3:00 AM
The sound of a single knock on the door awakened Amber from her thoughts. The sound jolted her from a half-sleep. She had been lying on her bed for what felt like hours, her suitcase already packed beside her. The air in her room was still, the faint scent of pine drifting in through the slightly open window. Amber rose and opened the door to find Liza standing there, eyebrows raised in mock surprise.
"Well, look at you," her stepmother said with an arched brow. "All ready to leave without saying a word? How very considerate."
Amber didn't bother answering. She stepped past her without so much as a glance, the burn of resentment in her chest keeping her silent. Liza didn't deserve her words—not tonight.
Liza looked at her. "What are you thinking? Right now, you don't really have a choice—you have to go along with this. Luna Café depends on it."
Amber met her gaze, eyes sharp. She didn't say a word, but the fire in her stare said it all—her heart was quietly rebelling. It wasn't just that she was being sent away. It was the knowledge that Liza had wanted this. She had pushed her father into agreeing, dressed it up as "necessary," when Amber knew it was nothing more than control disguised as concern.
At the main door, a man waited. Tall—easily over six feet—with the kind of presence that made you instinctively straighten your posture. His clean, sharp features were softened by the glasses perched on his nose, giving him an air of quiet intelligence. But the stillness in his stance carried weight, the kind of weight only a wolf of high rank possessed.
Amber's gaze flicked over him.
He looks like a secret mafia boss...
What is it with North Tribe wolves? Why are they all so ridiculously good-looking?
Even Zach, she had to admit—reluctantly—was unfairly attractive.
"Good morning, Miss Amber," the man greeted, his voice brisk but not unkind. "Apologies for the early pickup."
Amber managed a polite smile. "Good morning, Mr. Bri."
Behind her, Liza's voice dripped with false warmth.
"Well, well. Off you go then. No need for introductions—you'll have time to get to know each other later." She waved dramatically, like an actress bidding farewell to her audience. "Take care of our unica hija, Mr. Bri!"
Her laughter rang in the hallway, grating and hollow.
Amber's jaw tightened. She didn't trust herself to speak without her voice shaking—not from fear, but from the effort of keeping her temper in check.
Bri, unfazed, simply picked up her suitcase and gave Liza a courteous nod.
"Thank you, Mrs. Ferrera. We'll be on our way."
Outside, the chill of early morning wrapped around them. Parked by the curb was a sleek black limousine, its polished surface reflecting the glow of the streetlamps.
Amber stopped in her tracks. "A limousine? Seriously?"
Bri allowed himself a small chuckle. "That's only the beginning, Miss Amber. You'll discover much more once you step into his world."
She raised an eyebrow but didn't press. Her curiosity was already burning hot enough to keep her awake.
Sliding into the plush leather seat, she was immediately enveloped by the faint scent of cedar and clean linen. The city outside was still half-asleep, the streets nearly empty.
Amber leaned back, her mind wandering to the man she had seen on the hill earlier. The way he had looked at her—not with pity, but with something steadier, something that felt like recognition—played over in her mind.
There was so much she didn't understand. About Zach. About herself. About whatever this was that was slowly pulling her toward a life she hadn't chosen.
But one thing was certain—she wasn't going to let herself be swept along blindly. She would find out the truth. About him. About her mother. About everything.
And she was determined to uncover it all.
After one hour and thirty minutes ride they immediately arrived at the Mansion of Artesian. A large black gate will open for you automatically, Upon entering... they turn left towards the car parking area. Amber saw a different kind of car model which is new to her, mostly each car are very expensive and have a rare design. Bri got out of the car and quickly opened Amber's door, she led her to walk towards the location of the big house.
They both walk further to the right,
Amber saw a wide expanse of bermuda grass at the opening, it is surrounded by large and tall pine trees. In the center there is a circular structure fountain with a statue of an Angel holding a jar, you will see some lily that floats at the water, and it's just so nice to see the surroundings, clean and fresh.
They both continue to walk at the path leading into a wide stairs towards the big house, but before you get inside, you'll pass a patio where Zach often had breakfast, Amber looked up and she saw that the sun is about to rise.. the patio is illuminated by its light. Theres a large white stone table with benches similar to its design. Amber was really fascinated with what she saw.
