Chapter 2

Reene

I inhaled deeply, and leaned on the backrest. My hands, curled into fists were on my lap. I had just been discharged from the hospital, and my parents were driving me back home.

"What would you like to eat, Reene? I told Cathy not to prepare anything yet, until we arrive." My mother turned towards me with a bright smile, as she asked.

Closing my eyes, I didn't give her a response immediately. And when my lips finally parted to speak, she hurriedly interrupted.

"Don't tell me you are having nothing.. You know how Cathy is." My mother added. Her words made me swallow the rest of my words.

She was right. Cathy was the oldest cook at the Alpha's castle. She was one of the Omega of the Redwood pack, my pack. And she doted on me a lot. Of course, if I refused to eat, she would throw a fit.

"Some spaghetti and soy sauce will do." I mumbled, and watched as my mother whipped out her cellphone. Probably to relay some orders to Cathy.

As our car drew nearer to our pack, I felt my palm getting sweaty. I gulped down nervously, trying to imagine what the pack members would think of me.

The pathetic Alpha's daughter who couldn't handle a little bit of rejection from her supposed mate, and had to throw herself off the cliff.

Maybe theirs was better. The fact that I was going to see Gabe again scared the hell outta me.

"Breathe, Reene." My mother placed a soft hand on mine, and smiled at me. I ignored my thoughts as I watched her toss her head to the side. She hadn't met my gaze since we left the hospital.

I cleared my throat, and turned towards the man at the driver's seat. My father, Dennison Hogan, Alpha of the Redwood pack. Although he hadn't spoken a word since we left the hospital, I knew what awaited me once we arrived.

Hours of counselling, and kind conversations. Conversations which I definitely didn't need. Hell, the ones I wouldn't need at all.

My thoughts were interrupted by the sudden jerk of our car. My body tumbled forward, and quickly gaining hold of myself, I grabbed the front seat.

"What was that, Dennis?" My mother, Wendy questioned with widened eyes.

"Potholes. Sorry." My father mumbled.

"Are you fine?" My mother turned towards me with worried eyes.

"I'm good." I nodded, and looked away from her blue eyes. Eyes which were different from mine.

For whatever reason, I hadn't inherited my parents eyes at all. I had deep blue and almost oceanic eyes. Paired with my white hair, I had almost turned to the outcast of the pack.

But my parents had declared that it was normal. And I had bought it. I was normal like everyone else at the pack.

"We are here." My father announced, as he steered the car to the parking lot at the side of the Alpha's mansion.

I raised my head, and looked through the window. Yes, we had arrived.

...

I laid, huddled at the corner of my queen-sized bed, my back leaning comfortably on the headboard.

The door however, chose to open at that moment, interrupting the little serenity I was basking in.

"Hey sweetheart," Cathy smiled as she walked in. She bowed and straightening, she spoke with glittering eyes. A sharp contrast to my dull ones.

She hadn't spoken about my fall ever since we arrived, opting instead to serve the dishes she had prepared.

A gesture which I definitely appreciated.

"The Alpha requests your presence downstairs." She said, and lowering her voice, she added,

"He is with someone else." She shuddered.

That made me sit up. "Someone else? Who is it?" I drawled.

"I heard him say, the Alpha of the Krypton pack." She replied. She bowed again and left the room. Her hurry was great, that she almost tripped.

I scrambled off bed. What was he doing here? Our pack wasn't big enough, so what was the Alpha of the most powerful pack doing at our pack house?

Without thinking, I rushed out of my room, and hurried downstairs.

"Dad," I bowed as I rushed into the throne room, and turning to the man who was seated nonchalantly on the seat beside my father, my breath hitched.

He was putting on a silver mask, however that did little or nothing to mask the beauty of his eyes. Damn, even his hair was a beauty to behold.

I didn't bother sitting, as I studied the specimen at my front. Rumors had it that Alpha Kaden was a ruthless and ugly Alpha who had a weak woman as his mate.

But then, even without seeing his full facial features, I could tell that the rumors were hundred percent lies.

"Are you done staring, princess?" A husky voice interrupted my thoughts. I gulped embarrassedly and turned my face away.

"Reene, I wanted you to be here, since you are the next Alpha. You need to know how negotiations work." My father spoke with a smile.

Lies. I knew what my father was trying to do of course. I had just lost a potential mate, and it was only fair to get another one. Especially if the latter was someone powerful. Very much powerful than our pack.

"Y....yes," I nodded not trusting myself to speak.

I bowed politely to the man, and nervously took a seat opposite theirs.

"I wouldn't want to beat around the bush, Alpha Dennison. You know very well that I'm not here on a peace mission." Alpha Kaden began, watching my father with cold eyes.

Although the stare wasn't directed at me, I flinched.

My father winched visibly. "Alpha Kaden, I can very well assure you that the one who shot one of your men did it out of defense. He's currently apprehended." My father beseeched in a soft tone.

"And I don't care. What about you give me something else worth my time?" Alpha Kaden spat coldly.

I hugged myself, as I felt the temperature in the hall drop down a few degrees.

"And what is that?" I could tell my father was nervous as he spoke.

Alpha Kaden slowly turned towards me,

"I want her."

And I literally felt my heart stop functioning.

What in holy goddess's name?!