Lilith.

A feeling of dread washed over me as I stood face to face with the house I grew up in.

I swallowed the fear that stung my throat as I made my way to the huge gate.

My heart raced in my chest when I lifted my trembling fingers to press the bell.

It didn't take long before the chief security raced towards me, but as soon as our eyes connected, his face fell.

I recognized the feeling.

The feeling of pity.

I didn't need him to be sorry for me.

“Miss Lilith,” he whispered as he froze on a spot before lowering his head in respect.

My heart bled as memories of my childhood hit me like a thousand bulldozers.

Before he was promoted to the position of chief security, he was my personal butler.

How tables turned quickly.

“Mr…”

“It's been ages,” he gasped as his face flared in surprise.

He struggled to hide his shock, but his countenance gave him away.

“You…really…changed.” His voice trailed as he managed to find the right choice of words.

“I want to see my father. It's urgent, and it's a matter of life and death,” I let out, grabbing the bar of iron that separated him from me.

“Let me in, please,”

A dreadful expression spread across his face as he hesitated for a while.

“Ma'am. I'm sorry, but I will lose my job if I do that.” His voice shook.

Tears threatened to spill from my eyes as his words stabbed my heart countless times.

It wasn't his fault.

His master gave an order, and he would be doomed to flaunt it.

But would the order stand after all these years?

Shouldn't my dad have an atom of pity to reverse it?

“You don't understand. My mother and sister, his ex-wife, and his child are in the hospital, dying. They are sick with cancer.”

I watched him let out a sigh before staring at me with a pitiful face.

He nodded his head gently.

“I can't let you in. I'm sorry. If it was within my power, I would have done so without thinking twice. You and your mum were good to me, but please understand that your father and his mistress warned me not to let you in whether in this life or in the next life.”

I didn't know when tears spilled on my cheeks until he handed me a face towel.

“I'm sorry,” he muttered.

“It's fine. I understand. Are they home?”

“No. They went out, but they will be back today.”

“I would wait then,” I insisted stubbornly.

“I won't discourage you, but it's about to rain, plus they will be back late.” He tried to persuade me, but I didn't oblige.

Seeing that I was determined, he gave me one last pitiful look before disappearing out of my face.

Thirty minutes passed, and there was no sign of my father or his mistress. My keys started to hurt, and I sat on the pavement, patiently waiting for him.

I wanted to know if he still resented us after those years or if the spell cast by his mistress had worn out.

An hour slipped, and the sky became heavy with dark clouds. Thunder roared in the heavens, and the clouds gave way for the rain.

It started as a drizzle but gradually poured like it was raining its anger on me.

My dress was drenched and cold started to bite into my skin.

Shivering, I hugged my small frame against the wall as my teeth chattered.

Still, I would wait. I didn't mind freezing to death.

“Take this.”

I heard a voice amid the thunder. It was the security guard.

He handed me an umbrella, a pair of long boots, and a long, thick jacket to make me feel warm.

“Thank you. When he is back, I promise I will return it,” I said with a smile of gratitude plastered on my face.

“You can have it,” he said, forcing a smile on his face.

After it rained heavily for three hours, I sighted a car from a distance.

Squinting my eyes, my joy knew no bounds when I found out that it was my father's car.

It was the car he took me on a ride in when I celebrated my 5th birthday.

I still memorized his plate number after all these years.

I straightened myself as the car got closer before standing beside the gate.

“Hi,” I mouthed, waving at the tinted glass and waiting for his response.

The window was wound down, and for the first time in many years, I saw my father.

I was taken aback, and I froze on the spot, unable to speak.

“Dad,” I said in a whisper, moving closer to the door.

His sharp eyes pierced for some seconds, and his face hardened in hatred and disgust.

“It's me, Lilith, your precious Lily.” I found myself blurring before a tear slipped from the corner of my eye.

But I was taken aback when the window was blown up by him, and he zoomed into his house, using the remote to close his gate before I could have the chance to rush in.

“Dad, wait! Mum and your daughter are dying. They have cancer, and there is no money to take care of them.” I screamed, hoping my words would have an effect on him, but it didn't.

That was it!

He meant it when he said I was dead to him.

“I hope you are convinced that your father doesn't want to have anything to do with you. I'm sorry,” the security guard said before handing me a slice of pizza.

“I heard your stomach rumbling.”

I was too stunned to appreciate him as my father's reaction kept replaying in my head.

“I'll just keep it here,” he gestured to me, placing the pizza in a small box on the pavement.

