Chapter 4

Katie's Pov

I was beyond stunned and highly disappointed, mostly at myself for believing that a monster could change overnight. He has never cared about him, so my mom's death was definitely not going to make him start caring.

"Oh you poor thing," Joanna's tiny voice snapped me out of my train of thought, and then she pulled me closer to her and enveloped me in a tight hug.

"Poor Katie, I'm so sorry for your loss," she muttered and wiped a fake tear from her eyes. The reporters saw this as a one-in-a-million act and didn't waste time in taking pictures.

"Don't worry you'll always have a place to call home," Joanna said, as she broke the hug. Their level of hypocrisy made me cringe. "Jessica, come over here," Joanna waved at her daughter, my step-sister.

Jessica walked over to where we stood surrounded by reporters, with a forced smile on her lips.

"I'm really sorry about your mum," Jessica said and wrapped her arms around me.

"Awww," her mother cooed. "She loves her step-sister already," Joanna said. "I'm sure they'll get along pretty well."

After taking pictures of Jessica hugging me, the reporter's attention was back on my father and his wife, as they gave a speech… lies.

"Welcome to hell, tramp," Jessica didn't waste a second in showing her true colors. "You better watch your back."

A smile formed at the corners of my lips. "I will," I whispered as I tapped her back slightly.

"Thank you guys for coming," my father thanked the reporters and signaled for Jessica and me to come over to where he stood with Joanna. I did as I was told, and we all stood for a supposed 'family picture'.

After the picture, the reporters all left while we made our way into my father's mansion.

"Come, honey, let me show you your room," Joanna said, smiling at me wildly.

I paused and squinted my brows as I stared at her.

"Come on," she giggled and slid her arms in mine like we were besties as she led me up the stairs.

"This is Jessica's room," she pointed to a door on the right. "Here's yours, besides Jessica's," she informed me. "I know you guys would bond real quick, right?" She smiled sheepishly at me.

"Uhmm… thanks," I said and removed my arms from hers. "Let me shower and–"

My stomach growled embarrassingly. I hadn't eaten anything since I was rudely woken up, not even a single drop of water.

"Hungry, huh?" She shot her brows up and gave that cringed smile of hers again. "Dinner would be ready in a few," she informed me. "Come downstairs once You're done."

I nodded my head slowly and turned the doorknob before entering the room.

Barely a minute after I stepped into the room, my things were brought in by some omega's.

"Thank you," I said politely. They might be omega's, but that doesn't mean they didn't deserve respect.

To my utmost surprise, the omega were pompous as they ignored me and just walked out.

I decided not to ponder on their rudeness, besides I'll be out of here in a few months, all I just have to do is ignore every single one of them for as long as I can.

I arranged the few belongings I came with in the room, and got in the shower. After taking my bath, an omega came to inform me that dinner was ready.

I put on a black leggings and a top and went downstairs.

Joanna walked up to me as I got down the stairs.

"Come, honey," she put her arms on my shoulder, as she led me to the dining room where my father and Jessica were seated. As we got to the dining room I realized there was someone filming everything that was happening. I shook my head slowly in disgust.

Joanna pulled out a seat opposite Jessica for me to sit.

"Thanks," I muttered.

"You're welcome Hun," she said, and took a plate and served me some food. "Here you go."

As I slowly ate my food, Joanna kept on asking me questions about my mother nonstop. I felt uncomfortable and It brought back so many memories. Not wanting to be rude, I chose to ignore her questions. My father was quiet while we ate and his facial expression was neutral, but Jessica on the other hand, even though she didn't say a word, her glares spoke volumes, as a timely reminder of me to watch my back.

"Councilor Donald," An omega called out to my father. "Alpha Matthew and his son are here," she informed.

At the thought of seeing Ryan, all my worries were wiped out in a heartbeat.

"Let them in," my father instructed.

The omega went to usher them in.

"Alpha Matthew! Welcome," my father stood up and shook his hand.

"Greetings everyone," Ryan said and shot me a smile, which I returned genuinely.

"Please join us for dinner," My Father requested.

Alpha Matthew sat down opposite my father, while Ryan took the seat just beside me.

"How are you holding up, Katie," Alpha Matthew asked, there was a certain look in his eyes, I don't know if they were looks of genuine concern or something else.

"I'm fine, thank you," I muttered after glancing at my father.

"If you ever need anything, let me know," he told me.

"Alright," I answered.

My father and Alpha Matthew were the first to leave the dining room, while the rest of us still ate our food. With Ryan by my side, the food seemed to pass my throat a bit easier, as we had random conversations and laughed at the silliest of things. I knew he was trying to cheer me up, and I was eternally grateful that I had a friend like Ryan, what's going to make everything even more perfect would be if we both turn out to be mates!

I could feel Jessica's eyes bore a hole through me as she stared at Ryan and me.

As soon as I was done eating, I remained at the dining table talking with Ryan while we waited for his father.

Alpha Matthew soon came out and he and Ryan both left, while I made my way to my room.

"Hey!" Jessica yelled my name as I was about to enter my room.

I sighed, before turning to face her.

"What is it, Jessica?" I asked boredly.

"Is Ryan your boyfriend?" Her question threw me off guard, causing an unexpected blush to make its way to my cheeks.