Chapter 4: Inside the Alpha's Territory
1060 Words
I slept badly.
Every time I closed my eyes, I saw my signature on that contract.
Every time I opened them, I remembered I now lived under Demas's roof.
I hated it.
I hated the room they had given me.
I hated the expensive furniture.
I hated the silence.
Most of all, I hated that every wall around me belonged to the man I blamed for destroying my life.
A sharp knock came at my door.
"Miss Hart?"
I sat up.
"What?"
"The morning strategy meeting starts in fifteen minutes."
"I'm coming."
The footsteps disappeared.
I rubbed my face and let out a long breath.
One meeting.
Just survive one meeting.
That was all.
I dressed in simple black trousers and a white blouse, tied my hair back, and looked at myself in the mirror.
"You can do this."
My reflection didn't look convinced.
The conference room was already full when I walked in.
Maps covered one wall.
Files were neatly arranged across the long table.
Pack leaders spoke quietly among themselves until I entered.
The room fell silent.
I knew why.
They were watching me.
The outsider.
The Alpha's unwilling mate.
I ignored every stare and chose the chair farthest from the head of the table.
Unfortunately, it was directly beside Demas.
Of course it was.
Marcus looked at me with an apologetic smile.
"Assigned seats."
"I'll stand."
"No."
That single word came from Demas.
Calm.
Firm.
I looked at him.
"I'd rather stand."
"You'll sit."
"I'm perfectly comfortable standing."
"So am I."
His eyes met mine.
"But you'll sit."
The room waited.
I clenched my jaw and pulled out the chair.
"I'm only doing this because I don't want to waste everyone else's time."
"No," Marcus muttered under his breath.
"You're doing it because you enjoy proving him wrong."
A few people smiled.
Even I almost smiled.
Almost.
Demas opened the first file.
"Our northern border has seen increased rogue movement."
He spoke with quiet confidence.
No shouting.
No showing off.
Everyone listened because they wanted to.
Or because they feared him.
Maybe both.
"We'll increase patrols here."
He pointed at the map.
One commander nodded.
Another suggested a different route.
Then Demas looked at me.
"Your opinion."
The room turned toward me again.
"I wasn't asked to prepare."
"I know."
"Then why ask?"
"Because I want your opinion."
I folded my arms.
"The patrol route is wrong."
Several leaders exchanged looks.
Marcus leaned back with interest.
Demas remained still.
"Explain."
"If you double patrols there, rogues won't attack there."
"They'll move east."
I walked to the map before I realized I was doing it.
I pointed at a narrow mountain pass.
"This route has fewer guards."
"They'll hit supply lines instead."
One commander frowned.
"That's a dangerous path."
"Exactly."
"Which is why they'll use it."
Silence followed.
Marcus looked impressed.
Demas studied the map.
Then he nodded once.
"Adjust the patrols."
The commander blinked.
"Immediately?"
"Immediately."
No debate.
No hesitation.
Just a decision.
I slowly sat back down.
I hadn't expected him to listen.
Neither had anyone else.
Marcus smiled.
"Good catch."
"I simply stated the obvious."
Demas closed the file.
"Sometimes obvious is exactly what everyone misses."
I looked away before he could see how much those words affected me.
The meeting lasted another hour.
Trade routes.
Border reports.
Food supplies.
Blossom, what do you think?
Blossom, look at this report.
Blossom, any concerns?
Every time, Demas asked for my opinion.
Every time, I answered as briefly as possible.
It annoyed me.
Because he actually listened.
I wanted him to dismiss me.
To remind me why I hated him.
Instead, he treated me like someone whose voice mattered.
That confused me more than I wanted to admit.
As everyone filed out, Marcus stopped beside me.
"You surprised them."
"I answered questions."
"You challenged the Alpha three times."
"I challenged bad ideas."
Marcus laughed.
"I like you."
"I didn't ask you to."
"No."
He grinned.
"But I think we'll get along."
"I'm not staying long enough for that."
His smile faded slightly.
"You really believe that?"
"I know it."
Before he could reply, Demas spoke from across the room.
"Marcus."
"I'm coming."
Marcus gave me a small nod before leaving.
Soon only Demas and I remained.
The silence felt heavier than before.
"I meant what I said."
I looked at him.
"About what?"
"Your strategy."
"It wasn't praise."
"I know."
"It was common sense."
"You've always underestimated yourself."
I frowned.
"You don't know enough about me to say that."
"I know more than you think."
Anger returned so quickly it surprised me.
"You know the worst day of my life."
"You know my father disappeared."
"You know my family lost everything."
"You don't know me."
His expression didn't change.
"No."
"But I know you're still standing."
I stared at him.
For one second, I almost asked him why he sounded... proud.
Instead, I turned away.
"I'm done talking."
I reached the door.
His voice stopped me.
"Blossom."
I didn't turn around.
"What?"
"Be careful tonight."
I frowned.
"Why?"
"No reason."
"I don't believe you."
"You don't have to."
I opened the door.
Then paused.
"If you know something..."
"I don't."
"You hesitated."
"So did you."
I walked out before the conversation could continue.
That evening, I couldn't sleep again.
The packhouse was quieter than I expected.
Most of the warriors were still on patrol.
I decided to clear my head.
The hallway outside my room was dimly lit.
As I walked past the west wing, voices drifted through a half-open door.
I recognized one immediately.
Demas.
"...she can't know yet."
I stopped.
Another man answered.
Marcus.
"How long do you think you can keep this from her?"
"As long as necessary."
"You know she'll find out."
"I know."
A long silence followed.
Then Marcus spoke again.
"She deserves the truth about her father."
Every muscle in my body went still.
My father.
I stepped closer without making a sound.
Demas's voice came low and strained.
"If she learns everything now, she'll never forgive herself."
My heart slammed against my ribs.
Forgive... herself?
What did that mean?
I leaned a little closer, desperate to hear more.
The wooden floor creaked beneath my foot.
Silence.
Complete silence.
Then Demas's voice came from the other side of the door.
"Come in, Blossom."
My breath caught.
He knew I was there.
- Writer
