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

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

He gently patted my back.

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

I turned to Derren, who smiled at me.

This happiness felt strangely familiar, yet new at the same time.

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

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

My eyes met 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 me—though it disappeared just as quickly. Maybe I imagined it.

After the introductions, Luna Eileen came to get me. She wanted to introduce me to the women.

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 came 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 some 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. Some say they’re even working with Alpha Sanders’ brother to overthrow him."

"Green Family don’t mess around when it comes to family."

"That’s why you need to fix your attitude in front of the new daughter. This time only Green Pack stepped in, but next time 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 me... were on another level.

I quickly slipped away before they noticed me.

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 time yet."

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

Omegas aged eighteen and above were the ones who experienced it most often—since that age meant 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 immediately headed for it.

The moment 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 met 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. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

No—not just his eyes.

Richard leaned in.

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

His face came closer and closer.

Instinctively, I shut my eyes.

Then—something 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 me.

My eyes opened, still cloudy from the heat.

Those addictive crimson eyes stared back at me.

"I still want—"

Sanity slammed back into me.

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 omega, people have been protecting and praising you, but not all werewolves are that kind. Some might take advantage—"

He cut me off just to scold me that long?

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

I can interrupt too, you know!

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

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 embarrassment.

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 me around.

"This."

He pointed at his suit button.

My hair was tangled there.

Kill me 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 me.

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 mean to look up. I was just surprised you suddenly apologized," I blurted out.

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

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

I blinked.

My heart thumped wildly again.

...