Chapter 1
Olivia's POV
“I still don't understand why Alpha Zach insisted that I come here,” I muttered as I stared out the car window.
Aunt Cecilia sighed beside me. “Olivia, we've discussed this already. Your father wanted you to come to the pack, and Alpha Zach promised him that he would bring you here.”
“And I've told you that I'm only here for Dad's funeral. After that, I'm going straight back to London.”
“Let's get through the funeral first, darling.”
I folded my arms and looked away, unwilling to argue with her any further. It had only been a few hours since Aunt Cecilia arrived at our home in London and informed Mother and me that my father, Alpha Timothy, had passed away. Even now, I was struggling to believe that he was truly gone.
I had only met my father once in my entire life, but knowing that he was dead still broke something inside me. For seventeen years, I had waited for the day he would finally bring Mother and me to his pack. I had imagined what it would feel like to live under the same roof as both my parents, to have dinner with my father, and to experience the kind of family other children had. Unfortunately, that day would never come.
And to make matters worse, before dying, he had apparently instructed his Beta to bring me to his pack. A man I had never met was suddenly giving orders about my life.
“Your father loved you, Olivia,” Aunt Cecilia said gently.
I swallowed. “Then why did he never bring us here?”
She remained silent.
I turned toward her. “See? That's what everyone does whenever I ask that question. You and Mom keep telling me there were reasons, but nobody wants to explain anything.”
“It's complicated, darling.”
“Of course it is,” I muttered.
Before she could respond, the car stopped.
“We're here,” the driver announced.
I looked outside at the enormous mansion standing before us. Several guards were stationed near the entrance, and a few servants were waiting outside. Aunt Cecilia stepped out first, and I followed her.
The moment we entered the mansion, a maid approached us and bowed respectfully.
“Welcome back, Lady Cecilia.”
“Thank you, Carol,” Aunt Cecilia replied. “Is Alpha Zach around?”
“Yes, my lady. He's in his room, but I'll inform him that you've arrived.”
Aunt Cecilia nodded before turning toward me. “Come, Olivia. Let's sit while we wait.”
I followed her into the sitting room, trying not to stare too much at my surroundings. The mansion was enormous, and everything looked expensive. I had never imagined that my father's home would be this beautiful. I wondered what it would have been like to grow up here. Would I have had my own room? Would Father have taken me to school? Would he have been there for my birthdays? I quickly pushed those thoughts aside. There was no point wondering about things that would never happen.
“Are you all right, darling?” Aunt Cecilia asked as we sat down.
I nodded. “I'm fine.”
She gave me a sympathetic smile. “I know this isn't easy for you.”
I looked down at my hands. “I just wish I'd gotten the chance to see him again.”
Aunt Cecilia reached for my hand and squeezed it gently. “I know, sweetheart.”
Before I could respond, footsteps sounded from the hallway. I looked up, and the moment my eyes landed on the man walking into the sitting room, I forgot what I had been about to say.
“Fuck,” I blurted out before I could stop myself.
Aunt Cecilia immediately shot me a warning look, but I barely noticed. Goodness! Who was this man?
He was tall, broad-shouldered, and incredibly handsome. His dark hair was neatly styled, and a short beard framed his attractive face. But it was his piercing green eyes that caught my attention. I had seen handsome men before, but none had ever left me this speechless. For a moment, I couldn't even look away.
The man stopped walking when his eyes met mine, and something strange happened. His expression changed so suddenly that I noticed it immediately. His eyes widened slightly, and he stood completely still, staring at me as though he had just seen something impossible.
I blinked. Why was he looking at me like that?
For several seconds, neither of us moved. The intensity of his gaze should have made me uncomfortable, yet strangely, it didn't. If anything, I found myself wishing he would keep looking at me.
“Alpha Zach,” Aunt Cecilia greeted, rising to her feet.
Alpha Zach? My eyes widened. Wait. This was Alpha Zach? The same man I had been insulting throughout our journey? Oh, Goddess.
“Olivia,” Aunt Cecilia whispered, gently tapping my arm. “Get up and greet the Alpha.”
I blinked and quickly stood. “Greetings, Alpha Zach,” I murmured, suddenly feeling embarrassed.
He didn't respond immediately. His jaw tightened, and for a brief moment, something unreadable flashed across his face. Then he looked away.
