Chapter 4

Crystina’s POV

“Let’s go downstairs for dinner,” he stretched his hand out at me. I stared at his large palm for a few seconds before I shook my head.

“No, thank you. I’m not really hungry,” I replied. That was a lie; I was famished. I hadn’t even been able to eat lunch because of the news I heard at the cafeteria, but I would rather fast than eat dinner with him.

I can’t believe I let him hug me like that before moving away. More than that, I can’t believe I almost kissed him. Thanks to Rolf who saved me from that moment. Even though Rolf is a devil’s advocate and first son, I still have him to thank for saving me from losing the last thing that I can hold on to: my body. I know I’ve lost my dignity, pride, and reputation since moving to Moon Valley Pack, but the last thing that I can hold onto was my body, and if I let loose to Luka, he would also take that away from me, and I would hate myself for that.

I know I’m here because he needed retribution for his father’s death, and it’s possible that sleeping with me was one of his plans. The best thing I can do is not let him have his way with me. I would rather die than let him touch me.

“Do you hate me that much that you can’t stand to have dinner with me?” he asked, surprising me again for the umpteenth time tonight. He was acting different; this wasn’t the Luka that I knew years ago, and this scares me. I want to know what his plans are.

“No, Alpha.”

He laughed. “Good then. If that isn’t the case, then come downstairs with me, let’s have dinner,” he suggested, and I nodded, not having much of a choice anyway.

“Yes, Alpha.”

Reluctantly, I followed after him. I was so deep in thought that I didn’t notice when he suddenly stopped on the way. My body collided against his back, and I quickly took a step back once I realized what I’d done. He also turned around to look at me, and before he could stare at me, I looked away.

“I’m sorry, Alpha,” I apologized instantly.

“Walk ahead of me, Star,” Star? What was that? I quickly nodded and walked ahead of him. I was suddenly so conscious of myself. I was curious about what he could be doing behind me. Could he be laughing at me? Or plotting how to stab me from behind.

I wouldn’t be surprised if he pushed me down the stairs. I knew just how much his hatred for me was deeply rooted in his heart. Would he actually do it? Push me down the stairs? My heart was in my mouth the whole trip down the stairs. Even if it was just a few steps that took a few seconds, it felt like an eternity to me. When we got to the dining area, I took a turn, ready to walk into the kitchen and eat, but a hand suddenly stopped me. Luka held my hand and pushed me towards the table.

“I always eat in the kitchen,” I protested, hoping he’ll let me go to where I was supposed to be.

“Not anymore, Tina. You should eat at the dining table from now on, understood?”

No! I didn’t understand a word that he said, why was he doing this? Why was he torturing me mentally like this?

“I’m not used to this, I shouldn’t, and I have to eat…”

He interrupted me. “If you don’t shut up, sit your pretty ass on this table right now, I’ll kiss you.” As soon as my brain processed those words, I obediently sat on the chair that he has pulled out. In silence, we ate dinner. He kept asking me to eat more, but I shook my head, refusing his offer. I was okay with the little that I’d eaten; if I ate more, I would throw up. Sitting to eat with him was enough to make me lose my appetite.

Right after dinner, Luka went out, and I retired to my room. I was not only physically exhausted but mentally tired as well. I wasn’t ready for whatever drama that Luka had going on. Whatever his plans are for me are making me scared to the bone. Soon enough, I slept off.

I found myself in front of a huge house. It was the pack house that I’d lived in with my family ten years ago. The house with the symbol of the white crown. As I looked around me, I saw an older man walking in my direction. He was holding a sword in his hand, and as I squinted my eyes to see his face, he said,

“Hey, Star baby,”

“Daddy,” I yelled as I recognized my father’s voice. I ran towards my father and hugged him tightly. “Where have you been daddy, I’ve missed you.”

“I missed you more, baby. You should take good care of yourself; I’ll always be here with you,” he placed his hand on my chest.

“Why can’t I see you?”

“You don’t have to see me, Child. You just have to feel it. I love you.”

“If you really love me, then why did you abandon me? Why did you leave me alone, daddy? Why?”

“You should go with him,” he suddenly pointed to someone behind me. When I turned to see who it was, it was Luka, with his signature smirk on my face.

“What did I tell you, Crystina, you can never escape from me?”

I almost stumbled to the floor in fear. When I turned back to call my daddy, he was not there anymore.

“DADDY!” I screamed.

I jerked up from my sleeping position and heaved a deep sigh of relief when I realized it was just a dream. A deep frown etched on my face once I remembered how I’d dreamt about Luka. Why will I dream of him of all people?

I checked the clock and saw it was almost seven thirty in the morning. I quickly stood up from the bed and ran towards the bathroom to get ready for the day. If I arrived at school late, I would be made the scapegoat for the rest of the year. I practically ran through my morning chores and down the stairs once I was ready to leave.

“You should wear something thicker, Crystina, it’s snowing outside,” Miss Mary suggested. I smiled and shook my head.

“I don’t have anything thicker than this, Miss Mary,” I answered. She was actually the only person who cared that much anyways.

“Would you mind wearing mine then?” She asked. It wasn’t the first time she would give me her clothes to wear, so I wasn’t surprised. Usually, I do collect her thick clothes from her to wear and return them when I get back from school, but this wasn’t the case, Alpha Luka was back, and he wouldn’t like the fact that she was helping me.

“Don’t worry about me, Miss Mary, I’ll be fine,” I told her.

“Are you sure about that?” I nodded, assuring her that I’ll be fine. Moreover, I would be late for class if care isn’t taken.

“Come back home from school early, don’t stay out too late,” She advised as I walked out through the front door.

Once I walked out at the door, I regretted not taking her down jacket. I almost froze from the first wind that blew on my face.

I was so deep in thought that I didn’t notice when a car drove by and suddenly, the car stopped and moved back slowly towards me. I also stopped walking, scared of what would happen next. The car stopped right beside me, and the window swiveled down to reveal the driver. Fear gripped me as Luka’s face came into my line of vision.