Page 43 of Claimed By the Alpha
“What?” I asked, pretending nothing had happened.
“What did you see?”
See? I didn’t see anything, only heard our father’s voice, but what was stopping me from telling my only brother, my blood, my family?
“Nothing.”
“Joanne, you can tell me. We are family.”
A laugh escaped me. “I don’t know who the fuck you are, Derek.”
He hummed and edged closer. “I deserved that, but that doesn’t change what we are.”
Shaking my head, I moved past him without even knowing where to go. Letting my body decide, maybe it knew more than my mind.
Derek slowly followed me, and I realized he was watching me, in a way that made my paranoia rise. Maybe he was checking if I knew something more than I was telling him.
I wanted to blame Isaac for this, but I couldn’t.
“Why didn’t you come for me?” I asked, coming to a halt.
“You left, Joanne.”
“When did I leave? After you died, or before that?” My eyes never left his, waiting for him to give me anything. A tell, just something. However, he gave me nothing.
“I buried you,” I spat, inching closer. The same anger as before rose to the surface and that familiar warmth spread under my skin.
“I-I don’t remember the crash. I woke up here and you left this place. That’s it Joanne. Now come, we don’t have all day.” He pushed past me, his shoulder brushed mine and an involuntary whimper rolled from my lips. My skin burned from his touch, and I clutched my shoulder, trying to soothe the pain.
Glancing back, regret filled his gaze, but he said nothing.
Did this mean he was the same as I was? Even though I didn’t even know what I was. But he knew. And he had to tell me, he couldn’t keep this part from me hidden.
But there was nothing I could do, other than follow him to wherever he was taking me. Was it bad that I hoped he wouldn’t kill me? He wouldn’t, right?
The pain slowly faded and there wasn’t a mark to be seen. My eyes met Finlay’s. I was grateful he was here, somehow I trusted him more than my own blood.
I was about to speak when he quickly shook his head. My shoulders slumped in disappointment, and I focused back on my surroundings. This place was something else. The peace, the tranquility vibrated through the air.
The trees around us lessened, and a wide path showed itself, leading us toward a stunning castle. Fuck, it was an actual castle.
Three high towers, reaching for the sky. Big red bricks, and large windows with thick black frames letting as much light in as possible.
“Welcome home, sis.” Derek didn’t stop his strides, and I closely followed him inside. Trying to control the gasp that wanted to spill.
White marble floors, two big stairs leading in a curve upstairs. The massive chandelier hanging between them.
There was no time to take the full beauty in when Derek moved straight ahead, through the massive wooden double doors. He didn’t need to say anything, the doors were opened for him by the guards that stood beside them.
And then, I gasped. I couldn’t hold it back anymore.
The throne.
That was it. The one Emlyn had mentioned.
I wanted to see the beauty in it. But how could I when it was made out of what seemed like burned bones.
Fuck, were those real bones?
