Chapter 38

Annie’s POV.

This whole situation is insane. It astonishes me that this moron Alpha thinks I believe his bull crap story of being his second mate. I don’t know how he’s going to try to convince me, but it’s not going to work. I’m not some stupid bimbo, and he can stay the heck away from my pants. I know that’s all he wants, and he’s not getting it. I’m saving myself for my real mate. And I will never call him by his name. Although he’s no alpha, he’s just a spoiled, selfish, a-hole. I’ve hated him since he stole my parents from me, then he had the nerve to ban me from my second family.

When I was young, Flora told me not to let my hate of him control me. I guess I just learned to ignore his existence, but now, that hate has come back full force. I hate him, especially after what he did to his own flesh and blood. I know he’s Xavier’s dad, I told Gilbert my thoughts once and he told me the truth, that I was right. I can’t believe he backhanded an innocent little four-year-old pup. My father would never lay a hand on a child, he was a true Alpha.

I look around my room and so many forgotten memories return. I remember hiding under the vanity playing hide and seek with my father. I’m sure he knew where I was the whole time, but he pretended to look everywhere else first. When he did find me, he lifted me high in the air then fell back onto my bed with both of us bouncing. We were laughing the whole time.

My room is different than I remember, but I can still smell my mother, just barely. I wonder what he did with all of my stuff. I crawl under the vanity and press against the back panel of the thick leg. It opens up and I let out a breath of relief that my secret stash is still here. My locket containing my parent's pictures is still safe in the heart-shaped red leather box. The velvet is still as soft as I remember. My mother’s book of herbs and flowers barely fits in the space, but I managed to fit it in here when I was young. Dried flowers crumble with the slightest movement, but I carefully pull them out. Its thick, yellowed pages creak when I turn them. I’m going to have to do something to protect them. I remember filling the book with my mother. The last third of the book is completely empty and the pages are still spotless.

A knock taps at my bedroom door and I roll my eyes. Go away stupid Alpha. I hide my possessions away and answer the door. The housekeeper looks me over and I bite my lip. “Miss Maxine?” I ask.

Her mouth slightly opens and her eyes bulge. “Little Annie, is that you? Goddess, where have you been? I thought you were dead.” She holds my face gently. “You look so much like your mother. You’re so beautiful, but you have your father’s power, don’t you.” I step back to let her in and close the door behind her. She pulls me into a tight hug, just like she used to when she was the housekeeper for my family, and I can’t help but smile.

“I’ve been living at the orphanage with Flora and her two pups.” I guide her to sit with me on the bench.

“Goddess, I never thought to look for you. I’m so sorry, my precious girl. I should’ve looked for you right away. And Flora. I miss her so.”

“It’s alright, I’m here now, but I’m not sure it’s a good thing.”

“Alpha told me to prepare this room for a new guest. I don’t know what this is all about, though. Normally I know everything that’s going on around here, but I never heard a word about you coming back ”

“Miss Maxine, I think he’s up to something. He said I’m his mate, which obviously isn’t true.”

“Just Maxine, honey. That is very strange. Do you think he knows who you are, child?”

I shrug my shoulder. “I don’t think so. Don’t say anything, please. In fact, you’ve never met me before, okay.”

“Of course. I’m going to keep my ears and eyes wide open.” She pulls an antique-looking key from her pocket and places it in my hand. “This opens the attic. Most of your family’s things are in there. Your family portrait was destroyed, but other items are still intact.” She holds my face again. “I’m so happy to know you’re alive. I have things to attend to. You come down and eat. You’re so thin, your mother would have a hissy fit to see you so tiny.”

I giggle knowing how true that is. “Let me wash up first. I’ll be down soon.” She smiles sweetly then leaves me in my room.

With a deep calming breath, I lay back on my bed which feels the same as I remember. I do like the décor. I am grown and not really into princess pink anymore. It’s a beautiful room, it kind of reminds me of the room at the palace Toby allowed me to stay in. Goddess I miss him. I miss Giselle, Gilbert, and Callie. I miss everyone. It’s only been a few hours and I miss everyone at the orphanage, especially Xavier. Now I’m forbidden from seeing them at all. Ugh, a-hole. What is he up to? I don’t trust him and never will.

