Chapter 4

Olivia's POV

I couldn't sleep.

It was already past one in the morning, and no matter how many times I tossed on my bed or closed my eyes, I couldn't get the events of dinner out of my head. Especially Alpha Zach.

I kept remembering the way he'd slammed his fists against the dining table, leaving a large crack across its polished surface. But what frightened me the most was the way his eyes had changed from green to gray. I'd never witnessed anything like that before.

Of course, I knew Alphas were powerful. I'd grown up hearing stories about their strength and how dangerous they could become when their wolves took control. But hearing about something was entirely different from witnessing it. And Alpha Zach had looked terrifying.

Yet, despite how frightened I'd been, I couldn't forget that he'd lost his temper because Anita had threatened me. Why was he so determined to protect me? Was it really just because of the promise he'd made to my father?

I sighed and pulled the blanket over my head. “Goodness, Olivia. Stop thinking about that man!”

Unfortunately, telling myself to stop thinking about him wasn't helping. After another fifteen minutes of tossing and turning, I finally gave up and sat up. I was thirsty.

Carol had shown me the little bell I could ring whenever I needed something, but I didn't see why I should wake a servant in the middle of the night just because I wanted water. Besides, perhaps walking around for a few minutes would help clear my head.

I slipped out of bed and made my way downstairs. The mansion was unusually quiet. A few guards stood at different corners of the hallways, but none of them stopped me as I passed. By the time I reached the kitchen, I was already beginning to feel sleepy again.

I pushed open the door and immediately stopped.

Alpha Zach was sitting alone at the kitchen table. A bottle of whiskey stood beside him, and he held a half-filled glass in one hand. His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, and he appeared to have been staring into space before I interrupted him.

The moment he noticed me, he raised his head. Our eyes met, and I stopped breathing for a second.

Oh, Goddess. Of all the people I could have encountered at this hour, why did it have to be him?

For several seconds, neither of us spoke. Then his gaze briefly moved over me before returning to my face. I suddenly remembered that I was wearing my nightclothes. Wonderful.

“Why aren't you asleep?” he eventually asked.

His voice was calm, and to my relief, his eyes were green again.

“I couldn't sleep,” I admitted.

He raised an eyebrow.

“And I was thirsty,” I quickly added. “So I came downstairs to get some water.”

He nodded toward the doorway. “You could have rung the bell in your room. One of the servants would have brought you whatever you needed.”

“I know, but I didn't want to disturb anyone just because I needed water.”

He studied me for a moment. Then, without another word, he placed his glass on the table and stood. I watched him walk toward the refrigerator, retrieve a bottle of water, and take a clean glass from one of the cabinets.

“Here.”

He extended them toward me. I blinked. He'd actually gotten the water for me?

“Thank you,” I murmured, reaching for the bottle.

But the moment my fingers brushed against his, something strange happened. A sudden tingling sensation shot through my hand, and I gasped softly. It spread up my arm, sending an unfamiliar warmth through my body. It felt almost like electricity, except it didn't hurt. Instead, it was strangely pleasant.

My eyes widened as I looked up at him. Alpha Zach was staring at me, and for a brief moment, neither of us moved. His fingers remained against mine, and something flashed across his face. Surprise? Recognition? I couldn't tell, but I was almost certain he'd felt it too.

Then he abruptly released the bottle and stepped away. I blinked, wondering what on earth had just happened.

“It's late,” he suddenly said.

His voice sounded different now. Colder.

“You should return to your room and get some sleep. Tomorrow is going to be a long day.”

I stared at him. Seriously? One moment, he'd been perfectly calm, and the next, he was acting as though he couldn't wait for me to leave. Had I done something wrong?

“Alright,” I murmured.

He turned back toward the table.

“Good night, Alpha Zach.”

He paused. “Good night, Olivia.”

My stomach fluttered. Goodness. Why did hearing him say my name make me feel like that?

I quickly turned and hurried out of the kitchen before I could embarrass myself any further. By the time I reached my bedroom, my heart was still beating faster than usual.

I closed the door and leaned against it before looking down at my hand. I could still remember the strange sensation that had rushed through me when our fingers touched. Had he felt it too? The way he'd looked at me certainly suggested that something had happened. But if he'd felt the same thing, why hadn't he said anything?

I sighed. “Olivia, you're overthinking things.”

Perhaps it had simply been static electricity. Yes, that had to be it. At least, that was what I told myself as I climbed back into bed. Fortunately, exhaustion eventually overcame my thoughts, and I fell asleep.

The following morning, I woke to the sound of my bedroom door opening. At first, I assumed it was Carol coming to wake me for breakfast. But when I opened my eyes, I immediately realized something was wrong.

Lady Anita was standing near the doorway, and she wasn't alone. Two heavily built guards stood behind her.

