Mated To Alpha Kessler

The note I saw in my room was sent by my uncle, but how it got there is a mystery I’m still trying to unveil. I rushed to the window, looking to see if there were any odd things there.

But everything looked plain and perfect, so I hurriedly closed the curtain, hoping that whoever dropped the letter could still lurk around.

I sat down in my room, still on edge over what I just witnessed. I tried to sleep, but the emotional rollercoaster I’d felt kept me awake. Sleep eludes me.

But the knock on the door startles me. When I open my eyes, I realize it’s morning because Julie cheerfully greets me, “Good morning, Lyra.”

Can’t believe I finally fell asleep, but I still feel tired and didn’t have a great sleep.

“Good morning, Julie.”

“Did you sleep well? You don’t look too well, and that reminds me, you looked edgy when I escorted you to the room.”

“Yeah, I managed to get some sleep,” I reply, forcing a smile despite feeling drained.

The thought of Kessler lingers in my mind. He makes me feel wanted one minute, and the next, I’m disgusted with his touch. “He’s your father’s killer, but you crave him, Lyra.”

“Quiet, Sasha, stop making fun of me.”

“Earth to Lyra,” Julie says.

I shake my head, trying to clear the conflicting thoughts swirling inside. “Sorry, Julie. I was just lost in thought.”

Julie gives me a sympathetic smile. “It’s okay, dear. But you seem troubled. Is everything alright?”

I force a reassuring smile. “Yes, everything’s fine. Just had a rough night, that’s all.”

Julie nods, though her expression betrays her concern. “Well, if you need anything, I’m here for you.”

I head to the bathroom to freshen up, and as usual, Julie helps me by laying out my outfit of the day on the bed.

She sure does know how to combine colors; her sense of style is top-notch.

At times, I wonder what her story is, but I choose not to ask her since I’m still on the edge of relating to people around me.

“Julie, can I bake in the kitchen?” I ask once I’m done putting on my clothes-jeans trousers, and T-shirts.

“Sure, you can use the kitchen on this floor.”

“Okay,” I nod.

When I feel like this, I find pleasure in baking; it helps to soothe my pain away and somehow keeps me sane.

But I needed to eat something, so I went to the kitchen. I was in awe of the structure; everything there screamed wealth, looking like sparkling steel.

It was far more elegant than that of the Croftwood pack; it looked like the kitchen those celebrity chefs use for their cooking shows.

I tried to take out the cereal I saw, but I noticed I was struggling. Someone beat me to it by helping me.

I looked back and realized it was Xavier. “Thank you,” I say.

“Anytime,” he replies, taking what he came for and leaving.

“That was strange,” I mutter, shrugging and not dwelling on it.

Julie comes back to the kitchen to help.

Once done with the cereal, I set to start my baking.

Julie helps me bring out all the necessary ingredients.

While mixing the ingredients, I feel someone’s presence behind me, and my body stiffens.

Sasha threatens to burst out, but I suppress her urge.

I turn and roll my eyes when I realize it’s the wolf Kessler was with yesterday.

“Something about you just doesn’t sit right with me,” she snarls. “You have the vibe of trouble, and I hate to have people like you around me.”

Sasha rolls her eyes while I keep quiet and continue mixing the ingredients.

“You answer me when I’m talking to you, young lady,” she says, tapping me.

I take in a deep breath and turn around, with a bit of anger in me. “What is it?” I snap.

Her eyes go to the mark on my neck, and I mutter, “Shit, I didn’t cover it with a scarf.”

“Do you know who I am?” she asks, maintaining eye contact with me.

I give a humorless smile. “So I ask, anything special you would want me to know about you?”

She smirks, trying to cover the hurt, but she continues, “When I become Luna, the likes of you shouldn’t be anywhere in the kitchen.”

“Wait until you become Luna, ma’am,” I say, bowing my head in mockery.

“Can you stop being a nuisance around here and leave the poor girl alone?” someone said.

Looking up, I realize it’s Zach.

“Little one, how are you doing?” he asks, as Annie stomps out of the kitchen.

I roll my eyes and say, “Little one, eh?”

“That was intense. I’m glad you didn’t let her bully you,” he remarks.

“I’ve been through a lot for someone to bully me,” I reply.

He looks at me with sympathy. “What’s your story, Lyra?”

I shake my head, not wanting to relate my story to anyone, as I pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth it with a spatula.

Julie walks in, breaking the tense atmosphere. She awkwardly looks at Zach, her face tainted, while Zach’s eyes don’t leave hers.

“What’s their story?” I wonder with a shrug, then clear my throat. “Julie, please help me place this in the preheated oven.”

“Oh, okay,” she says.

“I can’t wait for this cake, loving the aroma already,” Zach adds.

“Don’t worry, it’s enough to go round,” I assure him.

I instruct Julie on what to do while I step outside to ease myself.

Stepping outside, I turn a corner and am surprised to realize it’s Xavier.

He pins me in place, his breath fanning my face, too close for comfort.

“What the fuck, Xavier?”

He has conflicting emotions but manages to say, “Who are you, and why do you keep messing with my head?”

Sasha growls in defiance in my head, feeling someone not Kessler close to me. I’m confused, but I try to say, “You’re confusing me with someone else.”