Chapter 5 Who is she?

GIOVANNI'S POV`~~

As the first rays of sunlight streamed through my window, I heard the familiar sounds of cars starting up in the distance. I stretched and let out a big yawn, still feeling a little groggy from sleep. Then, I heard the loud banging on my door.

Slightly startled, I sat up quickly and ran a hand through my tousled hair. I wasn't expecting anyone to be at my door at this hour, as I've already ruled out not to be disturbed till after a few hours of the sun setting.

This jolted me fully awake. I snapped out of my drowsy state, anger bubbling up inside me at the rude interruption.

I stomped to the door, ready to give the person on the other side a piece of my mind. My fists were clenched and my expression was stormy as I yanked open the door, ready to let loose.

Once I pulled the door open, my expression stilled on seeing my younger sister, her expression murderous.

"What?" I barked, blocking the door and not wanting her inside the guest room I'd slept in.

A mocking smile made its way to Iris's lips. "If shameless was a person, I'm certain it would be you!"

My face darkened. "What?!"

"Why bring your whore into the house when you know your mate lives on the same roof! Why would you even go for a whore when you've just found a mate?!..."

"Get lost" I ordered in a chilling tone but my demon of a sister didn't shake, instead she folded her arms, glaring back at me.

"You know I won't! Alpha or not, you need someone to at least put you in your place! You're now a married man, brother. Seeing another woman behind her back is called 'CHEATING' . Do you even know that? How about the table turns and Penelope cheats back?..."

Suddenly, the image of another man touching Penelope's luscious body like the way I should, appeared in my head, making me go still. My blood turned to ice instantly and then began to boil.

Fuck!

I had no idea why my chest was tightening in jealousy. Fuck, I swear it. If any man did so, he is going to be a dead asshole.

"Ohh… so you're affected?" Iris clicked her tongue in distaste and I wished to tie shut her mouth.

"Just fucking leave already." I've had enough of her bullshit.

"No, I'm not even done." I gave her another withering look but Iris seemed to be immune to it. Her expression turned sullen. "You're hurting her. Please stop. I've smelled her, she's wolfless. I've seen the way you stare at her like you're about to murder her. It's really causing her so much pain. If you keep on with this, the bond there might push her into depression and she might die."

Iris' eyes slightly reddened and I had no idea why my heart constricted. Was it because my sister's expression looked hurt or was it the thought of Penelope dying?

"Listen baby sister, I swear to you. If you hadn't been my blood, you would have been lying dead now in your pool of blood with your head fucking

detached. I don't care about Penelope's feelings and it's so great, that you know that too. The pack as a whole doesn't even need a Luna like her, neither would they ever accept her. You all can keep dreaming!" I grated out and Iris looked like she had been brutally slapped.

"And if you think—"

I instantly paused, a familiar intoxicating scent wafted into my nostrils, making my words pause, and my wolf rousing from its slumber.

A familiar primal need to move toward the owner of this scent engulfed me. My mind and body were in tune, it was just like a feeling of being alive more than ever.

Immediately, my eyes darted to the direction of footsteps, my face fell on seeing Penelope come into view.

The look on her face was one of vulnerability, and I felt a strange instinct to protect her from whatever was causing her distress.

Her delicate features were illuminated by the morning light, and I noticed the subtle freckles across her nose and cheeks. Her eyes were large and luminous, and they seemed to hold a wealth of emotion.

Her lips were slightly parted, and I noticed how soft and pink they were, my throat turned dry. The curve of her jawline was graceful, and her cheeks were flushed with color. The more I looked at her, the more I felt a need to comfort her and ease whatever worry was clouding her expression.

I glared at her with a murderous intent. Everything about her frustrated me.

From her beautiful face to her body. I'm barely holding onto the tiniest strings of sanity.

I WANT TO TASTE HER!

Mark her even.

Bite her and fucking suck her… everywhere.

I wanted to also curse whoever that made the mate's bond. My fists clenched as my stare on her hardened.

Once her eyes landed on me, her beautiful bright eyes dimmed, her face drained of its color and her shoulder stiffened, as though I was a beast to gobble her up.

Of course I was a beast who would like to gobble her up.

I wanted to speak again when my sister interrupted, sending me a warning glare.

