DEAR EX-ALPHA, GET ON YOUR KNEES!

I would say all I wanted was to find my mate and live a peaceful life, but I would be lying; all I wanted was to go to the palace, give up my life, and have them send me to the other side of the world.

If it were up to me, I would have done that the very first day everything turned upside down, but that’s far from what Alpha Zander wanted; he wanted me to experience hell on earth; he said death was more than I deserved; accidentally killing not one but two of his mates would cost more than my life; he kept me alive as a slave, tortured, humiliated, and if possible, took my soul, so when I turned out to be his mate as well, it didn’t come as a surprise for him to reject me and bound my powers and send my wolf into a deep slumber; it was no surprise his parents chose him a chosen mate; those people adored their perfect luna, Jocelyn, my dead sister—his first mate. And just when I thought my life couldn’t get any worse, I found myself on the auction stage, men bidding for me like I was some kind of property, and next the ruthless Alpha, who, by the mention of his name, people trembled bought me, “bride, not slave,” his three words. I learned that even though he was ruthless, he was soft on me, and not only that, we had a common enemy (Alpha Zander), and he was willing to help me get my revenge.

Oh, Alpha Zander, get ready to be on your knees because my mate and I are coming for you!

001

ALASKA, PETERSBURG FOREST

~BREE~

I looked at the table satin one more time to make sure it was in the shade Alpha Zander wanted.

I didn't want to give him a reason to lock me up in that rat hole again; my stomach was still hurting from the starvation, and do I even remember why he locked me up there?

The truth is, he did it for every reason. Even asking him if he wanted orange juice or apple was a crime, as he would lock me in the dungeon for days without giving me food, claiming I was being disrespectful.

I don't even know how I was still alive—well, alive and dead at the same time as the pain in my stomach and the wounds on my body were eating me. I just had to carry myself through today because today is a special day.

Today is my birthday; I am finally twenty-one, and I will find my mate.

There was no party or anything, but today seemed to be my lucky day as Alpha Zander was hosting a ceremony to announce his engagement to his chosen mate, Luna Ruby.

Ruby is from a strong pack; the Bloodmoons, her brothers who are twins, have been managing their pack since their parents died. I heard they are overly protective over their little sister, which only reminds me that I was alone. I had no one. Well, at least I had someone who cared for me, but what did my stupid self do? I killed her.

My sister was not someone I liked talking about because I didn't know what hurt me the most—was it that I caused her death or how her death affected me? My life was like this all because of her.

I shook myself out of my thoughts and brought myself back to reality.

‘Your mate will find you!’ The voice of the old witch from the dungeon echoed in my head.

We were in the same cell; she was the one who encouraged me to get through today; she said my mate was going to find me, as I was pretty skeptical of my mate finding me when I had no wolf—not that she never came; she did, twice, for that matter, but every time Zander would summon a witch to come and bind my powers and send her into a deep slumber.

“Maybe she was right,” I muttered to myself. “Maybe he will come and find me,” I said, although still not convinced, as I knew a rat like me would only be mated to an omega like myself, so finding my mate was not even a good thing as he would never stand up for me.

‘If only I had a way of ending my life,’ I sighed but quickly jumped when I heard my name.

It was Gamma Stephen.

“Why are you still lurking around? Is this the reason we feed you?!” He roared.

He was standing in front of me. I looked down and tried to control the beating of my heart, which was now causing my head to move up and down.

Stephen was one of my torturers.

I feared him the most because he didn't use a knife, whips, or other torturing tools like others; he instead used electricity. He said he liked that he caused me pain, but nothing of it could be spotted on my body because, unlike other torturing tools, it doesn't leave scars, but the pain was comparable to being set on fire.

“The ceremony will start soon; I don't want anything to go wrong,” he warned, and I quickly nodded my head. Responding with words was another form of disrespect, and with years of experience, I knew better.

“And you…” He came close to me, and I involuntarily moved back. I don't know what he was doing, but he disgusted me. Everyone in this pack disgusted me.

He raised his hand, which I was sure was to yank my hair, but stopped midair at a voice.

