Riya Lesnar
My heart thrashed against my chest as he flung me roughly to the side, tears blinding my vision as I forced my trembling lips to speak.
The goddess had probably had enough of my deceit and revealed my true exhibitions to him. This was the destructive end of my fate.
"I'm sorry, father.'' I sobbed.
''Do you have that evil mark covered up?'' He inquired, taking me aback for a moment.
''H-huh?''
"You clumsy little brat!'' He cursed, irritated by the mere sight of me. "This was the exact attitude you put up that made your mother lose her life.''
His words stabbed like an anchor into my chest. I never knew my mother personally. She had died during delivery and never got to even hold me, but it wouldn't be so wrong to say I knew everything about her right until her time of death.
The heart-wrenching discussions my sisters projected to taunt me each time Keegan made these remarks about my clumsiness, created a brief history in my head of what my mother was and felt until her death, and how I was the only daughter who troubled her during pregnancy.
I pinned my gaze to the floor, attempting to hide my tears from Keegan. He had mentioned once that it riled him up so I always tried not to tear up before him.
"I told you countless times that you're a curse. That mark is an evil mark and if you don't want to get killed for it, never let it get revealed.'' He continued.
"I covered it up with a tattoo sticker but Jade has the sticker and refused to give it back.'' I sniffled.
"And then what, you decided to carelessly leave it exposed?'' He snapped sternly, not liking the sound of me using Jade as an excuse to amend for my misconduct.
"I'm sorry, Father.'' I whimpered. Pinching my palms. Disorganized by his intimidating presence. Wishing I could disappear from his grace.
"Listen up carefully. You may choose to take my words seriously or respond to them with carelessness as usual."
I swallowed.
"You'll be living with the Alpha now in this mansion, I want you to use your head to the best of its effectiveness. Don't involve yourself with anyone or anything and remain the lowly runt you are, the fact that you're Luna now doesn't make you any less. Avoid interfering in any matter if it doesn't demand your interference. If nothing else, always remember my last name that you have to your name before jumping into any dirty activity. I will not have you taint my name in the mud or l won't hesitate to serve your head to the goddess on the next Thanksgiving sacrifice.'' Nothing in his features suggested he blabbed.
It was a general knowledge among me and the other daughters. Since he was the highest and most respected priest of the Blackthorn pack, Keegan's name mattered as much as our lives, and none of us was exempted from the consequences that came with misbehaving.
"Yes, Father,'' I answered. Anything to get me out of his sight immediately, although his warnings did stick in my brain.
"Your only assigned duty yet is to serve the Alpha with his herbs every day. I'll provide you with a reasonable amount of it by tomorrow and the instructions on how to serve it.''
"Yes, Father.'' I acknowledged, my gaze now lingering on his shoes.
"Go on.'' He discarded.
I bowed shortly and scurried off, nothing far from the manner of action of the maids earlier.
A hand pulled me back as I dashed towards the stairs. His familiar sweet patchouli wafted past my nostrils and I sighed in a bit of relief, meeting his green eyes.
I had actually been on my heels to see him.
"Where have you been?'' He inquired, too casual than my comfort appreciated.
I moved slightly away from him, collecting my arms from his grip before mumbling,
"I was actually on my way to see you.''
I didn't appreciate my reticent attitude when it came to him. I deeply wanted to help it.
But when Alpha Ethan snatched my hand again and pulled me into his broad bosom, I realized there was little to nothing I could do to withstand his effect.
I stiffened in his embrace. Flummoxed. Chilled out by his warmth over me. My eyes bulged off their sockets.
''I'm sorry.'' A feminine voice uttered behind me, forcing me out of my trance as she ran up the stairs.
Turns out I had blocked the path in my resistance and all Alpha Ethan did was pull me from the way. He pulled away from me almost immediately and my heart leaped, yearning for his closure.
"What did you want to talk about?'' He inquired. Flatly. Like nothing just happened between us. Like he hadn't just set my body on a glaze of ice.
He creased a brow when no response came from me, and I was forced to render a motion.
"Uh, I.'' I fumbled.
I cleared out my throat before casting another attempt.
"I wanted to let you know that I have none of my belongings here. I need to go home and get them.'' I avoided meeting his gaze.
I heard a light scoff leave his lips. "You don't need to, we'll get news stuff."
I snapped my head up instantly. "No, I really need to get them. I have lots of clothes so we don't need to buy any ones.''
My objection wasn't about the clothes. In fact I needed as many new dresses as I could possibly get. I didn't care about his money that would go into the purchase either. My tattoo sticker was the main issue behind my opposition.
"Who said I cared about how many clothes you have?" My heart skipped at the hint of sarcasm etched to his voice.
"None of them can be fitting enough for a Luna's honor anyway, so you don't need them. Get rid of your v
eil and meet me at the carport.'' He walked out, denying me any chance to object.