Claimed by my ex mate

Three

CHAPTER THREE

Five years later.

I reapplied my lipstick, using the rearview of my car as a mirror. The dark burgundy colour outlined the full curve of my lips and made them pop, and the dark makeup coating my eyes gave me a mysterious look. I allowed myself a small smirk as I slid the covered lipstick back into its compartment in my bag and got out of the car. My father's house hadn't changed one bit since the last time I'd been here.

My sleek black Mercedes beeped as I pushed a button on the remote and strode to the house, my patent red stilettos clicking against the paved driveway. A shadow passed across the window of a room on the first floor of the building and I knew my father was watching my approach from his study. I curved my lips into a killer smile as I reached the door and pushed the bell. A familiar face opened the door.

Olivia stared at me. "So", she said, still standing in my way, "you're back."

"I am", I said, staring down at her from the vantage point my heels gave me.

She accessed my look, her gaze going from the expensive designer purse I clutched, my understated but clearly expensive manicure, my body hugging pantsuit, and lastly, my limited edition shoes. I returned the favour, letting my gaze travel from her curly hair pulled back in a ponytail and her casual ensemble of jeans and a T-shirt. She was barefoot. When she looked back at me, I smirked at her, arching an eyebrow.

"Found someone to foot your bills, did you?", she asked snidely.

I smiled prettily at her. "I thought you'd be married by now. No luck on that front, or does nobody want you?"

She scowled at me. "You think you can just waltz back in here and mouth off to..."

I shushed her with a wave of my hand. "Oh, honey. I'm not here for you. In fact, in this case, you're barely more than the gatekeeper." I looked past her into the house. "Is your father not in?"

Her frown deepened. "Why do you..."

"Nevermind. I'll find out myself." I brushed past her into the house, hitting her shoulder with equal force when she tried to shove me to the side.

I smiled to myself as I made for the stairs leading to Father's study.

"He still practically lives in his study, doesn't he?", I asked cheerily over my shoulder.

She let me go without another reply and my smug smile grew. I knew she was watching me though and was taking note of the changes so that she could go blab to her mother. My hips were wider from childbirth, but they only served to make my figure more alluring, and my formerly lush, long hair had been cut into a sharp bob that gleamed with every slight movement of my head.

I got to my father's door - though, he was undeserving of that title - , knocked once, and pushed the door open. When I entered, I noticed that Charlotte was with him. They both remained sitting as I approached them, smiling.

"Charlotte, hello", I greeted. "You look well."

"As do you", she said, repeating the look-over her daughter had done earlier.

I reached Alpha Jack's desk and extended my hand for a shake.

"Hello, Father."

Finally, he stood, walked around his desk and came to stand in front of me. I kept my arm patiently outstretched and my smile in place. Suddenly, his lips pulled into a smile that was as fake as mine and he pulled me to him in a hug that had me almost bristling.

"It's good to have you home, Sirona", he said.

I smiled tightly. "It's good to be home, Father", I replied, like I didn't know he had ulterior motives for suddenly having the daughter he abandoned home, after five whole years. But I knew. I was well aware that the only reason Alpha Jack wanted me back was because of my new and prestigious standing as a miraculous healer. Despite appearances, the only reason he was aware of that fact was because I wanted him to be. To every other person, Sirona Blackwell was dead, but I'd deliberately dangled little pieces of baiting information in front of him. He couldn't resist biting and finding out the daughter he'd rejected was now someone in extremely high demand. Of course, he couldn't pass up on the chance that someday he would get to boast and receive pats on the back for supplying half my DNA since I'd implied that he keep my identity a secret.

He looked behind me inquiringly. "Have you no luggage? You'll be staying with us while you're here, surely?"

My words were coated with sugar as I smiled. "Oh, no. I wouldn't want you to go to all that trouble. I'll be staying at the inn on the other side of the pack. I hear their breakfast menu is amazing."

"But you can have better here", Charlotte cut in from behind me, coming towards me and Father. "You know how good my meals taste."

Just to discomfit her, I pulled her into a hug the second Father let go of me, letting my expensive scent cloud her. I knew from experience that she would spitefully hold her breath. I smirked as I held on to her as long as I politely could.

"I haven't forgotten", I gushed. "I'll make sure to drop by some time in the morning so that I can have some."

"You're leaving?", Alpha Jack asked, faking a downhearted expression.

I gave him a sweet smile. "You haven't forgotten the date you set up for me now, have you? I arranged to meet him at the inn."

Alpha Jack nodded and my smile widened. Even with his old age rapidly approaching, he couldn't resist attempting his usual machinations. One thing he didn't know however, was that I wasn't the same person I was before. I knew that the purpose of this date he had arranged was so that he could possibly once again have an arranged marriage and alliance sitting comfy in his lap.

Vaguely wondering who the unfortunate alpha would turn out to be, I laughed inwardly. Old dogs really didn't learn new tricks. As I turned to leave, I let my imward laugh bloom out on my face. I was past being preyed on and I definitely wasn't going through be handed over to anyone like a piece of property. I was more than that. I was now the hunter.