Chapter 6

I couldn't stop the tears from falling as I looked around the room, aimlessly, hoping to find someone to help me, though I knew it was impossible.

A hand rested on my shoulder. I turned and saw that Amber had quietly approached me.

She tried to help me to my feet, but her eyes were looking straight ahead in the direction of where the Alpha was.

She whispered, "You need time, Alpha. She has already suffered too much today; any further stimulation will lead her to a mental breakdown. Besides, you've seen her condition. Due to her long abuse, she physically cannot handle the burden of being a breeder at this time..."

She didn't dare look at the alpha for too long, her glowing eyes lowered for a moment. She turned to the doctor as if looking for support.

Lacey sighed as she exchanged a glance with Amber . She said professionally, "Alpha, allow me to interrupt. There is still some evidence I am waiting to return....."

He lowered his voice further and his eyes glanced at me briefly as he spoke.

However, from what I can see right now, Miss Evelyn is malnourished, sleep deprived and suffering great abuse. Some of the internal injuries appear old and repetitive. Therefore, please allow me some time for her to be healthy enough to conceive.

I opened my eyes. Conceiving...

Yes, the bruises are everywhere.... Amber added.

In my professional opinion, Alpha? I think Miss Evelyn needs some time to heal from her injuries. I would hate to see something happen to her or the girl if she doesn't heal properly.

Amber and Lacey's words continued, but I could no longer hear them clearly.

Conceiving...pregnant...child.... All the words that were so foreign to me were now repeatedly reminding me of what it meant to be a breeder.

No wonder they were willing to pay so much money, no wonder they chose me. The child destined to be the next Alpha of the Bloodmoon pack had to have the most powerful combination of bloodlines, ideally Alpha blood from both parents. But a breeder was only a tool: it was used once and then discarded. No Alpha would allow his beloved daughter to be treated that way...except my own father.

Amber, that's enough!

Eric's sudden soft-spoken reproach snapped me back to reality.

I looked up and saw that the Alpha, who had been expressionless, had scowled.

Anger condensed on his face.

The atmosphere in the room had become tense, as if a storm was approaching.

Eric's reprimand was not a reprimand at all, but a protection for Amber before Damon could punish her.

Alpha... I gripped the edge of the hospital bed and tried to drag my weakened legs to my feet. I couldn't stand by and watch Amber incur the man's wrath for trying to defend me.

Taking a deep breath, I tried to compose myself.

Please, Alpha... I can pay my father's debt. I swear I will pay it.

My words managed to divert the man's attention from Amber .

Now the devil was looking at me.

His silence was terrifying, and the cold light in his eyes made me shiver. If my legs weren't so sore and weak, I wouldn't even be able to suppress the urge to run away.

There was no escape, Evelyn! I had to be strong! There was no turning back!

Even though I had to lean on the edge of the bed to get to my feet, even though his sharp gaze made my heart pound, I gritted my teeth and straightened my back, using all my courage to look at him.

Let me repay my father's debt... My voice was weak, but my tone was firm. "I'll work day and night, I'll do the hardest thing, whether it takes me a year, two years or even ten years. Please just tell me the amount of money..."

One second, two seconds...

He stared at me, his gaze like a searchlight sees right through me.

I felt sweat trickle down my forehead, sliding down my cheeks, all the way to my neck. Cold and salty, it flowed over my open wounds, bringing on fits of stabbing pain, like torture. The cold white lights on the ceiling became the burning desert sun, making me dizzy.

In the second before I almost passed out, I saw the Alpha slightly raise an eyebrow.

Even in such an oppressive atmosphere, I was drawn to his handsome appearance.

The moment he raised his eyebrow, my heart skipped a beat. But, of course, he knew nothing of my feelings.

He merely looked at Eric and commanded simply, "Tell him."

Eric immediately approached.

Miss Evelyn, he said, "I'm afraid the amount is not something you can repay. The debt your father accumulated was five million in total. Alpha Damon had paid half of it..."

The figure made my heart drop to the bottom of my chest.

...If the debt is not paid off in time, your father and your herd will be in danger. I have heard that the debtor is not very .... civilized.

Eric's polite tone continued. "As you can see, this is not an amount I can afford to pay as a maid, Miss Evelyn. Besides, Alpha Damon doesn't need a maid."

He was right. She couldn't pay back that amount of money by being a maid, not even by doing any kind of ordinary work.

When Eric finished, Alpha Damon got up from my bed.

Evelyn. The way my name came from his lips sent shivers down my spine. He looked down and straightened his cuffs carelessly. "You have two choices. Be my breeder, or..."

He didn't finish his words, nor did he need to.

O... My father would be eaten alive by the barbarian creditors, my herd would be wiped out in retaliation, and hundreds of innocent people would be killed simply because I made a cowardly choice.

I took a deep breath.

If this was the only option, then so be it.

Before he opened the door and left, I heard him give Lacey the order. "You have three weeks."

So that was the deadline I had been given.

I looked behind her back as she was leaving and asked, "What happens to me after the baby is born?"

Alpha Damon paused but did not turn around.

After a brief silence, he said quietly, "You will be released."