VIKTOR'S POV
I sat on the porch, watching the smoke curl from my cigar, bored out of my mind as I waited for the new girl who arrived at my pack today.
Ariel Virellis.
After my Beta took her to Ravenna, I ran a quick background check to confirm her story about being from Moonshade, my old pack.
She hadn't been lying.
My grip tightened around the glass in my hand as memories I had buried deep began to crawl back. I shoved them aside, letting only one remain.
Anya—my halfsister.
"Please don't go," little Anya had clung to my jeans, crying as I stuffed a few clothes into a bag. The elders had given me one hour to leave or face a harsher sentence—death.
I crouched down to her level. "I can't stay, Anya. But one day, I'll come back for you. I promise," I whispered, fighting my tears. If only her little mind could understand the evil I was, like everyone else. I wanted to get away quickly before I tainted her.
Just then, Luna Brianne entered and dragged her away without sparing me a glance. Anya screamed for me.
She had only been eight. That memory, that promise, was still carved into my skull like an axe against wood, even after nine long years. Perhaps by now she'd already know it would never be fulfilled. Or better still... hate me like the rest.
I felt like asking the new wolf about her but immediately shoved the thought away. The information was of no use to me.
Then I saw her and Ravenna walking toward the porch. I downed the rest of my drink in one gulp, savoring the burn. Another heartbeat, and the glass was full again.
Drake wouldn't shut up about me giving her my coat.
But the moment I saw her naked, trembling, drowning in fear and shame—I couldn't help it.
She still wore the coat now. It hung almost to her ankles, the sleeves swallowing her hands, emphasizing the difference in our heights.
If she spread her arms out, I was certain she'd look like a scarecrow.
As they walked in, I felt that brokenness that had stirred something inside me again.
What exactly happened to her?
Ravenna spoke through the mind link as she walked away.
'She's not a spy'.
I gave one nod.
Ravenna had slipped one of her witch potions into Ariel's food earlier. It was how we caught spies—rogues sent to infiltrate our pack under false pretenses. But for those who proved genuine? I gave them shelter. A new life. Something they wouldn't easily find anywhere else. Wolves were territorial and rarely accepted strays. Rogues had it worst. No pack wanted to associate with outcasts, believing them too unstable and dangerous.
"Sit," I commanded, snuffing out my cigar.
Ariel hesitated before lowering her shaky self onto the cushion across from me, eyes avoiding mine the whole time.
Every movement, every twitch in her expression pulled at my curiosity.
"Why did you leave your pack?" I hit the nail right on the head.
Her fingers began to tremble as she fidgeted with them.
"Hey, Goldie," I snapped my fingers. Her head shot up. Her golden-brown hair which was the source of her nickname, partly hid her face. But I still caught the tear slipping down her cheek.
"I asked you a question, and you're crying?" I felt irritation rise in me. How had she planned to survive out there if she was this fragile?
She sniffled like a child, lowering her head again. I thought she was going to stop, but instead, the sobs grew louder. She kept wiping her tears with the back of her palm, but they kept coming.
I palmed my face, jaw clenching in frustration, then got up and stretched her my handkerchief.
She took it with trembling hands and whispered, "Thank you," in the tiniest voice.
"You can go back to rest now," I said. "Maybe by tomorrow, some of those rivers would've dried—and then you can answer my questions."
I didn't wait for a response. I had other things to handle.
'Rave, come get her,' I said through the mind link.
'Before I do that, you might want to explain why you're turning a powerful witch like me into a babysitter for that wolf, Alpha,' she grumbled.
'Ravenna.'
'Fine, fine. Tell her Mommy's coming,' she said with a chuckle.
I shook my head, disconnecting the link. She had a way of joking through everything.
°°°°°°°°°°
Back in my suite, I sat out on the balcony, cigar in hand, staring blankly into the darkness. The full moon was only a few days away—and with it came pain. A sharp, inescapable reminder of the killer I was.
I took a long drag and swallowed it down with a gulp of liquor.
Then came an unwanted knock at the door.
I frowned before thinking it could be Drake. Or Aeron, my Gamma.
"Come in."
A minute later, Isabella stepped into view—half-naked in a tiny skirt and a top that barely covered her breasts, a sultry smile playing on her heart-shaped face.
My gaze darkened.
"Good evening, Alpha," she breathed, voice low and seductive.
"Do you need something?" I asked, blowing smoke her way. She turned her head slightly, clearly not a fan of the scent.
"I came to spend time with you," she murmured, stepping closer to touch me. But my hard gaze made her have a rethink, and she quickly withdrew the hand like she just realized she was about to touch fire.
"What did I say about visiting me without half your clothes?" I asked coldly.
I heard her heartbeat spike.
"You hate it," she murmured, looking down at her feet.
"How did you get past my guards?" I asked, lighting a new cigar.
"I—I told them you asked to see me," she answered with trembling voice.
"Did I?"
She shook her head, rubbing her arm nervously.
"Do you have a death wish, Isabella?" My voice was ice now.
"No, Alpha," she shook her head quickly again, like a scared lizard. "I—I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. It's just… I can't stop thinking about you since that night."
I scoffed and stood up. She backed away quickly.
"I made it clear it was the first and last," I said, moving closer until her back hit the wall.
My cold fingers brushed her face, tracing her jawline. "You want more... but I don't give more. Didn't you say you understood the rules before we started?"
She nodded quickly.
"Then see yourself out," I said, taking two steps back. She turned and rushed off.
"This is the last time I'll be repeating myself, Isabella," I called after her.
I had been drunk that night, but I never forgot to state the rules even if I was buried in a barrel of whiskey.
I didn't sleep with the same girl twice. It was for their own good.
So why did she keep coming back? I hated people who didn't follow rules.
I clicked my tongue in irritation and returned to my drink.
Still restless, I mind-linked Ravenna.
'My child is here with me. What else do you need?' she asked.
'Has the little wolf stopped crying?' I was unsure why I even cared. It's not like I'd hire a nanny if she hadn't.
'Yes, she's asleep already. Any problem?'
'I'm just trying to care for a new broken one, Rave. Goodnight.'
I cut the link before she could say anything else.
But the truth was, seeing Ariel cry had made Corbin, my wolf restless. I didn't know why. Corbin didn't know either. And I wanted to find out.