“Beta Kaden,” he moved from me, and I swallowed my saliva, but that wasn't what I wanted to do. I wanted to clear my throat, but clearing my throat in their presence would only get me into trouble as I was not even allowed to breathe in their presence.

“Is she giving you trouble?” Beta Kaden asked in a commanding tone. I could feel his gaze piercing through my skin.

“N-no, I… I was making sure she wasn't doing anything funny.” Stephen stammered. Yes, he was the Gamma, but Kaden was the beta, and so he held power over him, I knew he was scared because he could get in trouble not for trying to hit me but for getting close to me.

Everyone was allowed to torture, humiliate, and enslave me, but not to get close or they would be in so much trouble, which was easy for them as they claimed my smell disgusted them. I mean, without a wolf, I was bound to smell funny and unattractive.

“You can go and help Alpha Zander get ready; I will deal with her,” Kaden instructed, and Steph agreed as he excused himself after bowing his head to him.

Feeling Steph's fading steps, I took a step back and almost picked up the dust feather I used to dust the tent as the ceremony was held in the tent, but Kaden was quick to yank my hair and pin me against the tent.

His grip was brutal, but I didn't feel pain as I was used to it, I felt strands of my hair falling off as it wasn't strong. Weeks of torture, no proper meals, and talk of baths or shampoo to wash my hair. I understood why they were so fragile, so I faked a painful face as if he realized that I wasn't in much pain, his grip would only tighten, causing my poor hair to suffer.

“Look at me!” He ordered his voice, sending a shiver down my spine. I hesitated but tilted my head and looked at his face. He was a bit taller than me, so his face was looking down.

My eyes met his green ones for a split second before I looked away and concentrated on his nose, as I couldn't bear to look into his eyes. My thoughts would end up controlling me, and I would end up spitting on his face, as that's all I could do.

“I do not want to see your fucking face anyway near this tent during the ceremony; we are not locking you in the dungeon because Alpha wants you to see that killing two of his mates didn't stop him from finding a perfect mate.” I knew what he meant, and being reminded of it just made me feel terrible.

Killing two people was not a good thing.

“Now, get lost!” He yelled and forcefully freed my hair, which made me almost fall to the ground if not for the tent.

My shaky hands picked the dust feather and prayed that he wouldn't change his mind and decide to punish me, as this was the first time he was letting me go without any punishment or hurting me, not just yanking my hair.

After finally getting a hold of the dust feather, I stood straight and almost left when I heard his voice.

“Go and make sure that there is enough champagne.”

I answered with a nod and then rushed out of the tent.

I was still in so much pain, and walking so fast hurt my every being, but I just had to do it. He seemed to be in a good mood. I mean, the partnership with the Bloodmoons would benefit the pack.

Reaching the kitchen, I placed the dust feather on the kitchen counter and headed to the alcohol cabinet, but just as I was inches away, something hit my inside, which made me stop.

“Rain?” I said out loud excited that my wolf was back; I even forgot that I didn't have to speak out loud for her to hear me.

‘Hi Bree, I'm so glad to be back.’ She sounded both happy and sad; I could feel her emotion, so I knew why she was sad; she was afraid that they would put her into a deep slumber again, but either way, I didn't expect my wolf, and now that she was here, it got me thinking.

Maybe the witch was right; maybe I will find my mate tonight.

002

~BREE~

I was excited that Rain was back, but I knew if Alpha Zander or any of the pack members heard of it, I would be tortured, and he would summon the witch to bind my powers and Rain because I knew whenever Rain was here, my powers were also back.

I quickly moved back. I knew Beta Kaden just wanted to get rid of me; he didn't need me to check the champagne as it was always enough—Luna Rosa, Alpha Zander's mother, can never go a day without a glass, so when my back hit the wall, I got to my senses and dashed out of the kitchen and went straight to my small room. Yes, I had a room, or, let's say, a shoe closet, as there was a little bed; it used to be a shoe closet, but the time they started torturing me, they moved me here as it was inside the mansion since they didn't want me far away in case one of them wanted to release stress.

Reaching the little room, I closed the door and rested my back on the door as I caught my breath.

My head moved up and down, and I placed my hand on my chest to try and calm down. The thought of Alpha Zander finding out Rain was back was unsettling.

