“This pure virgin body will soon be underneath the most ruthless of Alpha’s. Do you honestly think he will take one look at you as a maid, and not want to f*ck you and make you scream? I already want that, and I don’t know if I should let you go without trying you first.”

Derek’s words pulled me out of my memory.

He sniffed my hair and gave a slight moan. The tears again threatened to spill down my face.

“You can’t,” I said hoarsely. “You will get in trouble, and we don’t need to bring that here.”

I’d lost everything. I couldn’t let him take my virtue, too.

“Trouble… I am not scared of him, Rosalie.”

He laughed in a sadistic manner, but his behavior revealed his fear.

He stared at me before roughly shoving me away. “Now hurry up and pack your sh*t.”

It wasn’t like I had much to pack. The only clothing I had were the few work uniforms that had been given to me for my jobs, and then a pair of leggings I got from an old friend and a few band t-shirts. It wasn’t even enough to fill my small suitcase.

“I am ready.”

My words were barely audible, but Derek was watching me from the doorway, and I knew he understood me.

I had to find a way out of here. Derek was watching me to closely. I had to get away.

But Derek didn’t bother to say anything more as he stepped aside and allowed me to move past him.

Picking up my bag I walked towards the stairs—but not before he took the opportunity to smack my backside.

I stilled in that moment, and started half running away from him.

“Why are you running? So eager to see your new master, you wh*re? Slow down.”

Derek also picked up his pace, chasing after me.

He reached out his arm, trying to grab my shoulder. I tried to keep the distance and glanced from the corner of my eye.

“Derek… please don’t.”

He gave me a death stare that made my skin crawl.

He was going to hit me.

“You dare f*cking tell me what to do?!” he yelled.

I flinched in preparation for the blow, but it did not come.

Derek clenched his fists, yet with great effort, he held it back.

I was curious what made him stop when I noticed that our conversation had drawn the attention of the crowd downstairs in the foyer.

Within the shadows of the dimly lit foyer were my father, Isis, and a man that I couldn’t quite make out. He was very tall, and the feeling he gave off intimidated me. Next to him stood two others cloaked within the shadows. They didn’t move, and all I could see were the silhouettes of their figures.

As I took in the scene, I heard Isis’ lighthearted tune: “Doesn’t she look beautiful? She was taking her time making sure she was perfect for your arrival, Talon.”

The Beta in front of me didn’t seem to care what my step-mother had to say. His eyes did not leave mine from the moment I saw him.

“Do what she said.” The leader of the group directed his order toward Derek.

He wasn’t loud or rude, but everyone in the room heard him clearly, and I had the feeling that no one dared to disobey him.

“Why does she have bruises on her?” Talon’s voice was deep, and set my nerves on edge.

“She fell down the stairs earlier wearing those cute new heels, didn’t you, Rosalie?”

I gazed at Isis and my father and saw their stern glares.

“Yes, the stairs. My apologies…” I stuttered, before looking back at Talon.

Please believe the lie, I thought. Please believe it.

“Stairs?”

He didn’t seem to believe what we were saying, and, to be honest, I wouldn’t believe it if I were him, either.

“Yes, the stairs. Why don’t we all take a seat, and talk about a few things.”

My father was trying to get the conversation going, but from the look of the man in front of me, I doubted it would be a long conversation.

“No, we don’t need further discussion. We already discussed the situation over the phone.”

“Well, Isis prepared a small dinner for you and your accomplices. You must be starving from your trip here…”

“No. We will not be eating.”

Then Talon nodded to me, gesturing for me to come closer.

“Move,” Derek growled from behind me.

I hesitated to take the steps forward towards the newcomers. I was trying my hardest not to cry, and felt frozen on the spot. But I knew I had no choice.

A smack to my rear end caused me to jump a little, and at the same time I lost sense of my balance and went to tumble down the steps. I let out a cry.

How stupid I was, making such noises in front of the guests… I was done for.

I never hit the floor, though. Instead, I found myself in the main guest’s arms.

Before I could process what had happened, he quickly set my feet upon the floor. He made sure I regained my balance, gave me a nod, and released me.

He saved me?

“Tha… thank you!” I managed to give him a smile.

“You’re welcome, Miss Rosalie….” He did not smile, but I could tell from his tone that he meant no harm.

Thud!

I heard the cracking noise followed by Derek’s scream. “Arghhhhhhh!”

What just happened?

Turning around, I saw Derek at the bottom of the stairs. One of the dark alluding figures was beating him, and it seemed like it would be to the death. Blood covered the floor, and I heard another set of screams coming from Isis.

