02: I Own Your Life Now.

April’s POV

I scrambled to my feet and rushed towards him, noting the smug, hateful grin on his face.

I scrambled to my feet and rushed towards him, noting the smug, hateful grin on his face.

“You seem a little surprised, April. Why the face?” He chuckled wickedly and approached me. In seconds, he grabbed my face roughly.

“I meant what I said. I want you to be there. You are going to watch me ascend to the Alpha of this pack. And guess what you are going to do?” He pinched my chin harder, and fresh tears filled my eyes.

“You are going to do nothing. Absolutely nothing.” He let go of me, and I nearly lost my footing. I stared daggers at him, tears brimming in my eyes. He was out of his mind.

“You can’t do that! You can’t disregard Papa this way,” I managed to say. It was too soon. It had only been a month, and he was already planning a festive occasion?

I struggled to gather my words, “The Empire demands that at least three months must pass before naming a new Alpha…”

Dorian sneered as he stepped closer, making me meet his piercing blue eyes. “Screw your delusion, April.”

“It’s been set for tomorrow. You can’t change it,” he added, and my shoulders slumped. Was he pulling my legs? Did I have no say as his daughter?

As though sensing my helplessness, Dorian chuckled, his gaze mocking. “Did you think your father left a legacy that could last three months? He was incompetent and didn’t rule the pack well enough. Did you think it could last three whole months after he died?”

I shook my head, not agreeing with his words. My father was a great Alpha.

“You are a fool, April. You are just as foolish as he was. Clearly, you inherited his stupidity if you can’t see that the pack is falling apart.”

I looked at Dorian in disbelief, lost for words. How could he say something so mean? He only had to wait for two more months. There was no one competing with him for the position.

“Can’t you wait for another two…”

“No!” He snapped and stormed off. I ran after him at a distance. However, as soon as I caught up to him, Dorian got into the car and sped off, leaving me behind.

“Hey! Wait! Stop!” I ran after the car, but it was no use. He had left me. All alone, I fell to the ground and allowed my tears to flow freely.

The graveyard was a twenty-minute drive from the pack houses, meaning I had to walk for about an hour if I was going back on foot. I wiped my eyes and stood up. There was no use crying now. The earlier I began this punishment, the better it would be for me.

As I walked back to the pack, everything that had just happened with Dorian replayed in my mind countless times, and I ended up soaking my entire sleeves with my tears. Things with Dorian were worse than I thought.

****

As he had predicted, there was nothing I could do. The following day, the pack buzzed with excitement, celebrating the succession ceremony of their new Alpha, Dorian.

Seated at a table in the banquet hall, I resolved not to wander too much. The hall was teeming with people, and lively chatter filled the air. Everywhere my eyes landed, I witnessed smiling faces and eager eyes fixed on Dorian as he solemnly recited the oath.

My heart sank. My father had invested so much in this pack, yet barely a month after his death, it seemed no one cared. All attention was on Dorian, who beamed with joy. Contrary to the person who had harassed me at my father’s grave just yesterday, Dorian looked poised and confident in front of everyone.

The head of the council rose, and Dorian stood beside him, casting a hush over the hall as everyone strained to hear the words that followed.

“Our Alpha, Alpha Zephyr, departed suddenly. But the goddess has granted us hope and a successor. Today, we coronate our new Alpha, Alpha Dorian.”

Applause thundered, and all I could manage was to sob quietly. They were all impostors, betrayers to the pack and my father. How could they forget him so easily, as if he had never existed?

As Dorian moved about, receiving applause and congratulations, I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. It was too late when our eyes met, and I found myself rooted in place, unable to look away.

At that moment, my worst fears materialized. Dorian approached me, and before I could mobilise my legs, he seized my arm and pulled me away.

“Where are you taking—”

“Shhhhh...”

He silenced me, leading me out of the banquet hall, away from prying eyes. Soon, we stood alone in the hallway. Terrified, I struggled to steady my trembling knees.

“I hope you enjoyed the ceremony, April. I doubt you’ll witness anything as grand again,” he declared with a smug smile.

“You’re disrespecting Father, Dorian. He won’t forgive you.”

He scoffed, his eyes hardening. “He’s not my real father, April. Especially not after he killed my sister.”

A sinister grin curved his lips as he leaned in, his mouth near my ear.

“I am the Alpha now, April.”

He withdrew, and I released a breath I didn’t know I was holding. Watchful, I observed as he tucked his hands into his pockets, an indiscernible emotion flickering in his gaze, though undeniably foreboding. Goosebumps covered my arms, and I sensed trouble brewing.

“We’re going to have a lot of fun, April,” he began, pulling me upstairs until we halted in front of my room.

“But first, I need you to pack for the servant’s quarters. You’re no longer fit for the room you have.”

I stared at him incredulously.

“What are you talking about? This house is as much mine as yours,” I protested.

 He chuckled, his eyes gleaming. “Oh, I can. I own your life now, April,” he declared, gripping my neck and pulling me close.

“And I plan to make it hell.”