gone from Creekside before they begin to hunt for it.”
• “How does that concern any of us?” I mumbled.
• “The world is about to change from what we know. Lone wolves are treated like abominations and killed because they are normally the bearers of the Crest. Do you think it's safe to cut her loose now?”
• I furrowed my brows, hating how right he was.
• “Plus, Kaden wasn't joking about the council's decree.” Lex added, “If both of you don't honor your marriage for at least 3 months, you'll be relegated and Marcus will become the Regent Alpha, and under his rule, she'll be put to death immediately.”
• I sucked in a sharp breath. At the same time, she collapsed on the wall closest to her. I didn't even know that she was still with us.
• “So what will it be Alpha? Will you lose your position and will she lose her life?”
• I ground my teeth together not believing that Marcus managed to upstage me.
• I took a brief look at her. Her name rang in my head. Dawn. I've never heard a more beautiful or suitable name.
• “What happens if Marcus dies?” I questioned, staring into her eyes.
• Kaden scoffed, “Are you willing to kill your uncle?”
• “I will not suffer alone” I gritted out. “I'm making a new decree, for the next three months, Marcus Hallowvern will live in no other place than the pack house. He'll act as the guardian and chaperone of whatever this is. And if it doesn't work out after 3 months expires, he loses his position at the council and so does everyone who agreed to this rubbish.”
• “Touche,” Kaden smiled.
• “And you.” I pointed to her, “Don't get it in your head that we can ever be anything. I don't need anyone. I don't ever want to set my eyes on you again. Stay away from me at all costs and I am certain that after 3 months we'll part ways and you can finally be free.”
• She didn’t look fazed by my declaration. “Thank you.” She said before shuffling away.
• I turned back to Lex and Kaden. “Fortify the borders and as for her, find something to engage her in. Whatever she chooses should be the least stressful. Treat her like she's really mine. I don't want to be bothered by her for even a second. It's better if I never set my eyes on her throughout this time.”
• I watched her retreating figure.
• “She has been through enough already. Treat her like a fucking princess but keep her out of my sight.”