I HEARD A FAINT KNOCK ON THE DOOR.

I halted from walking towards my bed and turned to face the door. Who could be knocking at this time of the night? Dinner ended early and it was already rest time.

I just turned my head quickly. "Nora?" I called out while already crossing the room. I didn't even bother checking. I just opened the door with a faint smile ready on my face.

Only to find out that it wasn't Nora.

A tall, broad-shouldered man dressed in all black was standing in the door way. He was holding a small box in his hand while his dark hair was tousled, and his eyes were icy and were locked on mine.

I just stared at him while surprised. "Wait—who... who are you?"

He didn't speak and just kept staring.

"Sir, if you're trying to do something, I... I should tell you," I stammered while taking a step back and instinctively positioning my body the way we were taught in the facility. "We were trained to protect ourselves. I'm not defenseless!"

But after what I said, he still said nothing. Then after a few seconds, he finally took one step forward.

"No," I sharply uttered while my voice was trembling. "I said don't."

Without thinking, I immediately launched myself forward. A swift leg sweep aimed at his knees and followed by an elbow meant for his chest. But the man moved too fast. Like he wasn't even trying to avoid my attacks.

Who the hell was this man?

The next second, my wrist was already caught mid-air, and my body twisted until I was spun right into him. His arms locked around me.

"Let go!" I hissed while still struggling in his hold. "Let go of me!"

But he didn't.

Instead, he leaned closer to me. "I should've never bought you, omega."

I froze after realizing what he just said.

"What..." I whispered. "Wait, are you—?"

He shoved me back, but it was not hard, but enough that I stumbled slightly and my back hit the edge of the bed.

He tossed the small box onto the mattress and gazed at me. "Yes. I'm your Alpha," he answered coldly.

I just stood in my position. "You're... you're Alpha Brent Cavendish?"

He didn't respond.

But after a few seconds, he turned slightly while glancing at the unopened box. "You're lucky my Luna adores you. If she didn't, let's just say I don't have the patience for this."

I dropped to my knees without thinking. "I'm sorry, Alpha," I said quickly. "I didn't know it was you. I was scared and—"

The door slammed shut before I could even finish apologizing.

What have you done now, Charlie?

I slowly rose to my feet and walked to the bed. The box was still lying on my bed. It was small, covered in silver paper with a dark red ribbon.

Instead of opening it, I just flunked myself onto the mattress and covered my face with my hands.

"I just tried to judo flip the Alpha," I mumbled to myself. "And now he thinks I'm a lunatic. It was truly a great first impression. Nice job, Charlie."

***

The next morning, I woke up to the faint sound of the bell outside my room. Nora had warned me it would ring at exactly six which was my designated wake-up time from now on.

I sat up slowly, and immediately remembered my last encounter with the alpha last night, but I tried my best not to dwell on it.

After a few seconds, a gentle knock followed, and Nora peeked inside. "Good morning, Lot 18. Time to get dressed."

She came in with a gown draped over her arm. It was a light blue gown. I liked it already.

"You will have breakfast in a bit," Nora muttered as she helped me slip into the gown. "It's just the Alpha and Luna at the table this morning. Nothing too formal, so don't worry."

I just nodded in response.

As Nora stepped aside, she pulled something from a drawer. It was a silver hand mirror and turned toward me.

But I immediately took a step back. "No," I hastily said. "I... I don't want to see."

She paused. "Why not?"

I looked away. "In the holding facility... we weren't allowed to see ourselves."

"You weren't allowed—?"

"No mirrors. No reflections," I uttered and sighed. "It's been five years."

Her eyes widened. "Five years? You haven't seen your own face in five years?"

I nodded at her.

She heaved a deep sigh and smiled. "Well, I don't care what they told you in there. You're beautiful, Lot 18. Truly."

I didn't know how to take compliments anymore, so I just gave her a faint nod.

"Come on, let's get going. The food's best while it's hot."

I followed her through the long hallways of the Alpha's den. When we reached the dining area, I hesitated before totally entering the hall.

The Alpha and Luna were already there while seating at the long table. The Alpha sat at the center while his eyes down, cutting neatly into the roast meat. He didn't even glance up when we entered. But the Luna brightly smiled when she saw me.

"Charlie! Good morning," she called out and waved at me. "Come, sit with us."

I gave them small bow. "Good morning, Luna. Good morning, Alpha," I replied before sliding into the seat across from her.

The Alpha didn't respond.

The scene from last night flashed in my head. When I tried to fight him like a complete idiot, and then how he has basically threatened me.

I just kept my head down and focused on the eggs on my plate.

"So, Charlie," Luna Ashley commenced. "How was your first night? Did you sleep okay?"

"Yes, Luna. The room is really beautiful," I replied.

"Good." She nodded. "And Nora took care of you?"

"She did. She's, very kind."

Ashley faintly laughed. "She's the best, isn't she? I had her assigned to you the moment we knew you were coming."

The Luna started flooding me with a lot of questions and I tried to keep up. I answered each one until I even found myself smiling at one point.

But after a few moments, Luna Ashley suddenly coughed. Once then twice, a little harder.

Her shoulders heaved forward, and the napkin in her hand crumpled under her grip.

"Luna?" I stood halfway up. "Are you okay?"

"Darling!" The Alpha was already moving before I could even blink. "Call the physician. Now!"

What was happening?

The guards rushed from the hallway and one of the servants darted off so fast.

I just froze in my seat.

Luna Ashley gently grabbed the Alpha's sleeve weakly and gave a breathless laugh. "Brent, darling... it's alright. Just... the wrong pipe..."

But the Alpha didn't listen. He scooped her into his arms effortlessly while her head rested against his shoulder, and for the first time, I saw something in his eyes that wasn't cold. It was fear and... love.

Just as he turned toward the door, he hastily paused and turned his head, locking directly on me.

"Don't talk too much to her again," he said coldly. "Or I will punish you."

I nervously nodded. "Y-Yes, Alpha," I said and quickly kneeled without even thinking.