Page 89 of My Forbidden Alpha

“Scarlett…” his chillingly calm voice makes me shudder internally. “It’s been years. Won’t you greet your father?” he asks as our eyes meet. The murderous glint in them and the chilling tone in his voice screams danger. We should leave, but instead we are entering his lair.

“I don’t see anyone around worthy of being called my father. Let’s cut to the chase, why did you send your men to track medown?” I ask, my voice cold. But compared to my father’s, it sounds like a welcoming melody, nowhere near as callous and evil as his.

“You’re the future heir of this pack. Of course, I would come to search for you.” He steps closer and Elijah growls in warning.

“You wanted me dead, don’t give me that bullshit. Cut to it, Zidane,” I spit, not caring for respect. The other wolves visibly pale upon seeing my blatant disrespect of their Alpha.

Zidane says nothing for a second, observing me intently as if there’s something more that he wants to say.

“That is your misunderstanding. Let’s talk over lunch,” he says coldly.

“I wouldn’t eat anything served by you,” I spit back. “If we’re going to talk, it’s going to be right here.”

Zidane frowns, his eyes turning a dark forest green as a threatening growl comes from his throat. “Do not push me, you little wench! I’m the Alpha here. This is my land and if I wanted you dead you would be dead already,” he hisses.

“We came here of our own accord, so don’t fucking mess around and just tell us what you want with her. You’re clearly healthy and young enough to run your pack for many years. I don’t see a guy like you considering an heir, you only care for ruling as long as possible, right? So, tell me, what do you really want?” Elijah speaks, his power clear in his tone. Zidane’s dark eyes flash as he glares at him with rage and hatred.

“This is between her and me, stay out of it.”

“He’s my Alpha; he has every right to speak,” I shoot back. Zidane growls.

“I’m your Alpha!” he thunders, stepping towards me, his claws and canines elongated. I smirk bitterly. He is still the psychotic maniac he has always been, simply hiding behind a mask. One of the men steps forward, he seems familiar, but I can’t place him.

“Scarlett, I understand you do not wish to be here, however, please listen to the Alpha. He only wishes to talk,” he says. His voice is calm, but I don’t miss the plea in his eyes. Zidane’s eyes flash as he turns.

“Never. Interrupt. Me!” he snarls, advancing on the man who had spoken. The man bows his head as if he knows what is to come. Zidane raises his hand but I step forward.

“Fine! We’ll come,” I say, stopping Zidane in his tracks. A cold smirk crosses his face as he looks me over and then glances at Elijah. Without another word, he begins walking off the way he had come. The six wolves wait for me and Elijah to begin walking before enclosing us in a semicircle. Elijah’s power makes them feel uncomfortable.

The man’s fucking crazy,says Elijah through the link.

You haven’t seen anything yet.I mind-link back, heaving a sigh. This is going to be a long day, and we will have to stay alert. I don’t trust Zidane, not even a little bit. I know his true colours and people like him don’t change.

Half an hourlater, Elijah and I are sitting around a large dining table with Zidane and his Beta, Cade. We are in the very mansion that I once lived in, a place that was supposed to be my home, but it was more of a nightmare.

Things haven’t changed too much. I can see the renovations and the upgrades to the exterior as we enter but it is still the same hellhole I grew up in. The same marble floor on which my head was smashed countless times, the same heavy doors that trapped out all of my screams for help.

The luxurious modern interior is a beautiful mask covering the brutality and horrors that were committed in its very halls and they seem to continue to be committed.

The omegas that serve lunch are underfed and clear markscover their bodies from frequent beatings. It disgusts me. In our pack, omegas, who are naturally the weakest of wolves, are still treated with respect.

Yes, they work for the higher-ranked wolves doing the chores and tending to their own fields of crops and produce, but they are paid for their services, involved in all pack events, and treated with dignity and kindness. The meal hasn’t even begun but it’s clear things have gotten worse here. Where Mama used to treat them with kindness, despite my father’s manic ways, they are now seemingly treated worse than slaves and the fear in their eyes is obvious.

“Thank you,” I say to the young woman who places my plate down. Her eyes meet mine, her dull grey eyes full of pain and hope. She seems familiar too, but once again I cannot put a name to the face. I have buried every memory I have of this place, and I feel a bit guilty for forgetting even those who are innocent. Did we abandon them?

“Get out!” Zidane hisses, throwing his steak knife at her. My heart skips a beat as Elijah is barely out of his seat when I catch it between two fingers, my eyes flashing as I glare at Zidane. The sharp blade cuts into my skin but it’s only a nick. The young she-wolf scurries from the room in fear.

“If you want me to listen, you will not abuse anyone in my presence,” I hiss, placing the knife down with trembling fingers as Elijah watches me, a glint of worry in his eyes. My heart is thundering as I try to calm my emotions. No, I’m not scared; I’m fuming.

“This is my pack, wench,” Zidane says, his murderous eyes set on me. Cade watches the exchange, curiosity in his eyes.

“I didn’t say it wasn’t,” I shoot back. Elijah places a hand on my thigh, stroking it gently, trying to calm me. I am doing my best to remain calm, but it is extremely difficult.

“What did you want to see her for? We’re dining, so tell us,”Elijah says as Zidane begins helping himself to some steak and potatoes. The rest of us follow suit; the food came from the same platter, so I guess it’s trustworthy enough, although Elijah sniffs it before eating.

“This is between us,” Zidane spits before turning to me. “Like I said, you are my heir. I think you should at least get to know your pack. One day this will be yours; that is all I want. I sent this useless piece of trash to get you, but clearly he wasn’t able to bring you back.” Zidane glares at Cade.

“I apologise for my uselessness, Alpha,” Cade says, bowing his head.

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