CHAPTER 3

“Talking turns to screaming. I opened my big mouth and I've said too much. Oops.”

I looked like a deer caught in headlight. My palms felt sweaty and my heart felt like an orchestra of drums.

The Alpha King was nothing like the stories I have heard. His piercing blue-gray eyes looked like he was looking into my soul.

But that wasn’t the most shocking revelation, “what are you doing here?” I spluttered.

“having dinner with Astrid and her father,” he replied, his eyes racking through the wine displayed.

“you are the Alpha King?” I asked, blinking in confusion.

“But, you,” I stammered.

“nice to meet you again Daisy,” he said, with a smirk on his face.

"There you are," Astrid voice called out from the stairway.

"I was looking for you, come on, dinner is about to start," Astrid said, pulling his attention away from me.

For once I felt grateful for her interference, my heart raced in fear of my fate if it became known of my entanglement with Hades.

I picked the first wine my hands could reach and rushed out of the cellar. The disapproving stare miss Ruth sent my way was evident that I had yet again given her a reason to fault my every move.

My father had relinquished his seat at the head of the table to the Alpha King. It was strange seeing my father look so small beside the powerful Alpha King.

Astrid and Lyra talked in low tones as the men discussed politics. Astrid looked flawless in the emerald gown she had on, her blue eyes sparkling under the chandelier.

I sometimes wished I had her eyes, rather than the green eyes I had, that reminded everyone of my mother.

I kept my head down, avoiding any eye contact with the Alpha King, as I nervously played with my fingernails, scared of the outcome if my father should catch whiff of my insubordination.

"Miss Ruth, you are dismissed," Astrid said.

With a curt bow, we all walked out of the dining room. My body relaxed as it reached the door, just a few more minutes and I'd be on my bed.

"Daisy, you wouldn't mind staying back right," Astrid said, smiling sweetly at me.

Lyra looked at her in confusion, a proof that whatever she had up her sleeves wasn't planned.

"Yes Astrid," I replied, shutting the door against my freedom.

I leaned by the wall, my stomach rumbling as I watched them eat. "We could all survive without the music from your stomach Daisy," Lyra snickered.

My cheeks flushed in embarrassment, " I'm sorry," I whispered.

The hours seemed to drag on as I watched them talk and laugh. I stood quietly watching as each laugh had a gentle touch or a nudge, werewolves were physical beings, I could only imagine what it felt like to be touched without feeling pain.

"Daddy," Astrid voice cut through, interrupting his discussion with the Alpha king.

"I have a special announcement," she all but squealed.

" The Alpha king has asked me to be his bride," she said, her voice vibrating with excitement.

My father's eyes widened in pleasure, his arms wrapped around my sister as he hugged her tightly to his body.

I felt lost, my eyes met Hades hoping he would deny it. But the half smile on his face, felt like it had sucked the air right out of me.

"This is great news," our packs beta smiled, exchanging a sly grin with my father, who nodded in return.

"We should tell the pack of this glorious union," my father said.

" It's the wolf moon tomorrow, we can announce the union during the ceremony," my father's beta suggested.

All through the shouts and shrill, my eyes were fixed on Hades. My eyes were filled with hurt as it glimmered with tears.

His eyes found mine, confusion dancing in his eyes as he observed me. I quickly averted my gaze, wiping the tear that had escaped. And I fixed my eyes on the window behind him.

"Daisy, aren't you happy for me?" Astrid asked, in a sickening sweet voice.

"I am, congratulations Astrid," I said, clearing my throat.

Astrid smiled in pleasure, " I know, I deserve it," she muttered, smiling dreamily as she leaned into the Alpha King.

“Astrid has never failed to make me proud,” my father praised.

"Hades," Astrid called, brushing a strand of hair on his face.

“I don’t think you have met my sister, Daisy,” Astrid introduced.

Hades eyes widened, and his brows knitted in confusion, “ Daisy,” he greeted.

“She’s an omega,” Lyra blurted.

I lowered my head in shame, “she is not important,” Astrid giggled, quickly kissing his lips, as she led him out of the dining room.

"Clean up and get out," my father's voice boomed. My eyes looked around the empty dining room, it was obvious I had shut them out.

I quickly cleaned the table, my stomach growling in protest. I hid a few berries in my pocket,

“how would a few berries quench the monster in your stomach," Hades said.

I shrieked in surprise, the glass slipping from my hand and smashing against the cold floor.

I fell to my knees, quickly picking up the piece with shaky hands, "I'm sorry, Alpha, you startled me," I said in a tiny voice.

I winced feeling the glass pierce through my skin, " leave it," he commanded, pulling me up from my crunched down position.

"You are a walking disaster," he muttered, his eyes crinkling in amusement as he wraped my fingers with a paper towel to help stop the bleeding.

Cold shivers ran down my spine as his hands touched mine. My body jolted, heat engulfing me instantly from the warmth of his touch. My body had also remembered him and not just my mind.

"Do you have other words apart from sorry?" He asked, his warm breath fanning the outer shell of my ear.

I closed my eyes, my body leaning slightly on his hard chest. "I'm sorry, Alpha" I stuttered out again.

His low chuckle rumbled through his chest, and vibrating through my body, sending jolts of shock waves through me. His laugh sounded like oceans waves clashing on a calm summer night.

“Hades,” he corrected.

I was suddenly drown in a sea of nostalgia, his voice unlocking the memories I had kept locked up for months.

“do I still make you shiver?” he drawled, his chest rumbling as he spoke, sending shivers down my spine.

“No, it’s just a cold night,” I lied, pulling away from him.

“goodnight Alpha King,” I bowed.

“good night Daisy," he whispered, walking out of the dimly lit room.

I stood rooted in my spot watching his retreating figure. My body felt cold, missing the warmth his body provided.

The cold finally cleared my fogged up mind, and I gasped at the thought, "I had a one night stand with my sister's boyfriend."