Shattered

Chapter 1

"Amaris, come on down! Alpha Denver is waiting!" I heard my mom shout from downstairs. "He's got things to do!"

Alpha Denver, the leader of our Crimson Shadow Pack, hadn't found his mate yet, which was pretty unusual for someone his age. He seemed like a decent guy overall, but there was something about him that gave me the creeps.

I practically sprinted down the stairs, fueled by the mouthwatering aroma of the food. "Mmm, these smell heavenly, Mom!" I exclaimed with excitement.

She responded with a smile, saying, "You can have a piece if you promise to head over to Alpha Denver right away."

"Deal!" I eagerly agreed, but instead of just taking one piece, I couldn't resist devouring two. As I took a bite, a blissful moan escaped my lips. The steak was incredibly tender, juicy, and packed with meaty goodness, just like Mom's cooking always is.

"An extra piece won't hurt anyone, right?" I grinned mischievously

"Oh, is Dad there too?" I asked, attempting to sneak another piece of steak without her noticing.

But, as expected, she caught me in the act.

She playfully smacked my hand away and replied, "Yes, he's there."

"Well, I guess it's time for me to hit the road then," I said, giving her a quick kiss on the forehead before dashing out the door.

Alpha Denver's office was nestled within his grand mansion. The room was as spacious as my own bedroom, exuding an air of authority and sophistication. A gleaming metallic desk dominated the space, a testament to his hard work, with papers scattered across its surface in a chaotic yet purposeful manner. Opposite each other, two imposing black leather executive chairs stood, their polished surfaces reflecting the room's opulence. It was a space that spoke volumes about its owner, Alpha Denver.

"Hey there, Amaris, my dear girl!" Alpha Denver exclaimed as he walked towards me from the only door in the room.

I turned my head to get a good look at him. He was actually quite good-looking for his age, with his long blond hair and piercing blue eyes.

Oh man, how did I miss him? I didn't even hear his footsteps! But there he was, pulling me into a hug and giving my head gentle pats. He had this big smile on his face, like he was genuinely happy to see me.

I couldn't help but chuckle awkwardly as I gently pulled myself away from the hug. But at least the rich aroma of roasted coffee beans in the room helped calm my nerves a bit.

"So, my mom said you wanted to talk to me," I said, flashing him a small smile that was anything but genuine.

The percolator gurgled, brewing a fresh cup of coffee, filling the room with its enticing aroma. Alpha Denver acknowledged the importance of the matter at hand, urging me to think carefully. He motioned for me to take a seat in the chair next to him, while he settled into his own chair across from me, separated only by a table.

With a gracious gesture, he poured a cup of coffee for me and another for himself before taking his seat. The warm cup in my hands offered a sense of comfort as we prepared to dive into our conversation.

I furrowed my brows, my curiosity piqued by Alpha Denver's mysterious request. Though uncertain, I nodded obediently, trying to gather my thoughts as I took a sip of the coffee to soothe my nerves.

And then, he dropped the bombshell. "I want us to get married."

The unexpected declaration caught me off guard, causing me to choke on my coffee. I hastily placed the cup on the table, coughing as I tried to regain my composure.

He stood up from his chair and rushed over to me, gently patting my back to ease my coughing. But something felt off, his touch felt wrong, almost...disgusting.

I quickly released myself from his hold, my coughing fit subsiding. "W-Wh-What?" I stammered, my mind racing to process his words.

"You heard me perfectly well, Amaris," he replied, his voice filled with conviction.

I struggled to find the right words to respond. This man was practically like a father to me, my dad's best friend. How could he see me in any other light? It couldn't be true. I refused to believe it.

"I-I'm sorry," I managed to utter, my voice trembling, before swiftly making my way towards the door.

"Stop," he commanded, his authoritative tone compelling me to obey. Slowly, he approached me, his gaze scanning my body, making me feel exposed and vulnerable. In that moment, I saw it-the way he looked at me, devoid of innocence. It was clear that he saw me as nothing more than an object for his satisfaction.

He reached out, attempting to cup my face with his hands, but I instinctively turned away, refusing his touch. Anger surged through me, a strong desire to strike him in his repulsive face. However, I knew all too well the consequences that awaited me if I dared to act on that impulse.

"You have exactly 5 days to give me an answer, and it better be what I want. Otherwise, you won't even be able to imagine the aftermath, not just for you, but for your precious Dad as well," he threatened, his breath hitting my face, causing my stomach to churn.

His hand trailed down from my jawline to my neck and then my shoulders, eliciting a twist of revulsion on my face.

"You may go," he allowed, and all I wanted to do was bolt out the door.

"Oh!" he exclaimed, causing me to pause. "Do not even dare mention this to a soul. Not. A. Single. Soul."

Home wasn't an option, not with the turmoil inside me. The worry it would cause my mom was unthinkable. I needed a moment, a breather to regain my composure and clear my head.

"...The consequences would be unimaginable, not just for you, but for your beloved father as well."

Tears welled up, hot and fresh, spilling over as I crumbled under the weight of it all. Why was life dealing me such a hard hand?

Five days. That's all I had to ponder over this. Surely, in that time, I'd find the best way forward... I had to.