I quickly sat up, pulling the blanket closer to my chest.

“What is going on?”

Anita didn't answer. Instead, she turned toward the guards.

“Search everywhere.”

I blinked. What?

The guards immediately began moving around my bedroom, opening drawers and inspecting the furniture. I threw the blanket aside and climbed out of bed.

“Excuse me! What do you think you're doing?”

Anita turned toward me. “My diamond ring has gone missing,” she announced coldly. “And you'd better pray to the Moon Goddess that I don't find it among your belongings.”

I stared at her. “Your diamond ring?”

“Yes! A very expensive one!”

“And what exactly does your missing ring have to do with me?”

She laughed mockingly. “Oh, please. Don't pretend to be innocent. People like you are always looking for opportunities to steal things that don't belong to them.”

My eyebrows shot up. “People like me? What exactly is that supposed to mean?”

“You know perfectly well what I mean.”

“No, I don't,” I snapped. “And I'd appreciate it if you explained why you've decided I'm a thief simply because you can't find your jewelry!”

Her expression darkened. “Watch your tone, little girl.”

“Then stop accusing me of something I haven't done!”

For a moment, she looked surprised that I'd answered her back. Then she turned toward the guards.

“Check the bed.”

I immediately stepped forward. “Excuse me! I haven't given anyone permission to search my belongings!”

“This is my mansion!” Anita snapped.

“And this is the room I was given! You can't just barge in here and start searching through my things because you've misplaced a ring!”

“Be quiet!”

“No, you be quiet!” I snapped before I could stop myself. “You've done nothing but insult and threaten me since I arrived. I've tolerated enough of your nonsense already!”

Anita's face twisted with anger. But before she could respond, one of the guards approached my bed and began lifting the pillows.

“Are you deaf?” I demanded. “I said you have no right to touch my things!”

He ignored me. Then something happened that made me freeze.

Beneath one of the pillows lay a beautiful diamond ring. For several seconds, I stared at it, unable to understand what I was seeing. How was that possible? I'd never seen that ring before in my life!

The guard picked it up.

“My lady, we found it.”

Anita's expression immediately changed. “You little thief!”

SLAP!

A sharp pain exploded across my cheek. My head jerked sideways, and I stumbled backward. For a moment, I couldn't even move. Had she seriously just slapped me?

Slowly, I turned toward her. “Did you just hit me?”

Anita lifted her chin. “And I'll do it again if you don't learn your place!”

I let out a bitter laugh, although my cheek was burning.

“You're unbelievable.”

“How dare you!”

“No, how dare YOU!” I shouted. “You walked into my bedroom without permission, accused me of stealing something I've never seen before, and now you think you can hit me?”

“The ring was found beneath your pillow!”

“And I'm telling you I didn't put it there!”

“Then how did it get there?”

“How am I supposed to know?” I demanded. “You're the one who came here looking for it! Perhaps you should explain how you knew exactly where to search!”

Something flickered across Anita's face. It lasted only a second before her eyes narrowed dangerously.

“Are you accusing me of something?”

“I'm saying that finding a ring beneath my pillow doesn't automatically make me a thief! Anyone could have entered this room while I was asleep!”

“Enough!”

“No, it isn't enough! You don't get to accuse me of stealing and expect me to stand here quietly while you insult me!”

Anita turned sharply toward the guards.

“Take her.”

I stared at her. “Take me where?”

Neither guard answered. They simply approached me.

“Don't you dare touch me,” I warned, stepping backward.

One of them reached for my arm, and I immediately pulled away.

“I said don't touch me!”

The second guard moved behind me. Before I could avoid him, he grabbed my other arm.

“Let go!” I shouted, struggling against their grip. “I can walk perfectly well without two grown men dragging me around!”

They ignored me. Anita walked ahead of us while the guards pulled me toward the door. I dug my heels into the floor, trying to resist them.

“Where exactly are you taking me?” I demanded. “And does Alpha Zach know you're doing this?”

Anita stopped. “Don't you dare mention his name!”

“Why not?” I challenged. “He's the Alpha of this pack, isn't he? Or are you only comfortable treating people this way when he isn't around?”

Her face reddened. “Shut her mouth!”

The guards tightened their grip and dragged me into the hallway. Several servants stopped what they were doing to stare.

“Someone should inform Alpha Zach!” I shouted. “Tell him his guards are dragging me out of my bedroom over a ring I didn't steal!”

Nobody moved. Some servants quickly lowered their heads when Anita glanced in their direction, and my heart sank. Was everyone in this mansion afraid of her?

Instead of taking me downstairs, the guards led me upward. We climbed another flight of stairs before reaching a door that opened onto the rooftop.

The moment they pushed it open, bright morning sunlight struck my face. I blinked against the glare. The rooftop was enormous, with a wide-open area surrounded by a protective stone railing. From where I stood, I could see parts of the mansion grounds far below.