“Please! Beta Talon, please stop this!” she exclaimed, pleading with man next to me.

Talon,

the Beta of Drogomor, was unmoved.

Blow after blow, Derek took the beating that was being given to him. He didn’t stand a chance against this person. They were relentless.

Derek’s shrieks wer getting weaker, while Isis continued begging Talon in tears. No matter how much Derek rebelled against Isis, he was still her son.

I was mortified. I did not like Derek, but if they continued, he might die.

I looked towards Talon, not sure whether I should say something to stop them.

Luckily, before I could speak, Talon gave his order while he watched the scene unfold.

“Stop.”

The figure stopped momentarily, but only to wait for further directions.

“Take his hand.”

“NOOO—!! Please! Don’t do this to him. He will never touch her again. I swear!”

My step-mother was on her knees, begging for Talon not to hurt Derek further. He didn’t seem to care, though.

And my father just stood there watching.

A blood-curdling scream drew my sights back to Derek, and blood pooled around him. I realized his hand was lying on the ground.

Only then did the figure step back from Derek and make its way back to the its position next to the man who was supposed to be collecting me.

I moved one step away from him.

I couldn’t go with them.The fear that flooded me wasn’t like the fear I had when it concerned my father or stepbrother. I was terrified for my life.

There’s no way I would survive such ruthless cruelty. My father, he couldn’t be serious…How could he send me to them?

Isis fell on the ground, screaming. She then snapped around and charge toward me.

“It’s all your fault, you wh*re!! I’ll kill you!!!”

She tried to grab me but Talon stepped forward and blocked her way. However, she didn’t stop cursing.

“You c*nt! If it wasn’t for you trying to seduce my son, none of this would’ve happened!! ”

“Control your Luna, Alpha,” the man said slowly, his gaze turning to my father.

“Isis, take him to the pack hospital,” were the only words my father got out.

“Derek is your son, do something… Harland, you can’t just let them treat him this way!!” I had never seen my step-mother this desperate.

“ENOUGH!” My father cut her off. “Take him to the pack hospital. Do make me repeat it a third time.”

I saw Isis’s face turned from shocked to red, and then pale. She looked at my father with disbelief.

A few seconds later, she got up, picked up the unconscious Derek and his hand, and left the room with two of my father’s warriors without saying any more words.

Her eyes as she passed me said it all, without words even leaving her lips.

She wanted me dead.

“I am terribly sorry for the trouble, Talon. It seems that my step-son needs to learn his place. I will make sure that is taken care of.”

My father’s voice was completely different now. He seemed lighthearted and yet authoritative.

“Rosalie!” He called my name. The focus of the crowd was pulled back on me.

I lowered my head and could not look him in the eye.

Was he really my father? I thought he didn’t like me because I remind him of my mother, but what about Isis and Derek?

I heard my father continue, “As you can see, Talon, she is a beauty, and very compliant. She is such a joy to have around. It almost hurts to see my baby girl go, but she just wants this so much.”

He lied! I bit my lips and clenched my fists.

“Very well. We need to be going. The payment will arrive in a few days, once the Alpha has seen her.”

“My apologies… I thought we would receive it on your arrival?”

I looked at my father and could tell he was getting angry. But something in him was afraid, especially when Talon’s annoyed gaze turned to him.

He was trying to remain polite towards Talon. I couldn’t remember my Alpha father ever being polite.

“Yes, to my pack. Are you trying to renegotiate with the Alpha?” Talon said firmly.

My father quickly shook his head.

“No, of course not. Just a miscommunication. Trust me, I understand how it can be as an Alpha. Making sure the deal is worth it is always important.”

“Yes. Just a reminder, Hartland… She is Alpha Ethan’s property now. She no longer belongs to you, and never will again. She will never return here, ever. Alive or dead, she belongs to our pack.”

Alive or dead.

I looked at my father, and his eyes flickered to me with slight hesitation before he smiled.

“That’s fine.”

My father’s words took away my only hope.

“Good. We need to go, now.”

Talon turned towards me. “Do you need anything else? Is this all that you have to take with you?”

I knew I had no choice but to nod.

“Very well. Let’s go. We have a long drive ahead of us.”

Talon wasted no time before turning to walk towards the car. The two shadows next to him had moved to my sides.

One step, two steps…I moved towards their car, but every step I took, I became more scared and uncertain about my future.

Glancing back at the pack house from outside, I tried to save an image of a home my mother had once been a part of. She would be ashamed of my father.

“You will never return here,” Talon had said.