‘Is our mate responsible for this?’ Rain asked, and I almost started laughing as I knew who she was referring to, and it sounded funny, but when I looked up, I found that I was not alone. Someone was seated on my small bed, with gold eyes and his rich, dark brown hair neatly styled at the back. I don't know why, but each time my eyes landed on him, I felt like my heart stopped doing its job.

‘Alpha Zander?’ I asked Rain, and she confirmed. I don't know why I didn't jump or get scared at his presence like usual; maybe finding him in my room made me feel this. Alpha Zander had never stepped foot in this room. Of course, I slept here as I was close to them for when they wanted to vent their frustrations, but he would order guards to get me and then take me to the torture room.

"Yes, Bree,” Alpha Zander said in his dark tone as his fingers trailed the lip of the old-fashioned glass he was holding, his eyes not leaving my face. I don't know what was wrong with him, but he looked like he was drugged or something as his eyes were barely open. He then stood up after taking a swig of his glass before throwing it in my direction, but with years of experience, I dodged it as it hit the door, causing it to break into pieces as the pieces spread on the floor. “You're my fucking mate,” he sneered.

“I…I…” I didn't know what to say. I've spent years hoping to find my mate, someone who would save me from him. I didn't expect it to be him. I mean, how was he going to save me from himself?

“Don't fucking say a word, you whore; is that the reason you killed my two mates so I could become your second chance?” He asked as he took steps toward me. I was already at the door, and even if I had a chance to escape, I couldn't; my life was in his hands; I was alive to his mercy; everyone wanted me dead; they said I didn't deserve to live, and no matter how weird it sounded, I agreed with them, as death was way better than living this pathetic life.

“Alpha I…”

“I said don't say anything!” Alpha Zander roared, which made me flinch in fear. He was now standing in front of me, “Look at me!” He instructed, and I slowly looked up at him but didn't meet his eyes. “I said fucking look at me!” He yelled, then forcefully grabbed me by my arm. Alpha Zander was rough, so his hold always left marks and unbearable pain. “I want you to look into my eyes when I reject you.”

“Y-you…”

“I know that worthless wolf of yours is back,” he said, and I started shaking my head as the realization hit it. I somehow hoped Rain made a mistake that Alpha Zander was not our mate—not that I didn't like him; I did. I loved him, but he was supposed to be with my sister; he was my sister's mate.

I couldn't even for a second think of him in that way.

“How could Selene think you're the right mate for me? You are weak and a murderer; you don't deserve a mate; you deserve nothing but pain!”

He didn't need to say it out loud; I knew that was all I deserved, so I nodded my head, holding in the tears that threatened to fall out of my eyes. I've been through a lot to cry for a mate.

“I...” he started without even warning, “Alpha Zander, alpha of the Moon Valley pack, reject Aubree Swan, as my mate, and I strongly reject this bond.” He exaggerated—rejecting me was the same as rejecting the bond, but before I could think of anything more, I felt a sharp pain hit through my chest and a scream, involuntarily escaped my lips. The pain was unbearable; it was worse than the tortures; it was worse than a knife being stuck in my stomach, as this felt like a dagger was rather stuck to my chest, slicing through the folds of my heart.

I felt Rain’s pain too as she sobbed in pain; it felt like she was being set on fire, but no, I was not going to cowardly cry in front of him. I will cry, but not just now. “I...” I struggled to stand on my feet. "I, Aubree Swan, accept your rejection,” I said, and the same pain hit through my chest again. I could have sworn I heard Rain refuse, but what was the use? I'm sure if I couldn't accept his rejection, he could lock me up and force me to accept his rejection.

He freed my arm and placed a hand on his chest. It's like he felt the pain too, but it didn't matter; he was going to be with Ruby, his chosen mate. They were announcing their engagement today, as I've heard he had been courting her for the past two months now.

Tears streamed down my cheeks as I felt Rain’s screams hit through my ears. I couldn't believe it. Alpha Zander was my mate, and he was announcing his engagement to someone else today.

