The Alpha's Daughter

Chapter 17: The Black Wolf Pack

I woke up when the SUV stopped in front of a large metal gate. The sun was shining already. Looking at the dashboard, I noticed it was nine in the morning. At least I had gotten some good sleep, but I was afraid to be entering a new pack. Packs did not think kindly of runaways or rogues, especially ones with Alpha blood. Would I even be considered that anymore? Maybe Kaleb would just see me as a disgusting rogue, not worthy of his time, or worse yet, send me back to my pack. Was I considered a rogue now? I still felt connected to the pack, so my link had not been severed. Why would he go through the trouble of bringing me here, though? What did he want from me? I tried to settle the nerves in my stomach, but I really did feel like puking.

A guard approached the side of the vehicle. He had a weapon swung over his left shoulder, I couldn’t make out the type. I was not used to seeing armed guards like this. Lucky rolled down the window. The guard greeted him, “Welcome back, Lucky. Kaleb says he will meet with you and your guest here in his office after you are settled.”

He waved to me, but I just nodded. I stared at the metal work on the gate. Two large wolves stood on their hind legs, facing each other where the two doors met. The metal was coated in what looked like silver, but I doubt it was. Nevertheless, it was a beautiful piece of artwork for a gate.

“Very well, Milo! Keep an eye out for any unwanted visitors from the Black Mountain Pack. I haven't seen anyone since last night, but that doesn't mean they've given up. If you see any… or notice anything strange, make sure to inform Alpha Black right away!”

“Of course, Lucky,” the guard said. Then Lucky nodded at Milo and rolled up his window. Milo ducked back into the guard post, opened the gate, and waved Lucky through. I let out a breath, I did not know I was holding it as the gate closed behind us. Lucky continued to drive until we approached the largest brick building I had ever seen. The packhouse was three stories high in some places, but in the middle, it had a fourth story. There was an extensive garden with a huge water fountain out in front. Four wolves made of black marble stood on their hind legs. Their backs were touching, forming a square. Water flowed out of their mouths to the pool below. “This is the most beautiful house I have ever seen. And the fountain is breathtaking,” I commented, some excitement rising inside me.

“This is nothing! You should see our Alpha’s house,” laughed Lucky.

I looked at him weirdly, “The Alpha’s house…I mean, your Alpha…he does not live in the packhouse?” I questioned. I had never known any Alpha not to do so.

Sophia coughed, “Not on your life, he prefers to have peace. Did you ever find peace at the packhouse, Viviana?” She asked me.

I cringed at the mention of the packhouse and at the use of my name. I had not heard it in three weeks before Sophia spoke it yesterday. I really did not want to hear it. Hearing my name reminded me of the fact that the only person who called me by my name without malice would never call my name again. My body began to tremble. Memories flooded my mind, and panic seized control. Besides my father, the only people who used my name were Alpha Rex and Gamma Ray, and they always used it in a harsh manner. The painful memory of Alpha Rex using it for the last time before he punched me in the face on my last night in the pack. No, I do not want to be Viviana anymore. I clenched my fist as I tried to control my anxiety, but all that did was dig my nails into my hands.

“Are you okay, Viviana?” Sophia asked cautiously.

“It's just harder than I thought it would be,” tears pricked my eyes. I tried desperately to gain control of my emotions. I could not cry. No, I would not cry. I am stronger than this!

Sophia squeezed my hand. “What is it?” he hesitantly questioned.

“Hearing my name,” I whispered, letting more tears fall from my eyes.

Sophia was unsure what to say, but she settled on, “Tell me what we can do to help you?”

“Can you call me Vivian instead?” I asked shyly.

“Certainly,” Sophia smiled, “I will call you that for now, but I hope there will be a time when you can use your name again. It would be such a tragedy otherwise.”

“Tragedy compared to what I've already lost,” I seemed not to comprehend her, and shook my head in disbelief.

Sophia spoke softly, “To lose your name is to lose a part of yourself, part of your identity; it is to lose your past.”

“And if I don't want to remember,” I reasoned. “I have nothing left worth holding onto. Certainly not a name that only brought me pain and death.”

“We both know there are parts that you do,” She concluded before opening the door. As we got out of the vehicles, she took Valentina’s, and I took Valentine’s car seat. She turned to Lucky, “Lucky, can you inform the Alpha that I am taking Vivian to my room to take care of the twins. Let him know about the other developments as well. Then, when he is ready, you may come and gather her from our suite when you are ready to bring her to the office.”

