Chapter 3.

Dahlia POV.

We shift back and make my way back to the packhouse. I need to speak to my parents and tell them what I want to do.

I can’t let the pack see how much this has hurt me, so I suck it up. Hold my head high, chest out, and strut. This is my pack, my home, and I won’t be made to feel like I don’t belong here.

Walking past the wolves who lower their eyes, I ignore them as I continue to walk to the packhouse when I hear a crash and my father’s furious voice. I groan as I take the steps two at a time and jog towards his office. Beta Marcus and his mate Beta Kendra are standing outside his office when I hear another crash. 

I burst through the door and see my father his hands planted on his desk, his fangs elongated and his green eyes shining. I look around for the danger and see Malachi and Sapphire sitting in front of his desk. I look to the left and see my mom, sitting there looking unimpressed with what is happening in here.

“Ok, what the fuck is going on?” I shout as all eyes turn to me. I ignore the glares as I move towards my father’s bar and grab a bottle, twisting the lid and dropping it to the floor. I glare at my father as I bring the bottle to my lips and down it.

“Dahlia, are you ok?” Dad asks before he whimpers and I roll my eyes.

“Just dandy. Why wouldn’t I be?” I ask as I look at Malachi and he looks down in shame. 

When I look at my father and he looks away, too. Hold on. “You knew, didn’t you?” I ask, not believing this.

“Dahlia, it isn’t what you think.” 

I scoff, turn and throw the bottle at the wall behind my mother, and my father tackles me to the ground.

“Have you lost your fucking mind? Apologise to her right now!” he screams in my face when I growl at him.

“No! Everyone in this pack fucking knew who he was to me and not one of you fuckers told me! So don’t I deserve a fucking apology, hmm? What else have you been keeping from me?” I say as I roll us and pin him to the floor. Orion, his wolf in his eyes as he whimpers.

I shove his chest as I stand up and turn to face my mother. I spit on the floor.

“Fuck you all. I’m done. Right now, I can’t look at any of you. Some fucking family you lot are. You pushed me to be what I didn’t want to be. You knew he was my fucking mate and didn’t tell me! All of you can fuck off. I’m done.” I storm out of the office, ignoring the calls of my parents and that of Malachi as I storm up the stairs and into the bedroom before I enter my closet. Grabbing my suitcases down, I throw them on the bed and begin packing my clothes and toiletries. 

Taking my passport, documents, and cash. I pack them too. Grabbing my laptop, chargers, and everything else I will need. Fuck this pack! When I come back, they will learn.

I zip up my suitcases, give one last look at the room I have had since I was a child. I turn and walk out the door, rolling my luggage behind me. Grabbing the straps, I carry both down the stairs to the front door.

“Dahlia, wait!” I stop at the front door and turn to face my mother.

“I’m sorry, sweetie. I’m so sorry, we should have told you …”

“Save it. You knew he was fucking her, that I would eventually feel it and guess what I fucking did. But unlike you, I’m not fucking weak. Goodbye Destinee.” I turn and walk down the steps and towards my car.

“Dahlia, where will you go? You have nowhere to go! You are meant to be fucking Alpha. Act like it, instead of a drunken brat!” I whirl on my mother and walk towards her. 

“I am Alpha and I will take my fucking title and not because you or dad wanted me to. I will take it because it is mine. It is the only fucking thing that is. Now, go back to your mate, mother, and do what you’re good at. Brushing things under the rug while you’re on your damn knees.” 

The slap she gives me is hard and loud. Stars burst into my vision as I spit blood. 

I turn and look at her. But I chuckle and shake my head.

“Dahlia, I’m sorry I never …”

“Goodbye Destinee, next time I see you pray, I don’t fucking end you.” I climb into my car and drive away. 

My mother is a born alpha. She was trained from a young age, being the first female alpha. She always wanted the title. But me, I never wanted it. It was forced on me by Selene when she declared me Alpha of Alpha’s. My life was never my own. But now the title I never wanted is all I have.

