Chapter 1 Chapter 1

I sit and look at the two suitcases on my bed.

I contemplate zipping them up or just folding all the clothes back into my closet.

I can’t go back… not to their pitiful gazes and the possibility of seeing him again. He should be there since he’s an Alpha now.

“Oh God, I can’t do this,” I mutter.

My family may have no problem coming to see me, but I can’t go there. It’s been far too long, but Father requires all his children by his side, and I’ve been avoiding this for four years. Besides, I limited all forms of communication and visits from my family for over a year to avoid this conversation, but somehow I was convinced.

The Summer Alpha Gala week is going to begin tonight, and I don’t think I could put up an indifferent front if I see him today. I can’t put on a smile, as expected of me, while he parades around with his mate.

I have everything packed, and I stare at the suitcase lids, trying to find the courage to zip them up and haul the suitcases downstairs. I close my eyes and take a deep breath before exhaling the doubt away.

I go over to my bed and hurriedly zip up the suitcases before I change my mind, sealing my fate. I pick up my red handbag and then drag the suitcases out of my room, down the stairs, and out of my apartment. I enter the elevator with the bags and push the button for the ground floor.

“The driver is waiting, Miss Adalwolf,” the doorman says as I walk out of the elevator.

I just nod at him, trying and failing to drag my suitcase behind me, and he stops me.

“Let me.”

“Thank you,” I mutter and walk ahead.

I need to keep myself busy, so I just play with my fingers. I am nervous as hell—screw it, nervous is an understatement. I was scared, nervous, doubtful, and just plain unsure. Was I going to get through this okay?

Another doorman opens the door for me, and I step out, exposed to the sun and the mildly humid breeze. I see the black BMW that’s meant to pick me up.

I walk down the short flight of stairs towards it as the driver steps out immediately.

“Good to see you again, Miss Adalwolf,” he acknowledges as he opens the door for me.

“How are you, Derek?” I ask and smile at him.

“I’m doing great, miss.”

I murmur out a thank you, and he simply replies with a soft-spoken “you’re welcome” as he shuts the door after I enter the car.

The doorman with my suitcase comes out of the building, and Derek opens the boot of the car and eases my suitcases into it.

Derek shuts the boot and enters the car, and soon we’re zooming off.

“How are the preparations for the SAG?”

“They’re going really well. The castle is looking beautiful.”

I smile.

“And my sisters?”

“You know your sisters,” he breathes out a laugh. “Your mother is adamant on Faye wearing a dress as usual. Quinn is taking care of the palace while Faye and your mother are constantly fighting.”

I chuckle at the last bit.

My heart squeezes at the mention of my sisters, and I manage to squeeze out the last question.

“And Noel?”

“He found his mate last year. Alia. A very nice redhead that can control your strong-headed brother,” he chuckles softly.

I smile and try not to let tears fall. I didn’t even contact my twin brother. What kind of person am I? And all they’ve ever done is look out for me.

My family was so beautiful before I moved, and hopefully, it still is. Noel was the first, and he was the best big brother anyone could ask for growing up, even though we were the same age. Faye, the tomboy and wild child of the family who hated dresses and who I loved pranking people with, and finally my youngest sister, the last sweet child, Quinn. She was the most respectful, the sweetest, and the most innocent. We all protected her when she was little, and she was—is—the baby of the house, no matter how much she protests.

But they would all be grown up now. Twenty-four doesn’t suit me, so I wonder how it’ll suit Noel, and I can’t imagine how huge he’d look. I’m sure Faye is quite the troublemaker at nineteen, and I can’t believe baby Quinn will be eighteen in a few months.

“Everyone misses you,” Derek says out of nowhere.

I just nod because I know, and I’ve missed them too.

“And we were all so sad that you stayed away for four years. We hope you stay longer this time,” he continues.

“I’m sorry.”

“There’s no need for that because everyone is so happy about your arrival. The castle may be preparing for the upcoming celebration of the SAG, but you are the main reason for the festivities.”

He gives me a reassuring smile from the rearview mirror.

After a ride of over six hours, we finally go through the gates of the Adalwolf castle.

The car stops in front of the castle, and I look at it through the window. Derek steps out.

I’m scared to step out. Even though Derek said they were so happy that I was coming, I just can’t help but wonder if they hated me or were at least pissed at me.

Derek opens my door and holds out a hand for me with a reassuring smile. I hesitantly take his hand.

Immediately I step out, I hear my name.

I turn around, and I see only gold before the air is knocked out of me as I stumble a bit.

“We missed you,” Faye mutters.

“So very much,” Quinn continues.

I hug them back, ignoring the fact that I can hardly breathe, and this encourages them because they hug tighter.

“Can’t breathe,” I manage to wheeze.

They pull back, and I’m met with two blondes giving me bright smiles.

They look so different but also the same as when I left them. I feel my heart squeeze at the thought of missing them for four years.

“I didn’t expect you to come, Odetta,” Quinn says.

“Neither did I,” I admit, and I can’t help it, the tears start to fall.

“I missed you so much. I’m so sorry.”

I hug both of them as my voice cracks.

They hug me back, and when we pull away, Quinn’s blue eyes are filled with tears while Faye is smiling at me.

“Odetta, my baby, my goodness,” my mum shrieks as she runs down the stairs and flings herself at me.

I hug her back. “Hi, Mom,” I mutter.

She strokes my head, and I want to cry because I’ve missed the feeling. “I missed you so much. Why didn’t you call? We didn’t want to bother you,” she says as she pulls back.

Her brown hair is in a bun, and her brown eyes are teary. Her eyes crinkle, showing her age, as she pulls her lips into a small smile.

She holds my cheeks in her hands. “How are you doing?”

“I’m doing well. I missed you,” I whisper.

“Oh, my baby,” she exclaims and hugs me again.

I ignore the fact that she’s blocking my airflow, and I inhale her sweet, homey scent.

“Let me have a go at my daughter, Kat,” I hear my dad’s booming voice before I see him.

Mum reluctantly lets go as my dad sweeps me into a hug. He lifts me up a bit and spins me lightly.

“Dad, I’m twenty-four,” I groan while lightly laughing.

“Fuck being twenty-four. You’re still my sweet little girl,” he exclaims.

“Ben, language,” my mother scolds, but there’s no heat to her words.

He places me on my feet and pulls away, inspecting me before pulling me into another bone-crushing hug.

“How are you doing?” he asks, wiping away my tears.

“Um—good, I guess. I—I’m just so happy to be here,” I say, trying not to cry anymore.

My father is a tall man with piercing blue eyes that could strike fear even in the toughest of men, but those eyes soften at my words.

“Odetta, meet Alia,” Mum says eagerly as I meet the redhead Derek was talking about earlier. Mum gives her a light push in my direction as she introduces her.

“I see you’re the fiery mate keeping my brother in check,” I smile at her, and she smiles back. I’m sure she was trying to pick her words, which is understandable because we haven’t met before.

“You wouldn’t believe how respectful and obedient Noel has gotten,” my mother giggles.

“I’m Odetta,” I say, and she surprises me with a hug. She must have been holding that one in.

“Noel talks about you all the time—well, everybody does, and I’m so happy to finally meet you.”

“Thank you,” I say and smile again.

“I can’t wait till Noel sees you. He’ll be so happy,” she gushes.

“Where is he, by the way?” I ask, trying to crane my neck behind her.

As if on cue, I see him.

I’m about to walk—screw it, run—into his arms when he holds up a hand, halting my movements.

I look up and meet his steely gaze. They don’t soften or let up when they meet mine, and I know he’s not so happy to see me.