Chapter 2: Sold To A Crow

MAE:

A slap. 

A fucking hard one.

Stella Holden answers her door and slaps me hard in the face. I don't know this woman. I just know that she's Sai's stepmother.

Kira’s the reason I’m here, so what the hell is this woman’s problem? They turned her into a suspect and took her away from me. Now, she just hit me like I'm responsible for her son's death. I remain calm, watching her take in deep, hard breaths as the sting on my face slowly disappears. 

"I've been meaning to do that for nineteen long years, Mae." Her face morphs into an ugly snarl—the kind you'll find on the face of a demon.

Huh, she knows my name...How?

"At least, I deserve to know why you’ve pinned your son’s murder on an innocent person." I say, too calm to be true.

She’s dazed for a moment before she mutters. "Because you ruined my life...But at least now, you are about to save it."

This. Woman. Is. Crazy.

"Kira didn't kill Sai! I'm warning you. End this madness now, Stella." 

"How dare you warn me?! My brother is the head of the paranormal police agency." She puts on a saccharine smile, taunting me. "Kira Reane will never be free. Unless...I say the magic words to my brother." 

"Why are you doing this to us?! We don't even know you, you crazy-old-bitch!"

She slaps me again.

And instantly, I lift my hand and slap her back with as much power. Stella staggers into her house, not expecting my fit of rage. 

She wails in shock, scared to her bones.

I follow. I'm about to pull her hair and slap her again when someone grabs my wrist.

Ivan Holden, Kira's mated cheating boyfriend—ex-boyfriend, stops me from teaching his wife a lesson, but that doesn't mean I'm not still pissed. 

"Get your fucking hands off me."

He doesn't budge. "Mae, you need to calm down."

"Calm down?" I almost laugh. "Please, you didn't think to calm down when you fucked Kira and lead her on with lies, only to abandon her the first chance you got, asshole!"

"She's your mother! You can't hit her." 

Shock. It rocks through me like an earthquake. I stagger once, eyes dilated and confused. I don't have a mother. Kira's the only one who’s ever come close to that. 

"You are lying, Ivan. This bitch can't be my mother. Who the fuck are you people, huh?!"

After I scream, I notice a girl my age walk into the wide foyer with her arms crossed over chest. She doesn’t hold any expression on her face. Her eyes fix on me, unyielding.

I get one of those hate-at-first-sight feelings inside me, and I can swear it's mutual.

"Look, I just found out you existed yesterday. Do you really think I have the time to call you to my home to talk nonsense?" He growls, releasing my wrist and leaving me to decide what my next step will be.

"I came here for Kira." I cross my arms, keeping my eyes stubborn. 

Ivan says, "Good. Show her to your dressing room, Aria. We leave in ten minutes."

Stella glares at me as Ivan leads her away. If we are left in the same room together, it will burn like sudden hell, and he knows that.

"There's no time. My father doesn't like being unpunctual," Aria says, calling my attention.

"Where are we even going?" 

Aria doesn't spare me another glance as she takes the stairs, leading the way to her bedroom.

I walk after her. I count the seconds until she replies. She hesitated.

"Should have asked him that while you still had the chance, Mae."

I stop. "I need to know!"

"My father has your answers, not me," she says nonchalantly again, continuing up the stairs.

A while later, I'm in a dress. I can't remember the last time I wore a dress. This one's sparkly and baby blue in colour. It's reaching my ankles, and it's a hassle not to step on the hem and trip.

Giving up, I plop down on the vanity chair in her dressing room. Aria helps me fix my face, but she doesn't make my make-up heavy like hers. She does a half-assed job on purpose.

Everything I do, I do for Kira. She didn't kill Sai Holden, but she will rot in the paranormal agency's cells if I don't do anything to help her.

"Why do you look so uncomfortable, Mae? It's just a dress." She's fighting a laugh after a while.

I can't wear the heels. They look like a death trap. I settle for the black flats on her massive shoe-shelf. My height will just have to do the deed. I'm taller than most girls my age.

"I wouldn't have bothered if I didn't think your family has Kira."

"Even when the Alpha of the MoonFall pack asked you to?"

I scowl. "Aria, I don't give two fucks about packs and Alphas. I'm a lone wolf."

"That will land you dead if the wrong people hear you say that." 

Aria packs her bag, filling it with make-up and a hair brush and other stuff that have me rolling my eyes. She looks dazzling in her red strapless dress while I’m so out of my element. 

“Do you really need all of that?”

"Move, Mae.” She keeps a straight face and a frigid gaze. “Everyone's waiting downstairs for the girl of the hour." 

When their living room is in sight, everyone's waiting as Aria said. Stella and Ivan are dressed in black dinner clothes. They see me coming down the stairs, too. Ivan stands up alone. He must have warned his wife to stay put and quiet.

"This will have to do," he says to no one in particular.

"Is this the part where you sacrifice me on a full moon to gain my strength, Alpha Ivan?" I cross my arms, eyes flashing silver at this delusional family.

"Dinner, Mae. Don't worry, you won't be on the menu." He narrows his eyes at me, and I swear I glimpse his fangs for a millisecond. "I'll give you the answers you desire."

"And Kira? You'll give her back, right?" I'm too hopeful. It shows in my voice, and I hate it.

Ivan nods. "And Kira Reane, if you cooperate."

♤

I don't believe I'm in the Vale. It's the capital of Evencrest City. I never imagined I would come here for any reason, but the Holdens are leading me into the home of Damek Beverion, the Lycan King.

It's huge like a castle. It has many sides with Parapet roofs and a stunning courtyard that greets us. There's someone standing at the entrance, though. 

I squint, profiling him.

He's young and handsome. His black hair is short and straight. Two strands stylishly curve over the side of his eye.

"Alpha Ivan." He nods, offering a bow.

Ivan shakes his hand. "Wade Beverion." He moves out of the way and gestures at me. "This is my oldest daughter, Mae. She will mate with the Alpha of the Silent Winter pack in her sister’s stead." 

They've just sold me, but I don't even realise it. I'm staring too hard at something.

Wade's eyes fix on me with that daunting smirk. I don't notice just that, though.

The signet ring on his hand bears a certain black bird on it. 

A crow.