Chapter Four

Scarlett’s POV

The air felt so suffocating that I had to go to some quiet place to catch my breath and ponder about what I just witnessed. Alpha Killian has two brothers, and they are triplets?

How come Alpha Killian is the popular one? I did notice that there was something off about him earlier, but I didn’t think it was his brother who was kissing me.

His words reverberate in my mind, and a chill runs down my spine as I imagine what he will do to me. I don’t even understand him or what is going on. He’s never told me why he bought me or what I’m doing here in his pack.

The air out here in the garden feels like the exact thing I need—the serenity, the quiet; everything is just right at the moment.

But my peace is soon outlived when I hear a very familiar voice call my name tentatively.

“Scarlett?”

A soft gasp escapes my lips as I turn to find Serena and Liam. Their arms are hooked together, and there is utter shock on their faces as they watch me, as if unable to believe their eyes.

“It’s really her!” Serena says, her face twisted in a grimace as she looks me over.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing here? Who gave you the permission to show up here? Have you gone bonkers?” Serena’s voice drips with venom, and I swallow.

“You have no reason to speak to me in that manner, Serena, and I’m here as of right because I was invited.”

She scoffs. “What? Fucking unbelievable, Liam. Did you hear that? What? You think you can talk back at me now simply because you managed to steal someone else’s cloth to feel among?”

“I didn’t steal anything,” I say, my voice firm.

“I’d always known that you’re a fucking liar and pretender, Scarlett, but a thief? That’s pretty new,” Liam says, and I feel my throat burn. He has no right to talk to me this way.

“Does Alpha Killian know that you’re already stealing things in his pack?” Some guests who are just arriving glance my way as Serena says that, and they gasp. “Y’all should probably check your stuff to be sure you’re not one of her victims,” Serena adds, and I feel sudden anger simmering through my veins.

“I am not a thief, Serena!”

“Then how do you explain the fact that a lowly omega like you is wearing designer clothes and shoes? You could never be able to afford them. Not even if you work all the rest of your life. Or, did you go to a nearby store to get fake designers so you could impress Alpha Killian?” She says, crossing her arms, amusement in her voice, and I clench my teeth as Liam chuckles.

“I don’t have to explain anything to you,” I say, keeping my anger under control. The last thing I want is to cause any trouble for myself. Liam and Serena are not worth it.

“Or tell me,” Serena says, taking a step towards me and patting my hair. “Do you want me to believe that Alpha Killian himself got them for you?”

“Alpha Killian would never waste money on a tramp like her. She’s not worth it. Especially not after he splurged such a huge sum of money on her.”

“Or do you think she’s whoring around with him?” Serena says with a laugh, and Liam joins in.

I’ve had enough. I’m about to say something when a deep voice slices through the air. “What is going on here?”

It’s Alpha Killian. I know from his suit. He crosses to my side, and I swallow a huge lump in my throat.

“Hello, Alpha Killian. It’s so good to see you. Thank you for the invitation,” Liam says.

“Alpha Killian, it’s Serena Frost. I’m sure you remember me. Liam and I were just making sure Serena knows her place. It seems she’s forgotten that so quickly,” Serena says, her gaze brushing over me.

“Oh, really? Enlighten me,” he says, and for a moment, Serena looks lost, and a blush creeps up her face.

“It appears that she must have stolen from one or two people to come for the party. I mean, it’s so pathetic that she’s trying so hard to be in the same league as us when she’s clearly nothing but a lowly omega.”

“Enough!” Alpha Killian’s voice is so bone-chilling that my heart slams in my chest. “One more disparaging word about Scarlett, and I’ll remind you about what exactly it feels like to be a lowly omega. I guess you’ve forgotten so soon because of how privileged you’ve become as a result of my generosity to your father.”

“Alpha Killian! Forgive me, I was only trying to look out for you and—”

He holds a hand in the air, and Serena swallows the rest of her words. A tinge of excitement rushes through me at the shock in Liam’s face, and although Serena is doing a good job of masking her rage, I love it.

“Apologize to Scarlett now,” Alpha Killian says, shocking everyone, including me.

“What?” Scarlett says, her jaw dropping.

“I don’t like to repeat myself.” His voice is authoritative, and his gaze is cold, piercing even, as if it could cut through iron.

“I’m so sorry, Scarlett,” Serena says, and I watch as she balls her fist mid-sentence.

“Good. The next time any of you tries to mock Scarlett, I don’t promise I will be this nice.” And with that, he pulls me by the hand and drags me back into the party.

*

I’m removing my earrings, pondering on how Alpha Killian stood up for me back at the garden, and my brows furrow.

It’s the first time anyone has ever stood up for me. Now that I think about it, Serena has never once spoken in my defense whenever anyone mocked me when we were still friends. She’d always remind me about how omegas should never make the mistake of retorting or standing up for themselves whenever they are bullied. She always found a way of making everything my fault whenever someone tried to take advantage of me.

The sound of the door opening snaps me from my thoughts, and I turn to find Alpha Killian leaning against the door.

“I didn’t instruct you to come to the guest room.” There is barely any light in the room, which makes it hard to see his face, but I can tell that he’s pissed from the gruffness of his voice.

“I’m sorry,” I say quickly, not wanting to piss him off any further.

Before I can form more words, I feel his presence behind me, and I swallow hard as his strong hands find my neck, squeezing it gently.

“It’s the second time you’re defying me today, Raven.” His voice is low and husky, and it sends a shiver down my spine as his breath caresses my earlobes.

“You will learn to tell your master apart when I’m done punishing you tonight.”