The Bully Alpha's Defiant Slave

Chapter 5

Sandi

Lying in bed, I stared at the ceiling, my mind swirling with questions that refused to fade. Who were my real parents? Why had they abandoned me in the woods all those years ago? Were they even alive—anywhere out there? Or was my mother right—were they murdered? The unanswered questions haunted me, gnawing at my thoughts until sleep finally claimed me, dragging me into a nightmare.

In my dreams, monstrous shadows lurked—gigantic beasts with bloodstained fangs and hate-filled eyes. They chased me through pitch-black woods, relentless and ferocious, until their claws tore into my flesh and darkness swallowed me whole. I woke trembling, heart pounding, the echoes of that nightmare fading but never quite gone.

The alarm blared all too soon, shattering the silence of my room. Groggy and disoriented, I pushed myself out of bed, stumbling into the hallway. Rubbing my eyes, I slowly made my way to the kitchen, the scent of breakfast already teasing my senses.

I moved with purpose—turning on the coffee maker, pulling bacon and eggs from the fridge, and setting them on the counter. I grabbed a frying pan, placed it on the stove, and started cooking. The sizzle of bacon filled the quiet, warm morning air, and I slipped four slices of bread into the toaster, waiting as the smell grew stronger.

Before long, my parents appeared, drawn by the aroma.

“Good morning,” I greeted them, handing each of them a steaming mug of coffee. Their faces lit up with grateful smiles as they took the drinks.

“Smells incredible,” my father said, heading toward the dining table and taking a seat.

“It sure does,” my mother agreed, settling across from him.

I smiled, turning back to the stove. I cracked eggs into the pan and popped the toast up once it was golden. Butter melting over the crispy bread, I placed it on a plate in the center of the table, then served up the rest of the breakfast.

Sitting down, I began eating, feeling the warmth of the food and the comfort of home.

“So,” my mother asked, her voice gentle, “are you nervous?”

“A little,” I admitted, trying to hide my nerves behind a small smile. “More excited than nervous, really.”

My father grinned mischievously. “That’s to be expected. After today, we’re headed for a new start in another town.”

My mother reached across and clasped his hand, her smile tender. “That’s right.”

But I didn’t say anything. Thanks to Lindsay, I knew there were other shadows lurking beneath our plans—things I wasn’t supposed to know. So, I kept my silence and ate quietly, the weight of unspoken questions pressing down on me.

After breakfast, I cleared my plate into the sink and headed to my room to get ready for my graduation ceremony. Tomorrow, everything would change. Or so I hoped.

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**Alpha Kayden**

I was out for my morning run, the wind rushing past me as I sprinted through the dense woods in my wolf form. Today was a big day—the high school graduation of the humans in my territory. But for me, it meant so much more. I’d be seated in the auditorium, observing the girls I’d been watching for weeks—the ones I’d shortlisted. Their words, their postures, their strength—everything I needed to assess their potential.

Diving over fallen logs, dodging trees and boulders, I let Steel, my wolf, take the reins. His paws pounded the earth as we surged forward faster than ever, the trees blurring into streaks of green and brown.

“So… we’ll have fresh prey soon,” Steel growled happily, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.

“It’s about time,” I replied softly. “The old ones are boring now. I need something new.”

Steel chuckled. “Good. These girls better be interesting. The others bore me to tears.”

“Remember,” I warned him, voice low. “They’re here to do a job. As long as they follow the rules, they’re safe. If not… well, they won’t be alive to complain.”

His grin widened. “And if they don’t? They die. Simple as that.”

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t hide my amusement. “You’re bloodthirsty,” I muttered.

“Damn right I am,” he said proudly. “And I love it.”

We kept running until we reached the river on the eastern border of our territory. I slowed, shifting control back to myself, and stood on the riverbank. The water was rushing fast, the surface shimmering in the bright blue sky. Despite the peaceful scene, I felt a strange charge in the air—a storm was coming. I watched the river’s relentless flow, feeling oddly calm—and deeply aware of the tension brewing just beneath the surface.

Knowing I had to return soon, I turned away from the river, heading back toward the pack house. Time was tight; I’d been out longer than I intended. I didn’t want to be late for the graduation—lateness drew unwanted attention, and wolves were masters at avoiding that. We thrived in the shadows, hidden from humans, living with the knowledge that if they ever found out the truth about us, everything would change.

We loved that humans feared us—nightmares fueled by stories, movies, and legends. It kept us safe, kept us in control. That fear was our greatest weapon. And yet, it was a shame we couldn’t reveal ourselves. The truth about what we truly were—that would be a game-changer.