Chapter Five: Cayden's Invasion

The night approaches rapidly, and he hasn't returned as promised for just thirty minutes, turning it into the entire day. I wonder what could be happening in his office. The absence of a mind link only deepens my uncertainty.

An idea strikes me as I recall him telling me to find him at Wolf TCE&D if I need him. I stumble out of my comfortable position and approach the door, but a whisper of my name reaches me from the side of the window. It's likely him. I backtrack to the window side, questioning the mysterious voice.

"Who's there? Show your face." I confidently declare. "Before I report you to the Alpha without a second thought." I lower the curtains after saying this, and the voice falls silent. However, a sudden sound on the door startles me. I hurry to open it, and a stranger swiftly enters. He secures the door tightly, leaning his back against it. Masked and tall, he seems like someone associated with an Alpha – though I'm still uncertain.

"Is this Spartan?" I inquire, and the stranger shakes his head. "Then..." I say, eyes wide, sweat trickling down my forehead. "...who the hell are you?"

"I'm a wolf from D. I'm here to help you." He replies, easing my anxiety. I wave to express my gratitude and gesture for him to take a seat. I return to my comfortable bed, joyfully jumping on it.

"I hope the door is locked." I mention.

"Tightly, Princess" He responds.

I yawn and question him, "But why are you masked?"

"That's the instruction, Princess." He explains, and that's the last thing I hear as I drift off.

Dawn comes too soon as I feel myself being romanced by another person. I don’t open my eyes. All what comes to my mind is, only Spartan might try it. And at least, he hasn’t done anything worse. He would want to mark me as his mate first.

But as I hear my lingerie intentionally being torn apart, I snap my eyes open and jolt out of the bed. He clings to me even more as I fight to break free. Amidst the struggle, he continues tearing my clothes apart until I'm left with only my underwear. I hastily grab a towel and reach for the doorknob to escape, disregarding my torn clothes. Turning the doorknob, I find the door unyielding. I glance back, and the stranger is unmasking with a smirk.

"Get the door open if you can." He jests at me. I scan my surroundings, realizing there's nothing I can do right now – no escape route, no way to alert Spartan who brought me here. For this stranger to successfully lock me down, he must have somehow hindered Spartan, preventing him from checking on me. He fooled me last night. If only I had been warned not to open my door for anyone at night!

"Come over here and play with me." The stranger taunts. I shoot him a deadly glare, and suddenly, my vision brightens as I recognize the person.

“Cayden?” I ask. He scoffs.

“What’s it, mate?” He questions, and rolls himself on the bed comfortably like someone who has won a world cup. “When you’re ready, you can come over.”

How I wish I had the power of a wolf to break the door and expose this person's intentions. Cayden has never been to this pack house. How did he get in? It seems I have to cooperate with him if I want to leave.

I pull a chair beside the bed, and he turns to face me. Eager to talk, he shakes his head.

"Let me hold you in my arms and cuddle you as you talk. I don't want anything more right now." He insists, grabbing me forcefully.

"Don't touch me like that—" is my continuous plea. "I want to get out of here. Give me the keys."

"Then assume a doggy position." He requests, and I let out a deep sigh.

"Who are you, and which Alpha of the pack house do you serve?" I ask, a thought striking my mind. What if Spartan rushes to see me and breaks the door? What would happen?

"I said, don't touch me!" I holler, growing increasingly annoyed. I swiftly get out of bed and deliver a forceful kick to his jaw. I change into a different outfit, patiently awaiting the arrival of the Alpha of the pack house. Anticipating the future, a sound on the door confirms it's him. I don't even need to ask for keys; he's surprised. While he was preoccupied with me, I managed to pick up the keys.

I turn the doorknob and welcome the Alpha inside as Cayden remains on my bed, speechless and caught in the red.

"Who's this?" The Alpha asks his first question, pointing at Cayden but peering at me for an answer. I worry he might get mad at me and storm out, but instead, he locks the door first, preserving the peace of the pack house, and then walks up to Cayden.

"Everest, isn't this the same man that wanted you to be with him, instead of me?" The Alpha asks, and I nod. I turn my face to the side, blushing, confirming that the Alpha desires me.

"I know this dude. I've made my findings about him. He's just a clone of their Alpha; he's nothing but an Omega!" The Alpha declares angrily. "What have you got to do with a mere Omega?"

I shake my head to signal that I don't like Cayden. But deep down, I also dislike the Alpha. He appears too authoritative, and I yearn for someone who would reciprocate my love. Perhaps, that could still happen with Cayden.

"Since he found his way here, we're going to hold him down as we held him into the packhouse." Spartan declares, and Cayden remains silent. He might have rejected the idea, but perhaps he's secretly glad he'll get to see me every day.

"I prefer the wolf TCE&D." Cayden tells Spartan. Spartan angrily rolls his eyes at him and slaps him on his chin.

"You don't say anything next time." Spartan fumes.

"But he was only stating his preference." I say, my voice breaking. I don't like what Spartan did.

"Teach me my work." He tells me and storms out of the room, adding, "...I might even decide to send you both out of the pack house."

My face lights up, and Cayden smiles as well. This is what we want. Cayden, despite seeking undue attention from me, can better satisfy me as a wolf. He can also take his time to teach me, unlike the strong-headed Spartan.

"Everest, I'm sorry about the other time. And, I'm sorry for my lies. I'm not an Alpha. The personal messenger of the Alpha went to battle, but the Alpha didn't go. So, I was made a clone of the Alpha, that's why I have the characteristics."

"Wow. Your pack house must be very lit and innovative." I tell him, and he chuckles.

"Erm… I have an awkward question though." He says after tendering his apology. I hum.

"Okay... but, can't we just run away?" He asks, cracking me up. I almost fall off the chair, but he doesn't even smile, turning me off.

"If you can work it out, I'm with you." I tell him. He holds the back of my palms, rubs them together, kisses them, thanks me, and rolls back in bed.

“I’m going to work it out, and we’re going to be best of mates.” He tells me.

"I never agreed to be your mate." I retort. He sighs and chuckles softly. "I only want to escape from here as well. You know?"

His voice takes on a gruff tone as he says, "I know."

"We would go hunting together. Run into the woods, shift together, play hide-and-seek, have pups after numerous enjoyable moments, and then fight to own a pack, too." He analyzes. I don't chase after luxury. The moment he mentions, "We'd fight for a pack." I almost want to reject him. Get yourself a pack or let the moon goddess find me a mate. Better yet, let me remain exclusive to Spartan. Even though I don't like him, I won't fight for any pack; he owns it all.

"Do you know there's a Luna here?" He suddenly asks, jolting me out of my reverie. He seems to have read my mind because, what the hell kind of question is that?