I watched with a heavy breath as my father pulled up in the drive way. He had been away for a whole two weeks and finally he was back.
"Daddy!" My sister, Sonya squealed as she ran to engulf him in a hug.
"There's my little cupcake" he said, ruffling her hair and wrapping his arms around her.
I slowly walked down the steps, resting my head on the rails as I found a comfortable spot to sit.
"Welcome home my love" my step mother smiled at him. She pulled my father into a hug, giving him a kiss on the lips.
"Eww!". Sonya exclaimed and I looked away.
My father looked around, noticing that someone was missing. His eyes skimming over me, barely noticing my presence. Just like he has been doing for the past eighteen years.
"Where is sawyer?" He asked, looking for my older brother.
As if he had heard his name being called, which I highly doubt because he's always using a headphone. Sawyer walked in and his face lit up when he saw my father.
"Here comes the alpha" he said, giving my dad a bear hug. Although Sawyer was twenty two, he still acted like a kid with our dad. He was a kid, mentally at least.
They all stood there, embracing one another and laughing, while I sat there with my head hanging on the rails.
My life has always been like this. I've always been the forgotten daughter, the side piece. The one that my father has always been too ashamed of. His worst mistake.
My father had found his mate when he was twenty two, married her at twenty four, had Sawyer at twenty six. But when he went out to the human world for a trip, he had an affair and I was the result. My stepmother was pregnant with Sonya at the time.
He had received a call from a human hospital that my mother had died and he was listed as the only guardian. The whole pack couldn't believe it until they saw me.
Wolves had a sense of smell. A very strong one. From one sniff they could tell that I was his. There was no denying it.
"Savannah" my father said, finally acknowledging my presence. Only sparing me a glance when he was about to go up the stairs.
"Welcome home father" I said bowing my head.
To them, he was their father. But to me, he was just another man.
I shifted to the side, giving him passage with my head bowed. He hated to stare at me in the eye. They reminded him of my mother.
"Oh! That reminds me" alpha Wyatt called from the top of the stairs "your presents are in the car"
"Thank you so much Daddy!" Sonya squealed with joy. Jumping up and down in one spot.
She dashed outside, without waiting for Sawyer or my step mother. She was a little bit spoilt.
She came back inside with three of the gaurds behind her, each one holding two bags. He tends to go all out for his loved ones.
"Dad got me this cute mini bag" she said in excitement, showing off her new bag to my step mother. " I wonder what the girls are gonna think when they see this."
I got up from my comfortable spot and went back up the stairs. I was so used to moments like these that it didn't hurt anymore. At first I would bawl my eyes out and cry myself to sleep, whenever I was ignored like a ghost. Like I didn't exist.
Now it was just a lifestyle. I'm sick of craving love and attention from someone who can't give it.
"And where are you going?" My step mother called out to me.
I stopped in my tracks " I'm going to my room, I have homework to do" I lied
"Then who's gonna make dinner for us tonight?" She asked with her hand on her hips.
"I thought the cook was making dinner for us tonight?" I asked in confusion.
Her face contorted into rage "You know that is your problem. You're always thinking and never knowing." She tsked "get down here this instant and make dinner" the command was blunt
Sonya tried to hold in a laugh, and Sawyer just rolled his eyes.
"I'm going to my room" he announced before walking off and putting on his headphone.
We had hundreds of helps in waiting. My father was the alpha of the river crest pack and we were swimming in wealth, but I had to make dinner for everyone because my step mother wanted me to.
"Yes ma'am" I mumbled under my breath.
I got into the kitchen and started making dinner. A few years ago, I would have cried. But I was so done with feeling anything that I just shut myself off. I sighed heavily.
I went to bed that night in a dreamless sleep.
The next day was thankfully a Sunday and I could sleep in. I wrapped my blanket over my body and smiled at the eventless day ahead.
I gasped as I felt a cold bucket of water got drenched all over me. Soaking my bed and my entire room.
"Get your lazy ass up" Sonya said with an annoyed look on her face.
"What is it Sonya? It's a Sunday for moons sake" I knew better than to raise my voice at Daddy's princess.
"Get your bastard ass up" she said before walking out of the room
I got out of the bed and into the bathroom to change out of my wet clothes. I stared in the mirror at my reflection and I looked horrible.
My golden locks were in a mess and there was a subtle hint of dark shadow under my piercing green eyes. I looked nothing like my father.
I peeled off my wet clothes and wore new ones, brushing my teeth and going down stairs.
The whole house was busy. There were maids cleaning everywhere, cooks in the kitchen. I wondered if I was in the wrong house.
"Stupid girl, why are you still dressed that way" my step mom yelled in annoyance, sizing up my sweatpants and tee-shirt.
"What's wrong with what I'm wearing?" I asked but regretted it the instant I said it. I closed my eyes in anticipation of the pain, but it never came.
Thank the moon goddess.
"Just go get changed. Now!" She ordered.
I went back up the stairs and wore a blue floral dress. My hair was still wet, but I was at home so it didn't matter anyways. It can air-dry.
"Oh my gosh! He's here" Sonya squealed
That was when I noticed how immaculately dressed everyone was. Sonya had a short and tight dress that showed all her God given curves. My step mother seemed casual except for the heavy make up she wore. Who were we waiting for?
"Should I go back to my room?" I asked my stepmother.
Usually when we had guests over, I was made to hide in my room. Out of sight. They didn't want people seeing the alpha's illegitimate daughter.
"Stay right there Savannah" my stepmother commanded with a glare on her face
I sighed and stood in place. Let's just get this over with and I... My heart skipped a beat.
I smelt him before he walked in. The scent of sandal wood with a hint of something that was uniquely him. It was heavenly
"Your majesty" my stepmother said breathlessly as she bowed her head.
I felt my breath get hitched in my throat as I watched him walk in. Every thing seemed to make way for him, even the air shifted around him. His powerful aura taking up the entire room.
Nikolai Ryder, The first son of King Alfred Ryder. The most powerful wolf alive was at my house.
What was he doing here.