Chapter 6 Morning Chaos

I nearly jumped out of my skin when I heard Mom's voice. Lucas must have locked the door last night without telling me. Thank the Moon Goddess he did—if Mom had found me in bed with my stepbrother, she would've killed me.

"Ember! Open this door right now!" The panic in her voice was unmistakable.

Mom was freaking out because I always slept with her—hell, even locking the bathroom door was my biggest fear. Her pounding grew more frantic with each second.

Lucas's eyes snapped open, brilliant blue and momentarily confused before registering the situation. He glanced at our compromising position—his hand still on my breast, his hardness pressed against my back—and cursed under his breath.

"Fuck, it's your mom," he whispered, quickly releasing me and rolling off the bed. He darted toward the bathroom, his muscular back disappearing behind the door just as Mom called out again.

"I swear to the Moon Goddess, if you don't open this door right now—"

I hurriedly straightened my sleep shirt and ran my fingers through my tangled silver-blonde hair before rushing to the door. My heart hammered against my ribs as I turned the lock and pulled it open, trying to look sleepy instead of terrified.

"Are you alright?" she asked anxiously, rushing past me to scan my room with suspicious eyes.

"I'm fine."

"Why did you lock your door? You never lock doors." Her voice was sharp with concern, eyes narrowing as she noticed the rumpled bed.

"I was scared he would come for me," I explained, referencing my nightmare. It wasn't entirely a lie.

I'd turned 18 and found a mate after skipping my medicine. That hadn't ended well—my supposed mate had humiliated me for fun. There was no one who would save me from the nightmare figure who was coming to get me now, not even the mate I'd secretly hoped would protect me.

Mom's expression softened slightly. "Don't worry, no one would dare cross these young Alpha Kings." Then her face hardened again as she checked the bathroom door, still closed. "But remember, don't let them touch you."

"Now forget about all this and take a shower. Wear this blue dress. Make sure you're at the door when we leave." Mom gestured at a maid who brought in a sleek blue dress that would hug my curves perfectly.

"You're leaving already?" I was surprised at how early in the morning they were leaving. I haven't even gotten used to this new home and these new relationships.

"I know how hard it is for you, but please understand my situation too." Mom paused when Lord Blackwood walked into the room, his tall figure commanding immediate attention. "I wish I could stay longer, but I cannot let my mate go alone on these work trips. He needs his mate beside him." Her tone changed completely when she noticed him smile at her, becoming softer, more submissive.

I understood immediately. She wanted him to get addicted to her so it would be impossible for him to imagine living even a second without her. This was her survival strategy—make herself indispensable to the powerful Alpha.

"We'll be waiting for you downstairs," Lord Blackwood said, wrapping his arm around my mother's waist before leading her out of my room.

After they left, Lucas emerged from the bathroom. He looked over at me and then let out a scoff. His attitude puzzled me. He'd been nice enough to help me sleep last night, so why was he acting so arrogant now?

"Thanks for helping me last night," I said softly, fidgeting with the hem of my sleep shirt. "I... I've never been able to sleep alone."

His eyes flickered momentarily, something softer passing across his features before vanishing. It was as if he wore two faces—the gentle boy who had comforted me in the night, and this cocky Alpha standing before me now.

"No, thank you," he replied with a meaningful chuckle, his eyes boldly roaming over my body before he walked out.

That look sent shivers down my spine. What exactly was he thanking me for?

Still, I was relieved that at least one of my stepbrothers seemed willing to be nice to me, even if his mood seemed to shift like quicksand.

After he left, I took a quick shower and slipped into the dress Mom had chosen. It was nice to have new clothes for a change.

I rushed downstairs to find my mother and Lord Blackwood ready to leave.

In the foyer, Lord Blackwood was distributing responsibilities to his sons.

"Take care of business and your brothers," he said, hugging Alexander and putting the responsibility of his siblings on his shoulders. "And also of your little sister." He smiled my way, but Alexander let out a sigh and rolled his eyes, once again ignoring my existence.

"Dominic, help Ember train to become stronger."

"Her muscles and fat are already in all the right places," Lucas commented under his breath, his eyes sweeping over my body. Heat crept up my neck as I pretended not to hear.

"Lucas and Ethan, you two will protect her at Northwest Bay High. Make those bullies understand she's part of our family now." He had no idea Ethan was already planning to make my stay at school miserable.

After speaking to his sons, he turned to me with a reassuring smile. "Your brothers will take good care of you." He looked satisfied as he prepared to leave me behind with these tall, broad, and powerful Alpha King brothers.

Mom pulled me into a tight hug, her lips close to my ear. "Take your medication on time, no matter what," she whispered urgently. "Call me if you miss me, and if anything feels wrong—anything at all—tell me immediately."

The intensity in her eyes conveyed a deeper fear I couldn't quite understand. She clutched my hands as if she might never see me again, then finally let go when Lord Blackwood gently tugged her toward the door.

Alexander drove them to the airport, his tall figure disappearing into the luxury car. Ethan rushed off to meet his friends, giving me a mysterious smile before leaving. Dominic headed to the family gym, his expression serious and focused. Lucas seemed to be the only one staying home, lounging lazily against the stair railing.

The mansion was enormous, with multiple gardens and areas I hadn't explored yet. But I didn't plan to do anything until I took my medicine.

Without wasting time, I ran upstairs to look for my orange pill bottle and, to my surprise, I couldn't fucking find it anywhere.