For the past five years, I endured it all as I hoped when I turned 21 my life would change, that my mate would find me and rescue me from the ruthless hands of Alpha Zander, but how wrong was I as Alpha Zander, the ruthless alpha I wanted to escape, turned out to be my mate—there was no escape for me; my life was not going to change. I mean, it might, but only for the worst, as I'm sure now Alpha Zander was convinced I killed his two mates just so I could have him to myself.

God, why did it have to happen like this? Why did my life have to be so difficult?

First, my parents were killed in my eyes, then I was adopted and met a rival who made my life hell on earth, and now my mate turned out to be my torturer and the man who hated me the most!

003

~BREE~

My legs were shaking; I could barely hold my weight, but knowing better, I took the pain and forced myself to stand on my feet because that's all I could do. Alpha Zander didn't give a shit about me, so crying or falling to the floor would just give him a reason to punish me.

“Alpha Zander,” someone pushed me off the way and rushed to Alpha Zander; I guess he mind linked him and asked him to come here.

“Kaden,” Alpha Zander sounded like he was in a little pain, but he did well to mask it as next he stood to his feet, and I don't know why, but I was now watching his every move. He whispered something in Kaden's ear, which he didn't need as he usually said, and did anything in front of me.

“You piece of shit! You…” I wasn't expecting Kaden to kick me in the stomach, as when the pain hit me, I fell on my knees and held my stomach, which felt like it busted from the inside—a man's kick is painful. “You killed them for yourself; I bet you're a witch or something because how did she know she was your mate?” He turned to Zander, who didn't care as he sat on my small bed and ran his hands through his hair.

“Maybe she forged the bond I don't know, but all I know is that she can't be my mate.” I couldn't believe my ears. I mean, why would I forge a mate bond just to be with my tormenter?

“And she's going to confess,” Beta Kaden said, then walked to me. My hands were still on my stomach as I still felt the pain, but he didn't care. He held me by my hair, causing some strands to fall off, but it didn't bother him as he pinned me against the wall and then demanded I tell him the truth. "Who the fuck are you working for, bitch?” he yelled, and I shook my head as the tears I once held in slowly rolled down my cheek. No, it wasn't the pain that made me cry but the fact that my mate watched me being hit by another man and he did nothing.

I thought mates were supposed to protect you; I thought they were supposed to be there for you not to watch you in pain and, most importantly, not to cause you pain. Well, I guess that's just a belief because your mate is surely your worst enemy; your mate is your nightmare.

“Tough huh? Let me just... ” He didn't finish his sentence as he raised his left hand and used the back of his palm to hit my cheek, which was so painful that I felt a buzzing sound in my ear. He didn't give me a chance to feel more as his hand landed on my other cheek, then another, and suddenly I lost count as all I heard was the sound of his hand meeting my cheek, the buzzing sound in my ears, and then the pain.

Pain.

The sharp stinging sensation that I was now starting to feel—I know I should be used to it as I've gone through this over and over, but it had been a while since someone repeatedly slapped my face. Lately, my torturers have been using knives, daggers, and all torturing tools as they didn't want to get their hands sore. Only Zander enjoyed using his hands as he took me as a punching bag.

My face felt sore; my skin was throbbing, and from experience, I knew it would take two weeks to recover. I couldn't even imagine the bruises his rough hands would leave.

"Oh, she's challenging me,” Beta Kaden said with a smirk on his face. My eyes were barely open, but I could see his face. He yanked my hair and then raised his hand, which was in a fist, but just as his hand was about to reach my face, Alpha Zander stopped him.

“That's enough. I will deal with her myself later. My mate is on her way. I don't want her to suspect anything,” Zander said, and Kaden hesitated but freed me, which was rough as I fell to the floor.

“Whatever you say, Alpha,” Kaden said as he fixed his shirt collar.

“Good, tell Stephen to call the witch; it seems her stupid wolf has returned; we need to take care of that as soon as possible,” he said as he walked toward the door.

Reaching it, he turned and looked at me. I had Rain, so I could feel his gaze on me. “She must be ready; I would like to see her face when I announce my engagement to everyone,” he said, and I don't know why the words pierced through my heart as my chest tightened, so I had to gasp for air.

As if rejecting me was not enough, now I had to watch him embrace another she-wolf.

