Chapter 0002

BRUNA'S POV

After forcibly getting my consent to return to the pack house, Patrick shoved me into the car, and off we went to the place I once thought I would never see again—the Blue Moon Pack’s pack house.

Seated beside me in the backseat, Patrick gruffly told the driver, “Drive as fast as possible! Alpha Kenneth is furious!”

The driver nodded and hastily drove the car, veering sharply as we left the forest and headed toward the pack house. I gripped the armrest tightly to avoid falling as the driver sped down the road.

We arrived at the pack house in no time, and as the car pulled up to the entrance, a chill ran down my spine. My father, the Alpha, was waiting for me, and I was terrified of what would happen next. I knew it would be worse than anything I had faced before.

I stayed still in the car, unable to summon the courage to step out. Sensing my hesitation, Patrick swiftly got out, and in one smooth motion, came to my side of the car, opening the door and holding it for me. Despite my reluctance, I remembered that my grandmother’s life was at stake, and I had no choice but to obey.

Patrick’s frustration grew as we walked slowly into the pack house. Annoyed at my slow pace, he forcefully grabbed my arm and yanked me along. The sudden movement caused me to wince in pain, and I struggled to break free from his tight grip.

“It’s hurting me! Please!” I whimpered, but he paid no attention, dragging me forward.

The doors of the council room were wide open. Patrick shoved me inside and made me stand before my father’s throne. He said, “Here’s Miss Bruna, my Alpha.”

Seeing my father’s fury etched across his face sent a wave of fear through me. With a simple hand gesture, my father dismissed Patrick, who quickly stepped aside.

My father sat there, looming over me with a cold, unforgiving gaze. I could also see Regina and Linda standing to my left, their expressions filled with disdain. They looked at me as though I was beneath them, their eyes sharp with hatred.

A cold sweat broke out on my skin as the silence between us stretched, only to be broken by the sound of a resounding slap across my cheek. I staggered back, nearly falling to the floor.

“Aah!!” I cried, my hand flying to my face, feeling the sting of my father’s brutal slap. My cheek throbbed from the force of the blow.

“How could you do this, huh?” My father snarled, his voice low and venomous.

I trembled as he grabbed my face and forced me to look at him. His fingers dug into my skin, and I could feel his anger radiating through his touch.

“How dare you run away?” he hissed, his grip tightening as he spoke. “It was an honor for you to be promised to Alpha Silas. How dare you run away just one night before your wedding?”

I recoiled at his words. “What? Is it my honor to marry Alpha Silas?” I thought bitterly. “How could I ever consider it an honor to marry someone who doesn’t even want me?”

My father’s grip on my face released with a harsh shove, pushing me away as though I were nothing more than an inconvenience. Despite the overwhelming urge to break down in tears, I fought to maintain my composure. Now was not the time to show weakness.

I retorted, “Alpha Silas asked for Regina’s hand, not mine! Why are you forcing me to marry him when he should be marrying her?”

My question only fueled my father’s rage further. His face twisted in anger, and he spat, “Regina is my precious daughter. How can I let her marry that bastard? You, on the other hand, are just a tool. You carry the alpha blood, and nobody will ever know the difference. And they offered us a million dollars in return. Can you imagine that? A million!”

My heart shattered at his cruel words. I couldn’t stop the tears that began to spill down my cheeks. Was this all I was to him? Just a pawn to be traded for money?

I fought back my sobs and screamed, “So all you care about is money? Don’t you care how your daughter will suffer if I’m forced to marry that cruel Alpha?”

For a moment, the room fell silent, and I thought maybe my words had reached him. But then, my step-sister Regina, unable to stand my defiance, slapped me across the face again.

“Ouch!” I gasped, my cheek burning with the sting of her slap.

I gently rubbed my cheek, the sharp pain lingering as I looked up to meet her icy, venomous gaze. Her blonde hair was swept up in a high bun, and she wore an expensive nightgown that made my worn-out, threadbare clothing feel even more insignificant.

She sneered at me, her voice high-pitched and mocking. “How dare you defy us?” she spat. “You’re nothing more than an illegitimate child, a wolfless freak. You don’t deserve anything better than this! Do you really think you’re as precious as me?”

Regina folded her arms across her chest, her expression cold. “I was willing to marry Alpha Silas at first, but considering the situation, I’ve changed my mind. But don’t worry. He’ll never know the difference. He’ll marry you instead.”

The weight of her words sank in. I couldn’t believe what was happening. They were going to sell me off as a replacement bride for Regina, all for the sake of money.

Tears streamed down my face as I tried to stand my ground. “No! I’m not marrying him!” I cried, my voice shaking.

But Regina wasn’t done. She grabbed a handful of my hair and yanked me back with brutal force. “We’ve wasted enough time on you already, Bruna,” she snarled. “But now, we’re going to get something in return.”

“Aahh! Regina, let me go!” I cried, my body jerking in pain.

Regina’s eyes gleamed with cruelty as she laughed, her grip tightening on my hair. “Does it hurt, sister? Or would it hurt more if you knew your father was going to kill your grandmother?”

My breath caught in my throat. “No, please… don’t hurt her!” I begged, my voice trembling with fear.

Seeing my desperation, Regina finally let go of my hair and poked me sharply in the cheek. “Don’t forget, your grandmother’s life is in our hands. You’ll marry Alpha Silas tomorrow, or we will make her suffer.”

The pain in my chest was unbearable, but I squeezed my eyes shut, fighting back the tears. My fate—and my grandmother’s—was now tied to a cruel bargain I had no choice but to accept.

Regina turned to my stepmother, Linda, and said with a smirk, “Mom, looks like this little brat doesn’t care about her grandma. Why don’t you have the maid poison her?”

My heart stopped. How could they be so heartless? I immediately begged, “Please, don’t!” I held my hands out, desperate. “Okay, I’ll marry him. Just please, don’t harm my grandmother!”

Regina and Linda exchanged cruel smiles as they nodded in agreement. Regina shrugged and said, “Fine. We’ll make sure she stays alive—for now.”

Just then, my father, who had been silent through it all, called for a maid. One of the pack’s servants hurried into the room, bowing respectfully to my father, Regina, and Linda.

My father stood up from his throne and gave his orders. “The wedding ceremony will be held tomorrow. Take her to her room. She needs to rest.”

As he walked past me, Regina deliberately bumped into me with a wicked grin. “Consider yourself lucky you’re having a wedding tomorrow,” she said, her voice dripping with malice. “I was planning a much harsher punishment for you tonight.”

She leaned in close and whispered, “I was going to give you an ice-cold shower as punishment, but I’ll spare you this time.”

With an evil smirk, she and Linda left the room, leaving me alone with the maid.

The maid grabbed my arm gently. “Miss, come with me,” she said, and I followed her numbly, my mind reeling with what had just happened.

Tomorrow was the wedding. I had no escape.