Chapter Two

LILIENE is cooking for dinner. It was 5 pm but she was surprised when her stepmother's already home.

"Liliene? Dear?" she called for her name.

She first put the fire of the stove in low heat before attending to her stepmother's call.

"Yes, Mother?" She walked to the living room where she found her sitting on the long sofa. She seems worried about something. "Is something wrong? Did something worse happened to the company?" she immediately asked as it was the only problem she could think of that bothers their family recently.

"Stop worrying about the company. It's finally saved and will soon get back on track," the sad voice from her stepmother's reply had her feel sketchy.

"But why are you sad that the mall is doing well now? And why did you come home early? You and Ayesha usually come home at 6 pm," she couldn't stop herself but voice out her thoughts. She realized it and she quickly apologized. Her action might anger or annoy her stepmother. It's her fault, she didn't control enough herself to raise more questions. "I-I am sorry, Mother! I didn't mean to be nosy," she stuttered. Afraid of being beaten up or hit by her stepmother.

"Calm down," her stepmom told her in a nice manner. This is getting weird to her. She's suddenly treating her with compassion. "I have to come home early to send you to your fiancé's mansion. You should start getting ready. Pack your things and we'll leave. That's what making me sad," the information her stepmom suddenly spilled to her surprised her.

"Fiancé?" she unconsciously muttered. Her eyes went owl and her jaw dropped for a moment after realizing what she just heard. "You arranged me to marry someone I don't know?" She raised her voice to her stepmother for the first time! This is already cruel and heartless of them to decide for her life – especially that it was marriage they were talking about.

"I know this will shock you. I apologize for not telling you earlier but this man saved the company. If it weren't for him, the only legacy your father left us could have been gone too soon," her stepmother explained to her. It somehow made her to kept quiet and think about it. "I am very sorry, dear. You have to sacrifice this way," she again expressed her frustration to her.

She couldn't say a word. She still can't believe it! She will marry a stranger in exchange for the company's redemption, going back to its former glory. However, she can't do anything. Her stepmother already sold her to save the mall. And it's too late for them to be telling her this news.

"Alright. I will just clean the kitchen then I will get ready," her voice expressed acceptance.

She turned around and went back in the kitchen. She finished cooking the meal. She also get the dining table set and served the foods. She knows the two won't manage to do so. This will be the last time someone will be serving for them as she has to leave them tonight.

After cleaning the kitchen she went straight to her room. She took a shower, changed into a decent outfit before packing her things, only a few possessions that she owns – some clothes, torn and old, two pairs of slippers, her comb that belonged to her late mother and her old doll shoes she's wearing.

"I am ready to leave, Mother," she informed her stepmother who waited for her at the living room.

"Let's go. You have to be there not later than 8 pm," a hint of nervousness was heard from her stepmother's tone. Something's really not right with her. She seems afraid or is in great fear.

"Okay, Mother," she replied. The both of them were already walking to the front door when it opened.

"Ayesha. It's a good thing you are home. Take care of the house for a bit. I will just drop Liliene to Mr. Walton's mansion. They are expecting her tonight," her stepmother halted when Ayesha came near them after entering their home. They let her know what's going on.

"I hope you survive Mr. Walton's hands. I heard he's a monster, worse than I and mother had treated you I guess," instead of bidding her farewell nicely, Ayesha just gave her a warning. Then blew an annoying high pitched evil laugh.

"Stop it, my dearest. I am sure Mr. Walton will not give Liliene a hard time," her stepmom restrained her daughter from being rude. "You should eat first. I will be back after I drop your sister at her new home."

"Whatever, Mom. Just get that loser out of here," Ayesha won't ever change treating her badly. Even during her last minute of encountering with her, she's still arrogant and full of herself towards her.

She followed her stepmother with her head bowed down as she walked past her stepsister. When her and her stepmom is already in the garage, she's instructed to open the gate which she did.

Her stepmother drove one of the two cars they own. When the car is already outside, she closed the gate before hopping inside the front seat.

"Let's not keep Mr. Walton waiting," her mother said to her as she fastened her seatbelt.

She's nervous and at the same time scared of what's waiting for her in her new home. She doesn't have any idea at all.

Although, she's mostly concerned about how fast her stepmother is driving right now. She seems to be in a hurry, or chasing a very important person.

It's not like she will run away or she can do anything to save her ass out of this trouble. Maybe they are just so eager to kick her out of the house.

THE TIME is ticking. Ten minutes before it turns 8 pm. Dylan couldn't stop counting the time left as he's expecting his Luna's arrival.

Three consecutive knocks on his door. He puts his legs down from stretching it out on his table, he fixed his posture and sat respectively on his chair. He put his arms on the table and clasped his hands together. Then he looked at the door.