I watched him leave my presence to attend to my father, who walked inside the house without sparing me another look.

I was about to take the pizza when a feminine voice startled me, making me drop it to the floor.

Anger flooded me when I turned to meet my father's mistress.

Great. She made me miss my first meal.

I was about to transfer my aggression to her when I remembered she was the ticket to get to my dad.

“Ma'am, please, could you help me talk to Dad? My mum and my sister really need to start chemotherapy, or they'll be dead. Please, I need some money.” I burst into tears, falling to my knees immediately.

“I can't help you. I'm just here to entertain myself with your misery. I'm having a lot of fun,” she laughed, mockery evident in her voice.

I muttered curses when I saw my mum's diamond necklace sitting on her neck.

Shameless bitch!

All my mother's jewelry, clothes, shoes, and bags were in her possession.

I wish I could snatch it from her neck and sell it off to pay for Mum's chemo. But I was raised better than that.

“Please, I'd do anything for the money. I just want Mum to get better.”

Her face brightened in the blink of an eye. I could tell she was cooking something mischievous.

“Will you do anything?”

“Yes. I need a lot of money to pay for her chemo until it ends.”

“Since you would do anything, then scrub my toilet and the toilet in my daughter's room that was formerly your room. You will get the money when you are done. $1k should be enough.”

“Bravo, mummy. You are so full of surprises. That is why I love you,” Her daughter sneered before hugging her mother tightly.

“And what is this loser doing here?” She batted her lashes at me, before hissing loudly. “No wonder there is a strong stench everywhere.”

I wiped the tears from my face, pretending as if her words didn't mean anything to me, while they penetrated deep into my soul.

Despite maintaining my composure, I wailed like an infant on the inside.

“Scrub your toilets?” I gasped in disbelief.

“Hey! We are only doing you a favor. Take it or leave it,” she said.

“You want money, right? Scrub the toilets to my satisfaction and I'll give you the money. If you are not interested, you can get the hell out of my face before I call the cops on you. I would love to see you rot in jail.” She fired before turning her back to leave me while her daughter continued to laugh.

“Wait! I'll do it. I'll scrub the toilet.”

I cringed at my words, but nothing mattered. As long as my mother and sister received their treatment.

*****

I curled up on my bed, clasping my hand over my mouth as I wept hard.

Never had I been humiliated the way I was today.

My father's mistress didn't only make me scrub the toilets, I also trimmed the overgrown flowers in her garden.

The witch made me scrub her toilet over 3 times until she was satisfied.

Despite my hands shaking from exhaustion, she made me water her plants manually.

As if it wasn't enough she threw $600 at me like I was a dog after her daughter made me climb up to a high table to get it.

When I questioned her about the $400 balance, she insisted that it was deducted because I was caught resting for two minutes on duty.

I tried to protest but her daughter struck me hard on my face before ordering me to leave or she will release her dogs on me.

After crying to my satisfaction, I lay on the bed as sleep clouded my eyes, but a notification sound from my phone jolted me awake.

I picked up my phone and unlocked it to find a text message from a strange number.

My brows furrowed as I clicked on the message before reading it.

‘Resume by 7 am prompt tomorrow! The description will be sent soon.”

It was a message from the hot stranger!

Casper.

A sense of satisfaction washed over me as my eyes scanned the reports that Raphael had presented.

He did a good job running the pack for 10 years in my absence.

10 years that I stayed in solitude, away from the world.

I couldn't deny that I missed my people, I missed being their Alpha, and I missed the colorful ceremonies, especially the mating ceremony where unmated wolves would find their mates.

The most anticipated was when all wolves would shift and run under the full moon. Howls and screams tore from our throats. While this was going on, I would be at the front with my mate, Marina. Rapheal, my beta would follow suit.

It was a ceremony I longed for, but now, it was a ceremony I despised.

I hated everything that reminded me of my mate and my kids.

Thanks to the bastard Alec.

Instead of taking charge, I let Raphael perform the duties of an Alpha while I waste away in my hellhole.

Sometimes, I felt I was too damaged to run the pack anymore.

The hatred from the members of my pack really messed with my sanity.

I tried every means to reach out, comfort them, and let them know that they weren't the only ones who lost someone dear to them.

But it resulted in chaos.

Nobody was on my side. Not even the elders of the pack.

I should have eliminated the bad guy, but I was too blind to see that he was a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

Maybe the elders were right.

To them, I was a poor decision maker, and a poor decision maker would never make a good Alpha.

I wasn't good enough to rule over them.

