Chapter One

"IT'S A NICE Sunday morning," Liliene woke up and sat on her bed as she stretches her arms up.

She got up, walked to her window and tied the curtains to the sides. She fixed her bed before going to her bathroom and took a shower.

After changing her clothes, she then went to the kitchen. She cooked breakfast for herself and for her stepmother and stepsister. She ate first. Then she went to the dining hall to serve the foods.

When everything's ready she went back upstairs to call the two. She knocked on her stepsister's door, "Ayesha, breakfast is ready. Come on downstairs and eat." After that she then went to knock on her stepmother's door. "Mother, breakfast is ready! Please take your time to get ready then head downstairs to eat. The food might get cold anytime soon," she informed her.

After calling for them for breakfast, she headed outside to sweep the fallen leaves and litter in their front and back yards. She put the biodegradable waste into the compost pile and the other wastes she put them in the trash bag.

She watered the plants and flowers around the garden and yards. When she's done her chores outside she went back inside to do the laundry. She's somehow lucky to have washing machine and dryer to use that makes her life a bit easier.

"Hey, Liliene!" her stepmother called her when she walked past them in the dining hall after she puts the pile of laundry in the washing machine.

She's about to go clean the living room but they called for her name. They are already done having breakfast.

"Yes, Mother?" she asked softly as she quickly walked near her. She stood beside her, about a meter away waiting for her instructions or demands.

"You know that life has been hard for the three of us after your father died, right?" her stepmom reminded her of their current situation.

She feel saddened as she's also reminded of her father's passing. Her only armor and strength against these two wicked people her father took in.

"Y-You're right, Mother," she stuttered when she answered. She can't control the fact that she became sad when she remembers her father.

"The company is struggling that's why we have to fire all our maids and drivers a month ago. I commend you for doing your best filling in their absence. We can't afford to hire one anymore. And about the bills, you have to help us consume less of the electricity. So if you could please stop using the washing machine and dryer from now on, that would be a great help," her stepmom instructed her of not using the washing machine and dryer starting today. That's really not good because it will add to the loads of chores she has to do.

"I get it, Mother. I need to wash the laundry on my own now. Using my hands and hanging them in the backyard to dry," she replied. Although sadness is visible on her tone. It could be heard.

Her stepmom sighed, in a manner that's asking for sympathy. "I know it will be difficult for your part but we have to save money now. You know, I am trying my best to find a way to build up the company from getting completely bankrupt," she spoke and looked at her with eyes full of distress.

"I understand. I will clean the dining table after the two of you leave. Now, if you excuse me." She immediately turned away from looking straight at her stepmother's eyes. She knows she'll pity her. "I still have to clean the living room," she added.

"Oh, right! Mother let Liliene do her chores. And we have to hurry now. We'll be late to the office," her stepsister, Ayesha, cut their small talk.

"Please take care of the house, my dear Liliene," her stepmother didn't mind Ayesha. She instead continues chatting with her. She stood up and patted her head which shocked her.

Her body froze, her reflexes were getting ready to protect her head from any attempt that they will hit her. But she got confused when her stepmother hugged her after patting her head. That's new. This is the first in her whole life of living with them that she showed compassion towards her. Why? What's her hidden agenda this time?

"Be well, okay? We will head to work now. Remember, it's the only three of us. We need to work together to save the dying company your father has left to us," her stepmom said before letting her go from the hug. "Goodbye. See you later tonight." Then she walked outside.

Ayesha followed her mother but didn't forgot to roll her eyes at her before leaving. "You better behave, girl," that's a complete opposite of how nice her stepmother bid goodbye to her this morning. Well, this is the typical and normal way of how they treat her though.

When the two are gone, she can't feel anything about the sincerity of her stepmother's words awhile ago. It feels fake! Nothing genuine at all.

"I just hope you can do something for the company. It's for father. I will do my part if that's how I can help. I will be happy if the mall will rise again," she emotionally said and let her tears flow down her cheeks. She's been holding those tears when she was speaking with her stepmom.

She was never happy when these two came to her life. But it's true, it's the only three of them left to help each other. She doesn't know any other relatives to turn to, that's why her only option was to stay with them.

If only she could have any other choice, she'll grab it.

DYLAN SIGNED the papers and the cheque containing the contract of agreement of buying her Luna from her family and the amount of how much he bought her.

"It's nice doing business with you, Mrs. Denver," he smiled and shook hands with the woman.

He could visibly see her eyes sparkling with joy upon holding the cheque. So it's all about the money.

"This is too much from the price we originally agreed upon, Mr. Walton. How generous of you?" Mrs. Denver talked about the millions of dollars he has written in the piece of paper.

"I am just making sure that you will hand over my Luna, your stepdaughter Liliene Denver, to me. I know that you can be deceitful at times. Money is not a problem if I want to claim what's mine," he replied in his deep menacing voice sending chills down the woman's spine.