“Very well, Soph,” Lucky answered, then ran ahead into the packhouse.

“Come with me, Vivian. Our room is in the old Alpha’s suite on the fourth floor. It's a good climb, I know, but the view is totally worth it. From the view up there, you will see a good amount of the pack land, including a very nice view of the Alpha's house,” Sophia chuckled.

We finished climbing the stairs in silence. When she opened her room, I gasped. It was not a room at all, but a penthouse suite with four bedrooms, each had its own bathroom, living room, private kitchen, dining room, and a small weight room. Even as our Alpha’s daughter, I only ever had one room that belonged exclusively to me, and my father only had two rooms; everything else belonged to the pack.

Out of one of the bedrooms, two overzealous girls ran to their mother. Sophia smiled as she caught each one of them in her arms. “Vivian, these are Aquila and Aries.” They smiled sweetly as they clung to their mother.

“Like the stars,” I laughed.

“Constellations, actually, to be precise, I just love the stars,” she rambled on, “Aquila here is seven years old. This little one is Aries. She is five. They can be a little bit rambunctious at times. I have two others, but they are currently with Lucky’s sister, Elana. You will meet them later. Cassiopeia is just two, and we call her Cassi for short. The last one is Cepheus, our little king; he is about four months old and probably close to the same age as Valentine and Valentina here if I had to guess.”

Viviana greeted the girls before they ran back to their room to play. Sophia went into the kitchen, and I could hear her opening cabinets, but I just stood, unsure of what to do or what to say. She came out again and brought me a cup of peppermint tea. “This should help you relax,” Sophia said, handing me the cup.

“Thank you,” Viviana replied, “Now, where is this view you promised me?”

“Of course,” Sophia laughed, “Follow me to the bedroom.”

I followed behind, and when we entered the bedroom, there was the largest window I had ever seen. It took up almost the entire back wall, and Sophia was not wrong; the view was beautiful. “It’s really amazing,” I sighed contentedly. I could stare out this window all day and probably still not take in all the beauty before me. Looking down, I could see a beautiful Rose Garden covered with different varieties of red, pink, yellow, and white roses. In the center of the garden, a large bench swing hung from the only two trees. There was a lit path that led to the bench with hundreds of twinkling lights, which I am sure glowed like fireflies in the dark. Past the garden was a lake. The lake seemed to stretch on with no end in sight. It was clear and blue from the reflection of the sky. From the sides, I could see trees as far as the eye could see. While I could see a house ideally situated on the lake, I knew instantly it must be the Alpha mansion. I could not make out the details from this far away. I could tell it was a large house, at least two stories, maybe three, and its white color made it stand out.

After taking in the view for some time, I decided I needed to check on the twins. It’s funny. I've had them for such a short time, but they are now an integral part of my world. I returned to the living room where Valentine and Valentina were still sleeping away in their car seats. They looked so peaceful, and for the first time in weeks, I felt at peace. Sophia seemed to be so happy. Her children were adorable. Valentine and Valentina would grow up safe and have friends. I was determined to give them a better life than I had. I was free at last. I sat down on the couch with Sophia, and we sipped our tea in silence. Surprisingly, the silence did not feel uncomfortable.

Just then, the door swung open, and Lucky came in holding a kid on each side. He passed a little Cepheus to Sophia. Then he placed a kiss on Cassi’s forehead and lowered her to the floor. She immediately went running after her sisters. Lucky laughed, “Now that you’ve met the family and had some time to relax, it’s time for you to meet Kaleb. He's in his office, Vivian, if you're ready.”

“I don't know that I could ever be ready.” My nerves were shot. My eyes hurt from crying tears night after night. I had so much nervous energy in the pit of my stomach that it made me want to puke.

“You need not be nervous, Vivian, you will find Kaleb much different than the Alphas you were used to.” Lucky tried to reassure me.

I went for my kids, but Sophia stopped me, “They are safe here, Vivian, I will watch them, you have my word.” I nodded.

“Sure,” was all I could reply. How can I not be nervous? I was trusting someone with the safety of my twins and myself. I had never met Kaleb before in my life. I'd never even heard of this Alpha, which I thought strange considering my dad often talked of Alphas he knew from other packs. He always told me it was important always to remember the names of an Alpha, his Luna, if he had one, and his Beta. I followed Lucky out of his suite and back down the stairs.