ALPHA HOUSE
Kael Nightfang's house stood at the center of the territory like a silent warning. The building was large, made of dark stone and thick timber, the kind of place that looked like it had survived storms and wars without moving an inch. Tall windows reflected the moonlight and the wooden door was carved with old pack symbols.
I hesitated before stepping inside.
The moment I crossed the doorway the air felt heavier. The inside smelled like cedar wood and something darker… Kael's scent. Smoke and iron.
The house was huge but strangely empty. A wide living room stretched before me. Dark leather couches sat around a stone fireplace that still glowed faintly with dying embers. The walls were decorated with wolf carvings and old battle trophies.
Nothing about the place felt welcoming.
Everything felt like him.
Cold. Controlled. Powerful.
Behind me the door shut with a quiet thud.
My heart jumped.
Kael walked past me slowly. Up close he looked even more intimidating than before. He was tall, easily a head above me, with broad shoulders that stretched the black shirt he wore. The shirt sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, revealing strong forearms marked with faint scars. His dark hair was slightly messy, falling over sharp eyes the color of storm clouds. He wore simple black pants and heavy boots.
An Alpha who clearly didn't care about looking fancy. He didn't need to.
Power followed him naturally.
"You will stay here."
His voice was calm but carried weight. It filled the room without effort.
I nodded quickly.
He turned and walked deeper into the house. I followed, unsure if I was even allowed to breathe too loudly.
The hallway was long and dimly lit by wall lamps. Dark wooden floors creaked quietly under our steps.
Kael suddenly stopped.
I almost walked into his back.
He turned slowly, his eyes locking onto mine.
And suddenly the pressure hit me.
It felt like invisible hands pushing down on my shoulders. My wolf whimpered inside me. My knees almost buckled.
Alpha dominance.
I gasped quietly.
Kael's voice dropped lower.
"Omega."
The word sounded almost like a test.
I tried to stand straight but my body betrayed me. My head lowered on instinct. My breathing became uneven.
"I asked you to follow," he said quietly.
"I did."
My voice came out shaky.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"You will look at me when I speak."
The pressure increased.
My legs trembled but I forced my head up.
Our eyes met.
The dominance faded slightly, but the tension remained.
Kael studied me like he was inspecting something fragile and useless.
"You are weaker than I expected."
The words hurt more than they should have.
I swallowed.
"I'm trying."
A long silence followed.
Then he turned away.
"This is your room."
He pushed open a door.
ARIELLA'S ROOM
The room was smaller than the main area but still neat. A single bed rested against the wall covered with dark gray sheets. A wooden dresser stood beside it. There was a narrow window that showed the forest outside.
Simple.
Clean.
Not warm, but not cruel either.
I stepped inside slowly.
"You will stay here," Kael said from the doorway.
"I won't cause problems," I said quickly.
Another silence.
Then he spoke again.
"You already are."
That was when the tears came.
I didn't mean for them to.
But everything that had happened tonight crashed over me at once. The ceremony. The whispers. The bond. The way everyone looked at me like I was a mistake.
I turned away quickly, wiping my face.
"I'm sorry."
My voice cracked.
"I didn't ask for this."
I hated how small I sounded.
Behind me I heard Kael move.
For a moment I expected another cold remark.
Instead something soft landed on the bed beside me.
I turned.
A white handkerchief lay on the sheets.
Clean. Folded.
Kael was already walking away.
He didn't look back.
"I expect silence after midnight," he said flatly.
Then he disappeared down the hallway.
I stared at the handkerchief for a long moment.
The Alpha who just crushed me with his dominance had… handed me something to wipe my tears.
It made no sense.
OUTSIDE THE HOUSE
I couldn't stay inside that room.
The walls felt too close.
So I stepped outside quietly.
The cold night air hit my face and cleared my head a little. The moon hung high above the forest and the pack territory was calm.
I walked slowly toward the path near the pack houses.
That was when I heard voices.
I froze.
BEHIND THE PACK HOUSE
The voices belonged to two people standing near the back steps.
The first was Lysa.
My chest tightened immediately.
She stood under the lantern light wearing a simple cream sweater and dark pants. Her long black hair was tied loosely behind her head and her dark eyes looked worried.
Beside her stood a tall man I had only seen a few times.
Rohan.
Rohan was broad shouldered with bronze skin and sharp features. His dark brown hair was short and neat. He wore a gray jacket over a dark shirt and dark jeans. The beta mark was visible on the leather band around his wrist.
Lysa's mate.
His voice was low and serious.
"Lysa… you shouldn't stay close to her."
My stomach dropped.
"What?" Lysa frowned.
"You know how the pack sees omegas," Rohan continued. "Now she's the Alpha's mate. That makes things dangerous."
Lysa crossed her arms.
"Ariella is my friend."
Rohan sighed.
"I'm serious. If something goes wrong, people will blame her. And anyone standing beside her."
Lysa looked frustrated.
"She has no one."
"Exactly," Rohan replied. "And you being near her could make you a target too."
Silence followed.
The words cut deeper than I expected.
I stepped back quietly before they could see me.
My chest felt tight again.
Even Lysa might have to keep her distance now.
I walked slowly back toward the Alpha's house.
The handkerchief was still clutched in my hand.
The strange thing was… the only person who had shown me even the smallest bit of kindness tonight was the man everyone feared.
Alpha Kael Nightfang.
And I had no idea if that made my situation better… or far worse.
One thought echoed in my mind as I walked back inside.
Did I really have anyone on my side anymore.