The joy of receiving millions suddenly changed into fear. But the woman hid it by smiling forcefully.

"Don't worry. We have contracts we signed on," she waved her own copy of the contract of agreement. "I will send Liliene to your mansion tomorrow morning."

"Tomorrow morning?" he questioned. His forehead furrowed. Showing dislike of her last statement.

Mrs. Denver's smile wiped off her lips. Her eyes widened and she suddenly became dazed. "Y-Yes, Mr. Walton. I will instruct her to go to your mansion first thing early tomorrow," she swiftly spoke again, confirming what she has said that annoyed him.

"Can't you do that tonight? I want my Luna by my doorstep later at 8 pm. Isn't it possible?" he made another negotiation while playing the dart on his hand.

He could sense the nervousness building up on the woman. "O-Ofcourse," stutters as she replied and three consecutive swallowing of her breath shows how good he is at making people submitting to his demands. Mrs. Denver is just a small fry.

"Good. I am expecting her. TONIGHT," he made sure he is clear to her as he throws the dart. The dart goes through the side of Mrs. Denver's right cheek, that made her knees tremble even more, then it landed perfectly on the inner bull's eye of the dartboard.

"She'll be yours by 8," the woman agreed to his last request. They shook hands one more time and simultaneously stood up.

"Our meeting ends here. Everything's settled and I expect my demand 8 hours from now," he didn't forget to remind her before he leaves. A hint of warning is visible on his tone.

"Good day, Mr. Walton. Have a safe trip back to your office," Mrs. Denver's shaky voice greeted him her farewell.

He didn't gave her anymore reply. He walked out of her small conference room. He went out of the building together with his Beta and Delta.

"Do you really think she's trustworthy?" Beta Harris raised his doubts on Mrs. Denver.

He smirked. "Even if she's not trustworthy, we have gone through the legal process of buying my Luna. We have all the documents and papers to prove that. In addition to that, she's a scaredy cat, she surely does not want to taste my wrath if she disobey the agreement." He gave his Beta a confident look then he pats his shoulders. They stopped walking when their car was pulled over in front of them by the valet.

Delta Frank opened the car door at the backseat for him. Then the two of them hopped in the driver's seat, his Beta and in the front seat, his Delta. They drove back to his company building.

Aside from owning a successful oil and gas company, he also invests into various big businesses throughout America and other countries. That's what keeps him and his pack wealthy.

Throughout the years, werewolves has been living diversely and blended in with the human world. Only a few knows their identity – especially if it's business related that needs to force things to work out his way.

"Are you really sure about mating a human? Someone that doesn't belong into our world?" Delta Frank suddenly bring up the topic.

He looked at him through the convex mirror at the front seat of the car. "She's special. She has an important role that will help me survive the upcoming battle against the Grotesques, those soul eating demons," he answered.

"What do you mean, Alpha?" his Delta raised another query accompanied with worried voice.

"Our pack is given the task by our Emperor Alpha to destroy the Grotesques and protect the mortals and the innocents against them. The Emperor has been seeing prophecies that I will die in the hands of my enemies possessed by these Grotesques. Although contrary to the Emperor's futuristic vision that I have died, my father advised me to find the daughter of Irithel Albrecht. I have her investigated, unfortunately she already passed away but she did have a daughter – Liliene Albrecht Denver. My Luna," he started to enlighten him about why he has chosen a mere mortal to mate with. When in fact, plenty of powerful female werewolves are in contest to become his future Luna. But none of them interests him.

"How is she gonna save you? She's weak, powerless and will just cause you trouble?" Curiosity keeps his Delta on asking more questions. He seems very concerned about his plans and decisions on choosing his Luna.

"Irithel Albrecht is a powerful werewolf, she has the rare ability to control the minds of both humans and us, werewolves. Maybe, Liliene hasn't discovered yet on how to transform or maybe she doesn't take the werewolf blood of her mother but my father is certain that she inherited her mother's ability of controlling minds. Albrecht family is known to have this ability passed down from generation to generation. I'm holding on to that because I have a mission of eliminating these Grotesques," he still obliged to feed his Delta's nosiness. He gave up information as to avoid them from worrying too much on his plan of mating Liliene Denver.

"Maybe Delta Frank is just dismayed by the amount of money you spend to buy her," Beta Harris joked then a crisp laugh followed.

His Delta immediately defended himself, "What are you talking about? Ofcourse not!" He even punched Beta Harris on his biceps. "Will you stop laughing?! That's an annoying laugh you got there!" he also tried to stop the laughter from the latter.

"Oh no, kid. You do still have more to learn. Be sure to remember this, never question your Alpha's moves or decisions. You should be thankful that Alpha Dylan is patient enough to explain things to you," his Beta scolded the Delta in a nice way possible.

He just let the two be. It will only take time and his Delta will soon master and familiarize everything.