Delaney POV

"A mandatory run? You've got to be kidding me!" I facepalmed, gathering my confidence after seconds of opening and closing my mouth without a word. I followed Kai behind, swallowing every pain that shot up my leg with every hurried step I took.

"I just fell over from my balcony, for goodness sake, got kidnapped by you and your brother, and now you expect me to attend a run the first day of this forced stay?" I threw my hands in the air, my voice rising an octave. Kai remained silent, his broad shoulders visibly tense beneath his black shirt.

"And whose fault was that? It's been almost 3 hours now, Delaney; surely you have healed by now," Ronan chimed in, following behind. Our footsteps echoed on the polished marble floor, lower than our voices as we spoke.

"And tomorrow will be your second day in our home, not your first," he added smoothly. "How did you even get into college if you can't count from one to two?" His words stirred a boiling feeling inside, one that was crawling up my body first. I whirled around to glare at him, something I had done a lot since meeting him.

"Soon I won't be able to say the numbers at all, because you and your brother ripped me away from home, from college," I replied in a low voice, my teeth pressed together as I attempted to control a boiling feeling in my stomach. Then I spun back, attempting to keep up with Kai, who was winding up the wide bifurcated staircase that separated at the landing.

I used the handrails made of polished brown wood to support myself as I climbed up, admiring the railings made of intricate wrought iron that brought an ancient feel. At the top, Kai took the right flight of stairs that veered to what I assumed was the right wing.

"Hey Alpha Kai," I called, my patience thinning. "If you haven't been listening for the last few minutes, I said that I am not going to go for that run tomorrow," I repeated, pronouncing each word slowly and loud enough for him to understand. Down the hall was a young man dressed in blue-washed jeans and a black t-shirt approaching, smiling at obviously the two twins.

"Alpha Ronan, Alpha Kai," he bowed slightly when we met halfway, right outside an intricate wooden double door.

"You must be Delaney," he sidestepped Kai, stretching his hand towards me, his eyes lingering on me a little too long for my comfort. I looked at both twins, wondering how a man I was meeting for the first time knew me.

"This is Elias, our cousin and the head of every staff member in this estate. He will show you to your room. You should be settled by dinnertime; I expect you to get down to the dining room before 6." Ronan explained while Kai pushed the door open and disappeared inside.

"What's the time? Did you even carry my phone?" I asked, realising that I had been so caught up in their forced stay that I totally forgot about my phone.

"Should be in your bag. I am sure your stuff has been safely put in your room as we speak. See you at dinner." With that, Ronan followed Kai, leaving me with a total stranger and a million questions, complaints and obscene words.

"Right this way," Elias directed, giving me a smile that I wanted to slap off his face. What was good to smile about?

"Alpha Kai never changes his mind when he decides something," he spoke after some time as I quietly followed him in the dimly lit hallway.

"Huh?" I asked, glaring at the back of his head.

"I heard you telling him that you were not going for tomorrow's run," he clarified, leading me to another set of stairs at the end of the hallway that led to the second floor.

"And how is that your business?" I snapped, narrowing my eyes when he chuckled in return.

"Is something funny?" I asked.

"It's just that Ronan warned me that you were a handful when he called to have your room prepared," he answered as we got to the second floor. The hallway here was much wider, and the air smelt of lavender.

"Is that so?" I pressed.

"This wing belongs to the alpha kings entirely. No one is allowed up here except me, the housekeeper, and occasionally Alpha Ronan's fu-friend." The moment he mentioned that, my mind took me back to the woman who practically threw herself at Ronan.

"And Alpha Kai's?" I pressed, even though I wasn't sure about whether I needed an answer.

"He hasn't brought a woman here since their ma..." Elias trailed off, standing in front of a dark oak double door that had intricate patterns and gold accents that looked quite old.

"Here you are," he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly.

"You were saying something about Kai," I pressed, curiosity rising.

