Four.

Pregnant?!

She descended the stairs with one of her arms around her belly and walked towards us. My heartbeat quickened, racing like I was in the face of death, and remained fixated on her as I tried to keep my anger at bay. There were too many things going on in my head and none of them was positive. How dare she settle and live so happily, even building a family like she hadn't destroyed mine? It was devastating to think of.

The guard next to us nudged me and I shot him a murderous glare that he returned with a scowl, then he motioned for me to bow. I looked around to see that all the maids around had their heads hanging low already. For some reason, it killed something inside of me. What did I expect though? She was Alpha's daughter after all. Two words breezed into my mind. Planned or hasty? Was I going to lose my mind and try to plunge the nearest sword I found into her neck or do I wait till she let her guard down? Maybe then I'd have more ideas on ruining the entirety of their family.

All these while I hadn't realized I had been glaring at her, till Tala nudged me again with a question on her face and I immediately bowed slightly at the presence of the supposed royalty. Unlike how I'd always imagined to react, I wasn't as violent as I thought I'd be. My breathing was even and I appeared normal— except on the inside, I had already murdered her repeatedly.

"Good day, Lady Ultrika. These are the members that'd be joining you today. Alpha Kai also sends his pleasant greetings." The guard said, and I stood upright once more, boring my eyes into hers. She seemed to notice this but tore her gaze away from me to Tala, then back to the guard.

Unlike the way I remembered her, the ruthlessness she exuded, and how wild she was, it was the opposite now and it left me confused. Something about her aura had changed, I didn't sense roguery or hate from her. Instead, she smelled of flowers and looked as gentle as a dove. It set my blood on fire how calm she was. I want to remember her as the merciless wolf that commanded the death of my family without a second thought. My hand was balled into fists and it took all I had to not send a punch across her pretty face.

"I see..." Her voice like the whistling wind, "Thank you. Tell him that I'd take them as my own and that I have settled everything else there is. You may leave, I'd address the girls." She turned to us, her thin, red lips curved into a smile that sent the skin around her eyes creasing.

"Yes, lady Ultrika...I also wish you a safe delivery. The packs would love for another one of the royals to be joining us soon." He said to her with one last bow, she nodded gently, giving him a quick farewell and he walked out of the manor.

I felt Tala's arm snake around mine. "Good day...ma'am...w-we look forward to working with-"

"I can tell you're very nervous," Ultrika turned to me, "and you have a scary way of showing it. Seeing as you haven't taken your eyes off me since you got here. I'd start with the basics so let's get seated, shall we? One thing you have to remember is... here in SilverBow, you have nothing to be afraid of." She began walking forward and Tala followed pulling me with her. "Here, get comfortable." She insisted, pointing to the chairs and picking one herself, directly opposite us.

"Thank you," Tala mumbled as we both sat. Tala's hand remained linked in mine, almost as though she knew what I was feeling on the inside.

Ultrika moaned as she sat, pushing the big bulge in her torso forward and leaning against the armrest. "I suppose you two belong to an Omega family. Alpha Kai never ceases to amaze me with his decisions. I wouldn't deny that it is good for us, since our packs aren't bonded by blood, it gives us the grace of inclusion, meaning we are very open to new pack members with the condition of them finding their place here. Alpha Kai mentioned that you two are responsible for taking care of his manor, is that correct?" She inquired.

"Yes, ma'am." Tala nodded. I, on the other hand, was so busy trying not to commit murder. Ultrika's eyes fell on me once more, her lips still curved into a small smile.

"Please... Lady Ultrika would do. I suppose continuing that duty here wouldn't be a problem," she expressed, "we're open to diversity too if there are other things you two can do to help the pack..."

Why was she looking at me? I cleared my throat rather loudly. I wanted to be rude. "We'd stick to cleaning up after you, Lady Altrick. We were sold to work for you anyways, it's only proper we perform those duties."

"Ultrika...but Altrick has a nice ring to it, too." She maintained that smile, "and I'd have to problem with you cleaning up after us....?"

"Altalune... and I'm Tala," Tala responded quickly.

