Amelia’s POV

“What? Scared now?” Jasper turned to me with that same nasty grin. “Get moving, Amelia,” he snapped. “Make some tea. And fix yourself up. You look like a mess, and we’ve got an important guest coming.”

I glared at him, my throat still sore from where he’d choked me. But I didn’t argue. I knew better than to push him when he was in a mood like this.

I shuffled out of the room, my hands shaking as I headed to the safehouse’s tiny kitchen. It was a disgusting place—greasy counters, a sink full of dirty dishes, and a kettle that looked older than me. I boiled water for the tea, my mind racing. Alpha Ryder was really coming. In a couple of minutes this would no longer be a possibility but my new reality. The more I thought of it, the more I pictured just how miserable and tortuous the rest of my life was going to be and the more panicked I became.

While the water heated, I caught my reflection in a cracked mirror on the wall. My hair was a tangled mess, my face pale and bruised from the soldiers’ rough handling. I tried to smooth my hair down and wiped some dirt off my cheek with my sleeve. It wasn’t much, but it’d have to do. I wasn’t here to impress anyone, especially not some ruthless Alpha who’d probably drag me off like a dog.

I carried the tray of tea back to the room, my hands unsteady. As I pushed open the door, I froze. Jasper and Estrella were on the couch, all over each other. Her hands were in his hair, his lips on her neck, and they were making these gross noises. My stomach churned, and I almost dropped the tray.

Estrella’s eyes snapped to me. “What are you staring at, you little rat?” she hissed, pulling away from Jasper. Before I could say anything, she stormed over and slapped me hard across the face. The sting burned, and the tray wobbled in my hands, hot tea splashing onto my fingers.

I didn’t think. I just reacted. I dropped the tray, the cups shattering on the floor, and slapped her right back. Her head jerked to the side, and she gasped, her hand flying to her cheek. “How dare you!” she screeched.

Jasper laughed, leaning back on the couch like he was watching a show. “Know your place, Amelia,” he said, his voice cold. “You’re just a servant. Your father ditched you ages ago. Nobody wants you.”

My chest tightened, his words cutting deeper than I wanted to admit. “I want out of here,” I snapped, my voice shaking. “I’m so sick of this place .”

He smirked, crossing his arms. “You don’t even have a wolf, servant. Where are you gonna go? You’re nothing without us.”

I knelt down, picking up the broken pieces of the cups, my fingers trembling. My whole life, I’d been waiting for my wolf to show up. Everyone else in the pack had one, even the kids younger than me. But me? Nothing. I was just… human. Weak. Useless. I squeezed my eyes shut for a second, praying silently to the moon goddess. Moon Goddess, please let me have a wolf of my own. Let me be strong enough to get out of here.

Jasper’s voice broke through my thoughts. “What’s wrong, Amelia? Jealous of Estrella?” He grinned, leaning forward. “Wish you were the one in my arms?”

I gagged, standing up with the broken shards in my hands. “You make me sick,” I spat. “You’re a total bastard, Jasper.”

His grin vanished, and his eyes darkened. “Watch your mouth,” he growled, standing up. I braced myself, expecting him to hit me again. Estrella smirked from the couch, like she was hoping he’d do it.

One of his lackeys, still in the room, shifted nervously. “Alpha Jasper’s pack is formidable,” he said, his voice low. “Even Alpha Ryder fears us. So mind your tongue.”

I couldn’t help it—I snorted, rolling my eyes. Jasper’s pack? Formidable? They were just bullies picking on people like me. Alpher Ryder, scared? Which fantasy world were they living in?

Jasper’s head whipped around, his face red with rage. “You think that’s funny?” he roared, raising his hand to strike me.

Before he could move, the door swung open, and the Beta with the shaved head and scar walked in. “Alpha, what’s going on?” he asked, glancing at the mess on the floor.

Jasper shot me a glare but turned to the Beta. “Nothing. Just dealing with the trash,” he said, jerking his head toward me. “What now?”

The Beta hesitated, shifting his weight. “Just got word. Alpha Ryder’s here. Like, right now.”

My heart stopped. Ryder. Already? I thought we had an hour. My hands tightened around the broken cup pieces, the sharp edges digging into my palms. I barely noticed the pain. All I could think about was the ruthless Alpha who was coming to take me away.

The door opened wider, and a man stepped inside. I froze, my breath catching in my throat. It was him. The guy from the train. Those dark, intense eyes, that sharp jaw, the messy hair I’d seen covered in blood. He was cleaned up now, no blood, no torn clothes, but it was definitely him. The guy who’d pinned me down, held a knife to my throat, and told me to moan like we were… ugh. My face burned just thinking about it.

He stood in the doorway, tall and commanding, his presence overwhelming. His dark eyes, no longer wild with bloodlust, sparkled with calm confidence. Cleaned up, his sharp jaw and tousled hair made him stupidly handsome. His fitted black shirt and jeans hugged his strong frame perfectly. I was stunned—he wasn’t the ugly, broken man from the rumors. My heart pounded, my mind reeling. How could this be?

The guy from the train… was Alpha Ryder?