CHAPTER 86: CHAPTER 86 BACK HOME (1)

’Out of all the places on earth or whatever this universe is called, why did he have to bring me back here?’ I clenched my fist so tightly that my knuckles turned white.

The few hours I had spent in the silver moon pack was the worst part of my existence.

The handle of the door turned, someone was opening it. Unknowingly, I had held my breath.

Then the door creaked open, and a servant peeked her head out. "Tell Alpha Caelen that Alpha Damon is here to see him." Alaric said, flashing the servant a sweet smile.

The servant nodded her head, before dashing inside.The door creaked open, and the last person I wanted to see stood on the other side.

Maddie.

Her eyes locked on Damon first. Her lips parted in a small, sweet smile. "Alpha Damon..." she drawled, voice soft like honey. "What a surprise."

Then her gaze shifted to me.

Her smile didn’t waver, but something cold and bitter flashed in her eyes. "Ember," she added, voice suddenly less warm. "You’re here too."

I didn’t bother to fake a smile. "Unfortunately."

Damon stepped forward. "We’re here to speak with Alpha Caelen."

"Oh, of course," she said quickly, stepping aside. "But you all just arrived. You must be tired. Wouldn’t you like to rest for a while first?"

My body grew tense, sensing her ploy already.

’This bitch must be cooking something already. But I’ll make her understand that this is a new Ember and not the same one she had always bullied.’

"I’ll have the servants prepare something refreshing," Maddie offered, already gesturing toward the sitting room. "It’s rare to have guests, after all. Especially from the Bloodshade Pack." Her eyes lingered on Damon, filled with something that made my stomach twist. "And it’s not every day we get someone as important as you."

I expected Damon to ignore her—but he surprised me.

"Five minutes," he said flatly.

My heart sank. ’Great.’

Maddie beamed. "Wonderful. Ember can come sit with me. We haven’t had time to bond."

I barely bit back a scoff. Bond? She’d rather throw me off a cliff than braid my hair and call it sisterhood.

Still, I followed, my eyes scanning the house that once suffocated me. Each hallway was a bruise. Each wall a scream I couldn’t voice back then. But now... I was different.

’Poor Ember, it’s just sad that no one knows you are gone. But don’t worry, I’ll take this revenge for you.’

We entered the sitting room, It was filled with antique furniture and that sickening sweet scent of lilac. Maddie led me to the velvet couch and sat across from me, legs crossed, her posture was perfect like she’d been preparing for this moment for weeks.

"I didn’t expect to see you back here," she said casually, sipping from a cup of tea a servant handed her. "You look... different."

I offered a cool smile. "So do you. Shame it’s just makeup."

Her eyes narrowed slightly. "I heard you’ve been quite busy lately. Causing trouble. Getting into fights. Living in the Alpha’s quarters."

"If by trouble you mean breathing, then yes," I replied smoothly, crossing my legs too. "As for the Alpha’s quarters, you know that’s what breeders do." I sighed. "Alpha Damon had kept me in his room and wouldn’t let me go. Every night has its fairytale." I giggled.

Her jaw twitched.

Maddie leaned forward slightly, a smile still plastered on her face. "You know, it must be hard adjusting to a real pack life, and living like a breeder. After all, you weren’t trained for it. It must be difficult for you to be used as a sex machine."

"Oh, I adjusted just fine," I said, brushing a lock of hair behind my ear. "Turns out being underestimated is the best training there is. And besides Alpha Damon treats me so well, can’t you see I’m glowing?"

She paused, her smile faltering just a second before regaining her composure. "Still, it must be difficult. Knowing your place. Especially when you’ve never really had one."

I leaned forward too, voice calm. "You’re right. I didn’t have a place here. But I found one. And it’s clearly driving someone insane."

The silence between us crackled.

Maddie forced a laugh. "You’ve grown a mouth. Alpha Damon must really be spoiling you."

"Of course he is. And for your information he doesn’t like the term breeder, he likes the endearment pet." I drawled.

She stood up abruptly, her mask cracked for a second. "Well," she said tightly, "I was hoping this visit would help us get closer. Maybe even help you understand what it means to be part of a real pack."

"Aren’t we getting closer just fine?" I smiled at her sweetly. "Well, I think I understand what it means to be part of a real pack already," I replied, rising as well. "It means being strong enough to stand when no one wants you to. And smart enough to see through the fake smiles."

Just then, Damon and Alaric walked into the room. Damon’s presence doused the tension like a sudden downpour. His eyes flicked between us, unreadable as ever.

"We’re leaving," he said simply.

"But you just got here," Maddie protested, walking toward him. "Surely you can stay longer. Father won’t be back for another hour. Maybe I can show you around the estate, give Ember time to rest."

He looked at her like she was a window he’d already looked through. "We’re not staying."

Her lips trembled as she tried to hold the smile in place. "Maybe dinner later? I’d love to cook for you."

Damon ignored her completely and turned to me. "Let’s go."

Without another word, I followed. I didn’t need to glance back to know Maddie was burning with everything she couldn’t say.

As we stepped into the hall, I whispered under my breath, just loud enough for him to hear, "She’s got a strong grip on desperation."

He said nothing, but I caught the faintest smirk on his lips before it vanished again behind his cold mask.