004

~BREE~

“I won't come back here.” Kaden's voice brought me back to reality as I struggled and stood on my feet before I made my way to my bed, where my bag was.

“Ouch!” A whimper escaped my lips as I tried to clean my cheeks, but they were sore from the slaps.

‘I'm so sorry, Bree. I'm sorry I'm weak.’ Rain apologized, but it wasn't her fault. I didn't want her to take account of Zanders' behavior, but unfortunately, I couldn't say the words as I was in so much pain, and with Kaden's warning, I quickly got to my bed and opened my bag; nothing was in it since I didn't have anything. The only thing I had was my old jeans and a tee; those were the only belongings I had, including the clothes on my body, track pants, and a white tee, which Kaden gave me earlier as I would be serving his guest and I couldn't look dirty.

I walked to the little mirror and looked at my reflection. I know I always looked messed up and bruised, but looking at myself like this on my birthday was heartbreaking, and the person responsible for it was my mate.

I raised my hand and gently touched my cheek, which was painful, but I still did as I took the tee from the bag and used it to clean my cheeks. I couldn't go out looking like this; it shouldn't matter as my mate just rejected me, but it did as I knew of second chances.

You might think I'm crazy, but I was hopeful. I didn't want to lose hope yet, so I trusted the goddess, and I prayed that she let my second chance mate come to the engagement. I didn't want to be tortured by Alpha Zander, and since he said he was going to deal with me after the ceremony, I knew he was, and his tortures were painful. My wound was just healing, and knowing him, he wouldn't mind sticking a knife to that same healing wound.

I lifted my shirt and looked at the wound, which was now healing, then I remembered the night he stuck a knife in my stomach. I didn't even know how my intestines were fine as it was deep.

“No, I have to do something,” I said to myself and quickly covered the wound. Then I sniffed before I walked out of the room and pretended to be fine as I went to the kitchen. I didn't realize I'd been there for long as the house was already filled with guests.

“Where have you been? Alpha Zander has been looking for you.” I heard Kaden's voice, and before I could answer, he gave me a tray that had two glasses of champagne. “Take this to Luna Ruby; she’s thirsty,” he instructed, he didn’t give me a chance to argue, so I nodded and headed out of the kitchen with a tray in my hands.

I knew how Luna Ruby looked, as it wasn’t her first time coming here and reaching outside. I spotted her, dressed in a royal princess pink dress with a crown on top of her head; she also had two guards beside her. I admired her dress for a second; not even in my dreams would I ever think of wearing that; it was just so pretty, and her milk chocolate hair looked so healthy and shiny that I wished I could have that even in my dreams.

“Do your job!” A voice that sent a shiver down my spine shook me out of my state as I cleared my throat and then approached her. She seemed to be chatting with a woman, but knowing I had to do my job, I decided to approach her.

“I heard you’re thirsty, Luna Ruby,” I said, and she shook her head. “From Alpha Zander,” I added, as I knew if she refused the drink, Kaden would accuse me of being rude and would get an excuse to punish me. Ruby looked around for a second before she picked the glass from the tray, and I slightly bowed my head as the other woman, whom I now recognized as Allison, Alpha Zander’s elder sister, took the second glass.

I almost walked away, but a voice stopped me; it was Alpha Zander. He moved so fast that in no time he had both the glasses from Luna Ruby and Allison.

“Who asked you to serve them?!” His voice was commanding, and it seemed to draw everyone’s attention as everyone was now looking at us.

“I…I…” I stammered, saying Kaden's name would put me in so much trouble.

“Doctor!” He screamed and summoned the doctor, who stumbled and rushed to our side. I didn’t know what was happening, but looking at things, I was sure something had happened. “Check if they are safe.” Alpha Zander's eyes were on me.

He handed the glasses to the doctor, who raised one and brought it close to his eyes. Silence fell on the crowd as everyone's eyes were now on the doctor. I honestly didn’t know what he was checking for. He brought the glass close to his nose before he quickly pulled it away and threw both the glasses to the ground, surprisingly, the grass where the liquid landed turned black, and everyone covered their mouths in shock.