"Don't let him find you digging up stuff about him." He opened the door, revealing a stunning room that had a high ceiling, a king-size bed with blue and white bedding, and large windows that were framed by white sheers. My duffel bag was placed on the floor by the foot of the bed.

"This leads to the walk-in closet and that," he pointed at a door at the furthest corner, then added, "leads to the bathroom."

"And that?" I pointed at another door, raising my eyebrows when he looked aside.

"It leads to the balcony, but I was instructed to screw it in," he muttered.

"Then open it."

"I can't; I was told you have history with balconies," he explained, fighting off an amusing smile. There was a short silence between us, as I tried to fight insults that were bubbling at the tip of my tongue.

"You'll find essentials in the closet," he said after a while, moving to open it.

"There are mostly clothes, selected specifically for you by the housekeeper, and..." He paused, eyeing my clothes with a smirk on his face. "A little more tailored to the Alphas' taste than yours."

I narrowed my eyes, peering into the closet. Heels, silk, lace, leather—great, so I basically had nothing comfortable to wear. "This is their taste?" Elias nodded.

"Are they expecting me to walk in lingerie and heels?" I shook my head, stepping away from the closet door.

"I wouldn't put it past them," Elias said, his tone firm, expression serious.

"Fantastic," I huffed and spun back toward the door again. "And whose room is to my left?"

"Kai's," he answered, then gestured to the door across the hall. "And that's Ronan's, so you are basically in between them." So it was their plan all along to situate me between them.

"Hey, can I ask you a question?" I peeped at the hallway to check whether the coast was clear, lowering my voice.

"Sure."

"There was a girl who threw herself at Ronan when we arrived..." I trailed off, not entirely sure why I had this strong urge to dig up info about her.

"Uh, yes, Chloe. Listen." He stepped closer, looking straight into my eyes.

"If you want a nice and smooth stay in the capital, stay away from Chloe and her minions. She is not someone you want to be friends with or against. I'll come pick you up in a few hours for dinner." He left after that, leaving me to my thoughts.

Delaney

I sat on the bed, my back resting on a pillow against the headboard, speaking with Nyra and Carter over the phone. Something about Carter's reaction when I fell was still raising questions, but I kept telling myself that maybe I had imagined it. After all I had been blinded by pain to be sure about what my eyes saw.

"How is their house? I bet it's a mansion," Nyra excitedly inquired.

"It could be a damn castle Nyra, but it's not home," I answered, glancing around the room. While mine was cozy and homey full of memories, this room was just bland. Yes it was stunning and spacious, but it just felt off.

"Your dad said that he has been trying to call you," Carter joined in, his voice rough.

"I haven't seen his calls," I lied, even though I had seen his name flashing on my screen more times than I cared to count. Each time I let it ring out.

"He's worried about you, Del." I was in no mood to talk about my dad, not when he had just stood by and watched me get taken.

"I-I have to go; we'll talk later," I quickly said, ending the call without a second thought. The mere thought of my dad agreeing with the alpha kings had pain accumulating in my chest, forcing me to take short breaths.

As if on cue, the phone still in my hand vibrated, my dad's name with love emojis flashing yet again. I debated for the millionth time whether to pick or ignore again. In the end, I pressed on the receive button, pressed on loudspeaker and held my breath.

"Oh my god, honey, I thought something happened to you," he hyperventilated on the other side.

"I'm fine; I just didn't want to talk to you," I deadpanned, pressing my lips together.

"I know that you are mad at me, Del, but I would rather you be angry than hunted by the rogues," he spoke, an edge audible in his voice.

"Alpha Kai ordered me to attend a run tomorrow morning," I mumbled, but he heard me anyway.

"Well, that is good; at least you'll stay in shape," he excitedly said, while I chuckled in disbelief.

"In wolf form, Dad, the run will be in wolf form, and the last time I checked, I do not have one," I hissed, running my hand over my face.

"What!" Came his voice, panic almost palpable through the phone.

