Chapter 14

The dawn of my last day here arrived with a quiet stillness, as if the world itself was holding its breath. I stepped outside into the crisp morning air, my breath clouding in the chill, and froze in place, completely caught off guard by the sight before me.

A mountain of gifts stretched across the path, sparkling under the soft light of the early morning. Crates piled high with jewels, silks so smooth they seemed to shimmer with whispers, and velvet-wrapped boxes stacked so high they nearly obscured the horizon. My heart hammered in my chest, a blend of awe and disbelief filling me. No name was needed. I knew exactly who this was from.

The Alpha King.

I took a cautious step forward, my fingers brushing against the edge of one of the boxes. The overwhelming richness of it all felt almost surreal. Before I could even process what was happening, the attendants, having unloaded the last of the crates, gave a respectful nod and disappeared down the path, leaving me alone with a fortune at my feet.

My wolf stirred, uneasy, unsettled by the grandiosity of it all. This much attention could lead to complications. As if on cue, whispers began to swirl through the pack, drawn in by the spectacle. Curious glances flickered from every direction.

"Malinda, what is all of this?" someone murmured, their voice full of awe as they took in the treasures scattered around me.

I forced a small smile, feeling an odd mix of excitement and discomfort. "Just… a few gifts," I said, knowing how ridiculous that sounded. The murmurs only grew louder, questions and comments echoing around me, a whirlwind of unwanted attention.

My eyes scanned the area, searching for a way out. Across the way, I spotted my father, watching quietly from a distance. His expression was unreadable as he gave a slight nod before slipping back inside, distancing himself from the display.

I bent down to start gathering some of the boxes to bring them inside when a familiar, unsettling figure caught my eye, Sharon. She was headed straight for me, her gaze locked on a glimmering necklace as if she'd never seen anything so beautiful. Behind her were Kayden and Francis, both looking just as curious, but there was wariness in their eyes.

"Malinda!" Sharon's voice was breathy, her eyes wide with excitement as she reached for the necklace. Her fingers traced the sparkling diamonds, mesmerized. "Where did all this come from?" she asked, her voice dripping with envy. "I don't think I've ever seen anything so… luxurious."

I swallowed the urge to pull the jewelry out of her reach and forced a polite smile. "Just some gifts," I replied, trying to keep my tone casual.

"A few?" Sharon laughed, her fingers still lingering over the treasures like she couldn't stop herself. "Half the city's wealth must be right here at your doorstep!"

I stayed silent, nudging her hand away from a delicate diadem with as much patience as I could muster. But I saw the spark of jealousy in her eyes, a greedy glint that sharpened with each piece she inspected. Her gaze flicked back to me, and a false, syrupy smile curled her lips.

"Oh, but you don't really need all this, do you?" Sharon asked sweetly, her voice laced with fake kindness. "It's so much. Maybe you'd consider donating some? I mean, there's more here than one person could ever possibly wear."

I felt my jaw clench, my wolf's possessiveness rising like a storm inside me. This isn't for sharing. I met her gaze with cold defiance, my voice steady but unwavering.

"No, Sharon. These aren't for… sharing."

Her face faltered, fingers slipping from the necklace as she took a step back. "Well," she sniffed, frustration thick in her voice, "seems like a waste to keep it all for yourself. Not that it's any of my business, of course."

I turned away, hoping she'd take the hint, but Kayden stepped forward, his brow furrowing as he took in the lavish display.

"Malinda, where did all this come from?" he asked, his voice low, a mix of confusion and concern pulling at his features.

I kept my expression neutral, refusing to give in to the curiosity burning in his eyes. "They're just gifts, Kayden," I replied, hoping he'd let it go. You don't need to know more than that.

But Francis's gaze didn't waver from me, and the suspicion in his eyes was palpable. "Gifts? From who?" he pressed, his voice heavy with doubt.

A flicker of irritation tightened in my chest. I didn't owe them an explanation, not now. They'd chosen Sharon's company over mine, treating me like an afterthought. And now they expected answers? My patience was thinning, but I kept my tone calm, despite the coldness creeping into my voice.

"It's… private."

Kayden's face darkened, his arms crossing over his chest, his stance firm. "Malinda, come on. This isn't like you. You've never been one to accept gifts, much less… whatever this is. Don't we deserve to know?"

The words struck a nerve, and I felt anger simmer under my skin. Deserve? They had chosen Sharon, her shallow smiles and sweet words, over me, and now they wanted answers as if they had any right to them? My wolf's growl was low, but I pushed it down, meeting Kayden's gaze with icy resolve.

"This has nothing to do with you, Kayden. It's none of your business."

An uncomfortable silence fell over the group, and I could see the surprise in Kayden's eyes, as if he hadn't expected me to push back. But it felt good, strong, even, to remind him that my life wasn't theirs to pry into.