Chapter4
1335 Words
Merdith’s POV
Vernon's eyes widened, shock replacing anger.
"I'll let it slide because you're her father," Malcolm continued, his tone dripping with warning. "If not, you would have received a punch on the face."
Vernon's face reddened, but he bit back his retort.
Malcolm's hand wrapped around my arm, pulling me close. "We're leaving." Without another word, Malcolm dragged me out, leaving Vernon seething behind. As we walked away, Malcolm's grip on my arm tightened. "You're mine now.”
I glanced up at him, his eyes burning with possessiveness. “What did I just get myself into?”
With that, we rode into the Willowdale pack's territory, the landscape unfolding like a canvas of rolling hills and lush forests. Malcolm's strong hands held the reins, his presence commanding attention. As we approached the pack's headquarters, “Welcome to my pack, Meridith.” He announced leading me inside his mansion.
Malcolm's cousin, Amelia, emerged from the entrance, her emerald green eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Malcolm, welcome back," she said, her gaze flicking to me. Just then, Amelia's eyes met mine, and she said without remorse, "Another slut?"
I felt embarrassed, wondering how often Malcolm brought women home and why she would say it like that. "She's my mate," Alpha Malcolm replied quickly. "Amelia, don't use that word anytime I bring a woman home."
"I'm sorry, my bad," Amelia apologised, rolling her eyes. "Are you mute? You haven't said a word," Amelia asked, turning to me.
Malcolm replied, "She doesn't speak much."
"I'm Meredith," I said finally.
"I'm Amelia," she replied, giving me a confusing look. Her expression changed from curiosity to surprise. "Interesting," Amelia muttered, studying me.
Amelia pulled me into a warm hug, her smile masking a hint of mischief. "Welcome to the lion's den, Meredith," she whispered, her breath tickling my ear. "We're all a little crazy here, and Malcolm's the worst of us."
I pulled back, eyeing Amelia's mischievous grin. "What do you mean?" I asked, and my curiosity piqued.
Amelia's smile widened. "Malcolm's... complicated. He's a bit of a beast, and you need to be careful around him.”
I nodded, sensing the underlying warning. Amelia's expression turned serious. "Don't be confused about Malcolm's attitude, Meredith. He's tough, and you need to be careful not to get in his bad books. Once you're on his radar, he won't hesitate to unleash his wrath."
I felt a shiver run down my spine. "And what about you?" I asked, seeking reassurance. "What's your role in the pack?"
Amelia's grin returned. "I'm the pack's mediator, or rather, the voice of reason when Malcolm's being... unreasonable." She winked.
Alpha Malcolm nodded at one of the maids. "Take Meredith's bags upstairs, please."
Amelia smiled warmly. "I'll show Meredith to her room."
Malcolm's gaze cut her off. "I'll handle it, Amelia. Thank you."
Amelia's expression hinted at understanding, and she nodded before departing.
Malcolm 's commanding presence enveloped me as he led me upstairs. "This room has been prepared specially for you," Alpha Malcolmsaid, his deep voice low and husky. "I sent word yesterday to make sure everything was perfect." As we entered the room, I gasped at its elegance. Plush curtains adorned the four-poster bed, and a cozy fireplace crackled warmly.
Malcolm's gaze pierced mine, his eyes gleaming with intensity. "Now, listen carefully, Meredith. You can never be my Luna if you're as weak as a pet dog. Your fighting skills are poor, and you haven't even gotten your wolf yet."His words stung, and tears pricked at my eyes.
"Last night, you showed your pack how useless you are," Alpha Malcolm continued, his tone unyielding. "Seriously, is that all you can offer? Are you really Elara's daughter?" My heart sank under his disapproval.
"Your mother was great and powerful, the best hunter yet to come," Alpha Malcolmsaid, his voice laced with disdain. "And you inherited nothing. Aside from her good looks, I'll give you that. But good looks won't save you, Meredith. You can't survive in my pack. We are warriors, fighters, hunters—both young and old." I felt a shiver run down my spine.
"You don't want to become prey or be a slave or servant, do you?" Malcolm's eyes seemed to bore into my soul. "That's what Omegas here become."
I shook my head, my voice barely above a whisper. "No."
Malcolm’s expression hardened. "I'll train you, Meredith. That's the only way you can be worthy of being my Luna. You'll learn, even if it leads to your demise. Or you'll be considered my slave—and you wouldn't want that, would you? Not as the most powerful hunter's daughter.”
Tears streamed down my face, but I forced myself to meet Malcolm's gaze. "And listen, Meredith," Malcolm’s voice dropped to a whisper. "Don't tell a soul about you being my mate. It should remain between you and me."
I nodded, feeling trapped and vulnerable. "Yes," I whispered. Malcolm’s gaze lingered on mine before he turned to leave. "I'll send Amelia to fetch you for dinner," he said over his shoulder. "Freshen up."
The door closed behind him, leaving me shaken and determined to prove myself.
~~~
"You've been staying in my pack for three weeks now," Malcolm's voice thundered, his eyes blazing with disappointment. "Three weeks, and you've shown nothing. No improvement, no potential. You're still as weak as the day you arrived."
I felt a sting from his words, but deep down, I was tired. Tired of trying to live up to his expectations, tired of pushing myself to be something I wasn't.
"I've given you training lessons, and still, you can't even defeat a 17-year-old," Malcolm continued, his disdain evident. "What's the point of having you as a mate if you can't even protect yourself?"
I looked down, avoiding his piercing gaze. Maybe I wasn't meant to be a hunter or a fighter. Maybe something else was my calling, but I didn't have a choice. I was bound to Malcolm and his pack's expectations.
"Malcom, please—" I began, but he cut me off. "No excuses, Meredith. You're either strong or you're not. And right now, you're not." “Pack your bag and get out of my house.” He yelled.
I trudged through the dimly lit corridors with my belongings. I had been demoted to the slave quarters. The thought stung, but I knew I had no choice. Malcolm’s words still lingered in my mind: "You're not worthy of being my mate, not yet."
As I entered the slave quarters, the smell of dampness and despair hit me like a punch to the gut. The quarters were located at the back of the mansion. I found an empty bunk and dropped my belongings onto it, exhaustion washing over me.
~~~
Days turned into weeks, and I settled into my new routine. I was tasked with serving the soldiers and doing chores around the quarters. One night, as I stood in the kitchen washing dishes, Bridget and her friends sauntered in. "You think you're better than us, don't you?" Bridget sneered. I kept my head down, focusing on the suds.
"I heard you've been seducing one of the soldiers, my man in particular," Bridget said.
I let out a silent laugh. If only they knew I was Apha Malcolm’s mate. "What's so funny?" Bridget asked. I shook my head. "I wouldn't dare fall for anyone as dirty-looking as the soldiers here," I said.
Bridget's face twisted. "You called my man dirty?" She slapped me. Without hesitation, I slapped her back with my wet hands. The kitchen erupted into chaos. Bridget and her friends attacked me. I fought back. But I was outnumbered. I managed to push Bridget away and land a few blows.
I ran down the hallway toward the mansion, toward Malcolm, my only hope. My chest ached, the mate bond screamed, as I reached Malcolm’s room. I flung open the door and froze. Malcolm and Amelia were entwined, their lips locked. The one he claimed was his cousin.
- Writer