I can’t just stay in my room. I promised Maxine I would eat. Hopefully, no one else is around. I’m dreading seeing Luna Ellen, but I slowly pad down the stairs listening for anyone so as not to be surprised. The coast is clear so I walk into the kitchen. The brown cabinets have been updated to a sleek white and the counters are white marble where they were a cream color before. The layout hasn’t changed much. I hear someone walking in the hallway, so I turn to face the intruder. I guess I’m the intruder now, though. Maxine smiles at me and I relax.

“Are turkey sandwiches still your favorite? I don’t have grape soda, but I will pick some up on my next grocery run.”

I giggle with a smile. “Yes, you remember that?”

“Of course.” Maxine pulls out a plate and begins making a sandwich for me.”

“Where is everyone?” I ask as I sit at the island.

“Well, Alpha is in his office. Luna is shopping, that’s where she usually is if she’s not here. Enforcer Laurent and his family went on a picnic. I think you’ll like them, they’re a sweet little family. Tanya and Timothy are absolutely adorable. Beta Gilbert went out of town. He left just yesterday.”

“Yes, I heard about that.”

“Of the three, he’s the one I know the least, but he’s always respectful and considerate to me.” I wouldn’t expect anything less from Gilbert. Goddess, if he were here now, maybe I wouldn’t be in this mess that I have no clue how I got in. Maxine sets the plate in front of me then pulls out an individual bag of cheddar and sour cream chips.

After lunch, I wander the bottom floor looking for any big changes. Things look mostly the same, with a few changes in furniture, paint or molding. I find my mother’s piano is still in its place in the back corner room. The couch my father used to sit on has been replaced with a more modern one. The family portrait that hung over the fireplace is gone as Maxine informed me.

I glide my hand over the smooth surface of the polished wood then pull out the bench. Old sheet music is still inside, but anything with my name on it is missing. I shake my head and let out a breath. Why would anyone throw out music? Skimming through the pages left, I pull out the sheet music for River Flows in You by Yiruma. It’s a piece that Toby and I played together, but it’s also one that my father thought was beautiful. I’m a little rusty, so it sounds choppy, but after working on it for a short while, it begins to sound better. I’m surprised the piano is in tune, it looks like no one has played it since my mother and I were living here.

“You’re very good.” Alpha A-hole comments from behind me.

I close my eyes and get control of myself. “My mother taught me, but that was a long time ago.”

He pushes himself off of the doorway and steps in closer. “How long have you been in the orphanage?”

I turn back to the music, but it's difficult to concentrate while he’s here. “Since my parents were murdered. I was 10.”

“I’m sorry for your loss.” I close my eyes and attempt to ignore him. At least he hasn’t figured out who I am. I open my eyes and start working on a portion of the music I struggled with. He touches my shoulders and I jump off the bench and out from behind the piano. “I didn’t mean to startle you, but you need to get used to my touch anyway.”

“You don’t know me, so please refrain from touching me.”

“That’s why you’re here, so I can get to know you, so we can get to know each other.”

I shake my head. “I’m not your mate. Please stop pretending otherwise and let me go home.”

He steps into my personal space. I’m too dominant to back away from him. “This is your home now, Anna. I suggest you get used to living here.”

“I don’t have a choice. You’ve already forbidden me from leaving the grounds and from seeing my family.”

“I’m your family now. Anna, you’re beautiful and I’m happy to have you here, but do not try my patience.”

“Or you’ll backhand me like you did Xavier?” I look him in the eyes, I can see that pissed him off. Good.

He holds my chin. I try to get out of his grip, but he holds tighter. “I do have a little bit of a temper. I suggest not trying me.”

I pull my chin free and cross my arms in front of me. “You’re not winning brownie points with me so far.”

His lips tick up into a smirk. “I don’t have to. Once you turn 18, you won't be able to resist me.”

