Chapter 7
Isla
If someone had told me a week ago that I’d be packing my things to move into the Alpha King’s house and his chambers I would’ve laughed, then asked them if they’d been drinking moonshine.
Yet here I was, shoving my life into a suitcase like I was going on some kind of extended vacation instead of walking straight into the mouth of the wolf with no means of protection at all.
The worst part?
I wasn’t even doing this because I wanted to. No, this was all about duty for a family that hated me, familial obligation for the only man who had been kind to me in my life and a contract I’d been manipulated into signing.
My fingers were still cramped from holding that pen too tightly, like if I pressed hard enough, I could change my fate.
Spoiler alert: I couldn’t.
I folded my one nice sweater—soft, faded lavender, a gift from my grandfather—and tucked it between stacks of jeans and T-shirts.
It was sad that even in the suitcase that I had been given my belongings couldn't even fill it.
My stepmother’s voice floated into my room before she even appeared in the doorway.
“Packing already? My, my, you’re eager to settle in.”
I didn’t bother hiding my eye roll because at this point I was tired and fed up of pretending
“I’m not eager, Liana. I’m just doing what you and Father have decided for me. Like always.”
She glided into the room, the scent of her expensive perfume making my nose itch. Everything about Liana was polished and sharp—silk blouse, diamond studs, lips painted the exact shade of power red.
She liked to feel important and spending money on clothes have her that satisfaction.She perched on the edge of my bed as if it were a throne, crossing one long leg over the other.
“Do you know how lucky you are?” she asked, her tone dripping with false sweetness.
“Most Omegas would claw each other’s eyes out for a chance to live under the same roof as the Alpha King.”
I zipped the suitcase closed with a sharp tug
“Most Omegas wouldn’t be a placeholder for their more ‘desirable’ sister.”
Her smile didn’t falter, but her eyes cooled.
" I'm glad that you remember that" she said softly looking down at me
"Viviana will return. This is temporary. You’re just… keeping her spot warm. Which means you’ll need to be very careful, Isla." She warned walking over to face me, she ran a finger against my cheek slowly
"Don’t say or do anything to upset him. Don’t embarrass this family. Don’t give Tristan a reason to regret this arrangement before Viviana comes back.”
The translation of all of this was know your place.I forced a saccharine smile.
“So… smile, nod, look pretty, and stay out of his way?” I counted down
“Exactly,” she said, like I’d just won a gold star for following instructions.
"The Alpha King doesn’t tolerate disobedience or… sass.” Her gaze flicked over me, lingering just a second too long.
“And you’ve always had a mouth on you. I suggest you keep it shut.”
My wolf bristled inside me, pacing. She didn’t like being told what to do —especially not by a woman who’d spent years making me feel small.
But I bit my tongue, there wasn't anything I could do about it right now
“Is that all, Liana? Or would you like to offer me tips on how to iron his socks too?” I asked simply and her lips twitched in irritation, but she rose gracefully, smoothing her blouse.
“Just remember, Isla, if you ruin this… you won’t just be disappointing me. You’ll be disappointing your grandfather. And we both know you’d never want that.”
Low blow.
She knew damn well my grandfather was the only reason I hadn’t packed my things and run the moment this whole farce started.
When she finally left, I let out a long breath and zipped my second bag that had all my makeup.
My room looked bare, or maybe skeletal was the best word to use since it had always been bare in the first place, now it was stripped of anything personal except the lingering smell of my vanilla lotion.
I reached the bottom of the stairs where my stepmother, Liana and my father were waiting for me like they'd been rehearsing this moment for days. She looked to me but her smile didn’t touch her eyes.
“Well, Isla,” she said smoothly,
“Today’s the big day.”
I adjusted my grip on my suitcase.
“If by ‘big day’ you mean I’m going to live with a man I barely know, then yes. Huge.”
Her lips curved in something that might have been amusement, as my father grunted
" Don’t be dramatic. You’ll play your part, keep your head down, and in a few weeks, Viviana will return. All you have to do is not ruin anything in the meantime.” I raised a brow not surprised that was all he had to say to me
“Wow. Thanks for the pep talk dad. Really inspires confidence.” he frowned at me annoyed
“Don’t worry, Liana. Dad. I’ll try my best to be a perfect little placeholder bride.”
A black SUV was waiting in the driveway when I stepped outside, two pack guards standing beside it. Their presence wasn’t subtle—Tristan wasn’t sending me a car, he was sending a message.
You belong to me now.
I climbed in without another word, pulling my phone out just to have something to look at other than the mansion fading in the distance.
The ride to his estate was quiet, except for the low hum of the engine and the occasional murmur between the guards. I stared out the window as the scenery shifted from the polished streets of the main pack territory that I had known all my life to the sprawling, gated grounds of the Alpha King’s domain.
When the estate finally came into view, my breath caught despite myself, the mansion was massive, a perfect blend of old-world architecture and modern luxury. I hadn't looked at it very well the last time but in the bright day light I was able to look and admire.
If I was allowed to be anything else I would have loved to study old buildings, it was a passion of mine.
The black stone walls climbed high, likely by framed by sharp angles of glass and steel. The front steps were wide, lined with lanterns that glowed even in daylight.
The SUV rolled to a stop at the grand entrance. One of the guards opened my door.
“Miss Isla,” he said, almost reluctantly, like the words tasted wrong.
I bet they did for him, I would have laughed but I didn't feel like it .
I was home in my second prison.