“Lady Cecilia,” he finally greeted, his voice deep and calm.
Goodness, even his voice was attractive. I had no idea why I was reacting this way to someone I had only just met, but there was something about him that made me unusually nervous.
He turned toward Aunt Cecilia. “Thank you for bringing Olivia here.”
“Of course, Zach,” she replied.
His eyes moved toward me again. “It's nice to finally meet you, Olivia.”
My stomach fluttered at the sound of my name. I had heard people call me Olivia countless times, but somehow, it sounded different coming from him.
“Thank you, Alpha,” I managed to reply.
He gave a brief nod before walking toward one of the sofas, and I quietly returned to my seat beside Aunt Cecilia. For some reason, I couldn't stop stealing glances at him. He was probably in his early thirties, but he certainly didn't look it. Everything about him, from his appearance to the way he carried himself, made him seem like someone who was used to being obeyed.
Unfortunately, he seemed determined not to look at me. I frowned slightly. Just moments ago, he'd been staring at me so intensely that I couldn't look away. Now, he was avoiding my eyes. Had I done something wrong? Perhaps he'd noticed how shamelessly I'd been staring at him earlier and was trying to make me feel embarrassed. Whatever the reason, I decided it was better to focus on why I'd come here.
“Your father will be buried tomorrow,” Alpha Zach said, breaking the silence.
My smile faded immediately, and I lowered my eyes.
“After the funeral, you'll remain here in the mansion,” he continued. “That was his wish before he died. He wanted you to be properly cared for and protected.”
My admiration for him immediately took a back seat. There it was again. Everyone seemed to have already decided where I would live without bothering to ask what I wanted.
I straightened in my seat. “I understand that my father wanted me here, Alpha, but I'm only staying for his funeral. After that, I'll be returning to London.”
For the first time since he sat down, Alpha Zach looked directly into my eyes.
“Is that so?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
I nodded firmly. “Yes. I already have a home, and my mother is there. I can't just leave everything behind and move here permanently.”
He studied me for a moment, his expression revealing absolutely nothing. I couldn't tell whether he was angry, amused, or simply wondering why I thought I had a choice. Then he leaned forward slightly.
“I'm afraid that won't be happening, Olivia.”
I frowned. “What do you mean?”
“You're staying here,” he replied calmly. “I gave your father my word that I would look after you, and I intend to keep that promise.”
I stared at him in disbelief. “I'm sorry, but you can't just decide that for me,” I argued. “I have a life in London, Alpha Zach. And more importantly, I have my mother. I can't stay here without her.”
“Then your mother can stay here too.”
I blinked. Was he serious?
“Excuse me?”
“If being away from your mother is the problem, she can move into the mansion with you,” he explained, as though it were the simplest solution in the world.
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Did he have any idea what he was suggesting? My mother living under the same roof as my father's wife? Even I knew that was a terrible idea.
“But Alpha—”
“We'll discuss this another time,” he interrupted, rising to his feet. “You've just arrived, and tomorrow will be a difficult day. Get some rest.”
I opened my mouth to protest, but he was already turning away.
“Cecilia, make sure she's comfortable,” he instructed before walking out of the sitting room.
I watched him leave, completely stunned by how easily he had ended the conversation. He hadn't shouted or even raised his voice, yet somehow, he'd managed to make it clear that he considered the matter settled. And despite how annoyed I was, I couldn't stop myself from noticing his broad shoulders and well-built physique as he walked away.
“Unbelievable!” I muttered.
Aunt Cecilia sighed beside me. “Olivia, please.”
I turned toward her. “Did you hear what he just said? He actually thinks he can decide where I'm going to live!”
“He made your father a promise, darling.”
“And what about what I want?”
She remained silent.
I shook my head angrily. “I don't care what he promised Dad. I'm not staying here forever.”
Aunt Cecilia sighed and reached for my hand. “Olivia, please. Let's just get through the funeral first.”
I leaned back against the sofa, releasing a frustrated breath. There was no point arguing with her anymore. I had already made up my mind. I would attend my father's funeral tomorrow, say my final goodbye, and return to London, where my mother was waiting for me.
As for Alpha Zach, I had to admit that he was the most handsome man I had ever laid eyes on. But his good looks didn't give him the right to control my life. He might be the Alpha of this pack, and everyone else might be afraid to disobey him, but I wasn't one of them.