PENELOPE'S POV~

I watched him brush past me with large strides, and then breathed a long sigh of relief.

Turning to Iris, who began to make her way toward me, I forced out a smile.

"I'm sorry for bothering—"

She quickly cut me off, going for my hands and gently squeezing. "Not at all, in fact I'm glad you came to me." She gave a wide smile and I stared, wondering if it was really a genuine smile.

"Did you feel uncomfortable about anything last night?" I weirded about her question, but I did feel a little sick.

"A little bit, I think it might be the aftermath of what happened before." I smiled at her.

"Aftermath?"

"Is it something often? Something related to your old pack? Care to tell?"

My heart lightly squeezed at the thought of my former pack. I didn't even want to recall a thing.

I suddenly felt overwhelmed with emotion, and my voice failed me.

My eyes welled up with tears, and I felt them trying to roll down my cheeks but I wiped them off. My face was flushed, and my breath was shallow. I was struggling to contain the storm of feelings that was raging within me.

"A lot." I managed to croak out. "But all I know is sometimes I hate the way I am."

Iris' expression morphed into one of sadness. She quickly engulfed me. "Hey, please don't cry. I feel so bad right now. I know you're hurting a lot but I can't tell how much, accept my apologies. Giovanni is this way, so cruel and unwelcoming because he believes he has so much responsibility on his shoulder which is no lie. Our father had died so early, leaving him with every pack's responsibility at an early age. He dreads the enemies taking advantage or finding any source of weakness around him…"

I stilled for a moment, letting her words get assimilated. I wondered the pain he must have gone through at such a young age, losing someone you dearly love.

"... But I know he'd change, please give me a little time…" she squeezed my hands again and I quickly nodded.

"No, you don't understand." Iris shook her head with a scowl.

I gave her a confused look.

" You're the only one to change him, Penelope. I believe it here." She touched her chest and I wanted to laugh at that joke.

Instead, I thanked her. "Thank you for that, sister-in-law."

Iris beamed at that name and began to tug me down the stairs.

"Follow me. I'll get you some medicines and then you can have enough rest."

~ ~ ~

The next day, I was stunned on receiving Iris and her mother's invitation to the pack's kitchen for dinner.

The kitchen was big and roomy, with lots of counter space and tons of cabinets. The light from the windows made it feel open and airy.

The kitchen had everything a cook could need, from a fancy stove to a giant fridge. It was so fancy, it could handle any cooking task.

Phew! I sighed in relief once my eyes scanned the area and still didn't see Giovanni.

Walking to the mother and daughter duo, who were surrounded with a few of the maids, they both beamed at me.

"Finally Child. You came… here, have a chair." Cathrine pointed at a nearby stool.

Iris came over to me, offering me water, I thanked her with a little smile.

"My brother isn't here." Iris informed, "He went to the border patrol, he'd be back soon." She gave a reassuring smile and I had an urge to tell her not to bother that.

I neither cared whether he returned home or not.

"That boy has always been an obstinate mule." My eyes moved to Catherine who was chopping vegetables. "He makes me want to go crazy sometimes but don't worry dear, I'll punish him for this once he's back…" She gave me a look and I gave an awkward smile.

I mean what can I say?

Catherine stopped, pushing the vegetable to the maid, who began to take it to the boiling pot.

"You know dear? My advice is for you to give birth to an heir for the pack as soon as you can. Leave the rest to us." Catherine said with a worried look.

My face almost fell on hearing this but I had the tightest smile on, not wanting the woman worried. At least she was good to me.

Feigning a shy smile, I nodded and saw her beam.

Despite the fact I was pretending to smile. I was grateful for the wonderful in-laws I've gotten. Ever going up, I had no idea what genuine love felt like.

Sipping the water and watching them cook, footsteps were heard in the kitchen, and all eyes turned to the door.

A girl with a chestnut brown hair stood at the door, her eyes sharp, she had on thick makeup, which made me wonder if she wasn't going to sweat often.

She wore a black gown with a pair of heels that made her look sultry.

"Hello everyone." She purred, flinging her hair.

I frowned on seeing Iris' face pale a bit as she turned to stare at me, while Catherine's expression darkened.

Who was this lady?

Her roaming eyes finally stopped on me.