The negative energy coupled with the loss of my mate and twins made me withdraw from the world.

Maybe I would prove the elders wrong someday, but not now.

Until then, Raphael would continue to take my place as the Alpha of my pack.

I trusted him with my life, and he would never betray me.

I heaved a sigh, tilting my head. “Impressive,” I commended in a tone devoid of amusement.

Though I was thrilled by his performance, I would never show it because I didn't want it to get into his head.

“But not as impressive as it would be if you were the one ruling,” Raphael blurted, making me let out a tense breath.

“Don't start,” I warned as his words started to get to me.

I hated anything that reminded me of my past and my mistakes.

“The elders summoned a meeting with me, and they think you should rule, but on probation.”

Disbelief flashed in my eyes as I cooked my brow. “On probation?!” I exclaimed.

I clenched my hands over the paper, crumbling the edges in the process.

I should rule on probation?! The height of disrespect!

“They also stated that if you must resume your duties, you must find a mate, a Luna to rule over them, and by any chance, if you were found wanting certain attributes that the Alpha possesses, you would be removed.”

Unable to take it, I hit my fist on the table as anger flared in me.

My breath came out in short pants, and my jaws clenched.

Without warning, I grabbed Raphael by the collar of his shirt before throwing him against the wall.

“Tell them that I said I would do whatever I want, which doesn't limit me to neglecting my duties,” I yelled at his face with my finger poking his chest.

“I will resume my office when I'm mentally ready. I'm tired of trying and failing to win their trust.”

When I had composed myself, I let Raphael out of my grip before striding to the table.

Fuck.

I let it out on Rapheal. It wasn't Raphael's fault. Since my mate died, I lashed out my fury at any available person.

A part of me wanted to apologize to Raphael for rough handling him, but a part of me protested against it.

I don't apologize.

Apology was a sign of weakness, and I was not weak.

“Very well, Alpha,” he bowed briefly, trying to straighten out his rumpled cloth.

Leaning against the chair, I reached for the cup of coffee, taking a sip from it before dropping it on the table and directing my gaze to one of the papers that caught my attention.

“Any news about the kidnapper?”

“Not yet, but I've sent a bunch of investigators. They should bring their feedback by the end of tomorrow.” Raphael replied, his voice was a bit low this time.

“Alright, until then, everyone should be safe, including the women and the children since those are his targets. No one should wander outside the pack borders late at night. Shifting should be done within the pack, not outside the boundaries, and the guards should be doubled. We don't want any more missing people.”

“Yes, Alpha.”

“Meanwhile, are there any reports on the 2 missing people? Have they been found?”

Raphael's face was covered in a thick frown as he avoided my gaze. “Not yet, Alpha, but we are working on it.”

“It's been four fucking days and that is the response I keep getting.”

“We've sent the best trackers and they are yet to give us info. But the missing people will return, dead or alive.”

A wave of disgust hit me at Raphael's words. “I want them alive, not dead. They have families waiting for them. Is that understood?” I barked while watching him nod his head.

“Now get back to work.”

“Yes, Alpha.”

Relief washed over me as I saw him make his way to the door while I left the chair for my bed.

I couldn't wait to be left alone and dream of Marina.

“Alpha?” He called, making me upset.

“I thought this meeting was over and you were on your way out,” I said irritatedly.

“I am, but I just wanted to inform you that I have sent Lilith the house address. She would be here anytime soon.

Tension seized my heart as I sat up.

“Who the fuck is Lilith and why would she be here anytime soon?” My heart raced in anger and my fist began to tighten.

“The girl you almost hit the night we wanted to make an appearance to the pack. Remember?”

I shut my eyes for a breath moment, trying to juggle my memory when the realization hit me.

The girl that made me feel a strange sensation.

Her presence made me nervous and confused.

I didn't want her around me.

“What did you do?” My voice went gradually from a low tone into an aggressive tone, almost reverberating throughout the walls of my room.

“I offered her a job since you need a maid. She should be here anytime soon.”

“You did what?!”

Casper

My voice was like the roar of a savage wild beast, about to launch on its next prey.

Fuck Raphael!

“I don't need a fucking maid!” I lashed out, gritting my teeth in anger.

Fuck!

I hissed in anger as my chest rose and fell heavily.

“But Alpha, your last maid resigned because of the preparations for her wedding.” Raphel tried to talk me into his stupid idea.

“But she is back now. The bastard cheated on her and she called off the fucking wedding. You should have asked before you decided to do things on your own.”

