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CHAPTER FIVE

Secrets in the Shadows

As Joel turned and walked away, leaving her alone by the river, Emerald watched his back disappear as a searing pang hit her chest. A wretched, hollow smile worked its way onto her face, the mocking of her own foolishness. She had let herself believe, even if only for a moment, that she could be someone meaningful to him. But the truth had settled in with one word: "Lena."

Emerald wrapped her arms around herself, small and lost, until a soft bump against her hand brought her back into focus. She looked down to see the little rabbit she had been stroking, its small nose twitching as it peered up at her with large, innocent eyes. Other animals surrounded her ducks waddling near her, small birds chirping nearby, each one seeming to trust her, being drawn to her. It was as if they sensed her sadness, cuddling close to her as if to comfort her.

Feeling a wave of warmth, Emerald sat back down on the grass, her heart lightning. She spoke to the animals in a soft voice with tints of sadness. "You all… you're lucky. You don't know how it feels, being somebody else's shadow, being in a place where you don't belong." She stroked the rabbit's fur as she spoke. "I miss my parents. They were soft and sweet. I miss my pack, my friends, a life that once was mine."

She paused, then looked around at the small creatures gathered around her. "I don't know what I'm supposed to be here. Everybody here seems to miss Lena. Did… did she come to visit you, too? Did she love little animals like you? "Her voice grew softer and a part of her felt silly, talking to animals as if they could understand her. But they were listening—at least, it felt that way.

And somehow, that brought her a small bit of comfort.

Taking a deep breath, Emerald pushed herself up and dusted dirt off her dress. Softly smiling at the animals, she said in a lightened voice, "Thank you for listening to me. If I am allowed, I will return and visit you." She turned to walk away, and just then, it broke through stillness, the laughter.

She whipped around, startled, to realize her cheeks flushed bright in embarrassment because she hadn't been alone, after all. Standing a few feet behind her was the young man she had seen on her first day here, the one who had mistakenly called her "Lena." He wore a playful smile on his face; he was amused.

"Oh! I—I didn't know anyone was here," Emerald stuttered, her face flushing red as she looked away, feeling foolish.

The man smiled, his head cocked to the side as he regarded her. "My apologies if I startled you. I didn't mean to eavesdrop. I was just passing by and couldn't help but notice you with the animals." He stepped forward, executing a slight bow. "My name is Lynk. I'm the Beta here in the pack, and also." he hesitated a moment, tone softening ".a friend of Alpha Joel's.

Emerald nodded politely, feeling nervous yet somehow comforted by his presence. He had a warm, friendly smile that put her a little more at ease.

"Are you alright?" Lynk tried to sound as gentle as possible without beating around the bush. "You seem. overpowered."

She glanced away, shrugging lightly. "There's nothing I can do, really," she replied, her voice barely a murmur.

They began walking back in the direction of the pack house, and Lynk's expression turned contemplative as he turned to her. "You know," he started, "you may look a little like Lena, but that doesn't mean you have to forget who you are.

Emerald looked up at him, surprised. He met her gaze, his expression sincere. "Remember who you are, Lady. No one can take that from you, even if they try." The words hit something deep inside of her, and for the first time since she'd come, she felt a small spark of hope.

She could manage a small smile, feeling grateful for his kindness. "Thank you," she murmured. "It's nice to hear that.

They kept walking in silence, the quiet settling between them, but it wasn't uncomfortable, as if the select silence she was used to had finally become easy. It was calm, almost like she'd found a friend in this weird place. Soon enough, they reached the house and Lynk stopped in front of the door, giving her a small nod.

"Alpha Joel is waiting for you inside," he whispered. "Be careful, Lady. And remember what I said."

She nodded, somehow reassured by his caveat, and stepped inside gingerly. Her pace was cautious down the hallways of her house, the fear knotting and twisting like a palpable entity inside her stomach, as she turned up the stairs to her room. Stepping inside, her heart sputtered at the sight that greeted her.

There, sprawling on the sofa, was Joel. Soft evening light from the window spilled golden luminescence onto him, highlighting his sharp features, chiseled perfectly. His black hair cascaded precisely around his strong facial bones, framing intense brooding eyes that keenly focused on the book held in his grasp. The casual way he sat-cross-legged-commanding yet casual made him handsomely appealing, almost like a figure out of a dream. For a moment, Emerald's breath caught, her heart quickening.

But then, it hit her, the cold wave of reality, reminding her of why she was there. This wasn't her place, and he wasn't hers. She had been brought here as a replacement, nothing more.

Joel looked up from the book, his piercing gaze settling on her, and then laid the book aside. He gestured minutely to her. Swallowing the lump in her throat, Emerald moved closer, her feet stopping a few steps away. But before she could get her bearings, Joel reached out, pulling her down onto his lap.

She gasped, in surprise and discomfiture, her heart racing as he wrapped his arm around her waist to keep her close. Firm yet gentle was his touch, and she felt herself unable to move, locked in his hold. His hand tilted her chin up, forcing her to meet his gaze, those dark eyes searching her face.

"I saw you outside," he said, his voice low, almost teasing. "You looked quite… comfortable with Lynk."

Emerald's face flamed, her heart pounding as she stammered, "It—it wasn't like that…"

Joel emitted a soft chuckle, but his eyes were cold, a warning gleaming in their depths. "Just remember," he whispered, his voice suddenly hard, "you're here for a reason. You're a substitute. A slave, if you will. Don't forget your place."

The edge in his voice sliced into her, and she felt small and wounded. But before she could utter a word, he leaned down and pressed his lips onto hers in a kiss. It was sudden and overwhelming; the pressure of his lips on hers left her breathless. She felt the trembling of her hands as she clung to his shoulders, her head spinning between resistance and submission.

His kiss was deep and desperate, his hold unyielding. And Emerald felt herself melt into it, despite the bitterness in her mouth from the taste of his words. She didn't know why, but something about the touch of his hands upon her seemed to put an irregular skip into her heartbeat, a strange mixture of fear and longing she couldn't fathom.

As he drew back, his eyes still lingered on hers, unreadable. And in that instant, she saw something else flash across his eyes, something far more primeval, raw, and bare beneath the surface. But before she had even time to process, the coldness seemed to freeze over once more, shutting down whatever temporary breakthrough that fire had made.

Joel's voice was barely above a whisper, yet his eyes seemed to bore right into her soul, one hand still clamped on her waist. "Remember, Girl," he whispered, low and dangerous. "You're only here because I want you to be. Nothing more.

With that, he released her, and Emerald straightened shakily, her heart heavy, her mind reeling with a thousand unspoken thoughts. As he left the room, his words still echoed in her brain the painful reminder of the place she had been thrust into a shadow, a substitute, in a world that would never truly be hers.

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