The Alpha's Gamble - Chapter 4: Chapter 4

The size of the room, the price of some of these things they had stuffed in here, and even the new hygiene products my mom had bought for me- it all cost a fortune that we didn't have.
I dragged my hand over the desk and the bookshelves that lined an entire wall. Empty frames sat with the price tags still attached, that was particularly pathetic.
“How does it feel stepping up on the societal ladder?”
I was startled by the voice that filled the room and sent a god-forsaken chill down my spine. I turned to see Logan leaning against the open door.
“Like I have splinters all over my body,” I smiled.
He chuckled and invited himself in.
“Don’t act like you don't love it, the fame and the money you’ll get because your mom is banging the Alpha,”
I shifted my body when he got closer and raised my hand ready to slap any other distasteful comment straight from his mouth. He grabbed my wrist and pinned it down- squeezing unnecessarily hard and he knew it.
“Remember whose house you’re in now,” he said with the tone of a demon, “besides, I came here trying to be nice. I’m inviting you to a party.”
I pulled my hand free and clenched my jaw. Logan took a walk around my room, looking at all the new and shiny things his family’s money had bought. I couldn't blame him too much for being angry.
“I’m good, thanks,” I forced a smile and ignored how sarcastic my reply sounded.
“It’s not that kind of invitation,” he said, his voice dropping an octave.
“What kind of invitation is it?” I sounded as bored as I felt by his company and raised a brow.
“One you can’t decline. I'm telling you that there will be a party here tonight, to welcome you and to celebrate Noah’s return from the academy as well as his title ceremony that’s coming up soon. Our parents will be gone and you will put on a skimpy little dress with a nice bikini underneath and show up with that sunny smile of yours,” he put a lock of my hair behind my ear, leaving no room for argument.
Logan winked, sealing his victory with a glum smirk before he left my room. He stopped in the hall and looked over his shoulder.
“If you’re thinking about locking the door and hiding in here til the morning, think again. We have the master key, it unlocks every room. If we’re feeling extra playful we might just bust the door down. Don’t worry, sis, the night will be more fun than you think,”
A chill ran down my spine and I waited until he was out of sight before I allowed myself to shiver.
My phone buzzed and I picked it up seeing that it was Tilly.
“Hey, I'm so glad you called,” I said and closed the door.
“Are you just swooning from the amount of hotness you’re around right now?” She purred on the other line.
I was quite proud of myself for resisting the urge to gag at that question.
“Logan just invited me to a party- sort off. Can you please come? It’s tonight, here at Reed mansion,”
She went silent for a beat.
“Uh, yeah, I got my invitation yesterday. Partying with the soon-to-be Alpha? I wouldn't miss it for the world,” she mused.
“Yeah great, but I think they're up to something,”
“Relax, you’re new in their lair they just need time to trust you and I am sure you will eventually grow to trust them. It’ll all feel better tonight when everyone’s drunk,”
There could be something in what she was saying but it didn't ease my nerves.
The hours passed by in a blur and I mostly stayed in my room. My mom had come up once to let me know that she and Jack were heading away for the weekend to a spa resort because they needed some alone time. Our first days here and she leaves alone with the devil and his demon. Once Mom and Jack drove off it didn't take more than ten minutes before cars started driving up and some were walking in on foot. I swear they were hiding around the corner, waiting for a clear sign.
loud voices and music were filling the backyard. I closed my eyes and groaned as I walked over to the window and looked down at the pool where people were doing the cannonball.
Within the hour the backyard had been turned into a club with people bringing enough alcohol to feed the whole pack.
And werewolves drink a lot to feel that twinge that humans feel after two glasses.
“Idiots,” I shook my head and moved away from the window.
My carefully curated walls were swaying in my mind and I needed to make sure that they were kept intact. Nothing could throw me off, it would require stability for that and it wasn't a luxury I was blessed with.
I shook my body free of the nerves and looked in the mirror. The black dress landed above my knees and the open back showed the black strings of my bikini top.
“Just drink and you’ll be fine,” I said to the mirror.
In my head, I was downing a bottle of tequila and laughing at Tilly shaking her ass on the table.
I couldn’t feel my feet, feeling way behind on the chugging, and knowing that Landon was down there was making me want to stay back. This wasn't my home, it was my crowd but not in this scene, not at the Reed mansion.
I walked down and everything was getting louder. The music. The people. The screaming.
The sounds pounded against my ears and I had half a mind to run back up.
This was uncharted Territory, I didn't know the rules but seeing Logan’s eyes light up with his arm around a blonde's shoulders, throwing Noah a glance while sucking his lip between his teeth made me think I was about to find out.
“Maddie!” Landon ran over, the red cup in his hand was thrown into the pool and he pulled me in by my hips.
Our lips smash together with his drunken breaths polluting my tastebuds and he leaned back just long enough for a brief pause.
My eyes immediately looked around trying to find the nearest liquor. I need to drink, fast.
“Come with me,” he said and took my hand.
Logan watched as I was hauled off and Noah was…he was an enigma, you never knew what he was thinking. Dangerous and cold were two common words they used to describe him. And strong, very strong.
His muscles rippled against the fabric of his white shirt and he was the only one at the party dressed in jeans and a shirt.
“Where are we going?” I said, tearing my eyes from our formidable Alpha-to-be who downed his drink.
Landon walked backward, his eyes were glued to mine and he had that mischievous grin that always made me anxious.
“Somewhere quiet,” he winked.