"Why do you sound surprised, Dad? Didn't you think about this when you allowed them to carry me while I was unconscious? I fell from the balcony and got hurt; you knew that I couldn't heal fast, and yet you stood there and watched me be shipped off. What will happen if the secret we have struggled to keep since I turned 18 is revealed, worse to the alpha kings?" I couldn't sit still, not when my identity was on the line.

"I'm so sorry, Delaney," he muttered, after a short silence.

"At times like this I wish Mom was around; she wouldn't have—"

"Don't you dare finish that statement," he warned, letting out a low growl. Mom's disappearance was a sore subject to us, but it affected him more than it did me.

"I expected you to defend me, Dad," I whispered, a lump growing in my throat.

"I slipped pain meds in your bag; please take them for your ankle and head," he spoke.

"Is that supposed to make me feel any better?" I bitterly chuckled.

"I would do anything to keep you safe, even if it means you hating me." I closed my eyes at his words, feeling a burning sensation inside of them. I was about to answer when a knock sounded on the door, followed by Elias's voice.

"I have to go, Dad," I managed to whisper, swallowing hard as I ended the call.

"Come in," I called, my voice raspy.

"Dinner is almost served. I have come to pick you up as promised," Elias stated after he pushed the door half-open.

"Right," I mumbled, getting off the bed while blinking back tears. I hated what I was feeling at that moment, trapped and unwanted. I had taken a bath and had worn a short dress that reached mid-thigh, the only decent one I could find in the closet. Turns out Nyra had only packed photos, pyjamas and a few essentials here and there, not clothes.

"You look," Elias hesitated, his eyes once again lingering on my body. "You look ravishing," he finished in a calm voice, stepping aside for me to step out.

"Thank you, I guess," I answered, walking beside him down the hallway. The rest of the walk was quiet, my mind caught up in the mandatory run. So much for keeping a secret only for it to be revealed in front of strangers.

"Come, my dear, sit beside me." Ronan patted the dining chair beside him when we emerged, his eyes roaming all over my body.

He was the only one at the long oval table, with an array of serving dishes in the middle.

I sat beside him, completely aware that my dress had risen an inch when I sat down, exposing my thighs to him. I could feel his eyes checking me out, making sparks light up inside of me. The only thing that was stopping me from melting under his hungry gaze was the thought of him and Chloe being together.

He leaned over, his breath fanning my ear as he said, "you look delectable in this tiny dress."

I kept my mouth shut, clenching my fists under the table. It was ridiculous how my body reacted to him. Just minutes ago, I had been angry and hurt, and now I was flustered.

"Sit with us Elias," he said, gesturing at one of the seats.

"Where is alpha Kai?" I asked, clearing my throat.

"He's not coming, otherwise he wouldn't have told you to be ready for the run in the morning. He would have told you at dinner," Ronan explained, while I bit the inside of my cheek. A part of me wished that Kai was present for whatever reason.

"But not to worry, you won't even notice he's absent," he added, placing his hand on my thigh. The contact alone send shivers of warmth between my thighs instantly.

"What would you like to have Delaney? Alpha Ronan had the cook prepare a couple of dishes for you to choose from," Elias chimed in, giving me a nod. He must have noticed the awkwardness in the room.

"Anything; I'm sure everything is delicious. It actually smells so good." I was trying so hard to keep my focus on anything else apart from Ronan's hand on my thigh and the heat crawling up.

"It doesn't smell nearly as good as your arousal," Ronan whispered in my ear, sending heat crawling up my neck and face. I was sure that at that moment, I looked like a tomato.

If Ronan could smell it, so could Elias. No wonder he couldn't meet my eyes, poor Elias. "I will get up from this seat if you don't stop," I warned, shifting on the seat.

"No, you won't," Ronan answered, his voice husky. "Because all you want is for me to slide my hand higher...rub that sensitive throbbing little clit until you soak your panty and this seat."