"Wait... seriously? This is Alpha's house?" Amber asked, her eyes wide with surprise.
"Wow, it's huge... I wasn't expecting this at all."
"as you can see, the design of the house of the Artesian family is simply pleasant and pleasing to the eye, from the structure of the house to its furniture, the furnishings are really expensive and of good quality. everything you see belongs to the Artesian family for so many decades, which Alpha of the North had already inherited." Bri's long litany.
"Why? where is his family!? doesn't he have a family?" Amber asked
Bri faked his smile.. and turned towards Amber's direction
"Zach's entire family including his mom and dad was simultaneously attacked by bandits wolves who came from the Western part of the continent. Bri said mischievously. "In other words, Zach's parents passed away at the same time..." he said in a serious voice.
"Oh..! I'm sorry I didn't know.." Amber said
Bri shook his head .. "oh no.. it's ok...! actually it's a long story, you'll be about to know all of that when Zach tells it to you in person. Besides that is not a secret" Bri winked at Amber while talking.
"You know..!? that's the reason why all of them are saying that Alpha is Cruel, well... yeah..! it's true he is so Cruel and rude as we all know, it is because bitter experiences and bad memories really change a person's behaviour, and I'm expecting that you will be a great help so that his true personality can return.
I missed the old Zach. I remembered him as being cheerful, kind and a loving person." Bri looked at the inexplicable void as he said those words.
"Hmm..! the personality of this Alpha is too mysterious, wait a minute..! and what will be my role in the life of that Cruel wolf!?" Amber thought
Bri interrupted Amber's deep thoughts
"come and I will introduce you to mother Zita the Alpha's butler.!, mother Zita has been serving the Artesian family for about thirty five years. she is a human not a wolf. Bri smiled while saying it.
They both walked towards the kitchen where mother Zita was preparing the guest's breakfast.
Amber was amazed at every detail of the House, even the kitchen has expensive furniture and appliances, with a combination of white and black colour.
It looks like a Modern Mediterranean
Ambience. Apart from the things she found out about her Big Boss... there were many surprising things in the house that really amazed Amber.
Curiosity knocks at Amber's thought, and she wants to know everything about it.
She's normally very curious about so many things, and that feeling is not new to her, right now she's a bit excited about what would happen to her in the hands of an Alpha.
.... at the kitchen she saw an old lady wearing a butler uniform, she's about five feet and two inches tall which is normal to her body structure. A petite body. If you look at her she looks like a primary school teacher, she's wearing a reading glass and she looks so kind in her appearance.
"Hello Mamita..! Bri's endearment to mother Zita.
"Amber I would like you to meet Mother Zita..! it's Mamita for short, Mamita this is Amber the new personal secretary of our boss, from now on you'll be with her every day." said Bri
Hi Mamita nice meeting you... Amber instantly hugged and kissed mamita at the cheeks as a sign of respect.
"Oh, there you are...! come sit down and eat, the food is ready" Zita's eyes showed joy
the food served on the table looks delicious, Amber felt hungry. so she quickly sat down and was about to eat.
"What did you prepare for breakfast Mamita? a familiar voice was heard..!
it was Zach.
Amber immediately stood up, not knowing what to do first. She felt awkward in the situation, this is the second meeting between her and Zach, but it's as if electricity runs through her entire being every time she sees him in person.
A silly smile appeared on Zach's face. he could feel Amber's loss of track while looking at him, he knew that he was cornered Amber in that situation, and to cut the awkwardness that Amber felt... he immediately turned his gaze to mimita and smiled. He sat on the chair in front of her, so now he could see Amber's trembling lips vividly, and as he gazed at her lips, a warmth sensation flowed to his core, he needed to control his feelings, so he immediately spoke.
"Aren't you gonna greet me Amber!?" he said
Amber was surprised by what Zach said, by the way.. why was she suddenly felt confused by the situation!?
"Uhhm.... G-Good Morning Mr. Artesian" a trembling voice came out on her.