There was nothing for me to say, though. Nothing I could say would change anything, so what was the point? I stayed quiet and followed him to his car.

My life was no longer my own—nor would it ever be.

Beeping. Low, steady beeping.

Why did I smell chemicals?

I was trying to understand where I was, but my eyelids were too heavy to lift.

My hand rested upon my head. The throbbing was ever so present. It hurt to even think. The fatigue had finally set into my body, and even moving the slightest made me wince in pain.

Where was I?

I heard whispers in the dark. It sounded like two women were talking. I could barely make out what they were saying, and I didn’t recognize their voices.

“She isn’t good… No, I don’t think she can..”

“… she has to get better first… conceive…”

“… maybe there is a chance… Pregnancy…. I have a supplement that will help… It can carry…”

Who were they talking about? It sounded like a poor girl with tons of issues. May the moon goddess bless her, I thought. I hoped she got better soon.

I didn’t mean to eavesdrop on their conversation. Deciding to give them their privacy, I thought back on everything that had happened.

However, for a moment, my mind went completely blank. My head hurt again. I still could not open my eyes.

But then the memory slowly flowed back to me…

That’s right, I was… the daughter of the Alpha. After my mother passed away, I did everything I could to help take care of my pack and my father. I knew my life was difficult and not the life I should have had. But it was still mine.

A few small tears escaped my eyes thinking back to the promise I made so many years ago.

Mother made my father and me promise to look after each other. I had done everything I could to care for him over the years, but… it seemed that I was never able to do enough to please him, and he just hated who I was.

And then… and then he sold me.

I took a sharp breath and clenched my hands. My heart ached so much with that thought that I could not breathe for a few seconds.

How could he? I was his only blood-related child. His daughter. And he sold me to an Alpha with a ruthless reputation, one who could kill me at any moment.

My eyes snapped open, and fear flooded back into me.

I had arrived at the Drogomor pack!

I remembered how I got into Talon’s car, my nervousness and fear coursing through me. Staring out the window, I had watched the shadows beyond the treeline dance about in my vision with the droplets of rain cascading down the window…

Then my vision became blurry, and I must have fallen asleep.

Why did I end up in the hospital, though?

“…she should be awake now,” one of the female voices said quietly.

I suddenly realized that “the poor girl” was very likely not someone else but me!

I held my breath. If they had been talking about me… what did they mean? Pregnancy… conceive… what did they want from me?!

My body started to tremble again, and as soon as it did, it hurt. Every move I made was throbbing. I knew that it was the pain from my beatings finally setting in.

“Talon, here you are! I was about to bring her some food. She has to be hungry.” I didn’t know who she was, but she sounded kind.

“Then do it quickly, Vicky. The Alpha will be here soon.”

The white curtain close to my bed flew back, and a woman with bright red hair stood there with a bright smile upon her face.

All eyes turned towards me, and I scrambled back in the bed.

I couldn’t move much. I realized I was still in my long white dress.

“Rosalie, It’s okay,” a brown-haired woman said as she stepped towards me. The smile on her face made me relaxed a little.

“I’m Doctor Leigh, but you can call me Estrella.”

I looked towards Estrella and recognized her voice; she was the one who mentioned “pregnancy” earlier. I tried to give her a smile, but I wasn’t sure whether I was successful.

Before I could say anything, the red-haired young woman jumped in, “Are you hungry?”

She was the owner of the other voice. Vicky.

I shook my head slowly. I was hungry at first, but now I was too concerned over what I overheard.

I felt like I had a knot in my stomach. The Alpha of Drogomor bought me as his maid, or at least that was what they had said.

What kind of maid… ?

“Poor girl. You look pale.” Vicky sat down next to me. “But don’t worry. You’re going to be alright. Estrella is the best doctor in our pack,” she tried to reassure me.

“Oh, I forgot to introduce myself,” she added. “I’m Vicky, Talon’s sister.”

I knew her name from their earlier conversation already, but I was surprised to find out Vicky and Talon were siblings because of their

different personalities. Vicky was a very cute girl and quite chatty, while Talon was quiet most of the time.

“I am glad you’re awake, Rosalie.” Estrella helped me sit up. “I just want to check your vitals quickly, if that’s okay.”

As she moved towards me, I flinched, and she held her hands up, trying to show me she meant no harm. I gave her a nod.

Seeing no further objections from me, she started to take my temperature.

Vicky looked at me with a soft expression as she touched the end of the bed.

“You really need to try, and eat something, Rosalie. You’ll feel so much better…”

I did not have any appetite, still wondering what they were going to do with me, but I wasn’t sure what would happen if I disobeyed her.

