The Alpha's Seeress

Chapter 5

Olivia Isla

All I know is that Nana Sienna doesn't just take strangers into our house. Even Myrtle and Isabella need to ask her permission before they could stay the night here. Yet, staring at the man in front of me as we dug into our dinner confuses the hell out of me. How the heck was Riley able to rent the empty storage room?

"Nana, are you really sure you'll let that man stay here? Or do you know him?" I asked after dinner when it was just the two of us.

Riley is rich. He could have just rented an apartment nearby or bought a condo in the cityscape. Why does he have to be here? There's this hint of an idea inside me, but that's kind of petty to consider. I don't want to think that he's here to look after me until I graduate.

"He's got nowhere to go, Isla. Let him stay here for as long as he wants. He's paying," Nana Sienna replied, calculating the bills we have to pay for this month.

Nowhere to go? That's a joke. I'm sure his pack is just around the city, somewhere in the woods, those properties that have been private and off-limits. I've heard anyone who tried to pass the area beneath Gongzu is either missing or had an accident.

"But there are plenty of apartments in the neighborhood, Nana. Ones that are made for rent. Our house isn't for renting," I reasoned. The idea of Riley being here made me utterly uncomfortable.

"Isla, he's paying big time. It could help us... help you with your tuition fees. The bakery hasn't been doing well these past few days. It's good that he's here; he could help us."

I groaned, feeling hopeless in reasoning. Nana Sienna seemed completely determined to have Riley stay here, and no matter what I said, she wouldn't be swayed. Her decision was final. But it's just weird. Or are we really struggling financially for her to do this?

"If you don't have money, Nana, tell me. I'll find some work in the neighborhood."

She only smiled at me and nodded. Though I know she would never tell me if she's struggling financially. I have to personally find out for her. Her reason: she doesn't want to burden me because I'm still a student, and she believes it's her responsibility to take good care of me.

"Don't overthink it, Isla. Leave everything to me, okay?"

At some point, it made me feel guilty. Nana Sienna is growing old; though she still has a good amount of years left, instead of traveling and enjoying herself, she's here, taking on the responsibilities my parents left behind.

Instead of heading straight to my room, I climbed up to the rooftop to unwind and ponder the unexpected events in my life. From falling off the cliff, escaping those wolves, being claimed by their Alpha, and now, having Riley as a housemate.

"Were you successful in convincing Sienna to kick me out?"

My body jerked at the sudden question. I glanced around and saw Riley walking on the thin edge of the roof. He appeared calm, but there was a hint of sarcasm in his question, as if mocking my failed attempt to persuade Nana Sienna.

"Why are you really here? I'm sure you didn't come down from the woods without any business. So, tell me, Riley, what are you up to?"

He sat next to me before lying down. I watched as he closed his eyes and placed both of his hands behind his head.

"You already know why I'm here, Olivia. I'm here to watch over you... you're naughty."

The deal was just spur of the moment; it wasn't anything serious. He marked me, yes, but perhaps he could unmark me somehow. There must be some sort of procedure for that. If it's not possible, then I wonder if the police could help me with this matter, considering the case involves a werewolf.

Werewolves are already considered a myth, from the past, and many don't believe they exist today. If they ask for evidence, there's nothing I could show them aside from the bite mark which they might think a hickey.

"Don't even try to do what you're thinking if you don't want to complicate things. Think about your Nana Sienna," he threatened.

I let out a long sigh before looking up. The stars were shining brightly above, but here I am feeling so down about something I have no control over. Why do things have to end this way? I should have expected this to happen, but there was no snippet or even vision that could have warned me. Everything feels like a sudden turn of fate.

"I just hope you will not disturb my life. Be as invisible as possible. I... I don't want problems," I whisper before leaving him there.

The next morning, I left the house early just to ensure that Riley and I would not see each other. I barely got enough sleep thinking of ways to solve the mess I had put myself into. But I think there's no solution to this. I have to bear this for as long as I have to.

"Good morning, Olive. Where's your boyfriend? I didn't see you come to school with him," Jim, my jock classmate, taunted.

I rolled my eyes and placed my bag on my chair before sitting down and nestling my face on the desk. I'm too sleepy to even entertain their teasing. I have nothing to prove, and I did them no wrong.

"There will be an upcoming Senior Ball. The President is expecting everyone to attend since this will be your last year at Sky High," announced Sally, our UCSP professor.

The Senior Ball is already a tradition at Sky High. It happens every year and is meant for every senior student only. For others, it's the seniors' privilege, but for me, it's another unnecessary event that requires money. We have to pay big time for the food, souvenirs, and the program since our President usually invites idols or artists to perform. I don't like it.

"I'm so excited. I'm going to call Mom to ask Segonda V for my dress."

I heard Myrtle chirp from the back. Well, most of the girls are excited about it. This is what they have been waiting for. They fancy the good dresses, lavish venue, and of course, the handsome idols who will come.

"Olive, your boyfriend is looking for you," Minerva tapped my shoulder. My eyes unconsciously landed on the door. And there, I spotted Riley with a lunch box in his hand. Seriously!

I had already told him last night to stay as invisible as possible. But the god-damned wolf never listened. I wanted to smack his head so hard that he would get amnesia. Is that possible?

"Baby, you left your food. Come on, get it. Don't be shy," the jerk chuckled.

As if on cue, the book flew straight towards Riley's direction. Unfortunately, he was able to dodge it. He only laughed as if everything was a joke and teasing me was a fun hobby of his. I was so annoyed that I left the room in a rush, not minding him standing at the door, and ditched the next subject.

He'd be my failure.

Even during my practice, Riley's face kept coming back to my memory. His smug face, annoying smirk, and his mere presence just irritated me to the core.

I hit the shuttlecock so hard, imagining it was Riley. However, my opponent suddenly fell to her knees. The shuttlecock hit her forehead, and since I put my full strength into it, she got a cut. Then the nagging voice of our coach awakened all the guilt I had. I was preoccupied.

"Olivia, Crista is not an enemy for you to hit the shuttlecock so hard. This is just practice. No need to give your best," he said after aiding Crista. Her forehead bled, and I hated the sight of the blood. It almost disgusted me.

I bowed my head and apologized. I didn't mean for it to happen. It was an accident, but I knew it was still my fault. I should've cleared my head and focused on the practice.

After Crista was sent to the clinic, Coach asked me to take a break. I had no choice but to listen. Perhaps he sensed something was wrong with me, and if I pushed through my practice with an occupied mind, worse things might happen again.

I decided to just go to the bleachers, but I was yet to get there when Riley, the root of all my misfortune, appeared. There was a bottle of water and a towel in his hand. He tried to hand them to me, but I pushed him away.

"Please... give me a break," I uttered weakly.