Regret (Annabelle)

There was worry and pain in his voice as tears welled up in my eyes, which I struggled to hold back. "I don't know how it happened, Jack, and I don't know who," I confessed, not expecting any help but finding comfort in his concern.

"Where did it happen?" he inquired, and I recounted what little I could recall. "I don't know, but the room was luxurious when I woke up."

His gaze swept over me, growing darker with each passing moment until it settled on my hair. "Why do you have long blonde hair? I thought your hair was short. Now it's long," he observed, prompting me to explain, 

"It's a wig I used to wear, but I lost it." There was no need to mention that it was dyed.

He looked at me with a mix of confusion and helplessness. "There is footage showing you entering one of the guest rooms at the pack house, and that could get you into serious trouble.

It's possible that you slept with one of the Alphas or VIP guests, but everyone is saying you are a ghost because there hasn't been any footage of you coming out."

Thank goodness those fools couldn't identify me because I lost my wig, but Jack had more to say.

"Some are also speculating that Kari must have done something to you because she was seen entering and exiting the same room you entered with a white cloth wrapped around her. What adds to the confusion is that Kari was later seen leaving that same room with Alpha Ziglar."

The information was overwhelming as I tried to piece it all together, causing me to massage my temples. It was fortunate that they mistook me for Kari, but why was Alpha Zachary involved? Was he the man in the shower? Or did he mistake me for Kari?

"Does the Alpha sleep in that guest room?" Why did I hope it was him? The rule was for me to wait until my betrothed found me, but now I felt tainted, believing that someone like me was not suitable for someone like him.

A foolish omega having a crush on her Alpha was the most absurd thing that could happen to me. It would be even worse if it turned out to be Alpha Zack. 

However, it couldn't be him; someone who was allergic to she-wolves could not have possibly slept with me. Could it be that the bloodstain was not mine? Why did I feel so sore and tired the next morning?

"No. Why would he sleep there when he has his luxury Alpha's chamber? This is what makes the whole thing a puzzle," Zack revealed. A sigh of relief escaped me as I asked, "And those outside?"

"They are just worried about you. From the way you look, I will get you some clothes. If questioned about these love bites, tell them it's from me."

Why would he take up that responsibility? It could affect his mate when they find each other. Besides, as a Silver warrior, he still didn't have that leverage.

"No, you'll be demoted. I'll face the consequences of my actions."

He didn't say anything but went out and locked me inside his room. I contemplated returning to the attic when I heard his voice from outside.

"Annabelle is fine. She left early because she felt sick, but I caught up to her later. You know she has never been to such an event." 

A voice that sounded like one of the omegas I had slapped was heard. "We thought the bitch had run away, but being an omega here is better than in other packs because there is a chance to become a crimson warrior," somebody said. Another one asked,

"Can we see her?" I recognized Jack's voice. "Are you doubting me?"

There was silence, so I sank to the floor and didn't know how long passed before the door was violently pushed open. Kari entered with the Alpha's twin sisters.

She attempted to slap me, but this time, I didn't let her, catching her arm mid-air. "Don't even try it." She had the envious love of the Alpha, so why was she being so hostile? 

"Who do you think you are? I gave you a simple instruction, and yet you didn't follow it." Anger shone in her eyes, but I was consumed by my own sorrow. "I did." 

"Then why didn't I feel anything after drinking the wine?" I couldn't admit that the drinks were tampered with, so I simply stared at her. "I'm not sure. Maybe you're immune to it," I replied as she hesitated to pick up the glass I gestured towards.

"Immune, or did you drink the witch's portion?" Her eyes bore into mine, dark and intense, as if she was possessed. "And what about those hickeys? Why did I find the dress I gave you torn in the guest room?" Her accusations sent a shiver down my spine.

Fear crept in as she seemed to know too much, a threat of exile looming over me. "I don't know, just leave me alone," I managed to say as she grabbed my hair, but I swiftly caught her hand before she could do any harm. 

She then revealed a shredded wig from her bag, questioning why I had worn it before.

"Why the wig?" she demanded, and I shot her a defiant look. "Back off," I warned her.

Kari leaned in and sniffed my scent. "Now you smell like us," she shoved me away. Just as one of the Alpha's twin sisters was about to strike me, Jack intervened, his presence a welcome relief. The twins, Ivy and Iris, were so alike that I couldn't distinguish between them.

"Miss Kari, what brings you here? Miss Ivy and Iris, is there an issue?" Zack inquired politely, trying to diffuse the tension. Kari forced a fake smile. "I'm just curious how a wolfless omega ended up with those hickeys."

Jack smiled uncomfortably. "They are from me, Miss Kari. I was drunk last night and took advantage of her. I take responsibility for my actions," he said politely. Kari didn't seem to believe him but somehow allowed the matter to drop.

"No, there's no problem. Send the omegas to clean up the banquet hall."

Indirectly, she was referring to me, but as much as I didn't want to, I had to go after thanking Jack for the dress he bought for me.

"When I start earning, I will pay you back," I said to him. He smiled at me. "It's a gift, just accept it. And you have to be careful. There are still investigations going on, and I heard Beta Gaius saying that the security of the pack house has been tampered with for the Alpha to be drugged with a witch's potion.

He missed his way to his room to receive a call and ended up in another," Jack was saying, but I couldn't believe it. Alpha Zach picked the wrong drink. His was not spiked.

"I don't know why you are telling me this, Jack, but let me do my chores," I said firmly.

All I wanted was to finish the cleaning and get some food to eat, but as I went upstairs to clean the lavatories, I heard a piercing scream. 

"Help, somebody help." It was Iris, one of the Alpha's twin sisters, and her hand was caught in the railings of the rooftop of the banquet hall. I rushed to her side with lightning speed, reaching out to pull her back. 

However, she suddenly jerked forward, causing my hand to inadvertently touch her chest. Before I could grab her shirt, she leaned back and fell from the rooftop, plummeting four stories down.

My blood ran cold as I witnessed Ivy and Kari crying inconsolably, with none other than Alpha Zach present. His mere presence made the hairs on my skin stand on end in reverence. 

When our eyes locked, darkness seemed to cloud his gaze, and the information Ivy shared with him only added to my distress.