Rise of the Nameless Wolf

Chapter 002

Amelia Harcourt's Point of View

"Come on, girl!"

The powerful command cut through the kitchen's darkness. The forceful pull from Margaret Kensington resulted in me moving forward while her grip left marks on my arm.

Margaret Kensington pulled me towards the sink, where my bare feet slipped on the cold wooden floor, causing me to stumble.

A loud knock echoed from the front door.

"Stay here!" she hissed, shoving me aside.

As I remained motionless, I observed her briskly navigate through the hallway. My heart pounded against my ribs.

Only the mild complaints of the floorboards under Margaret's feet could be heard in the silent kitchen. My eyes darted to the window. The dense dark curtains blocked any view of the outside world.

I had always been curious about what existed beyond those curtains. How did the sky look during this particular moment? Were there stars? The outdoor wind appeared to be that strong based on the sound hitting the walls.

I tilted my head, listening closely.

The door groaned open.

"Good evening, Margaret," he said in a deep, rough tone.

I swallowed. A man.

Our team received an order from the Alpha to take you into custody. "There's a terrible storm coming. The Alpha issued an order to relocate the elders to a protected area.

Margaret quickly replied, "I'll get my things," while her voice unexpectedly sounded sharp.

The woman returned to the room rapidly, and her heels created a clicking noise against the wooden floor. She reappeared, her face tense.

"Let me help you," another voice offered.

I knew that voice.

I saw him again, who had previously warned Margaret about the incoming storm.

She snapped, "No!"

Curiosity flared in my chest.

Driven by an urgent need to identify the speaker, I entered the living room without understanding my actions.

And then, I saw him.

Tall. Strong. Dark hair.

His face was unfamiliar but... captivating. I had never seen anyone who looked like him, and his appearance did not resemble Margaret's at all.

My breath hitched.

His deep brown eyes met mine with intensity, then widened softly.

I was unaware of what happened until Margaret emitted a sharp intake of breath.

"Get back here!" she shrieked, grabbing my arm.

I had no time to react before she dragged me back into the kitchen and thrust me against the counter.

Her fingers wrapped around my throat.

"What did I tell you?" she growled, exerting pressure.

I choked, struggling against her grip. My vision blurred at the edges.

As I clawed at her hands to break free from her grip, she reacted by tightening her hold.

"No, no," I gasped as panic surged through my body.

A voice cut through the suffocating air.

"Is everything alright?"

The pressure around my throat eased.

As a harsh coughing fit overtook me, my knees gave way beneath me while I struggled to draw breath.

We turned toward the doorway.

He was there again.

The man.

His gaze fixed on both Margaret and me showed clear signs of suspicion.

"Everything is fine, Josh," Margaret said quickly.

My lips parted slightly.

Josh.

Even though I whispered his name very softly, he could hear me.

His brows lifted, and then... he smiled.

There was a real, genuine smile.

I had never seen anyone display their smile to me before this moment.

"Shut up! Shut up!" Margaret shouted before digging her nails into my arm.

She turned to face Josh again and displayed a stern look toward him. "I'm just dealing with my... handicapped granddaughter. Is that a problem?"

Granddaughter?

My stomach twisted.

She had never called me that before.

And handicapped? That was a lie.

"No," Josh said, his voice unreadable. "No problem."

He made his way to the living room out of our sight.

But I kept watching him.

Something about him felt different.

He represented the first man I ever witnessed so closely in my life.

Was my reaction triggered because his expression stayed free from disgust?

"You remind me of your detestable father," Margaret spat as she yanked me back to reality.

I stiffened.

He singled out my daughter when he gave her that identical look. "Now look at you. Already staring at the Alpha's nephew."

Shame burned through me.

I hadn't meant to stare.

The day I finally met someone resembling him marked my first life experience.

"Look at you!" she continued, her voice dripping with venom. "The same red hair. You have the same green eyes. You are his curse. My daughter's death happened because of you."

Tears burned my eyes.

I let them fall.

With force, she pushed me against the wall and then stormed away in anger.

The door slammed behind her.

I fell down and placed my forehead against my knees.

I didn't belong here.

---

The doorknob turned.

I shot up, my heart hammering.

The door opened.

And there he was.

Josh.

He entered the room with mysterious dark eyes reflecting an emotion I could not pinpoint.

"Are you alright?" he asked, his voice softer than before.

I sucked in a shaky breath.

My mouth opened, but words failed to come out.

Instead, I ran.

In an instant, I sought refuge behind the washing machine and drew my body nearer to myself.

I believed he would leave if I could make myself smaller.

With the power to become unseen, my behavior would not generate further issues.

The door creaked closed.

Silence.

Then...

Fingers.

The wind is gently running through my hair.

I froze.

Slowly, I turned my head.

Josh's face was close. Too close.

My skin felt his breath's warmth as a mysterious sweet smell followed its path.

His brown eyes searched mine.

The absence of hatred in his demeanor made my experience today something completely new to me.

I didn't see disgust.

I saw curiosity.

Concern.

I swallowed hard.

What was this feeling?

Why wasn't I pulling away?

An unexpected and risky impulse made me want to touch him.