Anita turned toward me, her expression filled with satisfaction.

“You're a thief,” she declared coldly. “And since you clearly don't understand how things work in this mansion, I'm going to teach you a lesson.”

I shook my head angrily. “I didn't steal your ring! I swear to the Moon Goddess, I didn't!”

SLAP!

Another painful slap landed across my face. I cried out, stumbling sideways as tears immediately filled my eyes.

“Don't you dare raise your voice at me!” Anita hissed.

I pressed a trembling hand against my burning cheek. What kind of woman was this? How could she hate someone she'd barely met so much?

“Make her kneel,” Anita ordered.

My eyes widened. “What?”

“She will remain on her knees until Timothy's funeral begins this afternoon.”

I stared at her in horror. “No!” I protested. “I'm not kneeling! I haven't done anything wrong!”

“Do as I say.”

“I said I didn't steal your ring!”

Anita gave the guards a small nod. Before I could move, both men grabbed me again.

“Let go of me!” I screamed.

One pressed down on my shoulder while the other held my arm. I struggled desperately, but they were too strong. Within seconds, my knees struck the hard rooftop floor, sending pain shooting through my legs.

“Stop it!” I cried. “You're hurting me!”

Neither guard released me. Anita watched with a satisfied smile.

“That's better.”

I glared at her through my tears. “You can't do this to me!”

“Oh, really?”

She bent slightly, bringing her face closer to mine.

“Listen carefully, little girl. If you refuse to remain on your knees, I'll have one of these guards throw you off this rooftop.”

My entire body went cold. I stared at her, struggling to believe what I'd just heard. Had she seriously just threatened to kill me?

“You wouldn't,” I whispered.

Anita smiled. “Wouldn't I?”

Something about the certainty in her voice terrified me. I suddenly remembered what she'd told me yesterday, that my father had kept me away because he knew what she was capable of doing. At the time, I'd thought she was only trying to frighten me. But now, I wasn't so sure.

Goddess. What if she was serious?

“I didn't steal your ring,” I whispered, struggling to keep my voice steady.

Anita straightened. “Then explain how it ended up beneath your pillow.”

“I don't know!” I cried. “I honestly don't know!”

She scoffed. “Pathetic.”

Then she turned toward the guards. “Make sure she stays exactly where she is until I tell you otherwise. If she tries to stand, force her back down.”

“Yes, Luna,” they answered.

With one final look of disgust, Anita turned and walked away. I watched her disappear through the rooftop door, and the tears I'd been struggling to hold back finally spilled down my cheeks.

I couldn't believe this was happening. Yesterday, I'd been in London, living peacefully with my mother. Now, I was kneeling on a rooftop in a strange mansion, being punished for something I hadn't done.

The guards eventually loosened their grip, but they remained nearby. I tried shifting my knees to ease the pain, but it didn't help. The hard floor was already hurting me, and the morning sun was growing hotter.

I lowered my head. Why had I come here? Why hadn't I simply refused when Aunt Cecilia insisted that I travel to the pack?

I wished I could go back to London. I wished I could climb into my own bed and pretend none of this had happened. Most of all, I wished Mother were here.

I didn't know how long I'd been kneeling when my thoughts drifted toward Alpha Zach. Where was he? Had anyone told him what was happening? And if he knew about the missing ring, would he believe me?

My heart sank. After all, he barely knew me. Why would he believe my word over that of a woman who had lived in this mansion for years?

Still, I couldn't forget how he'd defended me at dinner. Would he be angry if he discovered what Anita had done? Or would he simply assume I was guilty?

I wiped my cheeks with the back of my hand. Then, suddenly, a strange awareness washed over me. It was almost as though someone familiar had entered the rooftop.

I slowly lifted my head as hurried footsteps sounded behind me. When I turned, my heart nearly stopped.

Alpha Zach stood near the rooftop entrance.

His expression was terrifying. His eyes moved from my tear-stained face to my burning cheeks, then down to my knees pressed against the hard floor.

For a moment, he didn't move. He simply stared. Then his gaze shifted toward the two guards, his jaw clenched, and his hands curled into fists. Those beautiful green eyes began changing into that frightening shade of gray.

“HOW DARE YOU!” he roared.

Before either guard could react, Alpha Zach lunged toward the one closest to me. Everything happened so quickly that I barely understood what was going on.

One moment, the guard was standing beside me. The next, Alpha Zach had grabbed him by the throat and lifted him off the ground.

I gasped. Sharp claws extended from Zach's fingers, digging into the guard's neck. Blood trickled down the man's collar as he struggled desperately.

Then I saw something that made my entire body freeze.

Sharp fangs were protruding from Alpha Zach's mouth, and judging by the murderous expression on his face, I was terrified he was about to kill the guard right in front of me.