*** Crystal's home ****
The house was unusually quiet, as if silence could somehow shield them from what lay ahead.
Morning light filtered through the curtains, casting soft shadows across the floor. But there was nothing soft about the atmosphere in Crystal's home.
Sarah moved about the kitchen, her hands trembling slightly as she arranged cups on the table, fussing over unnecessary details. The clink of ceramic on wood was too sharp, too loud.
Crystal sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the floor. Her fingers twisted in the hem of her robe. She hadn't slept much.
Ryder's declaration echoed through her bones. "Mate". He had said it with such certainty and power.
Sarah moved about the kitchen, her hands trembling slightly as she arranged cups on the table while fussing over unnecessary details.
The clink of ceramic on wood was too sharp, too loud.
Edwin stood by the window, his eyes fixed outside while nursing a cup of coffee
His features were calm but his thoughts ran deep — shadows of the past flickered behind his eyes.
> "The Lycan King" he mused silently. "And he came for her. Just like…"
He didn't finish the thought. Some things were better left buried. For now.
He hadn't said much since they were informed Ryder would be visiting them this morning.
Only a polite, "We'll prepare" when the message arrived through a warrior.
But inside, Edwin's mind was not calm.
It's starting sooner than I hoped… he thought. The old blood doesn't sleep forever, not even in peace.
He glanced upstairs as if he could see through the ceiling and into Crystal's room.
They'll come for her. Not just him. Others too. The ones who can smell it.
He sipped the coffee again, hiding the tremor in his hand
Crystal came down the stairs slowly. She didn't speak as she reached the bottom step. Her eyes met her father briefly. He gave her a nod—supportive, silent.
A knock came at the door.
Everyone froze.
Ethan moved first but Edwin raised a hand. "I'll get it".
He opened the door to find Ryder standing there, his expression composed, respectful. He inclined his head slightly. "Edwin"
"Alpha Ryder" Edwin stepped aside. "Come in."
As Ryder entered, Crystal's breath caught.
Thank you for receiving me" Ryder said
"We didn't have much choice" Ethan muttered.
"Ethan" Sarah warned softly.
Edwin studied him silently. Then gestured toward the table, "Let's sit".
They all took their seats, the space filled with thick, unspoken questions.
Ryder turned to Crystal "I came because I meant what I said. I'm not here to force you. I'm here to understand you and for you to understand me".
Sarah glanced at Edwin, who finally set his cup down and leaned forward.
"My daughter, has been through a lot. Rejection isn't a small thing" he said slowly
Ryder replied, voice steady. "I know, but I won't pretend. The bond is real. I feel it and I know she does too".
Crystal looked down at her hands. She couldn't deny it. She did feel it.
Edwin's eyes narrowed slightly. "Do you know she is not a full blown wolf? she had not been able to shift"
Ryder met his gaze. "Yeah, I do and I'll protect her regardless".
Edwin's smile was tight. "Be careful what you promise. Some things are older than kings".
Crystal blinked, puzzled by her father's words.
Sarah's voice trembled slightly. "We just want her to be happy".
"I do too" Ryder said
Silence followed.
Edwin leaned back, his gaze distant again. Let's hope your presence doesn't awaken what should have stayed sleeping...
---
The morning sun, filtered through the tall windows of the Alpha residence, casting long beams of gold across the polished floors.
The house should have been buzzing with the warmth of newlywed joy but the tension in the air was impossible to ignore.
Amy sat at the edge of the bed, still in her silk nightgown, her eyes distant and unfocused.
Her hair, once perfectly pinned for the ceremony, now fell in soft, tangled waves over her shoulders. She hadn't slept much.
Behind her, George was buttoning his shirt, his movements stiff and silent.
"She stole it" Amy whispered.
George paused, hands hovering over the last button. "What?"
Amy turned slowly, her eyes locking on him. "She stole the day. Our day. I should've been the one everyone was looking at. Me, not her".
George exhaled slowly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Amy... it wasn't about her. Alpha Ryder made a choice. No one expected—"
"But he claimed her" she snapped. "In front of everyone. At our wedding."
She stood and crossed the room, her voice rising. "People didn't talk about the vows. Or my dress. Or how beautiful the hall was. They talked about her. Crystal —The Lycan King's mate".
George's jaw tensed. "Do you think this was easy for me? I'm the groom and i got humiliated. I didn't ask for any of this".
Amy blinked, as if struck. "So now you're the victim?"
"I didn't say that" George said. "But you're not the only one who feels overlooked."
Amy crossed her arms, her voice lower but colder. "You didn't defend me".
George turned toward her fully, frowning. "What do you mean?"
"You just stood there. You watched him take her hand. You watched them walk to the high chair and you said nothing".
"What could I have done, Amy? He's the Lycan King!"
She stepped back, wounded pride bleeding into her tone. "You're the Alpha's son. You could have said something. But you didn't, because deep down, you still want her"
George's expression hardened. "That's not fair."
"Isn't it?" Amy's voice cracked, her vulnerability suddenly breaking through the anger.
George's silence was louder than denial.
Amy's eyes glistened. "You already rejected her. She is not even a wolf but the Lycan king wants to claim her "
George lowered his gaze, guilt biting deep. "You're my woman, Amy"
"Then make me feel like it"
She didn't wait for his response. Instead, she brushed past him and disappeared into the hallway, her footsteps echoing down the stairs.