I drive through the city towards the border and pull over. I punch the steering wheel and release a scream before it turns to a howl. Wolves in the area all respond to my pain and heartbreak.

I wipe my eyes and floor it as I cross the border and drive away. 

“We will be ok. We need to do this, Dahlia. We will return and we will be stronger. Trust me on this,” Celeste tells me, and I nod at her words. 

We drive down long roads, not passing anyone. The sky is clear and the stars look so beautiful in the night sky.

We drive for a while longer when my belly grumbles at me. I haven’t eaten since last night. So we need food and a bed for the night and figure out what to do and where to go.

We pull up at a hotel and park the car. I grab my suitcase out and lock the car and head inside.

This place is cosy, the smell of food wafts in the air and my mouth waters and my belly grumbles loudly.

“Welcome to the sunset house. Are you checking in?” I turn to the woman at the desk and I smile at her. She is human. 

“Hey, yes, but I don’t have a reservation. Do you have any rooms available for a couple of nights, please?” I ask her and she smiles before checking her computer. I lean my forearm on top of the desk and wait patiently.

“You’re in luck. We had a cancellation an hour ago, so, yes, we have the room for you. Will you be paying in cash or card?” she asks, giving me a smile.

I open my luggage and grab out my purse and hand her the money as well as my ID.

“Fabulous. You are all set, Miss Blackwood. Carl will help you with your bag, and here is your key. The room is on the third floor.” I thank her and take the card key as the man I assume is Carl takes my suitcase from me and I follow him up the stairs to the third floor.

“So, Carl is it? What’s going on here? There seems to be a lot of people.” I ask, being rather interested. As different scents fill my senses. 

Wolves!

“Oh, yeah, there is some kind of conference called ALPHA or something. So we have a few guys here and they are all huge. Must be a football thing.” He says and I stop in my tracks. An Alpha conference?

“Sounds exciting. Where will it take place?” I ask. Because I wasn’t told about anything, so yet another thing my parents kept from me.

“I believe it is at the football stadium in the next town over. Why the interest?” he asks as he stops outside my room.

“Oh, no reason. Just making polite conversation is all.” I say with a smile as he rakes his gaze up and down my body.

“He better stop looking at us like that, or I will pluck his eyes from his head.” Celeste snarls, and I smile at that.

“Well, here is your room. Dinner is being served. If you’re quick, you may just make it in time.” I thank him and head inside. 

I rip open my suitcase and run to the bathroom. Turning on the shower, I use the toilet and then get a quick shower. When I’m done I get changed into jeans and a vest top, pulling my hair into a long sleek ponytail, putting my converse on I grab my purse and the keycard and head out. My phone vibrates on the nightstand, but I ignore it.

Walking down the stairs towards the dining room. I stop in my tracks and take it all in. There are nine different Alpha’s here with their Beta’s. The room turns silent as I smile, making my way to an empty table. I sit down and look each of them in the eye and each of them looks away except for one.

I offer him a small smile as I pick up the menu. I’m starving.

A young woman approaches me and asks me what I want, and I order several dishes and her eyes widen at how much I’ve ordered. I smile shyly as she blinks rapidly.

“Someone is hungry.” I look up into the eyes of the Alpha who was looking at me.

“Yes, I like my food. I’m a growing girl.” I say, and he chuckles. His silver-blue eyes flash as he subtly sniffs the air.

“I can see that.” He chuckles as I thank the girl as she places my drink in front of me.

“I have had a pretty shitty day, so if you would, please.” I say and he nods his head, offering me his hand. I shake his hand as he leans forward. His warm breath makes me shiver.

“Nice to see you again, Alpha Dahlia Blackwood.” I gasp as he moves back and smiles at me before he turns and walks back to his table.

I sit there in confusion. How does he know who I am? Where have I met him before?