Chapter 12
Lily POV
My heart raced as the image of the big, black wolf flitted to the back of my mind and the other image of the man by the pool too. I had a feeling she was talking about one of them.
“Which Alpha?” I asked searching her face “You said the Alpha wants to see me. Which Alpha are you talking about p>
The events of the past few hours that felt like a million years had turned me into a suspicion tank. So, it wasn’t my fault if I had to check and double-check everything.
Celeste sighed; her eyebrows raised in mild surprise. “The man you met at the lake, of course. Alpha Kai Ryker. He was also the person who was chasing after the rogues and killed a few of them to protect you,” she added.
My blood ran cold as the memory of the imposing figure inside the lake flashed through my mind also the big wolf chasing after me. “The… the naked man at the lake?” I stammered, my cheeks flushing with fear “He’s also the one who killed the rogues?” I asked again.
A small smile played on Celeste’s lips. “Yeah, the very same p>
I studied Celeste again, trying to be fearful of her. What if she was working with Alpha Kai to capture me? Although I had suspected the big black wolf and the man from the lake was the same person it’s just that I had no proof. I couldn’t be sure.
“If he was the same person… he was chasing me!’ I protested. “He looked like he wanted to eat me alive p>
Celeste’s smile widened. “I assure you, Lily, Kai’s intentions were far from harmful. I know sometimes he can be all over the place and ferocious but if he wanted to harm you, I can bet you won’t be still alive, trust me. Also, when we are in our wolf forms, we don’t actually look like angels. Though I can’t speak to what kind of ‘eating’ he might have in mind,” she added with a mischievous wink.
My blush deepened as memories of me running away from him several times flashed into my mind. If he was Alpha Kai p>
“Oh, goddess!” I groaned “I was so rude to him. I didn’t even greet him nor acknowledge his presence at the lake. I didn’t even tell him how grateful I was to him when he fought those rogue wolves. And I trailed off, “I ran away… twice! Is that why he wants to see me? To punish me p>
“Punish you?” Celeste’s beautiful laughter filled the air. “Oh, Lily. You have nothing to fear from Kai. He’s many things but a tyrant isn’t of of them, I assure you and I know you must have heard a lot of bad things about him. Aside from the fact that he’s arrogant… he’s a nice person p>
Despite Celeste’s reassurances, I couldn’t shake the dread settling in my stomach. Stories of how he punishes people came to my mind again.
“I didn’t mean to misbehave or trespass or be disrespectful to him. Can you just call him on the phone and I’ll apologize to him and tell him how sorry I am? I promise I’ll leave at sunrise. He’ll never have to see me again p>
Celeste’s expression softened, a mix of amusement and sympathy in her eyes. “You are afraid of him, aren’t you?” she shook her head. “Lily, I may not know exactly why Kai wants to see you, but I can promise you this: we are not your enemies p>
“What I swallowed hard, a knot of anxiety in my stomach. “What do you mean?” I asked as my brows furrowed in confusion.
“The attack last night, the rogues who chased you,” Celeste said, her voice growing serious. “They weren’t sent by us. They came from your own family, your own pack p>
I felt as if the ground had dropped out from beneath my feet. “What? No, that’s… impossible. I know my father and my sister are not the best but they would never try to kill me p>
But even as I spoke the words, doubt crept in. The memory of my father’s cold eyes as he exiled me, of Vanessa’s triumphant smirk… could they really have sent the killer after me?
“But how do you know this?” I demanded, my voice trembling.
Celeste shook her head. “I’m afraid I don’t know much more than you do. But Kai might. If you meet with him, you can ask him your questions. He’ll give you all the answers you seek p>
I wavered, torn between my fear of the Alpha and my desperate need for answers but right now, this seemed like the only path that seemed genuine. If it was true that my family had sent the rogues, it meant they could still kill me.
Finally, I nodded. “Okay, I’ll… I’ll meet with him p>
“Good,” Celeste smiled. “Now, let’s get you home,” she smiled at me and opened the door of my car with one yank. “What?” she took in the mortified look on my face “This can is old enough to never be used again. C’mon, I’m parked in front. Let’s go p>
She led me to a sleek black SUV parked nearby. As we settled into the car, she turned to me, curiosity in her eyes. “I have to ask, how did you manage to drive through the forest last night without hitting every tree in sight plus your car is in the worst condition I’ve ever seen a car in. Not to mention your headlamps are broken p>
I shrugged; a bit embarrassed. “It was mom’s old car and the only thing I could have left home with, without my dad raising a ruckus and honestly, I have no idea. When I was driving last night, I just… followed my instincts, I guess. It was like something was guiding me p>
“Interesting,” she mused and started the car. “And what do those wonderful instincts of yours tell you about me p>
I considered for a moment. “That you’re… safe. That I can trust you. Which is crazy because I just met you, but p>
Celeste chuckled. “Sometimes our instincts know things our mind hasn’t figured out yet. You’d do well to listen to them more often p>
I nodded agreeing with her. As she drove, curiosity got the better of me.
“Can I ask you something? It’s kind of personal but I hope you can answer me p>
“Anything, Lily,” she smiled. “Go ahead p>
“How do you control the birds? And where did your powers come from? I didn’t think werewolves could have magical abilities p>
A mysterious smile played on her lips. “Now that, my dear, is a long and fascinating story. One you’ll learn if you decide to stay with us and that’s because a day will not be enough to tell every part of the story p>
Before I could press for more details, the car rounded a bed and I gasped at the sight before me. A massive, elegant Mansion stood in front of us, gleaming in the early morning sun with an intimidating black gate and high walls.
We drove past the security and my mouth hung open. Inside was a different world altogether. The entire place looked like it was coined out of a magazine.
“Welcome,” Celeste said warmly “To Royal Hunters Pack and the home of Alpha Kai Ryker p>
As we pulled up to the front of another magnificent building, my nervousness returned in full force. This was it. I was about to come face to face with Alpha Kai Ryker, this time with no lake or car to escape to.
Celeste must have sensed my apprehension because she placed a comforting hand on my arm. “Remember, Lily. Trust your instincts. They’ve led you this far p>
Taking a deep breath, I nodded and stepped out of the car. The front doors swung open, revealing a grand foyer bathed in warm light. Servants came out instantly to greet Celeste who asked them to prepare a room and hot bath for me while we continued to Alpha Kai’s study.
When we arrived at his study, I paused again, taking in another ragged breath. Celeste touched me soothingly, a kind smile on her face. “You’ll be fine, okay p>
“Thank you,” I nodded feeling slightly better. “By the way,” I asked just before the doors swung open, “I noticed you call Alpha Kai by his first name and so casually. Are you friends with him p>
Celeste shrugged, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips. “Perhaps because he’s my brother p>
I didn’t have time to react as the door opened… and there, behind the big mahogany desk in the study, stood Alpha Kai.