Later that evening, while Nya was helping her sister pack some of her things in the closet they were laughing about something so stupid when the conversation takes a turn. "I think dad might have known you were a caladrius."

Nya's giggles fade. She paused midair while putting a hanger on a dress. "Why would you say that?

"He told me a story about them when I was a little. I didn't believe him, I thought he was making it up. I honestly forgot about it. He just never mentioned it again so it was easy to, you know."

"But..." Why would he hide something like this from her? Did he know who her parents were too? He never gave her the slightest hint that he knew more than she did. She would sit in his office and read and sometimes vent about her need to be normal, how she wanted to fit in, to explore the human world. How she wished she at least knew who her birth parents were. "He..."

"I guess we'll never know." Malina shrugs as she takes the dress from her and hangs it up. "We're just about done here. I'm gonna go take a hot shower. God knows I need it."

Nya knew she wasn't being dismissive; it was just that their dad is a touchy subject for them both, especially the unfinished stuff. This was one of the few times she has brought him up but before she could ask another question Malina was gone and before she could divulge deeper into her thoughts, her phone chimed. It was an alarm for the pizza in the oven.

She goes downstairs like a zombie. Her head felt immense pressure like it was overloaded and at any second would explode into a billion pieces. So much to take in. She didn't know where to begin sorting it all out.

She gets pot holders, pulls the pie out of the oven, and sets it on the stovetop. It looked and smelled delicious. A perfect circle, half with meat and extra cheese, the other half with veggies. She normally would be enjoying the sight of her accomplishment but she couldn't this time. So many questions loomed in her thoughts that she was looking at it but she wasn't seeing it. Suddenly she gasps. Her finger grazed the pan making her skin sizzle. "Shit." She immediately goes to the sink and runs it under the cold water.

"What happened?"

"Nothing." Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Alpa Vince appear in the doorway.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah... fine." She shuts the water off and does the same to the oven. She goes to the drawer and pulls out a knife and when she turns around to go back to the freshly baked pie Vince blocked her. She bumps right into him, almost piercing him with the point of the blade in his side. "Alpha Vince." She breathes in surprise.

He takes the knife away, sets it down on the counter, and then latches onto her forearm. "Come with me."

"I don't want to."

"I wasn't asking." He pulls her out of the kitchen through the hall and into his study. Immediately he slams the door shut and presses her body on it trapping her beneath his.

"Wha" Hastily, air rushed in and out to her lungs. "What are you doing?"

"What I want." He glides his palms up her neck and takes a strong yet comfortable hold on her jaw holding her head in place.

She bites her lips. She knew what was coming. Her chest was heaving and the fine hairs on her neck stood up straight. Her insides trembled and violently churned like the ocean rocking a boat on a stormy night.

He lowered his head and she braced her palms on the door at her sides. "Please..." she begs but he didn't waste any time pressing his lips onto hers. She wouldn't open but it didn't seem to phase him.

When he finally pulled back it was only to whisper. "That's for leaving me in here with her." He lowers his head again, smashing their mouths together for a few seconds more. "That's for avoiding me."

"Alpha Vin..."

He covers her mouth again and for longer this time.

She whimpers. She wanted to give in, just become a puddle at his feet but she fights it. She manages to slightly turn her head coming out for air, taking a large breath in, and swallows. He was overwhelming, overbearing, and stubborn. "Alpha Vince..."

"Vince..." he corrects as he moves her shirt from over her shoulder and gently kisses the spot.

"Let me go please."

His hands fall to her waist and he meets her gaze. "Are you going to tell her, or am I?"

"What?"

He looks down at her hands coming up and grazing his stomach. They settle on his chest just before she tries to push him at a distance. He circles her hips and brings her closer instead. "You know what I'm talking about. If you don't tell her that I imprinted on you then I will. I refuse to hide this anymore. I refuse to stay away from you and I want everyone to know you are mine."

"We... we can't do that."

"Do you really think I'm going to be with her when I want you?" His snake-like arms grow tighter.

"Even if you are not with her, we can't be together. She is my sister who is still in love with you. She's not giving up on you."

He clenches his jaw. "I don't have the patience for this. You can go upstairs and tell her that she has to leave right now or I will."

"She is my sister... my only family."

"I know, that is why I haven't asked her yet. Nya," he lets out an exasperated breath as he picks up her hand and finds the spot that was recently burned right on the side of her index finger. Softly he drops a kiss on it. Her breath hitches. Tingles run through her. It was like someone injected liquid menthol into her bloodstream.

"I'm going to announce to the whole pack soon that you will be their new Luna."

She shakes her head. "You can't do that... I... I I don't accept you." A Luna? Is he insane? She can't be a Luna. "I will never accept you."

"I am Alpha..." He reminds her. "Have you forgotten that?"

"I won't be submissive to you."

He dips his head again to kiss her but she swings her neck. He lingers his lips on her cheek instead.

"You're making me betray her."

"I'm not making you. If you tell her the truth it wouldn't feel like a betrayal."

She inhales sharply when she feels another kiss touch her neck and then another.

"Things are going to blow up in your face, Nya. Because I'm not continuing this crap. I'm not staying away from you. Tell her before it's too late." He takes an unexpected step back and shoves his hands into his pockets.

Her brain was working faster than her body at this moment. It was telling her to run. Run as fast as she could out of there but her body was careful to react. She turns slowly as if she was a teen sneaking out of her room and goes back to the kitchen.

She begins slicing up the pizza when "Hmm..." Malina enters with her hair wet and comfy shorts and a t-shirt. "It smells so good." She goes straight for a slice while standing in front of the stove and takes a bite having to slurp up gooey cheese on her chin. "Wow, It's so good." She compliments with her mouth full.

Nya takes a veggie slice for herself on a plate and sits by the island and her sister joins.

"Eating this reminds me of dad. He loved your cooking."

"Yeah me too..." She takes a bite. "Whenever I cook. It makes me feel closer to him. Like he is around."

"Hey, you remember how he would hide the leftover lamb?"

She laughs. "Yeah... and remember-"

"Alpha Vince." Malina cuts her off. He just entered. "Want some?" She asks.

"No thank you. You're looking comfortable, are you staying here now?"

Nya looks at him with pleading eyes. Please don't do this.

"Well, I... I didn't think you would mind."

"I do mind."

"But..." Nya begins. "She is staying with me. Her stuff is in my room. Am I not allowed to have guests? Ever?"

He cocks a brow. "Her stuff is in your room?"

"Ye.. yes."

He folds his arms.

Lucky for Malina, her phone rings in the nick of time. "Shit... I have to take this." She gets up and goes out the back door leaving Vince and Nya alone.

"She has to go." He declares.

Nya drops her slice. "No. Why?"

"Why?" He stresses. "How about I don't like an audience. How about that?"

"I don't know what you mean."

"No?" He steps closer. "For the sake of your heart, I have let this go on this long but don't test me. I'll give you until tomorrow. Finish your food." He looks at his watch. " I have some unfinished business to take care of. I'll be back in a bit."

~~~~~~~~

Hope you're enjoying 😊