CHAPTER 2: The Alpha's Pledge

Marcel stood with unwavering posture, exuding an aura of authority as he addressed the expectant crowd. My fingers dug into the armrest, willing this nightmare to dissolve with each pinch. I yearned for wakefulness, for this gathering to only be a figment of my imagination. But reality persisted, and Marcel's voice resonated throughout the room, commanding attention.

"Greetings, esteemed friends," his voice boomed, capturing every pair of eyes in the vicinity. "I am Beta Marcel, entrusted with the crucial task of orchestrating a seamless introduction." A brief pause ensued, allowing his words to linger, their weight sinking into the hearts of all present.

"I must share with you the peculiar challenge faced by our beloved Alpha Gabriel," Marcel continued, his gaze sweeping the room, seeking to convey both urgency and hope. "A curse has befallen our Alpha, denying him the joy of she-wolves conceiving and bearing his rightful heirs. This is not just an obstacle; it is a threat to our pack's very existence."

Silence fell like a heavy blanket, the anticipation palpable. Marcel's eyes met mine briefly before traversing the sea of faces. "Fear not, for our wise ancestors have gifted us a solution," he announced, infusing his voice with reverence. "It is time to select a woman, a Breeder, who possesses the qualities required to complement and support Alpha Gabriel's needs and aspirations."

Marcel's tone softened, emphasizing the significance of their quest. "Through this carefully chosen woman, we aim to break the shackles of the curse and secure our pack's future. She will bear an heir, ensuring the continuation of our noble lineage." His gaze shifted to Gabriel, a mixture of admiration and loyalty shining in his eyes. "Alpha Gabriel, we trust that within these Breeders, you will discover a deep connection forged not only out of duty, but out of true love and partnership."

Gabriel rose from his seat, nodding in agreement to Marcel as they exchanged a firm handshake. His piercing gaze swept the room, his eyes locking with each and every one of us. A magnetic pull resonated within his stare, as if he could glimpse into the depths of our souls. The weight of his presence pressed upon us, reminding all of us that this encounter would shape the course of our collective destiny.

But I could no longer suppress the turmoil raging within me. In a burst of defiance, I stood up, my fists clenched tightly, feeling a sudden hush befall the room as all eyes turned to me. "I do not belong here!" I declared, my voice trembling with a mixture of anger and desperation. "I was meant to be married to my beloved fiance. Not thrust into this unfamiliar and degrading situation. I refuse to be treated as an object, to be prodded and poked in the name of being chosen by a man. My heart belongs to another, and I will not be forced to breed with a monster!"

The room gasped in collective astonishment, their whispers intertwining with one another. And then, he stood. Gabriel rose from his seat, his commanding presence taking center stage. His gaze met mine, a flicker of understanding within his intense eyes. "Do you know who I am?" he questioned, his voice soft yet commanding. "I am Alpha Gabriel, a man of unparalleled power. The one I choose will be treated with the utmost respect, cherished and revered. She will lack for nothing."

His words resonated within me, planting seeds of doubt amidst the fiery determination

. Gabriel's gaze softened, his eyes searching mine, as if pleading for comprehension, for empathy. "The society we find ourselves in, the examinations we undertake, were not born out of cruelty," he began, a heavy responsibility lacing each syllable. "They were born out of necessity. For centuries, our kind has been shrouded in secrecy, our powers hidden from humanity. But the world is changing, and our kind is being exposed."

As I listened, my anger simmered, eclipsed by a burgeoning understanding of the stakes at play. The weight of responsibility hung heavily in the air, binding us all together in an intricate web of fate. And amidst the uncertainty, a glimmer of possibility emerged, beckoning me to consider the role I could play in shaping our shared destiny.

Gabriel approached me, his steps deliberate and measured. He reached out a hand, as if beckoning me to trust him, to trust in the grand design of our existence.

"I understand your anger and your reservations," he said, his voice a soothing balm to my frayed nerves. "But I assure you, the path we are on is not one of degradation, but of survival. We are at a pivotal point in our history, and every decision we make now will have far-reaching consequences."

He paused, his eyes never leaving mine. "I bear the burden of protecting our pack, of ensuring our lineage continues. It is not a choice I take lightly, and I seek a partner who understands the weight of this responsibility. Once I have my heir then you will be free to leave.”

I stood my ground, refusing to let Gabriel's expectations override my own desires and plans for the future. The thought of being solely defined by my ability to bear his heir seemed absurd and suffocating.

"Gabriel, I cannot agree to this," I said firmly, my voice laced with determination. "I have my own dreams and aspirations, and they do not revolve around being pregnant and giving birth to a child I have no emotional connection with. I cannot be reduced to a breeding machine."

His expression hardened, a hint of frustration flickering in his eyes. "Daisy, I understand your reservations, but this is the way of our pack. We have a responsibility to ensure our lineage continues. It is not a decision I take lightly."

I took a step closer to him, my voice tinged with emotion. "And it is not a decision I can make lightly either, Gabriel. I am engaged to someone else, someone I love deeply. My heart belongs to him, and I cannot betray that trust."

“Well, you have no choice. My mind has been made up and the decision is final. You are my chosen breeder.”

As the other women were guided out of the room, I was led through another door and gently settled into a waiting black, sleek limousine. Gabriel gracefully slipped into the seat beside me, effortlessly sliding along the luxurious leather upholstery. His presence, so close yet unfamiliar, only intensified my conflicted emotions. My defiance kept me from meeting his gaze, determined not to give him the satisfaction.

A mischievous chuckle escaped Gabriel's lips, a sound that both irritated and intrigued me. His amusement seemed to dance on the edge of danger, and I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being drawn further into a web of complexity. As he leaned closer, his strong fingers secured the seat belt around me, his touch conveying a strange mix of protectiveness and control.

With a soft click, the belt was fastened, leaving me restrained physically but no less defiant in spirit. My eyes remained fixed on the dark window, refusing to give him the satisfaction of acknowledging his presence or his attempt to engage me.

The limousine came to a stop, and Gabriel opened the door, gesturing for me to step out. Reluctantly, I complied, the scene before me unfolded like a fairytale come to life - a magnificent castle with towers reaching for the sky, intricate details etched into the stone, and an air of mystery and enchantment that engulfed the surroundings. A gasp escaped my lips, my eyes widening in awe and disbelief.

Gabriel's chuckle snapped my attention back to him, and a surge of irritation coursed through me. How could he find amusement in a situation that had brought me so much pain? I glared at him, silently demanding an explanation.

"Welcome to your new home," he said, his voice maintaining a hint of amusement.