Sold to the Alpha

Charlotte

Our trip lasted a little more than a month, and there weren't many of us in our group. This was because we didn't have a very important position in the wolf pack. My stepfather, my mother's second-chance mate, expressed his intent to seek aid from the powerful Alpha King. I was instructed to go with him on this mission, not only as an obedient daughter but also to broaden my horizons by learning from other wolf packs. At least, that's what my stepfather had mentioned shortly after we had set out. My education had been limited to basic survival skills. I had yet to grasp the size of what awaited us.

We set up our camp near an established wolf pack, positioned beyond the protective walls of Greenbelt City.

We were warned not to enter the city as wolves, since that would be seen as a provocative and aggressive action towards the Lunarhaven wolf pack. This pack, along with the nearby ones and those living in the Reims woods, recognized the strong rule of the fearsome Alpha King, Logan Blackwood.

"This order is so silly," one of the wolves with my stepfather and me complained, as they watched the distant movements of other wolves. "To wait until dawn and then shift into human form is a humiliation."

"We're discussing the mighty Alpha King, the Lycan who defeated the former leader and took over the throne," another person in the group remarked, their tone carrying a sense of understanding. I kept a little distance, shielding myself from the cold as I listened to their conversation.

"I don't mind if he's mean, crazy, or whatever else, as long as we get what we want," my stepfather gave me a cold look, his expression full of dislike. Overwhelmed by the weariness from our strenuous journey, I withdrew even more, steering clear of any hint that could fuel his anger toward me.

Stories about the merciless Alpha King had reached even the farthest corners of the continent, including our pack. I struggled to grasp why a strong leader like him would give assistance to a small, distant group like ours, and I couldn't figure out why my stepfather was selected as the messenger. A shiver ran through me, making my fur stand on end. Opting to save my energy, I surrendered to sleep, getting ready for the likely conflict that awaited at sunrise.

As the sun rose, we changed from wolves to humans in appearance. The guards who led us gave us proper clothes for entering the city. Our trip led us to the impressive building that was the castle. While my stepfather looked pleased, I was confused about why we were really there. Even though I didn't know much about the world outside our pack, I was sure that asking for help wouldn't normally must such a grand setup, especially from a king known for being harsh.

"Father," my stepfather's glare prompted me to shrink away. "I extend my apologies, my lord."

"Just state your goal outright," he said, irritation evident in his tone. I took a deep breath and lowered my head.

"Are we truly here to seek aid from the mighty Alpha King?" My stepfather's stride came to a sudden halt, his features twisted with a murderous rage in his gaze. He seized my hair by the scalp, pulling me closer to him.

"How dare you challenge my authority, you wretched impure?" Struggling against tears, I shook my head vehemently in denial. His grip loosened, and he continued walking without saying another word. Our companions, now in human form, laughed, openly entertained by my difficult predicament.

In the midst of many stares, some filled with understanding and others dripping with disdain, I stood as the child of a she-wolf rejected by her mate, left to take care of herself even while pregnant in a pack where she didn't belong. We survived on small bits of food until my stepfather extended a helping hand, forming a bond with my mother. Even as things improved, the burden of social biases lingered, adding to my stepfather's continuous annoyance towards my mother and me.

Staying quiet throughout the remaining journey, I saw the golden gates ahead and felt a mix of awe and acceptance. Our modest group had never experienced such luxury. At eighteen years old, my life had barely extended beyond my mother's protective presence, and I hadn't yet met the mate chosen for me by Luna. Confined within our territory, I remained unfamiliar with the world beyond.

Inside the city, most people took on human form, projecting an air of calmness. But, I found it hard to adapt to my unusual outfit. Following my mother's guidance to assume a human form for potential human interactions, this moment marked my first authentic transformation. Using clumsy fingers, I tousled the gentle waves of brown hair draping over my shoulders, astounded by the uncanny resemblance in color to my beloved fur.

The castle's interior rivaled its exterior in splendor - golden accents intertwined with masterful sculptures, opulent fabrics, and radiant paintings. But, the castle was in complete disarray. Paintings were torn, frames askew, and curtains ripped, as if reflecting the fragility of our fate, contingent upon the whims of the Alpha King.

We were left in a weathered waiting room, as our companions lodged in the city, beyond the walls of the grand castle. Time went by with no one approaching us, and then my stepfather was called away, leaving me to confront the overwhelming silence within that large chamber all by myself. Surveying my surroundings, I ventured to the window, observing a bustle outside - men hauling boxes and packages on various carts. And then, my eyes locked onto a sight that ignited a spark of panic in my heart.My stepfather, holding a piece of parchment, wore a satisfied smile as he walked alongside the group beyond the castle's protective walls. Anxiety surged - where was he going? And why was I being abandoned in this manner?

The room's entrance swung open, revealing a Lycan enshrouded in a blend of gray, white, and black fur. His eyes, vibrant pools of deep blue, bore into me, tracing a path across the scars that mapped his neck and arms. Rising above the threshold of the door, his stature was such that he had to stoop to pass through the doorframe. His imposing presence coerced me to kneel, a silent submission to his dominance. This was the Lycan King, yet an enigma lingered—why someone of such grandeur stood in that place before me, a wolf of lesser origin?