Chapter 140

***ANNIKA***

My sister couldn't keep her cool after we arrived home with the stranger who kept glancing around. He looked displeased for whatever reason, but couldn't complain.

“Make yourself comfortable and if you need to, do not hesitate to ask me or my sister,” I said.

“Thank you… what did you say your name was again?” he asked.

I smiled, “Annika. My sister is Antra.”

“I didn't ask about hers but that's okay. Thank you for bringing me in. I'll get a place to sleep tomorrow,” Braden said.

“Yes, you should because this house is too small to accommodate two people, let alone three,” Antra yelled at him, irritated.

He ignored her and walked off into the room, slamming the door behind him.

“You should just tear it down Mr etiquette,” Antra shrieked.

I turned to my sister who hadn't been able to keep her emotions in check since her encounter with Braden. She didn't like him for whatever reason but it didn't matter. I had brought him in for a reason.

“I'm sorry, beanie. You could spend the night with me, tomorrow will fix another room for you.”

“No!” she spat at me. “I don't want to spend the night with you. What is wrong with you Annika? Are you nuts? You just brought a damn weirdo into the house and had me give up my room. What if it's a set-up? What if he's a serial killer posing as a lost person? You know nothing about him!”

I arched a brow and crossed my arms in defense. “Are you mad that he ate our meal or that he's here?”

She sulked and sat on the bean chair. “I'm mad at you for everything. How could you trust someone so much? You defended him out there instead of me. How could you do that? You were so comfortable paying for him. He's irritating, prideful and broke.”

“You can call me anything but broke,” Braden interrupted and stepped out with thongs in his hands, “Do you have a playroom in your bathroom? Why are there a lot of pink and glittery stickers?”

Antra snatched her panties from him aggressively. “First rule if you want to survive here, Braden. Do not touch my things! And yes it is my bathroom. I would do it how I want. Have your damn bath and get the fuck out. It's that simple!”

Braden glared at her, a silent battle going on between them, “First rule if we're going to live together in this house, you have to obey me. I make the rules and you abide by them.”

Antra nodded, “Now I'm convinced you're nuts. Do you make the rules? In my home? This man has gone mad.”

“Enough!” I yelled and turned to Braden, “Alpha this is my house. This is my sister who had to sacrifice her things —”

“Unwillingly,” Antra interjected.

I sighed and turned to him. “You should be grateful. Okay?”

“Cause I'm doing you a favor,” Antra interjected again.

I flashed her a look that sent her pouting and sinking deeper into her bean bag.

“We just need to get you settled in till you find your way. Till then, I need my peace in this house. Is that understood?”

Silence.

“Am I talking to living things or household items?” I inquired.

“Fine. As long as he maintains boundaries,” My sister said.

“As long as you learn etiquette,” Braden retorted.

“Braden, you're a grown man for God’s sake!” I said in exasperation.

***

When it was quiet and I ensured Antra was finally asleep, I went up to her bedroom which Braden was borrowing and knocked gently at the door. I wanted to see him.

“Come in,” he growled.

I slowly turned open the door and walked in to find him sitting in Antra’s gaming chair. The bed looked untouched.

“Is that place convenient?” I inquired.

He shrugged. “Less pink makes it easier to sleep.”

I sat at the edge of the bed, “I'm sorry about my sister,” I apologized, sounding as humble as I could. “I promise she's a sweet soul.”

He shrugged his shoulders. “It's okay. I have sisters too. She takes after my first sister.”

I smiled softly, “Are you from around here?”

He hesitated before scratching his neck nervously, “I think I am. I mean— I am. My family is from here. And err…”

“And the currency?” I asked, “We don't use that here. Then how did you come up with it, if you're from here?”

He swallowed hard and averted his gaze from mine. “I was exploring with designs.” He sunk into the chair.

I chuckled, “So you're saying it's fake, yeah?”

“No,” he said abruptly, “I mean yes.”

“You could've been sued for using fake money if I didn't show up. You know that?”

He went red in the face as he met my eyes.

I nodded, “Do you read books?”

“No I don't,” he admitted.

I sealed the eye contact between us, “I read books. My favorite genre is werewolf.”

At the mention of the title werewolf, his ears perked up. “They’re a thing?”

“That’s up to you,” I muttered, “Do you think they are real?”

He laughed nervously and shook his head. “No! They're mythology. They aren't real.”

“You introduced yourself as Braden the Alpha prince and Alphas are the leaders of a pack,” I pointed out. “Also, the currency you brought is used in the wolfdom, Alpha.”

“Who are you? How do you know so much?” he demanded.

“I'm a reader. I could be manipulating you but your reaction has sold you out. You're not from here. I know that necklace pretty well and I've been seeing it around often. So who are you?” I asked.

He shook his head, “I'm Braden.”

“You’re trying to be careful around me, which is understandable,” I said.

I reached up to my eyes and carefully peeled off my contact lens to reveal my silver-grey eyes. His mouth dropped open but I held his gaze fiercely. “I'm Annika, a half-blood. Who are you?”