“…But If you can’t right now… just let me know when you’re ready and I will bring you food!” she finished her sentence.

I looked at Vicky with appreciation. Thank goodness she didn’t seem to be upset with my lack of cooperation.

I glanced over and saw Talon. He stood against the wall with his arms crossed, but his eyes never left what Estrella was doing.

The tense feeling within my body began to subside, and I was somewhat relieved.

They were merciless Drogomor wolves, yes. But, so far, they hadn’t been horrible to me. The awful reputation of this pack was probably all due to the rumors about their evil Alpha…

“This dress is beautiful on you. I can tell it’s handmade. Who made it for you?”

Vicky had changed the topic, and for some reason, I felt like she was trying to cheer me up. When was the last time someone tried to cheer me up?

“It was a gift from…”

I couldn’t finish my words as I felt tears start to well up again.

“Vicky… She doesn’t want to talk right now. Let’s not overwhelm her all at once.”

Talon finally spoke, looking towards Vicky. She hesitated for a second and let out a sigh before smiling back at me.

“He is right. I’m sorry, Rosalie. You need your rest….”

They were supposed to be killers, so why were they being so nice to me?

However, I knew I couldn’t rest.

“May I ask what kind of work am I supposed to do?”

I tried to lift the blanket off my body, holding back the pain in my body as I moved. My father had taken their alpha’s money, and I needed to work to pay off the debt. I didn’t want to be the maid of a dangerous and brutal Alpha forever.

No one answered me, and I looked up.

All of a sudden, everyone stopped talking. Estrella quickly finished up my vital check and put away the equipment, while Vicky moved closer to Talon.

Vicky seemed so uncomfortable all of the sudden. Her bubbly and happy nature drained away as she moved closer to Talon.

Talon himself was standing up straight like he always does. Even Estrella, who had just been relaxed and carefree, had taken on a more professional demeanor. She stood firm as if she was waiting for her next directive.

What was going on…?

I heard footsteps approaching. Two… maybe three people?

A tall, dark figure entered my dimly lit room.

He was a giant of a man with tan skin and jet-black hair. His jawline was strong and accented the masculinity he held. I had never seen a man move the way he did, graceful yet with a merciless glint that laid behind his gorgeous eyes.

He was all the way across the room, but even the aura that seemed to surround him showed the power he held, and it terrified me.

I had met dangerous men. My stepbrother Derek and even my father had shown me pain throughout my life… but neither of them held the same intimidation this man carried.

He glanced over me. I couldn’t help but notice how his blue eyes seemed to pierce into my very soul.

Thud, thud, thud.

I could hear my heart beating fast.

How could someone be so dangerous yet… alluring? Why did I feel drawn to him?

The moment he set foot into the room, it became eerily quiet. So quiet that you could hear a pin drop.

I was so captivated with his appearance that it took me a moment to realize the change in the mood from the others around me.

Vicky, Talon. and Estrella all had their eyes cast to the floor, and their necks were turned slightly towards him—a common show of submission within wolves.

There was only one occasion when I had known wolves to act in this kind of manner, and that was for…

Realization sunk in, and I felt myself begin to panic. It was clear as day, and I was so blinded by the sight of him that I didn’t notice.

This was him—the Alpha of Drogomor!

“Alpha!” Talon greeted the man with respect.

The giant, gorgeous man acknowledged him with a simple nod, an aura radiating off of him that reeked of authority.

He looked towards Estrella, who immediately pulled out her report. “Alpha, Miss Rosasile is still quite weak, but with proper care, she should be much better in two weeks.”

His expression didn’t change, but he moved as she spoke.

He was coming towards me!

I had never seen such movement—graceful and swift, faster than any wolf I had ever encountered.

So fast that, in the blink of an eye, he was at my bedside.

The faint scent of musk surrounded me. The earthly aroma reminded me of the forest on a rainy day, and it replaced the smell of sterile chemicals in the ward. It was cold but almost psychedelic, just like him.

I couldn’t help but lower my head. Through the gap in my hair, I saw his black leather shoes stop right next to my bed, with the toe of the shoe aimed in my direction.

He had to be staring at me! I didn’t need to see to know that.

“Look up,” he commanded.

His voice was deep, very deep. It struck me and sent shivers through my whole body. Pausing for a moment, I put myself together.

The cold reflection from his metal cufflinks came into my view. His hand had already stretched toward my face. His fingers were long, neither bulky nor too slim—just perfect, and full of power.