"Come in," he gave his permission for whoever is outside to enter his study room.

The door swung open, his Beta strode in. He went to sit comfortably on one of the visitors' chair in front of his table. His Beta has this playful smirk on his face. That made him frowned.

"Don't give me that look, Alpha," Beta Harris said in a defensive manner. He rolled his eyes at him then stood up and walked to his side. He bent down and positioned his lips near him – his ear specifically. "I am just here to give you the news that your Luna, oh wait let me correct that, your purchased Luna is already waiting for you downstairs," his Beta whispered that made his heart beats faster.

His body moves on his own, that is suddenly out of his control, and immediately stood up like an army. He realized what his body did, so he acted like nothing happened. He relaxed his body and whistled for a second.

"That's fast. You are that excited to see her?" his Beta gave him a disbelief look, his tone sparks curiosity.

"Shut up," he spat on him, trying to hide his embarrassment. This is the first time he showed such attention and interest in a woman.

Beta Harris acted innocent. "What? I only asked you out of curiosity and based on how you acted. You heard about her arrival from me and you stood up like a bolt of lightning," he again act defensive.

It's no use arguing or ordering his Beta around, he always come up with excuses or play him around. However, it's different when they are in the battlefield or in a mission.

"Whatever you say." He ignored him. That'll give peace for a moment. "By the way, I didn't purchase her. She's mine. I just claimed what I own." But he remembered to correct his Beta's earlier statement.

He walked flouncing out of the room. He doesn't want to waste more time engaging in nonsense talks with his Beta.

When he reached the stairs, he slowed down his feet. It's not very like him acting excited to see anyone. He has to compose himself, he needs to get back to his usual self – cold, ruthless and intimidating.

"My Luna has finally arrived," he rejoiced as he reaches the living room to where his future Luna and her stepmother, Mrs. Denver, is sitting on the couch. His voice thunders, as if he's gonna eat them alive when he was just trying to recognize their arrival.

"M-Mr. Walton," Mrs. Denver's voice struggled. She seems still frightened of him. "My stepdaughter, Liliene, has arrived on time. I didn't failed your request," she continues.

He tsked and smirked at the old lady then sat down on the couch in front of the two. He studied Liliene, she's been quiet, she's crumpled in her sitting position, she seems worried and he knows that she's afraid – of him and of everything that's going on.

"Good evening, ladies." He ignored the stepmother. He greeted them to somehow lighten up the atmosphere between the three of them. Mostly, he is focused on his Luna, his eyes are glued to her. He can't help it. She appears so fragile yet simple-looking of elegant beauty. "And to my Luna, Ms. Liliene Rose Albrecht Denver. I wish you introduced yourself willingly but seeing your state, I understand. Anyone will be shocked if they are in your shoes," he calmly voiced out.

"By the way, I am Dylan Wayne Walton. Your mate. Your Alpha. And your soon to be husband." He introduced himself. He carelessly stood up in front of her exactly, then offered a handshake.

"M-Mate? A-Alpha?" She's even more shock as she repeated those words he said seconds ago. Her voice is trembling. He could see her body is trembling in fear as well. She spoke for the first time but he didn't expect that it would turn out to be this way. "M-Mother..." she called out her stepmother beside her then looked at her. "What did you get me into? Ever since I am a kid, you never really thought about my safety or my feelings. How could you do this to me all the time?" Even if she's already trembling, she still managed to deliver her despondency towards her stepmom.

He got confused. What is going on? He thought Mrs. Denver discussed the agreement properly to Liliene? But why is she questioning her? His Luna is clueless and knows nothing at all. Now, that made him irritated.

"Forgive me, my dear. You have to sacrifice. This is for your father's legacy, the mall he built and will only be remnants of his hard-work, dedication and representation of himself. Give Mr. Walton a chance, Liliene. Please," Mrs. Denver is trying to convince Liliene to accept her faith.

His Luna started to sob, and her tears streamed down her cheeks while her eyes are still widely open looking at her stepmom. "Y-You should go home. I am tired," she instead asked Mrs. Denver's departure. She bowed her head and wiped her tears away using the back of her hands. She won't lift her head up again, she stayed on hiding her face. She's withdrawn to the conversation.

He had no idea what to do. He is baffled.

"Why is she not fully and clearly informed about our agreement, Mrs. Denver? You made our first meeting horrible," he lashed out to the old lady.

The stepmother only heaved a deep sigh before nodding her head. "It is my fault. I am sorry about it. But the most important thing is that I had given her to you at your requested time. The contract has been fulfilled, fully executed by both our sides," she said. "I don't have any business here now. I will get going." She acted like she didn't even care that she left a precious jewel in his house. Now, he's starting to doubt the relationship between her and Liliene.

Something's off. And he will find an answer to that.