CHAPTER 88: CHAPTER 88 TEACHING MANNERS

My eyes scanned the guest room that Damon and I would be staying in. The room wasn’t screaming luxury, but it was modest enough for an Alpha.

I sighed before I threw myself on the bed. Being here was like a thorn in my flesh, even though they were not my real family and I was not their real daughter. But I could see most of Ember’s memories, especially how she was maltreated and abused. All her lonely cries and the shame she carried.

’Was it really a crime to be an Omega?’ Tears trickled from the corner of my eyes.

I didn’t know what exactly Damon was thinking when he brought me here. Not when he knew how I was maltreated by them. Sold and betrayed by my own family, why would I go back to them?

It’s just that I can’t push away the foreboding feeling that Maddie is planning something for me. I had talked back to her—something the real Ember could not do, and from her memories, I knew why she didn’t.

Looking back at what happened earlier, my heart clenched and bled for the real Ember. Alpha Caelen had acted as if he didn’t see me. He didn’t even acknowledge his own daughter or even try to care.

I sniffled. The Bloodshade Pack was far better than here.

I was startled by a knock on the door.

My head turned to the door with dread. I knew exactly what that knock meant. It was time for lunch—which meant I was going to see the ugly faces of my so-called family.

I bit my lower lip, hesitant about whether I should open the door or not. I might as well just pretend that I’m sleeping, right?

’What is there to be afraid of? Have you forgotten who you are? If there should be a mean bitch in that room, it should be you! And you don’t need to be afraid of anybody, especially not when you have a Lycan Alpha by your side.’ My mind screamed at me.

My mind was right; I was never the one to back down. ’Why should I try to run away from a past that doesn’t even belong to me? If anything at all, I should make their lives a living hell while I can. They wanted me to stay, right?’

I thought inwardly, pursing my lips into a mischievous smile.

I walked towards the door and flung it open. The servant’s fist hung midway, inches away from knocking on the door.

"Yes?" I drawled, as I recognized the servant in front of me. She was one of Maddie’s underlings—the ones that had beaten the shit out of Ember and stomped on her food.

"You are requested by the Alpha to join the lunch," the servant said, her eyes eyeing me up and down. Then her lips pulled into a scowl.

"What, jealous of me?" I snapped my fingers in front of her face.

A growl rumbled from her chest as she flinched back slightly.

I glared daggers at her. Did she think she could intimidate me because my wolf had not awakened yet?

"Mind your manners," I warned, my voice lowered dangerously. Her back unconsciously straightened.

At least my time with Damon didn’t go to waste.

"You don’t deserve my respect, not when you are lower than me. A breeder, a filth," she growled.

I narrowed my eyes at her. The next second, my fist connected with her face. Her eyes widened in surprise, and before she could utter a word, I struck her again. This time it was harder, the bone in my finger felt like it had broken.

"You... You..." she held her face with one hand while pointing the other one at me.

"You... you... you... what?" I tilted my head to the side, mocking her. My eyes darkened. "Do you think you can bully me because you serve under Maddie? Or do you think I’m the same Ember that you all can push around? Try me and see, and I’ll have your head rolling at your feet."

She looked at me with burning hatred. Another growl escaped her throat.

"What are you now? A dog? Growling without stopping. Don’t you know you are disturbing the peace of the house?" I walked closer to her. I tilted my head up. "You should know your place, and the next time you growl at me... I’ll make sure you never speak again," I said coldly.

She stared back at me with clenched jaws. Her fingers clenched into fists. The look in her eyes screamed hatred, and I bet she wanted to teach me a lesson.

I scoffed, seeing how obedient she had become. I knew clearly well she wasn’t afraid of me—rather, she was afraid of the power behind me. ’My bet was right. Just you all wait. No peace for anyone that lives under this roof.’

I walked with my head high, exuding a powerful aura. ’Okay, my neck is hurting... too high.’

My step faltered when I got to the dining hall. It looked exactly the same as in Ember’s memories. The dining hall was spacious, lined with polished marble floors that caught the glow of the warm chandeliers above. A long table stretched down the center, its surface gleaming beneath the golden candleholders and fine silverware. Velvet curtains framed the tall windows, gathered to both sides of the window, allowing the sunlight to spill across the room. The walls were tastefully decorated with tapestries in muted royal tones. It was nothing too extravagant, but enough to show quiet wealth. It wasn’t grand for the sake of show—rather, it was refined, comfortable, and built to host a large family with status.

"Ember, come," Maddie’s voice brought me out of my stupor, accompanied by a feeling of déjà vu.

That was exactly how she always called Ember whenever she wanted to give her food or torture her. Unconsciously, my throat tightened.

My gaze swept over the dining table, and everyone was seated—including my stepbrother Sebastian and my stepmother.