No one needed to say it; they both knew what had just happened; the drinks were poisoned, and since this wasn’t the first time I would be accused of killing Alpha Zander’s mates—well, in this case, an attempt to kill—I knew I was in trouble, but still I had to defend myself even when I knew no one would listen to me.

“I swear I…” I didn’t get to finish my sentence as two people held me by my arm and started dragging me away. “I... I didn’t do it, please, I swear,” I continued even when no one was listening. All I heard were hurtful words from people we passed by who kept calling and saying all sorts of evil things.

But I was used to it; it didn’t hurt me until I heard one of them mention that this was Alpha Zander’s third mate, a third mate that I tried to kill, and it was the truth; this was Alpha Zander’s third mate, and I swear I didn’t mean to kill his first two mates, and if I didn't, then it meant someone had it for him, that someone was after him.

Before I could think of anything, I found myself on the cold, hard floor, and the familiar stinging smell made me realize I was in the dungeon.

“You messed with the wrong person this time because Luna Ruby's brothers are coming for you; they will teach you a valuable lesson!” I heard one of the men who brought me here say, and that’s when I realized the two men who dragged me here were guards, but that was not important. What was important was that I was in trouble.

True, I’ve been tortured by my pack members, Kaden, Stephen, Luna and Alpha Moonvalley, and Zander, but never by other packs, and the thought of Ruby's brothers torturing me made the back of my hair stand. I heard they were ruthless and overprotective of their sister.

What were they going to do to me?

005

~BREE~

I don’t know for how long I’ve been locked in this dark room, but it must have been for hours as it was getting darker and darker. I used to be afraid of the dark, but not anymore; now it was just something that gave me peace. Yes, my once-fear became my peace, as at least in the darkness I would forget about my misery and try to live another person's life.

If you ask me, I won’t even know when things started to go wrong—was it when my real parents died? When I met Jocelyn? When I got into that fight? Or when I mistakenly served Amber the wolfsbane? I honestly didn’t know, and I didn’t want to give it much thought.

I turned to the old woman whom I’d been calling since I got here, but there was still no response. Maybe she had died because the smell in here didn’t just feel like rats; she was dead as if she had been asleep, I could have heard her snores.

The thought of her death caused tears to roll down my cheeks freely; she was my only hope, and I once promised to get her out of there. No, I couldn’t let her die without me fulfilling my promise, but before I could call her one more time, I heard noises from the door, which made me move back on my butt until my back hit the wall.

They were here, and I didn’t know what punishment they were going to give me now.

My heart started racing just from the sound of their footsteps, and I closed my eyes, then hugged my knees and started muttering.

“I didn’t do it,” I repeated while I felt myself being helped to stand by two men, who then dragged me out. I wasn’t confused; I knew what was happening. I was being taken to the torture room, the room where Alpha Zander and others liked to torture me. Here was just for my sleep and a little bit of torture, but I received most of the pain in that room.

It didn’t take long to arrive there, as next I was seated on the chair, and the man tied my hands on the back of the chair and my legs together. I closed my eyes, and when I opened them, Alpha Zander was standing right in front of me, playing with the blade of a knife.

“Where do I start?” He asked himself with a smirk on his face as if causing me pain was winning a war.

****

It’s been a month; I’ve been in the torture room forever. I knew it was a month, as Alpha Zander always wrote the date on the wall with my blood.

That night when they brought me here, he called the witch who always bound my wolf and took my powers, and after she was done with that, they sent her away, and Zander started torturing me. As predicted, he opened up that fresh wound with the knife and caused several others.

I’ve been here, and my body is sore. I didn’t even know why I was not dying, as Zander didn’t send me for treatment this time. They were convinced I purposely poisoned the champagne and that I was working for someone, but I wasn't, so the truth was what I always told them, but it never helped as they just ended up causing me pain.

I struggled and opened my eyes and saw Alpha Zander, who seemed to be waiting for me to open my eyes. He crossed his legs with a short glass in his hands, which had alcohol for a second before he brought it near his lips and gulped it down in one go.

“Still refuse to talk?!” He leaned in to ask, and I weakly shook my head; my lips were in pain from the dryness as they had scratches on them.

“I…”

“Fine,” he said, standing up and removing his blazer jacket. I knew what he was going to do as he started doing his sleeves, and I didn't think I could take any of those.

