004

“Wouldn't the guards on patrol duty alert you if an outsider was wandering in the Pack?” Mom questions , crossing her arms.

“Sofia, are you sure it was an outsider?” Beta Ken asks, walking slowly towards the single couch in the corner, battling exhaustion.

“Yes I'm sure.He crossed the bridge right before my eyes and threatened to live the days I have before he made it worse— he was definitely here for some hidden purpose” I explain.

“Luisa, tell this to DeLuca brothers” Beta Ken says.

I cut in with urgency, “That will take forever and he could escape before they even arrive—

I am cut Off by a very deep voice, “Certainly not”

That very familiar voice.I whirl around to follow the source of voice.There against the door frame of one of the rooms, stood the very same man from the woods.I gasped in surprise.

Now that I see him in the lights, it's hard to ignore how handsome he is.

‘Look at those dark hair, steel blue eyes and that jawline.Make him mad and see how more hot he can look’ Inez swoons over his looks.

‘Didn't I tell you he is hot? Look at his physique…He is a dream’ She continues.My gaze travels down his face, clad in a gray henley with sleeves rolled up, showing off the veins in his hands.The fabric is stretched against the muscles, making the outline of his biceps, triceps, chest and abs visible to the eyes.

“Carlos, We shouldn't take it lightly.The Pack without its Alpha is more likely to be attacked” Beta Ken's voice snaps me out of my daze.

‘Behave’ Mom's voice comes through the mind link.Embarrassment spikes up my nerves.She is going to give me a good scolding for it.

“There is no outsider” The ‘outsider’ in question says, shifting away from the doorframe and slowly walking in my direction.I ball my fists, an attempt to somehow cover up the fact that I'm intimidated by his presence.

The moment he stops before me, his scent engulfs my senses.

“Right, Sofia?” He asks, his gaze unwavering.

‘See he find out about your lie’ Inez says, adding more to my already anxious self.

“I don't understand? What do you mean Carlos?” Beta Ken asks, the line on his forehead showing his distress.

“Speak up” Carlos demands..I sigh, already feeling like a fool.

“It was him in the woods” I say quietly and look down at my bare feet.

I hear Beta Ken sigh in relief, “So it was just a misunderstanding..

“Sofia, he is Carlos DeLuca..Sharon's cousin” Beta Ken introduces him.I grimace in distress.

‘We are doomed.He is the Alpha’ Inez comment.

‘Beta Ken…. Is he our New Alpha?” I ask, secretly hoping he is not.

“It's not yet decided but you'll be informed soon” Beta Ken answers then he slowly gets up the couch.Luisa rushes to his side, helping her exhausted father.

“You all can head back home” He adds before walking to the door with Luisa.

Mom grabs my arm and attempts to drag me with her.I am grounded for sure.Just as we reach the door, Carlos' voice forces us to stop.

“Wait”

Mom grits her teeth in annoyance but puts on a fake smile before turning around.

“Give us a minute” He doesn't ask but demand, leaving no room for argument.My mom looks at me, ‘Don't fuck it up any more for us.Just apologise properly for accusing him’ Comes her voice through mind link.I nod slowly then watch her walk out of the door.

I slowly look at Carlos.His face is void of any emotion.

“Close the door”

My eyes widened at his words.

“What, no? Why?” The words slip out of my mouth in panic.His lips curl up into a smirk as he crosses the distance between us.I step back almost instantly when he doesn't stop.His hand reaches for the doorknob then he pulls the door close.

I try to squeeze myself as further into the door I could but the proximity between us had my heart thumping loudly.I look everywhere but him, hoping it would ease my nerves.

“What did I tell you? We will have the talk again so start explaining yourself”

I rub my arm, still not daring to look at his face. “Explain what?” I feign confusion.

“Let's Start from your lie” He suggests.

“I…I— I stammer, the nerves getting to me.Will I be punished? If that happens then Mom and Dad will hate me more for ruining their reputation.

“I didn't ask for alphabets, Inez” He says sternly.My wolf almost purrs at the way her name rolls off his tongue.

“I am sorry for lying” I start with an apology.

“I didn't know you were Sharon's cousin..and giving an outsider my name is stupid so I lied…” I pause then continue, “Technically it wasn't a lie because Inez is my Wolf's name”

“What about your age?” He asks.I gulp, it feels like he was leaning closer or maybe fear is getting to my head.

“That was a lie” I say very quietly, wondering if it was audible to begin with.

“Your real age?” He demands.Why is he so curious about my age?

“Twenty one” I answered. When he doesn't say anything further, I steal a glance up at him to find him frowning and zoned out.I take this opportunity to stare at the tiny little mole in the corner of his eye, one right under his bottom lip and one little below his jawline.I resist the urge to graze my finger to feel his stubble.

“Do you have anything to tell me?” His voice snaps me out.I stare up at him, confused at his question.

“No” I whisper. He nods briefly before saying, “You can leave”

I blink but ask away anyway “ Is that all?” I wait then continue, “Are you not mad that I disrespected you in the woods?”

“I will let it pass” He says, stepping away from me but I recall his threat from earlier.

“Then why did you say your life will get worse?” I ask stubbornly.

He raises his perfectly shaped brow, amusement shining in those blue eyes before he leans closer to rest his hand on the door, near my face.

“Change of mind since you are so very timid and obedient” His gaze is strong, scanning me with some unknown emotion.

“Okay” I whisper.He nods but doesn't move.I wait but still no movement.

“Are you gonna move so I can leave?” I say.He blinks then awkwardly moves back.I breath out a sigh then open the door before stepping out.The ground was empty, no single soul in sight.

Did mom leave me alone? I avoid the ache in my chest and walk out of the ground only to see Maria's car parked outside with Mom in the passenger seat.

I bite back my smile and rush to the car.Maria looks up from her phone, eyeing me down with visible annoyance.

“Were you fucking in there?” She comments.

‘I wish’ Inez sighs dreamily.

“Maria” Mom scolds her for once.I sit in the backseat and notice my mom's heavy gaze on me.

“I apologized and he is not mad” I tell her.She nods and tells Maria to drive.I sigh in relief and lean back into the seat.

“I hope the New Alpha isn't what rumors are like” Maria says.

“Whatever it is, we must comply.There is nothing we can do and Sofia you, better not bring another trouble” Mom speaks sternly.

“Yes ma'am” I press my lips together and stare out the window until we reach home.I quickly get out of the car and hurry my way inside.

Rora and Dad were seated on the couch in the living room.I gulped, avoiding any sort of contact with them and rushed upstairs to my room.

Relief washed over me once I realized I'm not being followed or questioned.I walk into the bathroom and take a quick shower to wash off.Once done, I put on my pink robe and walk out only to see my parents already in the room.

How stupid of me to think they would let an opportunity to scold me slide away.

“What were you doing in the woods that too near the bridge?” My father asked, voice edged with anger I'm afraid of.If I could hide myself then I would to avoid my father's wrath.

“I didn't run” I say quietly.Their only worry is anyone from the Pack see my wolf.I am a lowest possible rank, told by my parents.Considered a weak mutt and if the Pack finds out then they might kick us out of the Pack.

“Then why did you go into the woods?” Mom asks.I look down, there's no going back.Damned if I speak, damned if I don't.

“Don't just stay silent!” My dad raises his voice.I flinch, scooting further into the bathroom.

“I am sorry Dad” I barely let out those words.I feel their heavy stare on me but I don't look up.I still get hurt to see the look of distaste and disappointment in their eyes.

They finally leave my room and I walk to close the door, unfortunately overhearing their conversation.

“Only if she was like her sisters then we wouldn't have to do this”

I wish and regret just as much.