Chapter 4: Alexander's Sister

Seraphina

I paced my room, the early morning light creeping in. Alexander hadn’t come back since the last time we saw him. I couldn’t deny my curiosity, but they say curiosity killed the cat.

His room was on the top floor. I wasn’t sure why I went there, but I did. I climbed the stairs. He lay there, head to the side, right arm under the pillow. The sheet barely covered his belly, exposing the tattoos on his chest and stomach.

Alexander was stunning, almost beautiful. His black hair was short and neatly cut. He looked so peaceful asleep.

When Xandriel lacked sex, his temper flared. I believed Alexander’s life was also the same as Xandriel, all about sex, always surrounded by eager young women. Maybe it’s an alpha thing to have more than one woman.

If I could make Alexander trust me, I could escape this prison-like mansion. I could get away without being caught.

I shut the door, fighting my urges. I needed to stay away from him. His rude and careless words didn’t make me care if he got mad at me.

I’d rather starve than eat with him, and I’d never love him, nor be his mate.

The house was silent. The boys must be at training or asleep. While in Xandriel, the pack stayed up late, drinking, smoking, and playing pool.

Living here forever would be miserable. I had to find a way out.

“You smell like a rogue.” A strong man grabbed me, slamming me into the wall. Dizziness struck me.

Ugh! Why am I always getting caught by some weird guys?!

“Alpha Alexander has me locked up,” I said. It wasn’t entirely true. Alexander said that he wants me to be his mate, but it felt like a prison. I’d never call myself Alexander’s mate out loud.

“Then why are you walking around?” He yanked my hair and shoved me forward. Anger surged inside me, and I struggled to hold my tongue. “Who let you out of the prison cells?”

“I let myself out!” He might kill me, ending it all. He pushed me down the hallway roughly. I knew what was coming.

“What were you looking for?” He shoved me into a dark bedroom. I saw a bed, dresser, and TV. He pushed me again, and I fell onto the bed. His hand clamped around my neck, and panic set in. I clawed at his fingers, desperate for air.

“No, no! Ugh! Please, stop!” I screamed, reaching for his face, trying to scratch or grab anything.

“Stay still!” he yelled, pressing me against the bed. Only our clothes separated us. I searched for a way out, but he was too strong. Is this how I will die? “You could be my girlfriend if you wanted to. You’re too pretty for those cells.”

"Stop touching me!" This wasn't supposed to happen, not here, not now. One of his hands fumbled with my pants. I raised my knees to push him away, but he wedged himself between my legs, stopping me from moving.

"You're not in charge here," he spat, his face red with rage. I screamed, a piercing sound that hurt my own ears. His anger flared, and I knew he was about to hurt me. "You should've stayed in your cell where you belong."

"I–I'm sorry," I gasped for air. He clamped his hand over my mouth, and I screamed harder. Tears streamed down my face, which only seemed to please him. 

It was slowly registering in my mind that this was the end for me and there was nothing I could do about whatever fate awaited me when suddenly the door burst open, slamming against the wall. He let me go with a growl, and I saw Alexander in the doorway.

"Percival!" Alexander roared, grabbing him by the neck and slamming him against the wall. I tried to compose myself, fixing my clothes. Someone could have easily taken advantage of me. "What the hell are you doing?!"

"She... she... why??" Percival stammered, confused. He probably thought he could do whatever he wanted because Alexander allowed it. "She's only a woman! And… and she is just a prisoner!"

"She is my mate, you dumbass!" Alexander pulled him away from the wall and punched him again. I had never seen Percival look so terrified. Alexander's reputation for instilling fear was evident. I tried to catch my breath as he threw Percival to the floor and then turned to me. His face softened, filled with concern, though I feared he'd be angry with me.

“I—I’m… I’m so—”

“Shh…” Alexander wrapped me in his strong arms, holding me tightly against his chest. I didn't resist, relieved to be away from Percival. He then carried me down the halls.

"Why didn't you tell him? Why didn't you be honest?" Alexander's fury was palpable, but he was gentle with me. He waited for an answer, growing more impatient with my silence. "He should have known!"

"Because I am not your mate!" Maybe I was, maybe I wasn't. My mind was a mess. If staying here was safer than being with Xandriel, I'd endure it. Alexander dropped me to the ground, placing his hands on his hips. He was exhausted, and my presence seemed to drain him further.

I suddenly felt so sorry for him. Maybe I'm starting to become a burden to him.

"Yes, you fucking are!" His anger was unmistakable. "I won't force you to wear my mark, but my people will always know your place in this pack! Percival will never do that again! I promise…"

"You act like I asked for this!" I was trapped here with hundreds of men I didn't know, some wanting to hurt me. "None of you are what I want!"

"Maybe you did!" Alexander turned and punched the wall, breaking it. I had never known anything else. I didn't want this, but it was happening anyway. I didn't want him to see my vulnerability as I cried.

"Listen, let's be real here," I said, my anger barely contained. "Don't get me wrong, Alpha, you're an attractive man. You can have any girl you want, and I won't care. Just leave me alone. I'm not what you need. Besides, I’m already marked by Xandriel."

"I can't do that," Alexander replied as we walked back to my room. He kept his distance, determined to make sure I stayed inside this time. "You'll never leave this property, and Xandriel will never touch you again. No one will touch you again."

"You can't save me!" I shouted, tears of frustration threatening to spill. "I was born into this life, and I will never leave it!"

"I'll try." Alexander's voice was shaking with anger, stopping me in my tracks. "I'll do everything I can to save you."

"What's all the shouting about?" A beautiful girl stepped out of the room to the left. Even in pajamas, her hair and makeup were perfect. "It's nearly six a.m. for fucking sake!"

I hadn't seen any other girls living here before. I was taken aback. Who the hell is she? Maybe one of her women? 

"I—" I stammered, unsure how to respond to her accusing tone. Alexander, usually unbothered by anyone, seemed different around her.

Alexander rolled his eyes and gestured to the girl. "This is my sister, Margo," he said. They shared a striking resemblance and were about the same height.

"What the hell are you fighting about this early in the morning?" Margo shouted, eyeing me up and down with clear disdain. "Wait! Why are you with a girl?" She seemed genuinely surprised, which confused me. I had expected Alexander to be surrounded by women, but Margo’s reaction suggested otherwise.

"This is my mate, Seraphina," Alexander said, cutting her off. He was likely about to explain further, but Margo interrupted, jumping up and down with childlike excitement.

"Really?! Finally! So you are Seraphina… It’s been so long…” she said while weirdly staring at me. 

What does she mean by that? I’ve never seen her before nor Alexander.

“Oh—wait! When's the big day? I'm so happy! Finally, Alexander will stop being a jerk!"

I looked down, my face burning with embarrassment. Marriage was out of the question for me.

"Margo, enough," Alexander said, clearing his throat as if to stop her from going too far. Margo turned away from him and smiled, playing with the ends of my hair. I did my best to avoid looking at Alexander.

"You're gorgeous, and my brother better not mess this up because he's been a real jerk since he lost his mate. Come on, let's get something to eat." She put her arm around my shoulders, leading me away from Alexander.

He lost his mate? Was the last story that he told me true? Am I really his lost mate?