Chapter 4: Life is like a chess piece controlled by others.

I slept very well last night because I was so tired; I don't know if Erina returned last night. As usual, I changed and put on my bag, getting ready for school. I know I will be the center of ridicule today because perhaps last night's rumors were spread.

But I don't know; I don't have the opportunity to go to school anymore.

I walked downstairs and saw Blake and Alpha Nathan sitting on the sofa; the atmosphere was tense like they were discussing something serious, making me not dare to breathe.

I was careful to go very quietly, and as I passed Alpha Nathan, I bowed to him and Blake. But Blake quickly called me back.

“I have something to tell you; sit down, Erza.” Alpha Nathan looked at me solemnly.

My stupid mouth almost asked why; thankfully, I didn't. Because Alpha's orders are supreme, and we have no right to ask silly questions. I sat down, and my whole body twitched at Blake's following sentence. “Get your things ready and go to Black Moon today.”

"What?" I was in shock.

My lousy thought last night came true, I'm about to turn into a present for Black Moon...

“But I don't even have a wolf….” I said as tears rolled down my cheeks; without even realizing it, I said in a broken voice. “Alpha Ryan will immediately get angry if he finds out about this, he won’t forgive us.”

Blake's disgusted eyes looked at me, then scornfully said. “You think you can be chosen as a gift for Black Moon? It sucks when you're always under the illusion of your worth."

Seeing the bewilderment on my face, Alpha Nathan sighed and explained. “Erza, I think you accidentally offended Black Moon's, Alpha Ryan. You are the one he asked for.”

I froze, my brain stagnating for a moment. "What? Alpha Ryan chose me?"

“He asked one person; he described your appearance very well and the thunder tattoo on your neck. You know, no one else in our pack except you with a tattoo like that." Alpha Nathan said in a low voice. “Have you met Alpha Ryan before?”

I unconsciously touched my neck and shook my head helplessly, I tried to rummage through my memory, but it was all in vain. Usually, I go to school and go home; everyone I meet is in the same pack as me, and there are no strangers. More than that, I don't believe someone as outstanding as Alpha Ryan appeared in front of me without any memory of him.

“Stop crying now bitch!” Blake growled at me. “If you cry now, I will immediately break your neck.”

Blake's cruel words left me speechless. I suddenly remembered to realize I was walking from one hell to another. If Alpha Ryan is scary, isn't Blake scary? I wiped my tears and looked up at my venerable Alpha. "I will go."

Alpha Nathan sighed in relief, then turned to give me a few words of comfort. “Ryan is not as scary as the rumors say. I have met him a few times, and he is very gentle.” That last sentence lowered the volume as if he was talking to himself as if he wanted to trick me, but the last bit of conscience wouldn't allow it.

I heard many rumors about Alpha Ryan. In February of last year, a stray Rouge was in his pack. He executed it and hung it up in front of the members of Black Moon. It was like warning the surrounding swarms not to encroach on his territory.

I heard Alpha Nathan sigh. “Erza, please understand us. These are all for the pack's sake, and if I can protect you, I will not let you go.”

Blake looked at me with disgust. "Remember to work for the pack is an honor."

I looked up at him; I wanted to ask if it was such an honor. Why didn't he tell Erina to do it for me? But in the end, those words were what I held back.

"Yes." I raised my head and smiled at our Alpha one last time; I don't know if I'll be able to see him again in the future. I feared I would be executed immediately upon entering Black Moon territory.

Heavy air enveloped us.

I raised my head and asked in a whisper. “Am I going alone?”

Alpha Nathan looked at me, his voice low and sad. “This time, you have to go alone. I originally wanted to add another wolf to go with you, but Alpha Ryan said he wanted only you. If a second person appears, they will all be killed.”

I licked my lips and stood up. "I'm going to pack up."

As soon as I got up, the suitcase rolled down the stairs in front of me; I grabbed it with my hand and helped it up. I was surprised to see Erina and Alfine standing above, looking at me. I don't know when they will come back.

"Go away, you brat." Erina gloated when she saw me falling into disrepair. “Then that Ryan will rip you apart, bite your neck off, and hang you up for all to see how he used to treat the outcasts.”

I frowned; Erina's words weren't precisely unreasonable, which could be my following situation.

Alpha Nathan didn't seem to agree with Erina's way of speaking; he reminded her in Alpha's tone. “Erina, pay attention to the way you talk. Erza is working for the pack, and she is a great warrior.”

Erina raised her eyebrows, disapproving but remained silent because Alpha's orders were supreme.

Suddenly Alfine walked towards me, for the first time I saw him look at me with his eyes... pity, at least that's how I felt.

Alfine whispered to me. "Be at peace."

I looked at him in surprise and then said forced. "Thank you."

Erina wasn't very pleased with her young brother's actions, so she pulled Alfine over and spoke to me in a sarcastic tone. "Best regards, the feeling of being able to breathe a few more times; I'm just worried we'll hear you're dead in a few hours."

I closed my eyes and took a breath, then smiled at Erina. "Thanks for the reminder, but I'll probably let you down because I'll live up to my new pack just fine."

With that, I dragged my suitcase, passed Alpha Nathan and Blake, and bowed respectfully.

Alpha Nathan nodded, and Blake looked at me with evil eyes. "Get out of my sight."

After listening, I smiled softly and turned to leave. And now I have to leave the place where I lived for nearly 15 years to go to a pack full of strangers.