My gaze met his and I shot him a stern look. “Now what would you do about the little girl you employed without my permission?”

Raphael stared at me in shock. “Without your permission? She is not employed yet, meanwhile, she has to pass an interview.”

“I don't care. Her presence is not needed.”

“But…”

“You heard me. Anna is back.” I interrupted.

“Try to understand, Alpha, I know you like your space void of people, but the workload will be too much on Anna. She can't cook, clean, do the laundry, and take care of the house at the same time. This is where Lilith takes it from her. The burden will be shared else Anna would break down,” he tried to explain.

I heaved a sigh of defeat, knowing Raphael's words were reasonable.

One person won't be able to take care of this big house.

Fuck!

I hated where this was going.

“Fine. But after Lilith, no more maids.” I warned sternly.

“Yes, Alpha.” he smiled in agreement before tucking a file under his arm.

But instead of leaving like he intended to, he remained in the room, watching me closely.

I could sense his uneasiness when his eyes landed on his wrist.

“Is there anything else? What are you waiting for?” I asked, trying to get the truth from him.

“Yes, I was waiting for the new girl. I remembered that I would be the one to interview her. She would be here in a minute. I told her to resume the 7:00 am prompt.”

I scuffed as my eyes darted to the HD wall clock before they bounced on him.

“Great. It's 6:58 am,” My voice bled with mockery. “Such an excellent timekeeper.”

“She will soon arrive.” He tried to sound convincing.

I hissed loudly before shaking my head in irritation.

“She hasn't even been employed and she is already coming late? Didn't you make it clear to her that I hate lateness and I won't tolerate it?”

If I wasn't late, Marina wouldn't have died.

I missed my twins. I missed being called ‘daddy’.

“I did, but…”

His words were cut off by the sound of a soft knock against the mahogany door.

A frown crossed my face as I shot Raphael a deadly glare.

“The interview is in my bedroom, huh?!”

“No, Alpha, I told her to wait for me downstairs, maybe Anna showed her around or she got lost while wandering around.” He tried to convince me.

“Anna should get ready to be fired if she thinks she can let a stranger into my bedroom.” I declared, using my Alpha tone.

Before the door parted open, I threw on my shirt, buttoning only a few as I didn't want any stranger drooling over my abs.

Relief coursed through me when the door opened to reveal Anna with a tray of food in her hand.

I heard Raphael release a tense sigh before leaning on the wall.

“Good morning, Alpha,” she greeted. Her voice was cracked, devoid of happiness and liveliness.

I could barely recognize it.

Her pain wafted in my nose and heartbreak oozed throughout her body.

Dark circles were glued to her eyes and I could tell she had been crying all night.

That's what she deserves for falling in love.

Love makes you weak.

Love is capable of turning a gallant soldier into a pathetic fool.

It was a curse that brought weakness.

After Marina, I would never fall in love again.

Fuck love!

Annoyed as her hands began to tremble, I took the tray from her, placing it on the table before pulling her away from me.

“Get yourself together, Anna. You are not the first person to get heartbroken and you won't be the last. I don't care if your fiance slept with your aunt a day before your wedding, I care about how you will perform your job without letting your emotions get to you.”

“If you care about this job, you better forget that douchebag and focus on it diligently. For fuck’s sake you are paid handsomely for this job so get to work!” I half-screamed as I was already pissed off.

I hope her tears didn't drop in my coffee when she was making it.

From the corner of my eyes, I could see her tear up but she quickly wiped it with the back of her palm and stifled her cry.

Better for her.

I hated emotions. It screamed weakness. And people use your weaknesses against you.

I was bitten once, but I would never be bitten again.

I rolled my eyes at the judgy look that Raphael shot at me.

I knew my words cut deep into her but I don't give a fuck.

Silence fell between us and she was about to leave.

“Anna, did you see any lady outside the estate or downstairs?” Raphael asked.

“No, sir,” she replied before bowing briefly and disappearing out of the room.

“7:20 am? I'm afraid your Lilith is not ready for this job,” I shook my head in anger, ready to dismiss Raphael so that I could wallow in my self-pity.

But then, a knock landed on my door.

Anna bursts in, panting hard.

She looked like she raced down to my room.

Her lips were filled with news.

“There is a strange lady waiting downstairs. She said she is here for her interview.”

My eyes landed on the clock before meeting Raphael’s.

“She is an hour late."

“Alpha please…” Raphael tried to convince me, but my mind was already made up.

“If you insist on making her work here, then I would make sure this is her personal hell!”