Return of The Alpha Heiress-Chapter 22: Clarissa - Brown Pack

Luna Eileen looked shocked at how dirty and neglected the orphanage was—fragile, almost collapsing.

"It’s usually not like this. It only looks this run-down because no one’s been here for a while," I explained, trying to ease her distress.

But instead, my words only made her sadder.

Inside the bedroom, Luna Thalia excused herself and let us talk alone. The moment she stepped out, Luna Eileen burst into tears.

"I’m sorry, Clarissa. I’m such a foolish mother! A terrible mother! How could I let my daughter face all of this alone?"

I hugged her tightly. "My life wasn’t that bad. It’s okay. And besides... I’m happy we finally found each other."

After a long embrace filled with tears, her sobbing softened. When she looked at me again, it was as if she was ready to give the entire world to me.

It made me a little flustered.

Luna Thalia returned carrying a box of baby blankets and clothes. The moment Luna Eileen saw it, she recognized them instantly.

"I made these myself." Her eyes reddened again.

Aside from the unfamiliar blanket—likely the one used by my kidnapper—Luna Eileen recognized the baby clothes, mittens, and socks.

We took everything with us. As for my own clothes, we didn’t bring many. Most were already too worn-out. I only kept wearing them because I had no other options.

Once everything was settled, we said our goodbyes.

"Please visit during the next holiday. Tasha would love to see you," Luna Thalia said as she hugged me.

I nodded. I really did want to meet Tasha and tell her everything that had happened.

...

Tonight, I would be attending a party with the Green family—the birthday celebration of Adrian Black, Shannon’s fiancé.

My appearance was being taken extremely seriously. Besides upholding Green Pack’s reputation, this would be my first public appearance as part of their family.

Luna Eileen also mentioned that the Alpha himself was coming straight from the capital city. This might be my first meeting with him.

To be honest, I was nervous. I still couldn’t shake the fact that he had been the only one who didn’t believe I was his biological daughter.

I wore a light-brown gown with gold accents, matching Derren’s outfit. He would be escorting me inside.

Luna Eileen would enter with Larry and Edwin, while Shannon would arrive with the star of the event, Adrian Black.

Originally, Derren should’ve entered with Luna Eileen, but they changed the order—for my sake.

Besides the dress, my hair ornaments were chosen carefully, and even my makeup was done to cover the scars on my face.

"Luna, I don’t mind if people see these scars."

"I can’t bear it, Clarissa. You deserve to present your best on your first appearance."

I wanted to refuse at first, but eventually I let her have her way. I realized I wasn’t just Clarissa anymore—I was Clarissa Green. My appearance reflected the Greens too.

"You look beautiful," Derren complimented as we walked hand in hand toward the ballroom entrance.

"Maybe because I look like Luna Eileen," I teased.

He laughed lightly. "Well, the women in our family are all beautiful."

"The heir of Alpha Green, Derren Green, and the First Daughter of Alpha Green, Clarissa Green, have arrived."

I froze in shock at the announcement.

I straightened my posture immediately.

The ballroom before me was decorated in grand, glittering splendor.

But I barely had time to take it all in before the guests swarmed us.

Countless scents hit my nose at once.

My sense of smell was strange. I could recognize the scents of some people, but others had no scent at all.

I used to be confused by this odd ability—thinking maybe something was wrong with me because I was an omega. Maybe omegas had faulty senses.

But now I understood. I could truly sense scents.

Every werewolf had a different scent. In my case, only strong werewolves had scents I could detect.

Strong werewolves were usually alphas and leaders—wolves far above average.

And if their scent rubbed onto someone who spent a lot of time with them, I could identify that too.

Like Tasha—she wasn’t strong, but I recognized her scent, which resembled Alpha Ryan and Luna Thalia.

In the Green family, Luna Eileen, Derren, Larry, and Edwin all shared a similar scent. Only Shannon’s was different. There were many strong werewolves in Green Pack; she was probably close to other.

I didn’t get to ponder it for long—we were too busy greeting wave after wave of guests.

"Welcome, Miss Clarissa..."

"Miss Clarissa, you resemble Luna Eileen so much. You’re stunning..."

"Sir Derren and Miss Clarissa look like siblings blessed by the heavens..."

My ears were practically blooming from all the flattery.

The influence of Green Pack in the west region was truly remarkable.

But something else nagged at me...

"Derren, why does everyone already know I’m the Alpha’s daughter?" I asked once the guests’ attention shifted to Luna Eileen, Larry, and Edwin.

"I told them during yesterday’s meeting," Derren replied casually.

I almost screamed if I hadn’t clamped my hand over my mouth. Seeing my eyes widen almost comically, Derren chuckled.

"Come on, let’s meet Father. He’s over there." He gestured toward a tall, blond middle-aged man with an air of authority, speaking with several others.

My heart began pounding hard. Out of everything, Alpha William, Alpha of Green Pack, was the final trial I had to face before truly being accepted as part of this family.

We walked toward them.

I straightened my back and smoothed my hair, trying to appear composed.

One of the men noticed us approaching and informed Alpha William, who had his back to us.

He turned around with a neutral expression. His blue eyes met my violet ones.

I swallowed hard.

Slowly, his expression softened into a smile. He truly did look like Shannon. So, I resembled Luna Eileen, and Shannon resembled Alpha Will.

"So you’re my daughter?" he said, his deep voice flowing warmly into my ears.

He... called me his daughter?

...