Chapter 5
Erin's POV
"First, you must return to Seattle for my bonding ceremony; second, you will NOT cause any trouble or embarrassment; and third, most importantly—" Sophia's voice suddenly turned razor-sharp, "you must stay AWAY from Victor, understand? Don't get near him with that damn Omega scent of yours, don't smile at him, don't try to speak with him alone. I know your tricks, Erin. I won't let you seduce my Alpha, just like you seduced Richard!"
The accusation hit me like a slap across the face. My fingers tightened around my coffee cup until my knuckles turned white.
"You're being ridiculous, Sophia," I nearly hissed through clenched teeth. "I never tried to seduce Richard. He was the one who—"
"Spare me your lies!" she snapped. "I know exactly what you did!"
I bit my lower lip, my stomach churning. On that horrific night when Richard had burst into my room, claiming he couldn't resist my "scent," I had tearfully told Sophia what happened, and her response was—
"You worthless bitch! How dare you seduce my mate! Get out of my territory!"
And so I had left that so-called "home" without looking back.
"Erin! Did you hear what I said?" Sophia's sharp voice yanked me back to reality.
I took a deep breath, pushing down those painful memories. "Think whatever you want. Just transfer the money today, and I'll be at your wedding."
"It's a bonding ceremony, not a wedding," she corrected me haughtily. "I'll transfer one thousand dollars to you. That should be enough for a plane ticket and a decent outfit. Remember, Erin, don't embarrass me."
"Wouldn't dream of it," I muttered, thinking: Just get through this one last time, take the money, and never have to see that woman again.
Seattle greeted me with a merciless downpour. As I exited the airport, the clouds hung so low they seemed almost within reach, their gloomy appearance matching my mood perfectly. The taxi driver remained silent throughout the journey, with only the monotonous rhythm of the windshield wipers accompanying my return to the place of my nightmares.
Sophia's old house stood in the gray curtain of rain, the three-story wood and stone structure looking even more foreboding than I remembered. Rainwater dripped from the corners of the gargoyle decorations' mouths, as if they were silently mocking my return.
I used the spare key hidden under the base of the gargoyle statue to open the door. The damp, cold air hit me immediately, mixed with familiar scents—lemon cleaner, Sophia's favorite rose perfume, and the lingering trace of Richard's tobacco. The Red Maple Pack totem that once hung on the wall had been removed, replaced by the Black Stone Pack's wolf head insignia—fierce, majestic, and radiating an unchallenged authority.
My fingers lightly traced the hallway walls, memories following me like shadows. Each step felt weighted, every corner hiding ghosts of the past. The kitchen remained unchanged, only tidier, with the refrigerator no longer displaying my photos, just images of Sophia and Lisa posing with various powerful figures.
I slowly climbed the stairs, the creaking floorboards grating on my nerves. At the turn was the small closet where I had hidden countless times. When Richard was drunk, I would curl up in that dark space, holding my breath, praying he wouldn't find me.
My old bedroom door was firmly shut. Taking a deep breath, I pushed it open—it had been converted into a storage room, with boxes piled high. My bed and desk were long gone. The only thing remaining on the windowsill was a small statue—a wolf sculpture I had bought myself for my fifteenth birthday. I picked it up, immediately sneezing from the dust.
Of course they wouldn't keep my room for me, I thought with a bitter smile. Unlike Lisa's room, which was surely kept pristine, waiting for her return at any time.
Back downstairs, I noticed a new photo album on Sophia's desk. Opening it, I found it filled with pictures of her and Victor—fancy restaurants, luxury yachts, private jets. In every photo, she was radiant, looking completely happy, as if the past had never existed. As if the fall of the Red Maple Pack, Richard's death, my departure, were all just insignificant stumbling blocks on her path to happiness.
Exhaustion suddenly weighed on me like a physical burden. I cleared a space on the living room couch and lay down. Outside, the rain grew heavier, thunder rumbling, lightning occasionally illuminating the entire room. I closed my eyes, trying to rest, but as sleep came, so did the nightmares.
Richard's face loomed in the darkness, twisted and menacing. He gripped my wrists tightly, his other hand tearing at the collar of my nightgown. The sound of fabric ripping pierced the night. "Stop struggling, Erin," he whispered, reeking of alcohol. "You know you want this... all Omegas want to be marked by a strong Alpha..."
His weight pressed down on me, suffocating. I wanted to scream, but fear froze the sound in my throat. I fought desperately, but my limbs felt heavy as lead...
"NO!" I jolted awake, drenched in sweat, my heart pounding. Outside, lightning tore across the sky, followed by deafening thunder. My phone rang sharply, the screen displaying: Sophia.
My hands were still trembling, my chest heaving violently. After several deep breaths, I finally pressed the answer button.
"You ungrateful little bitch!" she roared from the other end. "I've called you a dozen times! Are you deliberately ignoring me?"
"Sorry, I was exhausted," I explained, fighting to control my anger, my voice hoarse from the lingering nightmare. "I just woke up."
"Woke up? Do you know what time it is?" she shrieked. "It's almost dark outside! What can you do besides cause trouble? I KNEW nothing good would come from your return!"
Outside, the rain had eased slightly, but the clouds still hung heavy in the sky, just like Sophia's accusations weighing on my chest.
"Is there something you need?" I struggled to sit up, trying to keep my voice steady.
"Listen carefully. My bonding ceremony will be held at the Black Stone territory the day after tomorrow," she commanded. "Make sure you attend on time. Don't mess this up!"
"But I haven't prepared anything, I don't have suitable clothes—"
"Clothes and jewelry have been delivered to the house!" she interrupted. "Make yourself look presentable! Don't embarrass me in front of Victor and his pack! I'll NEVER forgive you if you do!"
After hanging up, I walked to the porch and indeed found two large packages placed in the sheltered area. The rain had soaked the outer packaging, but the inner plastic wrapping had protected the contents well.
Opening the first one, I found a champagne-colored floor-length gown, with intricate lace and silk interwoven, and hand-sewn beadwork that sparkled under the light. The second box contained a set of jewelry centered around yellow sapphires—the necklace featured a stone the size of a pigeon's egg, with equally lavish earrings and a bracelet.
My eyes widened. God, how much did this cost?
On the day of the wedding, I prepared myself meticulously. First, a thorough cleansing with a special scent-neutralizing body wash; then careful makeup application; finally, an updo with a few loose strands naturally framing my face.
When I put on the champagne-colored dress, I was amazed by its perfect tailoring. The deep V-neckline elegantly displayed my collarbone, while the cinched waist design accentuated my curves. With the magnificent yellow sapphire jewelry set, I felt like a star about to attend the Oscars.
The car arrived punctually and carried me through Seattle, from downtown to the suburbs, finally turning onto a small road lined with ancient pine trees. Ahead stood a stone archway carved with the black tribal totem. Even through the car window, I could sense the powerful Alpha territory marking scent.
As we passed through the archway, the full view of the Black Stone Pack territory gradually appeared—
"My God..." I couldn't help but hold my breath.
In the center of the territory stood a massive main lodge, surrounded by pack members' residences. In the distance lay a natural lake, with ancient wolf totem poles reaching toward the clouds. The entire territory was clearly divided—gathering grounds, training fields, hunting areas, ceremonial spaces, and areas of pristine forest.
Holy Shit! This wasn't just a wolf pack territory; it was a private kingdom!