Bound in Sin

ZUMI My eyes flutter open. The silence in the room creeps into every part of me. It’s louder than the sound of a bomb. My eyes wander to my clothes lying carelessly on the floor as the memories of last night flood back instantly. I get up to pick my clothes when I feel it. The pain in between my legs was subtle but it hadn’t disappeared. After slipping on my gown, I stare at my reflection in the mirror. I'm super thankful that I wasn't marked last night. Who would recognise me with the way I look right now? The only thing that would give me away is my bright red hair. Still, my hair is dishevelled and my hair tie is out of sight. Shruggily, I braid the ends of my hair and head for the door before taking one last look at the room. Every trace of him is gone. Every trace of our entanglement is gone. The bloody sheets have been changed too. I don’t need anyone to tell me how much of a fool I am or that I have been used. He doesn’t love me. He got what he wanted because he knew I couldn’t resist and me? I gave in to him. Every part of me, I laid at his feet like I wasn’t deserving of love. Hot angry tears flow down my cheeks. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * I try to sneak out of the building without getting caught when a familiar voice stops me in my tracks. “Zumi” He calls. I halt in my tracks and turn to meet Reese. He gives me a concerned and worried look and within a blink of an eye, he’s right in front of me. “Where did you go last night? Everyone was looking for you.” he asks, his icy blue eyes piercing mine. Only the Royals possess those eyes. Reese Roth is the second son of the Alpha King and my childhood friend. He’ll probably be the next Beta if he was interested in politics. “I’m sorry. I was so tired so, I found a place to sleep.” I lie. His brows shoot up in shock. “You? Tired? Since when? Last time I checked, they drag you away from parties, not the other way round.” He’s right. I love parties but yesterday was different. “I have been really busy, you know?” I smile. “Ummm… Okay,” he gives me a look that says he isn’t convinced. “I’ll tell one of the drivers to send you home. Your father must be worried.” I nod. “Thank you.” It isn’t unusual for him to do such. Our families have been super close for years. Our fathers were friends growing up and we the kids grew up as friends even though our relationship has become a little complicated. He gives me a pat on my shoulder and turns to leave. Then, he stops and turns back to me. I wonder why. “Zumi?” “Yes?’ “Riot left this morning. They both left.” he says and disappears into the corner. I feel the whole world spinning beneath me. Riot is gone. Not only did he leave after sleeping with me, he left for good. Tears run down my cheeks. Reality hit me that Reese knows. He ignored my lies because he knows. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * The ride home is the scariest ride I have ever had. As much as I try to stop the tears from flowing, they don’t stop. I shiver in my seat at the thought of what my family would think if they see me in tears. I won’t tell them the truth even if they ask but the truth will forever haunt me. I broke their trust. I will never forgive myself for that. As we approach the gate to the Crescent Moon Pack house, I stiffen in my seat. For one, I hope my parents wouldn’t question my chastity. If anyone won’t, father would. He believes that as the daughter of an Alpha, being chaste and pure is my number one priority. To uphold the family name and honour, I have to remain pure. I didn’t think too much of it because I was known as the rebel child but now, I wish I did. The driver is stopped for interrogation and after revealing his identity, the gates open immediately. As expected, my mother stands in front of the pack house, alongside my sister. Seeing just them, I heave a sigh of relief. Even as a Luna, mother never let go of her motherly nature. Instead, her position made her treasure her children more. Mother runs to the car and flings the door open before I open my mouth to say a word. “Zumi!” she shouts. “Where were you?” she drags me into a hug and I completely melt in her arms. I love my mother so much. She knows just when to hug her babies with her teddy body. My older sister, Diane Redd, appears behind my mother. Worry written all over her face. An unspoken rule in our house is that the daughters never sleep out and I just violated that rule. “Dee,” mother calls. “Take your sister upstairs. Do not let your father see her.” Diane nods and takes my hand. “You have a lot of explaining to do, red one.” “Red one”, a name everyone calls me because of my red hair. Only I inherited my mother’s red hair and mine is an even brighter shade of red. My siblings, on the other hand, inherited my father’s hair colour. I think his genes got tired when it came to creating me because the only thing I got from him are his hazel eyes. No one inherited mother’s striking blue eyes. They are not the same shade of blue as that of the Royal family but they are beautiful. “Really? How about I get some rest first?” We approach the stairs that leads our rooms. “After crying so much? Mother and I are not fools. Your eyes are puffy.” I pout. Diane is just too observant for my liking. She continues, "what hap–" “And where do you think you’re going?” a coarse voice roars, stopping us right in our tracks. We turn to meet him. Father stands tall at the opposite end. He hasn’t even alighted the stairs yet. My father, Alpha Redd, a man who commands great authority with just his voice. Though I never witnessed him fight, I heard from my brother and some of the guards that he was one of the powerful Alphas on the field. His side of the house is completely different from ours so he uses a different staircase entirely. “Father” we say in unison. Diane’s hands shiver against mine and so do mine against hers. His hazel eyes zone in on mine. He is angry but still, there is no trace of anger on his face. “You disobeyed me, Zee.” “I’m sorry.” I whisper. He scans me from head to toe and squints his eyes. “Go on.” I lift up my head to catch his gaze in shock. “What?” “I’m in a good mood today. Reese called.” I nod, avoiding his gaze this time. “Be down at 6 pm for dinner. No excuses. I have an announcement to make and it concerns you.” He says and returns upstairs. Diane and I look each other in the eye as we try to register what just happened. Everything seems fine but at the same time, I know it isn’t. What’s so important that father has to tell me in person? And over dinner?