Luckily someone barged in and called him; it was Stephen. He said it was urgent. “I will be back,” he turned to me and said before he rushed out. I know it wasn't forever, but seeing him leave made me rest my head against the chair and close my eyes for a second.

“I will help you.” A voice made me open my eyes, and I saw a person who, from my blurry vision, I couldn't recognize as the person's body seemed to be covered. "Come, we don't have time,” he said, and then started untying my hands and then my legs. I thought I was imagining it until he took my hand and asked me to follow him.

“I… t-they…”

“A friend is playing with time, so it's only the two of us who can move for now,” he said, I nodded then dragged my legs and walked as fast as I could; even if this was just a dream, I wanted to succeed in it; who knew maybe it was really happening.

We reached downstairs, and there we passed by servants who seemed to be frozen, and it made me believe time was really paused.

Reaching outside, the man turned into a big wolf, and I didn't need him to tell me what to do as I painfully climbed onto his back and he started sprinting towards the woods.

He kept going until we were deep into the woods he stopped, and then I climbed down, in no time he transitioned back to his human form but was now naked, so I quickly looked away.

“I would cut ties with the Moon Valley pack if I were you,” he said, sounding like he was saying goodbye, so I turned and faced him. That's when I noticed the difference; he had long black hair and brown skin, which meant he was not from here. I opened my mouth to ask something, but he cut me. “I just did a friend a favor; now you can go your way,” he said, and again before I could ask, he jumped, transitioning into a wolf, then sprinting away.

Great! Just great! I was in the middle of the woods, a place where rogues ruled! A place where other wolves could pass by, and surely if they saw me, they would not hesitate to tear me into pieces, as I was already hated by everyone; I was known as a murderer, and I didn't even have Rain to guide me.

006

~BREE~

I was too tired to think of that, and even if I wanted to, I knew I couldn't go anywhere as my legs were sore, so I crawled toward a tree, when I reached it, I closed my eyes as the words came naturally on my tongue.

“I Aubree Swan an Omega cut ties with the Moon Valley pack; from this day forward I should no longer have anything to do with anyone that comes from that pack.” I instantly fell back as soon as I was done saying that, as I felt my body being ripped apart and I didn't know if I was seeing things, but a shadow-like creature came out of me and disappeared in thin air.

“Ouch!” I whimpered in pain as I felt the same stinging pain from when Zander rejected me. I knew this was a pain of cutting ties with the pack; the Moon Valley hasn't taken me in as their own, but I've been there for years, and it naturally became my home.

I needed to rest, even if it was just for a few minutes. I didn't know where I would be going from here but wasn't losing hope. I was sure after a nap my consciousness would be clear and I would be able to think clearly.

I closed my eyes and with difficulty tried to rest. I rested my head near the tree as I now lay on the ground, ignoring the pain the grass and little shrubs caused my back. This was the woods, so I didn't fully fall asleep. That's why when I felt a hand touch my arm, I quickly shot my eyes open, frightened that Zander or his men had found me, but I was shocked to see a familiar face.

“Wow, are... are you okay?” He pulled his hand; I knew him from that night; he was there at the club when Jocelyn died, and he seemed to be good friends with my sister; he didn't know she hated me so I could use the title for some advantage, so I shook my head.

"God, I haven't seen you in four years; come on, grab my hand,” he said, and I nodded, still unable to say a word, but grabbed his hand and tried to stand but fell back on my butt. “Wow, you're pretty hurt, badly. Do you want me to take you back to your…”

“No!” I was quick to say that—anything could happen to me, but I will never go back to that pack. “I... don't have a pack,” I said. If I wanted his help, I needed to be honest.

“Y-you cut ties with your pack?” He asked, and I hesitated but nodded my head. “Good,” he said, which confused me, but I didn't dare ask as he gently picked me up, which caused pain as I had bruises all over but didn't stop him as I closed my eyes, and then everything turned black, and before I knew it, I couldn't feel anything.

****

I don't know where I was or for how long I've been asleep, but with the pain in my eyes, I knew it must be for a week or so. I was experienced, so I could tell.

