Days seemed to pass more quickly as I gazed out that vast window. Occasionally, I could still feel the full extent of the torment I endured at the hands of Zedekiah, and when night fell, I feared sleep.
A loose board lay in the hallway; whenever anyone stepped on it, I could hear it creak, signaling someone's approach to my room. Instinctively, I darted behind the headboard of the bed, just as I had done repeatedly over the past weeks.
"She's not eating, and I'm sure she hasn't been sleeping... You need to do something, Emir," a woman's voice echoed down the hallway as footsteps halted outside my door. My body trembled with fear as I watched the doorknob turn, and before I could think, I was screaming from my hiding spot as the door swung open.
Hurried footsteps filled the room, and I saw the bed hurled to the other side of the room, with Emir standing still, his ice-blue eyes scanning the area for any sign of danger.
"You fool! Doing something doesn't mean destroying the room!" the elderly woman's voice drew my attention as she entered, distributing slaps along Emir's arm while he simply cowered in fear.
"Stop it, Mildred, she was screaming, and my wolf was worried... Ouch!" I heard him justify before a punch landed squarely in his midsection.
"Kyle! Take him out of here before he gets hit more!" she finally said, and the figure of the man who had opened the door of my confinement appeared, seeming to chuckle as he dragged Emir by the arm.
"I... I didn't mean to cause trouble, I was just scared..." My voice was barely audible, and soon I saw Mildred's expression soften as she extended her arms toward me. Mildred was the only person who entered my room, and in some way, I formed a bond with her and was thrown into panic at the sight of Emir barging in.
I ran to her arms, taking deep breaths before surveying the state of the room.
"You need to eat... and rest." Mildred tried to sound a bit stern, but she must have seen something in my eyes that made her sigh. Again, the alpha appeared in the doorway, this time knocking on the wood to announce his presence, and I exhaled in relief.
He scratched the back of his neck awkwardly, observing the disarray he'd left in my room.
"She will eat with us in the dining room," Emir stated so firmly that I felt a shiver go through my body again.
I was essentially dragged downstairs to the sound of children playing; they ran carefree throughout the alpha's home. Emir Balan, the alpha, simply smiled, seemingly unaware of my astonished gaze. Were all these children his pups?
The slight scraping of a chair on the floor left me on edge as I scanned every available corner of the house for possible hiding spots.
"Look, she's beautiful..." A little girl carrying a rag doll stopped in the doorway, pointing at me, her green eyes fixed on mine, her smile so spontaneous and innocent.
"Addy! What did I tell you about pointing?" Mildred appeared, and the girl apologized before running off again.
"And why did you hit him? I didn't know you could treat an alpha like that..." It seemed I was thinking out loud, as Mildred looked at me amusingly, and Emir, now entering with a boy in his arms, stopped to watch.
"Well, I've been wiping that brat's behind since he was born, so I'd say it's a privilege to smack him from time to time," Mildred retorted before disappearing into the kitchen, leaving me alone with Emir, which caused my heart rate to spike and my lips to dry.
I nervously looked toward the kitchen door, hoping for her return, praying to the gods it wouldn't take long. I felt uncomfortable; in three weeks, that room had become my sanctuary and comfort zone. Now, in the middle of the dining room, I was outside of it, struggling to cope.
"Be useful and get the little ones to wash their hands! Hurry up." Mildred reemerged from the kitchen, directing orders at Emir who rose grumpily to gather the other children who were running about. I noticed they all obeyed without question at the call of the alpha.
"Kyle, set the table, and make it quick," Mildred stopped beside me, placing a hand on my shoulder, and I breathed a sigh of relief.
"That's a job for omegas..." Kyle grumbled.
"Listen to your mother," Mildred was firmer this time. So she was his mother, that explained the resemblance.
The table was set, and the children returned, now quietened and ready to take their places. Mildred guided me to a chair, although I was certain I didn't want to be there and was sure I wouldn't eat a thing.
"Let's say our prayers," Mildred clapped her hands, as the children found their seats, all joining hands with each other. Emir took his place at the head of the table; in total, we were ten.
"Dear goddess, thank you for today's nourishment. Keep us safe, watch over our alpha so he may always protect us, and forgive those who didn't want us as their pups..." Little Addy prayed, and in that moment, I studied all the children there, realizing they were all orphans living under the same roof as the alpha.
***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***
Updated 75 Episodes
Download
Like this story? Download the app to keep your reading history.
Comments