“Julian.” Someone calls then the front door closes. I assume it’s the Luna.

“In here,” he answers.

Her high heels click on the marble floors, the sound getting louder the closer she gets. She starts speaking while still in the hallway. “I bought the cutest dress. We really should have a ball of some kind. It’s so boring… oh.” She stops to look at me. “What are you doing here?”

I look up to Alpha A-hole. “I brought her to live with us,” he says then finally turns to face her. “She’s going to be staying in the room across from ours. Get used to her being here.”

“So the help gets a room now?” I roll my eyes, but she can’t see me with Alpha A-hole standing between us.

He takes her hands and pulls her to his body. “She’s not the help, baby. This is Anna. I’ll explain everything later on. For now, just be nice to her.”

She looks around his shoulder. “The brat didn’t work out so you decide what? She’s obviously not going to be your heir.”

“I said I’ll explain everything later.” He crosses his arms and glares at her.

“Whatever. Are you still making my tea?”

Giselle left some packets for me at her cottage. I just have to be allowed to get them. “Yes, but my ingredients aren’t here.”

She waves her hand. “That’s fine, I have time before the next heat anyway.”

“She’s the one that makes your tea?” Alpha a-hole looks me over in question.

I’m not about to mention that I know Giselle. “My mother taught me about herbs. Luna asked me if I could make it. I found the recipe and have been making it for her since.”

“Any other hidden talents I should know about?”

I shake my head. “Not really.” My parents trained me to be a Luna. I can do a lot of things. Toby said I’m a wonderful dancer while I was at the palace. Goddess, it’s been three, almost four years since I saw him last and I still think about him regularly.

“Well, Anna since you’re here, make yourself useful and help me with my bags.”

Alpha a-hole spins to face her. “I just said she’s not the help, Ellen,” he practically growls.

“I don’t mind,” I speak up and step around him to grab four large shopping bags. Anything to get away from him. I don’t bother to look back as I head toward the stairs. The clicking heels tell me Ellen is not far behind me. I stop at the top of the stairs and wait for her to lead the rest of the way. I’m not about to enter their room first. Knowing they use my parents' old room turns my stomach, but I suck it up and step inside to place the bags down inside the closet.

“Where do you get your ingredients?” Ellen asks as she pulls a dress from the bag, before I can make my escape.

“In a clearing just outside of the territory, but I’m not to leave the Alpha house grounds. Alpha command.”

She looks me over. “Why are you here?”

I shrug my shoulders. “I have no idea. Alpha brought me from the orphanage this morning.” I’m not about to tell her that her crazy mate wants me to replace her.

“Well, whatever the reason, stay away from Julian. He’s mine.”

I can’t help but smile, ironically. “I’m well aware, Luna. I’m saving myself for my mate so you really don’t have to worry about me.” Until he tells her his crazy plan.

She turns back to her bags. “You’ve been making my tea for years now. If you wanted to poison me you would’ve done it by now. Here.” She grabs a pair of canvas sneakers and thrusts them into my arms. “We look about the same size. Yours are trashed and full of holes.”

I look down at my old worn shoes. “Thank you, Luna. I’m going to throw these out.”

I guess she’s not so bad, besides, she has a point; if I wanted to poison her I… Oh, Goddess. I stop in my tracks as the realization sets in. No wonder she can’t get pregnant, Giselle has been poisoning her all this time. I lock my door behind me and try to clear the shock from my face. Giselle started giving her tea when Xavier was born, I remember seeing her load it into the basket. I even remember picking Valerian and Calendula for her while she was pregnant. She told me it wasn’t for her and she had a plan to make Julian go back for Xavier. Oh, Goddess! Sneaky Giselle. I’m appalled and impressed at the same time.

Crap, I don’t know what to do with this knowledge. Gilbert told me about the things he’s certain Ellen did. I’m not her judge, but it’s not my place to punish her. Wolfpack law, she should’ve been executed, but being the Luna makes what she did even worse in my eyes. What to do, what to do.