Chapter Two

Shannon's POV

Holding onto my mother's hand tightly, my heart pounded in my chest. The mansion before me was like something out of a fairytale, with its gilded mirrors and priceless artwork.

I tried not to gawk, but it was difficult to keep my eyes from wandering. My mother's hand gently squeezed mine. A reassuring smile played on my mother's lips. I met my mother's eyes and smiled back.

Maybe this new life wouldn't be so bad after all. I had been bullied for so long and that day was a horrible one too. The bullies in school attacked me again and made me look very messy. I was quite embarrassed as well.

As my eyes flitted around the room, a tall man with kind eyes approached. He wore a crisp suit, but his shoes were scuffed at the toes. He smiled warmly at me, then turned his gaze to my mother.

"Hello, Myra," he said, pulling her into a gentle hug. "It's wonderful to see you."

Myra returned his embrace, and I watched as my mother's eyes lit up with affection. "It's wonderful to see you too, Robin," she replied. "It's been too long."

As Myra and Robin drew apart, Robin's eyes settled on me. He smiled at me and extended his hand. “And you must be Shannon," he said. "It's lovely to finally meet you."

I shifted uncomfortably. "Hi," I mumbled, reaching out to shake his hand. His hand engulfed mine, and I wondered how he could seem so strong and yet so kind at the same time. I looked up at his eyes, and found myself drawn in by their deep green.

"And why don't you go upstairs and freshen up?" he suggested with a kind smile. "Your room has been prepared for you, and I'm sure you'll find everything you need there."

I carefully made my way up the grand staircase, my footsteps echoing in the empty hall. As I reached the landing, I could hear voices coming from one of the doors, muffled by the thick oak. I hesitated, unsure of what to do. Should I knock and announce myself, or just walk in? I stood there, frozen in indecision.

Finally, I worked up the courage to turn the knob and push the door open. As the door swung inward, I could see two figures, a woman who happened to be a she wolf offering fellatio to a man on the bed which was at the corner of the room. They looked up, noticing me standing in the doorway.

"Hello? Can I help you?" the man asked, his voice slightly muffled as he groaned in ecstasy. My face turned red as I realized I had intruded on someone else's room and I scurried off.

He strode into the living room, his feet pounding on the hardwood floor. His eyes blazed with rage as he spotted mom who was standing next to his father.

Without thinking, he rushed forward, intent on harming the intruder who had stolen his rightful place in the pack. Before he could reach my mother, his father grabbed him by the arm and held him back.

"That's enough, Cole!" he said, his voice stern. "This woman is my mate. If you lay a hand on her, I will banish you from the pack."

The guy, Cole turned to look at the woman, sighed and darted his eyes to me who was just standing at the corner, watching them.

He took steps toward me, his fists clenched at his sides. "You think you're safe here?" he growled, his voice low and menacing. "I'll make your life a living hell in this house. You'll regret ever coming here."

Cole took his gaze away in anger and stormed off. Robin gestured for me to come to him. "Don't mind my son. He can be obnoxious and foolish at times."

I forced a smile and nodded. Then Cole came back downstairs and stood next to his father as if nothing was wrong. I couldn't help but wonder why he had gone upstairs in the first place.

A man suddenly ran downstairs and positioned himself between Robin and Cole.

I looked at him and smiled awkwardly when I realized who he was. He was actually the guy I had caught with the she-wolf upstairs.

"Father!" he yelled, his face frowning and his voice filled with anger.

"What is it, Jules?" Robin asked, raising his eyebrows.

"What did my brother, Cole, do for you to mistreat and hit him like that?" he demanded.

Robin faced his son, Cole, who quickly averted his eyes. "Is that what he told you?" he asked, laughing.

"It's not funny, Dad. I heard you did that to him because of this woman and her daughters who are just dirty rogues!" Jules yelled.

"They aren't rogues, young man. Apologize to them immediately!" Robin yelled angrily.

"No, I won't!" Jules fired back.

"Do you know who they are? This woman is my mate…" Robin said, pointing at Myra, who bashfully kept her head low. "And that girl is her daughter. I've adopted her as my child. Therefore, you know what that means - you have a stepmother and stepsister now."

The two men exchanged glances and gawked at us, their jaws dropping in disbelief. However, Cole wasn't that surprised. He saw it coming, and his father had told him about Myra, but he never realized his father would accept the bond.

"No! What do you mean? I beg to disagree," Jules snapped.

"You have no choice," Robin scoffed.

Jules looked at me with his glaring eyes, causing shivers to run down my spine. "You had better leave if you want to live," he muttered dangerously and stormed off, his brother following suit.

Come," Robin called my mother and me, and we both walked towards him. "Don't mind whatever they said... You both will be fine as long as I'm here."

Myra smiled and nodded.

"You haven't washed up yet? Go to your room. It's waiting for you upstairs," he told me, and I nodded before ascending the staircase.

I was able to get to my room this time around, and this time, I washed up. Food was brought to me, which I ate.