Chapter 5

Swara’s POV

I felt a sharp pain in my head as I rose to consciousness. The heavy rays of light that filled the room through the window made me think it was morning.

Fresh memories of what happened hours ago came gushing into my subconsciousness. I thought I would be tired of crying by now yet my eyes started to get misty.

I got out of bed – feeling stiff all over.

I winced in pain as I felt it burdensome to move my waist.

Slowly, I made way for the mirror.

What a mess I was!

My eyes contained 12 years of sorrow and bucketful of tears that were about to rain down on my cheeks.

I lost the effort to wipe my teary face and just allowed my mind to brood over my worst birthday.

I’ve always had it worse. But this was the worst.

One time my father flogged me on my birthday for going out with friends to celebrate. He had bought Saloni a cake and I didn’t get to eat a bite.

He had taken her out while I enslaved them in the kitchen.

After I was done, I grew bored and depressed.

And I stepped out with friends at school who wanted to lighten up my mood.

Unfortunately, those friends moved to a neighbouring pack and I was left alone once again.

Right now, I craved the comfort of my friends.

With their help, I will have been able to cope better.

I knew Saloni hated me as much as my dad. But never thought it was to the extent of stealing my fated mate.

And Bram – I thought he would never do this to ne. He didn’t look like a heartbreaker when we first met.

Recalling those good hay days made me weep. I was crying out loud by now.

And I guess that’s what prompted Bram to walk in and check on me.

He quickly rushed to my side and tried to help me sit down on the bed.

But I pushed him away.

“Get away from me! Shouldn’t you be with Saloni? Why are you here? You love to see me this way?”

He looked apologetic and like he wanted to say something.

“You’ve got any last words because this is the last time, I will grant you an audience.”

I frowned and looked away from me. But he maintained his gaze on me.

“Your wolf – how is she?” He said in barely a whisper.

“How is that your business? Are you thinking of changing your mind if my wolf shows any sign of strength?”

He moved closer to me and bent his head to level with my ear.

“Your wolf is in danger. You will need to leave your family and go far away. I found out something shocking. But I’m not ready to tell you.”

“What did you find out? And why should I listen to you? I witnessed you on top of my sister! You think I have the patience to empathize with you?!”

“Swara, I know I’m the last person you want to see. But I’m not your enemy. You need to stay far away from the people you call family. You can go stay with your friends in the neighbouring pack for a while till you get a permanent place of your own.”

“You are scaring me.”

“I know I hurt you and lost your trust. But this is something you must take seriously. Otherwise, you’ll be endangering your wolf further.”

Suddenly, footsteps could be heard approaching my room.

In a flash, Bram moved away from me towards the door.

By the time, my father and Saloni walked in, his back was turned towards me and he left instantly.

“You are awake.” Father’s voice was icy and impassive. “Can’t believe you will disrespect yourself the way you did today. You were crying and displaying in front of a man? You think that will change things. If you are hurt, then journal your thoughts. That’s what your sister does. Not that any man has broken her heart though. But when she is in pain, she writes in her journal.”

“What pain Dad? Pain that comes from unnecessarily killing people?”

“I’d have slapped your dirty mouth if not that you just woke up.” Father’s voice was cold and stony.

“Why do you hate me so much, Father? Is it because I’m not the warrior princess of this family?”

“You know I don’t hate you. I just expect more from you. But you keep disappointing me. You need to heal. I can see how broken you feel.”

“Of course. Your favourite daughter hurt your other daughter whom you detest so much. What are you going to do about it? Punish her?”

“No one is getting punished. I won’t interfere. But Saloni is only doing what’s logical. And she equally loves Bram. All is fair in love and war. I believe you both should have a chance at winning the man you love. You did your part and she did hers.”

“That’s my fated mate Dad!”

“Don’t you shout at me?! Listen, I’m sending you abroad for your Masters. Clear your head and get over this obsession.”

“You are casting me aside now that you are done using me to get what you want?”

“What I want is for you to stop being a pain in the neck. And deep down, I hate to see you hurting.”