I looked around and realized I was tied to a chair; my eyes roamed the room, and I realized it was a bar changing room for strippers or something close because of the revealing, slutty clothes.

I looked at my body and realized I was dressed in one of those slutty clothes, a silver short silk dress. I looked down on my feet and saw that I was in higher shoes—heels, which I didn't even know how to walk in.

“You're up?” A voice made me turn, and I saw the man who helped me in the woods.

I tried to speak but couldn't as my mouth was covered with tape. He smirked and then came to me, “Oh baby.” He made a pitiful face, then leaned in. “You have been asleep for a long time, haven't you?” he asked, and I looked at him puzzled.

“You're at a bar, but don't worry, it's not what you're thinking. See, this is not just any bar; this is a market where businessmen like myself come to sell our properties.” He said, and I shook my head. “I am going to make a lot from you; I had you checked; you're a virgin,” he excitedly said, and I shook my head as I realized what he was trying to do. “You will pay all my debts; I am so glad I walked by the woods that day,” he said now, fixing my hair. “You should be happy; the people I'm selling you to will send you out of the city, far from everyone who wants you dead,” he said, and a warm tear rolled down my left cheek.

I knew this type of business; here dangerous men came to buy people, especially girls, and then they would send them out of the city to work for them; most of them were sex workers; some worked in their bars, and others worked on their farms.

And now I was going to be one of them.

“If you ruin the makeup and people refuse to buy you, I will take you back to the Moon Valley pack myself,” he threatened, and I nodded my head and sniffed. Anything could happen to me, but I will never go back to that pack. “Good girl, now I'm going to remove the tape. Be on your best behavior,” he said, and I agreed by nodding. Then I heard someone outside calling the name ‘Barbie?’ He turned to me and said they were calling me. “Go and be pretty,” he instructed, and I nodded, then stood up from the chair and slowly walked out.

My body seemed a little healed, but I was still weak. “I spent a lot of money on your body; if you fail, I will kill you myself,” he warned, and I nodded, no, I wasn't afraid of death, I knew he would just end up taking me back to Zander, so I did my best and tried to walk on the shoes, trying not to fall.

“Barbie, a human doll; she's a virgin and is just eighteen years old,” a man whom I figured to be the bid caller said and gestured for me to stand on the stage, which was the most difficult task of my life as I struggled to stand firm due to the high heels. “We will start the bidding at twenty thousand,” he started, and men from the crowd raised their bid numbers, so the bid caller increased the price.

My eyes roamed the crowd even when I knew I had no say in who was to buy me; I still hoped to see a friendly face, but none of them were. I could tell they were ruthless and probably lived to kill as their bodies were covered in tattoos.

I swallowed my saliva as I heard the bid caller ask for the third time, “Five hundred thousand, do I hear six hundred?” No one raised their bid number, and it seemed like I was going to be sold to one of the ruthless men as he winked from afar and started licking his upper lip, “Five hundred going once, going...”

“Two million!” A deep, rough voice from the crowd said—he wasn't loud, but everyone heard him as they all put their bidding numbers down—his tone exuded command.

My eyes quickly searched for him, and when my eyes landed on him, I felt a shiver rush down my spine. It's like I was suddenly placed in a fridge--my skin developed goosebumps.

I knew who he was; how could I not? Everyone knew who he was, and if I had to choose between going with him or my old pack, I would choose my old pack as he was more dangerous than my old pack—even Zander feared him. I remember Zander torturing me because he took the contract he wanted, and the Zander I knew would just take what he wanted from anyone, so when he didn’t pursue the contract, I knew it was because he was afraid of him.

Alpha Asher was the most ruthless alpha; he killed for pleasure; his eyes were crimson, which was a rare color even for alphas as their eyes would turn red only when their wolf took over; rumors had it that he was cursed by the goddess.

His punishments were heartless, not excusing the Moonvalley pack mistreatments, but Alpha Asher punished by cutting body parts—a leg, hand, fingers, eye, and even a tongue.

There was no way I was going with him, but no way I could escape, as with the way he was looking at me head to toe, I knew I couldn't.

“Sold to the man in black,” the bid caller said, and my chest tightened at the thought of what he was going to do to me.