Alpha Reign and His Crazy Stepdaughter

Chapter Two

First Person's Perspective

Belle

The minute my heels hit the airport floor, I was already over it. Jet lag? Check. Sweaty pits? Double check. Hair? Oh let's not even talk about those

My mother had paid the fine and my bail fee which made me a free woman, and because of that, I had no choice but to follow her instructions and come back to Valencia, the city of werewolves... home - felt weird calling it that

Anyway, I barely made it past the sliding doors when a tall, too polished for my liking man stepped in front of me like a well dressed parking cone

"Good evening, ma'am. My name's Seaman and I'll be your chauffeur for the evening," he said with a bow so low I thought he'd tumble off the ground

I blinked "I'm sorry, your name is what?" and followed the question with a not so polite snicker

He straightened, expression blank "Seaman, ma'am"

I squinted in suspicion "You're kidding...right?" He said nothing

"Is this like a prank?... wait, Am I on TV? Who the hell are you even?"

Unbothered, he replied in the same robotic tone, "I was sent by Madam Lorraine, Your mother."

Oh!

Well,

I crossed my arms. "Right. Should've known this had Mom's meddling fingerprints all over it." Then I shrugged, tossing my bag into the trunk he opened without a word.

We hit the road in silence for a minute before I leaned over from the back seat.

"Just so you know," I said, deadpan. "If you're a serial killer, I'm haunting you"

He didn't even flinch. "Noted, ma'am. I assure you I am thoroughly vetted, certified, and have no record of homicide."

I raised a brow. "Mm-hmm. That's exactly what a killer would say."

He adjusted the rearview mirror, his eyes still forward. "Understood, ma'am. Shall I put on calming music?"

"Only if it's Cardi B" I muttered, already slouching back.

"Cardi B doesn't have..." seeing as I was uninterested, he swallowed the rest of his words

-----

The gates creaked open like we were entering some royal estate and not just someone's "holiday home." As the mansion came into view, my jaw dropped– literally

The building was massive, glassy, and unnecessarily dramatic

I scoffed

Of course. This was exactly the kind of place Mom would end up. Grand, guarded, and dripping with money and control.

Of course she'd find someone like this to sink her claws into.

The car barely stopped before I was out, hands on hip as I took in the palace before me. Giant stone wolves flanked the doorway. Dramatic much?

Before I could take a step forward,

The huge gold plated double doors swung open, and there stood Madam Lorraine, in all her regal glory.

The woman knew how to make an entrance. silk dress, flawless hair, and that signature perfume that always made me scrunch up my nose and sneeze.

"Darling!" she beamed, arms open like we hadn't just spoken three times on the phone this week with her screaming in my ears, talking about my bad behaviour and shits. "You're finally here."

"Yep, survived the flight and no one arrested me. Success." I said it dryly but stepped into her hug anyway. Her arms were warm and familiar. I didn't pull away right away.

"You've gotten taller," she smiled.

"And You've gotten shinier," I shot back, eyeing her diamonds.

She laughed. "Come in, come in."

As I stepped into the grand hallway, my gaze landed on a guy leaning casually near the staircase. Maybe 22, dark curls, lean muscle, confidence for days. His eyes lit up with curiosity the second he saw me.

He gave a nod and an easy smile. Like he was used to being noticed.

I gave a polite once over, unimpressed.

"Belle," my mom gestured, "that's Wilde. He's the Alpha's nephew."

"Right," I muttered. No wonder he's got that blood-deep energy.

He smiled, like he heard the thought.

"Nice to finally meet you Belle, we've heard a lot"

I raised an eyebrow, already over it. Whatever charm he thought he had, it wasn't working on me.

I turned back to my mom. "Where's my room? I need a nap before someone tries to emotionally bond with me." Mom and Wilde gave a short laugh

"Not a single change in behaviour, I see" choosing to ignore that, I followed the maid who had bowed and gestured that I followed her.

~~~~

The room was... excessive.

Floor to ceiling windows overlooking what looked like an endless forestland, honestly not surprising

A bed big enough to fit five people. Marble bathroom visible through open double doors and then there was fresh flowers on every surface *scoffs*

I dropped my bag and stood there for a second, taking it all in

"Of course she'd put me in a room that screams 'we have money and we want you to know it,'" I muttered to myself

But honestly? After sleeping on a prison cot for a few days , this felt like a cloud

I walked to the window, pressing my palm against the cool glass. The pack lands stretched out below-wolves moving in small groups, some in human form, others shifted. There was a training ground to the left where several wolves were sparring

I almost drooled at the sight, they will know me here very soon

My wolf stirred inside me, restless, she wanted out

I think she wanted to run. Wanted to be free after being caged for so long

"Yeah, yeah, I know," I whispered to her "Soon, let's nap first" and I dropped to the bed, yet I got everything else but sleep

My mind kept drifting

I couldn't just stay cooped up in here, how the hell will I carry out my princess duties, if I don't explore huh?

I needed to move, to see, to feel...

Screw the nap

I turned on my heel and headed back downstairs, ignoring the maid who tried to offer me refreshments. I pushed through a side door that led to the back of the estate, following the sound of voices and laughter

The pack grounds were alive with energy. Wolves everywhere-training, talking, and simply living. It was so different from the human world I'd been stuck in. Here, there was a rawness, a sense of belonging I hadn't felt in years

I walked along the stone path, hands shoved in my pockets, just observing. A few wolves glanced my way, curiosity shining in their eyes, but no one approached. Good, I wasn't in the mood for small talk

Suddenly, I felt a strong sharp and sudden pull, like a hook lodged in my chest, yanking me forward

My wolf perked up immediately, alert and... excited?

I frowned, my steps slowing as I scanned the area

That's when I saw the most beautiful thing ever

Standing near the training grounds, arms crossed, watching two wolves spar with an intensity that made the air around him hum with authority. He was tall-taller than anyone else around him-with broad shoulders that filled out his black shirt like it was tailored to him. Dark hair, sharp jawline, and a presence that made everyone else fade into the background

He turned his head slightly, as if sensing something

And then his eyes locked onto mine

Time stopped....literally

Everything-the noise, the movement, the world-it all disappeared

And now all I could see was him

All I could feel was this overwhelming, earth shattering pull that made my knees weak and my heart race like I'd just run a marathon

My wolf howled inside me, very loud and desperate

MATE

No

No, no, no, no...

This wasn't happening, I'd just gone through a bad heart break for fuck's sake, I didn't have the emotional ability to bond with a stranger, oh God

But my body didn't care what my brain was screaming. My feet moved forward on their own, drawn to him like gravity itself had shifted in his direction

His expression shifted too, his eyes widening just a fraction, his jaw tightening, he must feel it too

I was halfway across the grounds before I even realized I'd moved

Before I could take another step

"Honey, I see you've met my daughter, Belle"

I froze

My mother's voice shattered the moment like stone hitting glass

She appeared beside him, all smiles and grace, slipping her arm around his waist like it was the most natural thing in the world

Then she leaned up

And kissed him

On. The. Fucking. Lips.

My stomach dropped

She pulled back, still smiling, still oblivious, and turned to me with that same bright, proud expression

"Belle," she said warmly, "this is my husband, Alpha Reign"