Chapter 4

Celline growled fiercely within me and began struggling to come forward. I had to grip a chair to balance myself and push her back.

“What is it, Celline? Talk to me, what is going on?” I asked in confusion.

“These two people hurt us, I watched them hurt you and I couldn't do anything about it but now I can. Let me take them on Marcy, I will tear them to shreds” she barked out.

I pushed her back with every willpower in me, “I understand your anger but no, they are still family and I don't want to kill anyone” I explained, it took a while before Celline finally calmed down.

Meanwhile Alpha Ryker and Evan turned to look at the guests. 

“Council elder Levi and his wife, what are you doing here?” Ryker asked.

“Greetings Alpha Ryker, I know this is a sensitive time to come around but as it is, this matter concerns me because Marcelline here is my late wife's sister's daughter” Levi said in a cool voice that irritated me and my wolf.

“Oh, is that so? I didn't know. Either way, this matter concerns you indeed so please come in” Ryker welcomed them and they all got seated in the living room. I stood farthest away from the couple and watched them with bottled rage, ‘They are family and killing is bad’ was what I kept repeating in my head to calm myself down.

“So how is it possible that Marcy is mated to both you and Commander Evan? I have never heard of such mateship before” Levi spoke after pleasantries were exchanged.

“I honestly don't know, the moon goddess must be playing some kind of sick game,” Ryker replied with a frustrated sigh.

“And with the way the news came out, it is already facing opposition from the pack members, this is a hard pill for them to swallow. Being a part of the council, I shouldn't be telling you this but we are meeting this evening to discuss the next course of action. My guess is that the mate bond will be unaccepted due to the complexities and the fact that Marcelline is an omega, omegas can't be Lunas…. You will have to reject the bond” Uncle Levi explained while sparing me a glance, his eyes on me made my skin crawl. 

“About her being an omega, something strange happened yesterday…” Evan chipped in from his seat, he paused to get their attention and continued, “We had only just found out about the mate bond when she suddenly started shifting. She underwent her first shift yesterday and now has a wolf” he explained.

Color drained from Levi and Rena's faces and they exchanged an unreadable expression, “Tha...that's truly very strange. First the mate bond and now this… I have never heard of such before. Please, I suggest that her unusual shifting should be kept between us in this room till we are able to find an explanation for it” Levi said, still reeling with disbelief.

“Of course, I understand the grievousness of this matter. In fact no one would have known about the mate bond if not for some circumstances under my control” Ryker threw a glance at me and I looked away.

“That aside, the pack and the council should relax and be rest assured. I am not planning on accepting the bond anyway and Evan just expressed that he won't be either. Maybe she should go with you to make everything cool down faster…’’ Ryker suggested.

My ears perked up at the speed of light when I heard his last words and I quickly spoke up, “No, I don't want to go with them… I don't want to go back there”

“Were you permitted to speak?” Ryker asked with a frown on his face.

“Oh please, alpha, pardon her utterances. I understand why she is reluctant to come back, we separated after a disagreement last time. She said she would rather work as a maid here than return home” Rena butted in with a nervous chuckle.

Her lies made me gag internally, I didn't make the choice to come here, she did after beating me mercilessly all night. She called me a homewrecker and a witch…

“You should go with them, we don't want you as mates so there's no point in you staying here” Evan added.

I shook my head vehemently and came forward, “No please, I don't want to go with them… please” I pleaded, tears formed in my eyes as I begged.

That house was hell for me and I knew going back would be a double hell, I might not come out alive or sane. Uncle Levi looked like he had been waiting to pounce on me and Aunty Rena already had planned punishments for me. I would rather die than go back there.

“It is not an option, Marcelline. It's an order” Ryker said, saying my name for the first time.

I fell to my knees and clasped my hands together in desperation. “Please, I don't want to go back, please don't make me go back. They are going to kill me if I go back” tears were rolling down my eyes at this point. Flashes of those times that my uncle had touched me inappropriately and the endless physical labor, the nightmares… they all haunted me. They reminded me of why I should never go back.

“I don't have time for this. Guards! Take her away with Council Elder Levi” Ryker ordered as he stood up to leave. 

My eyes widened as the guards came forward and began trying to hold me, I thrashed and struggled until I managed to break free. I immediately rushed to Alpha Ryker and fell at his feet…

“I don't have to stay in the alpha house as your mate. Please let me stay as your slave… I, Marcelline Dean, offer myself to be at your mercy. I will do anything you ask of me and if I disobey, I will be prosecuted with immediate effect” I declared.