“But you hurt me every day, Daddy. You must enjoy seeing me get hurt. Except you’re the only one permitted to hurt me. And your precious daughter.”

“Think about my offer and consider it my benevolent act towards you. Saloni would have been the one travelling. But she has to settle down and give birth to pups for the Alpha. His position as Alpha is shaky if he cannot deliver.”

“Fine! I want to get far away from you both! As far as possible.”

My father simply nodded and left the room.

Saloni held my chin mockingly, “I’m going to miss you, Sis. No one to cook for me or beckon to. No maid does it better than you.”

I brushed her hand off. “I hope he cheats on you and all your pups die prematurely.”

There was a look of scorn in Saloni’s eyes. Then she softened her eyes and laughed. “You wish my pups death? I won’t pay evil for evil. You already getting what you deserve.”

She left with a bang on the door.

It felt scary leaving me all by myself in an unknown land.

Would have stubbornly refused to go and remain here. But I recalled Bram’s warning and my father’s emphasis on needing to heal.

A few minutes later, my father came back with a changed countenance.

“I’m sorry I haven’t been so good to you. Your mother was pregnant with another man at the same time she was carrying my child. I’m sending you back to your biological father.”

“What?!”

That dropped like a bomb on my hearing.

“Yes, it is called superfecundation. It means when a she-wolf is pregnant for two men at the same time. Your mum had been with another man while she was with me at almost the same timeframe.”

“So, Saloni is my twin from another father?” I was bewildered.

“Yes. 2 mates can impregnate a she-wolf separately leading to twins with different fathers.  You want to know why I mistreat you?”

I couldn’t believe my ears. Was my dad making up stories now?

“You look so much like him. And we are not particularly best friends. I’m tired of taking care of his child. He resides in the States. That’s where you will be going.”

“So, you are not my real father? That explains it all.”

“But I don’t hate you as a person. You just remind me of your mother’s betrayal. And I tend to pour that out on you. I can’t help it.”

Thick silence engulfed the room.

“A roll Royce and packing bags are waiting for you outside. They are yours.”

“Packing bags?”

“You won’t need to be going back home. I got you new stuff. Those old haggard clothes you wear won’t suffice.”

“I see. My bio father mustn’t know you have been mistreating me.”

Alpha Miles walked closer to me and took my hands in his. My gut instinct was to push back. But this was the first time he held my hands. Compassionately and softly.

“Maybe I regret how I’ve treated you these past few years. I’m trying to make up for it though it may be too late. You are leaving and I may never see you again.”

With that, he left the room – not waiting for my response.

Alpha Miles was acting all strange and nice.

Could he be truly repentant?

I took the car keys he left on the table and test-ran my new car.

It was a lovely ride.

In the packing bags were money. A lot of money. And clothes.

I was moved to tears. He had never given me this much money or bought me clothes.

I always wore Saloni’s old clothes or the ones from the maids.

I ran to find and hug my father. “Thank you, dad.”

“You should leave now. Arrangements have been made. Here is your plane ticket.”

“So fast.”

“He wanted me to release you since last year. But I refused.”

“Why?”

“It’s complicated. You and Saloni are twins from different fathers. I don’t want to lose any of my daughters to an ex-convict.”

“My bio father is an ex-convict.”

“He’s been going to rehab. Now he is better and his life is put together. That’s why I can release you to him. A year ago, he was a bad influence.”

THIRD PERSON P.O.V

Swara was on her way to the airport, anticipating what her bio father would look like. And whether he will love her or hate her just as much.

Meanwhile, Alpha Miles got on a call with his beta.

“Swara is on the run. She has lost her mind since Bram called it off with her. She stole my car and money. Even some of Saloni’s clothes. Because of this, I decree she is now a rogue and to be handled as such.”

“Copy that sir. I will call the border patrol right away. Noted for action, sir.” His Beta said and left for the next line of action.

Alpha Miles smiled with contentment in his heart.

Swara’s weak wolf is in no place to struggle or fight back; making it easy for him to do as intended.