What was I thinking? Rosalie, stop focusing on the wrong things!

Within a second, his hand clamped down on my chin, his fingers strong and hot, pressing hard—forcing my head up.

He was clearly not a patient man.

I could feel my face flush, and I was grateful that my long, loose hair was still half covering my face.

“Look at me,” he commanded again.

With slight hesitation, I lifted my eyes to look at him.

I didn’t dare refuse—no one dared to disobey his order.

The cold white light of the ward cast a soft glow around him, and I couldn’t help but think that he looked like a prince—royal and handsome.

There was a crease in between his well-defined, jet-black eyebrows. He was frowning, as if he was full of loathing for this world.

As he bent down, his piercing blue eyes locked onto me, like a falcon honing in on its prey. I was that prey, trembling, wondering whether the next second he would just swoop down and seize me, either take me straight up into the cloudy sky or throw me down on the craggy cliffs.

Trembling within his hands, I forgot how to breathe. The only sound I could hear was a rumbling caused by my blood rushing to my eardrums.

Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw his right arm moved. Almost instinctively, my body tensed and I half-flinched—I was expecting a slap to land on my face, as that was what my father would have done—but I stopped myself, because I still remembered his order to not close my eyes.

I wouldn’t disobey him. I just barely managed to keep my eyes open.

However, the slap never came.

Instead, his hand reached up brushing the hair away from my face. My hair tickled my cheeks, and I smelt the gentle scent of his musk again enveloping me like a cocoon.

I watched as his piercing blue orbs scanned over my own, as if he was memorizing every detail of my face.

When facing oppressive aura, those blue eyes had been like an angry sea, ready to devour lives at any time. But now, when he looked at me closely, the waves of anger faded, and

only then did I realize what a clear and beautiful pair of eyes he had.

I was lost in his gaze. All the fear and anxiety faded away—only the pure blue in his eyes was real.

It reminded me of the clear sky I had seen when I was all the way up on my swing in my backyard. I was seven at that time, and my mother’s laughter and my father’s non-deterrent reproaches rang out in the background. I remembered the scent of grass tinged with soil after the morning dew…

It was all gone. Long gone.

When I gazed into his eyes though… I saw my own reflection—a helpless girl, sitting on a hospital bed, wearing a white dress that was gifted by her mother as a symbol of happiness, being forced to look up at her new master who had bought her from her father.

I wanted to cry, but I couldn’t.

As his skin touched my own once again, I had to suppress the moan that wanted to escape from me. Never had I felt this feeling inside me.

Then, as if he was sure of something, he let go of my face, and took a step back before turning around and walking away.

As he pulled back, the scent of his musk left me and pulled me back from the memories I had been reliving.

“Alpha!”

This might be my only chance to ask him… Rosalie, I told myself, you have to ask him!

I gathered all my courage and asked the question that might cost me my life.

“Alpha, would you let me go once I work enough to pay back the money you gave my father?” I quickly stammered out. “I’ll work really hard as your maid, or any tasks you assign me… I can…”

I was so anxious that I was on my knees in the hospital bed, willing to chase after him out the door if I had too.

Thank goodness, though, he stopped and turned around, raising his eyebrow. He seemed to be processing what I said.

I didn’t need to look around to know that everyone was watching me like I lost my mind.

“Maid?” He repeated to himself.

He stared at me for a moment before crossing back. I felt the air shift between us before he sat down beside me.

The indention from his weight on the mattress made me unintentionally slide slightly closer to him, and the closeness of his body made my body tremble… in fear and desire.

It was so strange—as the distance between us shortened, I wanted to be closer to him.

I wanted him to stay!

My heart was racing, and my breath was coming faster. Fear, attraction, uncertainty, desire… All these emotions mixed together clouded my mind.

“Didn’t your father tell you?” he whispered. His voice was soothing, almost gentle.

However, gentle it might have sounded, though… my instinct told me that he wasn’t pleased.

“Tell me what?” I asked hesitantly, not sure if I wanted to hear what he was going to say.

There was a feeling deep in my gut telling me that something was wrong.

Little did I know that what he would say next would take my last hope and dream away.

“The only job you have here is to bear a child,” he replied.

I found both my body and my emotions freezing over.

He stared at me, his fingers brushing the hair off of my cheeks again, exposing my entire face to him.

“You will be a breeder… my breeder.”

Breeder. The word rolled through my mind, and I tried to comprehend it.

Now I understood his gaze – the one that seemed to want to remember all the details of me. It wasn’t out of desire or interest.

He was examining the goods he had just bought.