Alpha’s Fallen Princess Novel – Riley’s POV The passenger who stepped into my car tonight was someone I hadn’t seen in almost five years. It was my biological brother, and the Alpha who used to shelter me with his own body, the Alpha of the Stormhowl Pack. Through the rearview mirror, I saw how drunk he was.
Yet even in that state, he kept whispering comfort to the girl trembling against his chest. His Alpha aura mixed with the scent of alcohol, spreading faintly through the car, but he held it back by instinct, afraid of scaring her. “Bluepine Court, please.” He lifted his head. The moment our eyes met, he froze like he had been struck by lightning. “Riley… it’s you?” His voice tightened.
He seemed to want to say more, but nothing came out. I gave no response. Simply, I started the engine and drove us toward the Pack lands where I had lived for twenty years. When we arrived, he didn’t get out immediately. The corners of his eyes glistened. “It’s been five years. Why didn’t you ever contact me? I thought you were already…” He paused, voice dropping to a whisper. “Riley, come home.
You’re still Stormhowl’s little princess.” I avoided the hand he reached out, tugging my mask higher to cover the jagged scar the explosion had carved into my cheek. My tone was flat, detached, the same as I’d use with a complete stranger. “No need. We don’t have anything to do with each other anymore.” … Grayson Monroe’s hand, the same hand that used to ruffle my hair every morning, stiffened midair. He swallowed hard.
“Riley, you’re still blaming me, aren’t you? That crash… yes. Pulling Briar out first was easier. But once she was safe, I immediately ordered the firefighters to go for you.” I lowered my eyes so he wouldn’t see the flash of bitterness inside them. My beloved brother. The one I trusted most. He saved the girl who had joined our family halfway through her life. Then he left me trapped in a burning car, let the flames swallow half my face.
I finally spoke in a light voice. “I understand. Anyway, please pay on your phone. And if possible, leave a tip.” I turned my head away. My tone was professional, emotionless. But Grayson didn’t move. Instead, he gripped my hand. “Riley, no matter what happened, you’re still my sister. After Mom and Dad passed, we only had each other. And that accident… you weren’t blameless either.” “These past years, Briar has felt guilty every single day.
Come home. We’re still a family.” I zipped my jacket though the night wasn’t cold. A chill crawled across my skin anyway. “I see,” I said softly, like speaking through fog. “What you want is for me to apologize to your sister. Isn’t that it?” I opened the driver’s door and walked to the backseat. In his stunned, trembling gaze, I performed a low, subservient curtsey, a parody of respect. “I’m sorry, Miss. Everything was my fault. I was petty.
I was—” “Enough!” Grayson roared, the sound vibrating with Alpha force he couldn’t contain. Heavy footsteps followed. Suddenly I was pulled upright, dragged against a firm, burning chest. “Riley, don’t do this.” He held me tightly. His knuckles went white. His whole body trembled. For a moment, I felt dizzy. because five years ago, he used to carry me on his shoulders, the young Alpha who promised to protect me forever.
“You were my little princess. Riley, how did you become like this? You used to be so proud.” I pushed him away, a slow smile lifting my lips. “My pride burned away that day. You burned it. From the moment that crash happened, we stopped being anything.” His pupils contracted. He opened his mouth, but the girl in the backseat stirred, voice soft and syrupy. “Grayson… I feel sick. I think I’m gonna throw up…” His expression softened instantly, becoming fiercely tender.
He wrapped his arm around her, soothing her like she was something fragile. “Alright, sweetheart. We’re almost home. Will you still dare drink this much again?” Briar burrowed into his chest, small and pitiful. “No… I won’t…” I looked away. Five years ago, seeing this scene would’ve set my blood boiling. I would’ve torn her right out of his arms. But now? There was only emptiness. Not even anger.
Just… Through the car window, I saw the mask covering half my destroyed face. Then I looked at Briar’s unblemished one, smooth, bright, untouched. A strange stillness washed over me. People change. Everything changes. Grayson glanced back at me. “Riley, wait for me.” Then he carried Briar in his arms, into the house that used to be mine, but never would be again. I gave a short laugh, pulled my electric scooter out from the trunk, and rode off into the cold wind.
The streets were empty before dawn. The air felt like it was blowing down from the mountains, slicing through my jacket until I curled my shoulders. The wolf inside my chest stayed silent, not angry, just exhausted. Like it had already abandoned this so-called family. B