Chapter 4

LORETTA'S POV.

As the car drove out of the house, my mind was in turmoil and my heart was in pain.

I could still see the happiness in Rose's eyes and the smirk that graced my stepmother's lips, as she watched the car leave.

I took one last glance at my father, whose expression was unreadable.

Deep inside of me, I wished he could spare me a glance, even if it was for a second.

He should reassure me with his eyes that I will be okay, but he never looked at me until the car disappeared into the morning fog.

A sigh escaped my lips, and tears threatened to leave my eyes.

I was leaving a pack where all good and bad memories were created.

Though, the bad memories superseded the good ones, yet I didn't feel like leaving.

I was tired of being treated unfairly, yet, I still didn't want to leave my father and my grandmother behind.

My father might have not shown any reaction, but I knew deep down that he cared for me, but was blinded by the death of my mother, which was literally because of me.

“ Stop sighing already. You're disturbing my peace.” Came a low growl from the Beta and I knew better than to let out another sigh.

I clapped my lips shut and closed my eyes.

The journey to the Northern Pack took about twelve hours, and after what seems like eternity, we finally got to the Pack.

The Dark Hollow pack might be big as I assumed, since I haven't left the pack my whole life, but hell! The Northern Pac was like an entire continent.

My jaw dropped at the beautiful things inside the Pack House and I felt like touching some of the paintings, but I couldn't, if I wanted to live.

“ Stay focus, Loretta! You're in the lion's den and you have to survive by all means.” I scolded myself inwardly.

I was still looking around the beautiful face unaware that the Beta already halted on his track.

I lost focus and my head came in contact with his broad back, causing a gasp to escape my lips.

“ I'm sorry, I was carried away.” I hung my head low as I apologised.

“ Go in, the Alpha is waiting!” The Beta ignored my apologies and ordered me to go in.

I raised my head and my eyes widened like the size of an orange.

He was letting me go into the lion's den alone?

“ You aren't coming with me?” My voice trembled as I spoke.

“ Why would I?” He cocked his brows. “ I have other important things to attend to rather than babysitting you.”

He walked out afterwards, leaving me at the door to Alpha Lorenzo's office.

I inhaled and exhaled loudly, trying to control the loud drumming of my heart.

I might not have seen Alpha Lorenzo before, but from the stories I heard; he has a scar on his face and he looks exactly like a wild beast.

“ Get your acts together, Loretta. It's now or never!” I encouraged myself, before pushing the door open.

Entering the office, it was dark and I couldn't see anything.

I mustered my courage and spoke up.

“ I'm here, Alpha.” I started, my voice failing me.

“ And who are you?” A deep baritone voice sent shivers rushing through my whole system.

“ I…I..am.. shit!’ my voice couldn't form a word and I sighed in frustration.

I couldn't believe I was stuttering in front of a beast.

Before I could compose myself to speak even further, I felt something rushed towards me and gripped my neck, pushing me to the nearest wall.

I couldn't breathe….

I was seeing the gate of Hades right before me…..

It felt like I was dying slowly, as I struggled to free myself from his grip, but no matter how hard I tried, he didn't let go.

Just when I thought my life would slip out of me, he let me go.

I fell heavily to the ground, coughing as I held my redneck.

A shudder slashed down my spine once again, and I raised my gaze to look at him through the dark room.

“ Who are you?” His striking blue eyes sipped through the darkness.

“ I…am Loretta….your new wife.” 

I managed to speak up, and this time my voice knew better than to fail me when I needed it the most.

“ Oh wow, let's see who we have here.” He said in a low, hoarse voice as he went towards the window to open it.

Once he did, I exhaled in relief.

But I was baffled about something; by the fact that a beast's eyes could be that attractive and alluring.

“ Your father must be so dense to send you into a lion's den, isn't he?” I could feel the dark aura emitting from him.

He turned around and sat on his swivel chair, a dark smirk graced his lips.

I was stunned, mortified and shocked to the bone.

He wasn't a beast but a demi god in the making.

I was sure God spent a whole day creating him alone, then he used the remaining six days to create the remaining 8.1 billion people in this world.

This man was an epitome of dangerous temptation.

A dangerous warning that if I ever come closer, I will be burnt.

“ Sit!” His sinuous voice echoed out, snapping me out of my sinful thoughts.

“ This is the contract,” he threw at me. “ Read through it and shove inside your brain, every single word.”

I looked through the contract, my brows raised in confusion.

“ What…is this for?” I asked, and he growled ferociously.

“ Are you this dense and dumb like your father?” His blue eyes were now bloodshot.

“ This is the contract of our marriage, and after a year, I will divorce you.”

“ But my father never told me anything about divorce.” I mumbled, but I was sure he heard every word.

“ That's because your dense father thinks he can hold me down forever.” He let out a sinister chuckle. “ How dumb of him.”

“ And as for you,” his eyes darted towards me, clotted with disgust and hatred.

 “ We will only act loving in front of others, but inside, you're nothing more than a mere visitor! Don't expect me to be the loving husband in that fucked up fantasy of yours.” He said, his deep voice resonating inside the office as he spoke.

“ I never expected that anyway.” I exhaled in relief. “ After you divorce me, I can find my mate then.”

I thought I was saying it inwardly, but unfortunately, I wasn't and he heard every word I said, as his eyes turned another shade darker.

“ What do you mean?” 

His voice darkened to a chilling end, and my lips paused into a thin line.

“ I also don't want this marriage, it was forced down on me.” I muttered.

“ Really?” He stood up from his seat, walking slowly towards me with predatory steps.

I stood up from my seat and began to take slow steps back.

I knew the look in his eyes; it was that of a predator towering over his prey.

I swallowed in fear, as I continued stepping back, until I came in contact with the wall.

“ I don't believe that you were forced.” He started. “ You're like other whores, who would do anything to be with me, to have me fuck them like sluts.”

He chuckled darkly, as he towered over me.

That was when it dawned on me that he was a cold beast, who, without any sliver of doubt, fucking scares the wit out of me.