"Altalune...hm. You have quite the eyes. Altalune..." she echoed making me want to slap it out of her filthy mouth. "You both have pretty names. I see no reason why this wouldn't work out. It's a pleasure to meet your acquaintances." She turned to one of the maids, "Roseanne, is he available right now?"

The maid rushed to where she sat and with a bow, she urgently responded. "The alpha has asked not to be disturbed right now. He says you can handle this, and he'd meet the new pack members." She scurried away after delivering the message and I watched Ultrika sigh.

"I guess we can push your meeting with the Alpha to the evening. I've asked for one of the rooms in the maid's chamber to be emptied for you. You'd find the basic necessities in there and stay till we find your exact places in the manor— that would happen when you meet the Alpha. I'd like to hear a brief introduction from you two... especially Altalune."

I swear the next time she blurts my name- "Alta..." Tala nudged me, did you hear her?" I tore my gaze away from Ultrika because yet again, I hadn't realized I'd been staring at her.

"Sorry..." I muttered it felt as though the word sliced my tongue, but I knew that I couldn't get discovered. The fact that I'd let my displeasure show is what gave her the reason to notice me. I should tone it down, but how!? It wasn't every day I get to be a step away from the person who snatched my family from my grip.

And not only her, the entirety of her family. They were no different from the wild animals that wander the forest, and I hoped that one day, I spit that out right before I steal her pathetic life from her. I shifted to the edge of the rather uncomfortable chair. "I'm twenty-three. My parents and sibling were casualties of a war.... even though pointless, but I grew up with another. My mother is Tala's aunt." I recited the same set of lies I was trained to. " My life has been pretty good, typical, and ordinary."

"Oh! I'm so sorry about your family." Ultrika exclaimed, for some off-putting reasons, she sounded genuine. I hated that I recognized her genuinenes! "It pains me whenever I hear stories like this, Altalune. I'm happy you have people by your side to-

I couldn't handle it anymore. Why was she pretending to be good!? WHY!? Before I could control it, I blurted, "CAN YOU JUST SHU-

"Mom!" A younger voice called out and saved me in the process. Once again, I failed to control my anger, Tala's grip around my arm tightened and I looked at her, nodding reassuringly. I knew I almost messed up.

But- mom? Not only was she carrying a rogue inside of her, but she also had one running around?

Just like us, Ultrika's attention was divided. A smile grew on her lips when her eyes fell on the teenage boy that approached. Unlike her, his hair was raven black, long enough that it fell on his shoulders and I took it that he was a semblance of his father — whoever the son of a bitch was.

"Lowe! I thought I asked you to stay in your room till I return! I'm in the middle of something important here," she scolded, "what do you want?"

"Father was worried that you've been working for too long so I was asked to check on you... and-" his eyes fell to her stomach as he cringed. Typical teenage boy, pregnancy was more of a myth to them. It was satisfying to know that she'd built a family just like mine and I would eject her from him, no matter what that took away from me. I'd let my fight run its course, even though I didn't have plans to punish those who had nothing to do with it— her children for example.

"Where are your manners?" She quizzed, "I'm not the one on here, Lowe. Say your greetings."

The boy— Lowe, who within the short period of meeting him had made me realize how playful he was turned to us, bowed slightly and said his greetings. I didn't get why everything was the opposite of what I had imagined and it ate me up inside, rapidly. She was not supposed to have a kid or manners. She was not supposed to be nice to us or care about us. She should be the same person I remembered that night! She should be brutal and merciless like I know, that's what justified my hate for her! How did things change so much!?

"You may leave, tell your father I'd be back as soon as I'm finished." She ordered tiredly.

"Yes, your highness," he courtesied jokingly, "You look as just as ravishing today too!" Lowe hurried out of the living room, leaving me at a loss for words.

This was so messed up.

"He's such a joker, that one." Ultrika grinned after Lowe exited, "You were saying something... Altalune?"

"No, not really," I lied, "I'm good, thank you."

"I suppose. You know what? I'd go fetch the Alpha so your duties get sorted effective immediately, that should be more convenient. I'd be right back."

The Alpha...

It couldn't be him...right?