Return of The Alpha Heiress Chapter 23: Clarissa - Richard Black

Alpha Will pulled into his embrace. His scent—familiar, warm, and similar to Shannon’s—wrapped around .

He gently patted my back.

Is this... what a father’s hug feels like?

I turned to Derren, who smiled at .

This happiness felt strangely familiar, yet new at the sa ti.

"Clarissa, let introduce you to the people of our pack," Alpha Will said once he released .

"This is Charles Green, our Beta..."

My eyes t the older man’s green ones. He smiled kindly, the wrinkles beside his eyes deepening.

But all I could see was Lisse in his face—especially those green eyes.

I couldn’t smile at him.

But when Alpha Will introduced the others, my smile finally appeared.

My reaction was obvious.

Derren didn’t seem surprised at all, as if this was exactly how I was supposed to behave.

But I did catch the sharp look Alpha Will gave —though it disappeared just as quickly. Maybe I imagined it.

After the introductions, Luna Eileen ca to get . She wanted to introduce to the won.

The party hadn’t even started, yet I already felt drained...

Surprisingly, no one was annoying during the introductions.

No one asked insensitive questions about where I ca from or anything like that.

I found myself questioning whether their remarkable self-restraint was due to their being from high status, or if there was so other factor.

My question was answered when I overheard whispers from teenagers my own age. Apparently, they weren’t as careful as the adults to let the tea out.

"Sanders from Sand Pack wasn’t invited today," one girl said.

"Is it because of the first daughter of Alpha Green?" her friend asked.

"Yeah. Green Pack is seriously isolating Sand Pack. So say they’re even working with Alpha Sanders’ brother to overthrow him."

"Green Family don’t ss around when it cos to family."

"That’s why you need to fix your attitude in front of the new daughter. This ti only Green Pack stepped in, but next ti Black Pack might as well."

"I know. I’m not as stupid as those Sand Pack kids."

A shiver ran down my spine.

The lengths they went to protect ... were on another level.

I quickly slipped away before they noticed .

I originally wanted to avoid Luna Eileen and her friends, but apparently they were the safer option. At least I wasn’t confused about how to deal with them.

As I searched for her, my heartbeat suddenly sped up.

My body felt hot.

"Is this heat?" I whispered. Then shook my head. "It’s not ti yet."

From what I’d read, heats could sotis co irregularly... but they always had a trigger.

Ogas aged eighteen and above were the ones who experienced it most often—since that age ant they were expected to mate soon.

Was this irregular heat happening because I was almost eighteen?

Seeing the crowd, fear squeezed my chest.

When I went into heat, I couldn’t control myself.

I couldn’t let my heat ruin everything.

My eyes fell on the side door.

I imdiately headed for it.

The mont I pushed it open, cold air brushed against my face.

The side door led straight to the side garden.

But even with the freezing wind... my body remained burning hot.

My head throbbed, my vision blurred.

My legs weakened, unable to hold my weight.

I expected my face to hit the rough floor—

—but it never did.

I opened my eyes and was t with deep crimson ones, glowing under the moonlight.

His black hair contrasted strikingly, making him look powerful and intimidating.

"Richard Black...?" I whispered, my voice hoarse from the heat.

Slowly, those eyes drew closer.

No—not just his eyes.

Richard leaned in.

I was shocked and confused, but had no strength to move away.

His face ca closer and closer.

Instinctively, I shut my eyes.

Then—sothing soft brushed my lips.

Sweet. Addictive.

I wanted more.

Strength suddenly returned to my weak hands.

They rose on their own, looping around Richard’s neck possessively, deepening the kiss.

"Akh!" I whimpered when he suddenly bit my lower lip.

A heartbeat later, he pulled away, adjusted my posture so I could stand on my own, and then released .

My eyes opened, still cloudy from the heat.

Those addictive crimson eyes stared back at .

"I still want—"

Sanity slamd back into .

I clapped a hand over my mouth so fast that it made a loud smack—as if I had just slapped myself.

I looked at Richard with guilt. "Sorry, I wasn’t myself. I—"

"You’re the new daughter of Alpha Green, right? How can an Alpha’s daughter be this careless? As an oga, people have been protecting and praising you, but not all werewolves are that kind. So might take advantage—"

He cut off just to scold that long?

"Thank you for helping . I’ll go now."

I can interrupt too, you know!

"And one more thing, Young Master Richard," I added sharply. "As an oga, I did not receive the kind of protection and praise you ntioned."

I turned around.

"Hik!" I shrieked.

My body was suddenly pulled backward—falling straight into Richard’s arms.

"What—!"

"You really are careless, miss." His deep voice rumbled near my ear.

We were so close, I could hear every breath he took.

My face burned—not from the heat, but from embarrassnt.

I desperately wanted to escape, but I didn’t even know why I got yanked backward.

Richard’s hands moved to my shoulders and turned around.

"This."

He pointed at his suit button.

My hair was tangled there.

Kill now.

Stiff and mortified, I let Richard free my hair from his jacket.

My eyes darted nervously, unable to look up, landing instead on his chest right in front of .

He was so tall.

"...Sorry."

His soft voice cut through my thoughts.

I instinctively looked up.

My eyes widened—our faces were too close.

If he lowered his head even slightly, our lips would touch again.

He looked startled too and quickly stepped back.

"I didn’t an to look up. I was just surprised you suddenly apologized," I blurted out.

From a step away, he stared at with those crimson eyes.

"I apologized because I was wrong. I judged you without asking first."

I blinked.

My heart thumped wildly again.

...