Return of The Alpha Heiress-Chapter 55: Clarissa – Looking For Him

The atmosphere in the dining room turned suffocating.

Luna Eileen and Shannon looked shocked, on the verge of tears. Darren seemed ready to stand and shield Luna Eileen at any moment.

Edwin stared at me with a predatory gleam, while Larry looked at Alpha Will with visible hesitation.

Just as I had expected, Alpha Will would never allow me to stay in the same room as him, let alone eat together.

His gaze locked onto me, straight and razor-sharp.

"You may have no shame," he said coldly, "but you should understand what you’re supposed to do now, shouldn’t you?"

The anger boiling inside me slowly subsided.

That anger had come from the sense of injustice, but Alpha Will’s treatment made one thing painfully clear.

I should never have expected even a shred of normal treatment in this house.

The sharpness in my eyes faded, turning calm like a still lake. I stepped back without saying a word.

That childish bastard Edwin still found the time to sneer, "Claritrash, don’t ever stain this house with your presence again."

I didn’t respond. I walked calmly toward the door.

Luna Eileen looked like she wanted to follow me, but Darren immediately held her back.

Meanwhile, Alpha Will’s expression softened the moment he turned to Shannon.

"Shannon, were you startled? It’s fine. Sit down. There won’t be any disturbance anymore."

So the seat I had taken earlier had been meant for Shannon.

It was almost funny how gently Alpha Will could act.

So funny I almost wanted to applaud the comedy unfolding before me.

Did he really think parading his blatant favoritism like this would make me feel defeated?

Instead, I felt sorry for Shannon, reduced to a tool for that bastard Alpha.

That bastard had no idea that I hadn’t wanted to eat dinner with them in the first place.

Just before the dining room door closed behind me, I caught Alpha Will’s words.

"All the Alpha’s sons Larry’s age will head to the capital city for the next Lycan King selection."

My steps halted instantly.

Not because of the Lycan King selection. But because he said all Alpha’s sons around Larry’s age.

Richard was the same age as Larry. Would he be going to the capital city too?

But we hadn’t even met.

I entered my room, anxiety tightening around my chest.

It felt painfully clear now that I truly wouldn’t get to see Richard.

I paced back and forth until footsteps sounded outside.

I quickly stepped out and caught Shannon just as she was about to enter her room. Without preamble, I asked,

"Shannon, you don’t have plans to meet Adrian today?"

She looked confused and shook her head.

"What about meeting him?" I stepped closer, my tone almost forceful. "Maybe he misses you."

At the mention of Adrian missing her, Shannon’s innocent gaze softened. "Do you think so?"

I nodded enthusiastically. "He definitely misses you. How about we go there? You and me."

She hesitated for a second, then nodded brightly.

"Let’s go. We’ve never gone out together, right? We should wear our best outfits."

I agreed quietly.

Deep down, I wanted to wear my best clothes too. For Richard.

Even though Adrian had said Richard barely came home, maybe he would be there since he’d be leaving for the capital soon. Hopefully.

We got ready immediately. Fortunately, Alpha Will allowed us to go, though not without throwing me a look full of contempt.

My presence in this house wasn’t wanted, yet he also didn’t want me wandering freely.

As long as Alpha Will was around, I wasn’t allowed to go anywhere except the academy.

West Wolf Academy wasn’t far from the Black Alpha’s mansion. The surrounding area was home to important werewolves within the pack.

The luxury of the area and the mansion was no different from Alpha Green’s.

Alpha Green’s mansion itself was far more extravagant than necessary.

It had all been renovated after Alpha Will married Luna Eileen. She had brought significant wealth from her mother’s side.

Reaching the mansion, We were welcomed by Adrian and several servants.

"Welcome," Adrian said to me warmly, his arm pulling Shannon into an embrace.

I nodded slightly. "Are you the only one here? I mean—where are the Alpha, the Luna, and... your brother?"

"They all have business elsewhere. Feel free to look around the mansion," he said, as if handing us a free visitor’s pass.

"I want to hunt birds in the back," Shannon said excitedly.

"That’s fine," Adrian nodded.

We headed behind the mansion, where a forest stretched out.

Though it was still within the estate grounds, many wild animals lived there, often used for hunting practice.

I didn’t go in. I wasn’t planning to hunt. I couldn’t shift, and I couldn’t see in the dark either.

Instead, I waited at the gazebo nearby.

Alone there, I hoped Richard would appear.

Unfortunately, even after an hour, when Adrian and Shannon returned, Richard still hadn’t shown up.

Although dinner had been eaten at home, meaning Shannon had eaten and I hadn’t, we shared the game Adrian and Shannon had hunted.

Even after eating, and even after Shannon and I returned home, there was still no sign of Richard.

Staring at the dark road outside, I let out a heavy sigh.

"Sis Clar, was it not fun there?" Without realizing it, Shannon had been watching me and now looked guilty.

"No," I answered quickly. "I was just thinking about something else."

She nodded and smiled brightly, a smile so pure. So unlike this chaotic, deceitful world.

...

I spent the weekend locked inside my room.

Alpha Will was gone. He had left somewhere with Shannon. Yet I still couldn’t go anywhere.

I thought all night and still found no way to meet Richard.

In the end, I went to Larry and asked about his departure details.

Larry had just returned with Luna Eileen, preparing his things.

"Clarissa!" Luna Eileen beamed when she saw me appear without being summoned for the first time.

I nodded, then glanced at the clothes being sorted. "Can I help?"

She nodded. "You can help choose. The servants will do the packing."

I sat on the sofa in Larry’s room beside Luna Eileen, while Larry sat in front of his study desk.

"Are you leaving soon?" I asked.

"In two weeks," Larry answered.

My heart raced. I wasn’t the one leaving, yet I was the one unprepared.

Suddenly, Luna Eileen clapped her hands.

"That’s right! There will be a spring party, a farewell gathering for all Alpha’s sons across the West Region who are heading to the capital and their families."

"A farewell party too?" I asked. The elites really were excessive. It felt like an excuse to throw a party.

"Yes, it’s required," Luna Eileen nodded, though I remained doubtful.

Then Larry spoke, and his words stunned me.

"The Lycan King candidate selection isn’t an ordinary event. Whether they’re chosen or not, everyone who participates is no longer part of their pack. They become part of the Empire’s forces."

"They’ll serve directly under the Lycan King."

He paused.

"They may never be able to return home... even until death."

...