Chapter 1

I woke up to a rainy and gray morning, feeling the weight of the heavy clouds bearing down on my chest. The sound of the rain tapping against my window only added to my sense of foreboding. As I dragged myself out of bed and trudged towards the window, I was startled to see a black SUV parked outside my house. It had tinted windows and was unlike any car I had ever seen before. I wondered who it belonged to and what they were doing here.

As I turned around, I saw my stepfather standing at the door. He was a tall man with a bushy beard and piercing eyes that always made me feel uneasy. He looked at me with a stern expression and said, "Get ready. We're leaving."

"Leaving? Where are we going?" I asked, trying to hide the fear in my voice.

"We're going to the alpha king's mansion. You're going to be his bride," he said bluntly.

My heart dropped at his words. The alpha king was known to be a ruthless and cruel leader, ruling his pack with an iron fist and showing no mercy to those who crossed him. The thought of becoming his bride sent shivers down my spine.

"What? No! I don't want to marry him!" I protested.

"You don't have a choice. I've already made the deal. The alpha king has paid a handsome sum for you. You belong to him now," he said with a cold tone.

I felt like the ground beneath me had given away. How could he do this to me? My stepfather had always been distant, but I never imagined he would sell me off like a piece of property.

"Please, stepfather, don't do this to me. I beg you. I don't want to go," I pleaded.

"I don't care what you want. You're going whether you like it or not. Now, get dressed, get your stuff and come down," he barked, leaving no room for argument.

As he turned and walked out of my room, leaving me alone with my thoughts, I felt trapped and helpless. I didn't want to leave my home, my friends, my life. But I had no choice.

I went to my closet and picked out the best clothes I had, knowing it was pointless. I didn't even know what kind of attire was appropriate for an alpha king's bride. I gathered a few things, not wanting to take anything too personal or valuable, as if trying to leave some part of myself behind.

My stepfather was waiting for me at the door, his face twisted in a scowl. He grabbed my arm and pulled me outside. The rain was coming down harder now, soaking us both as we dashed towards the car. The black SUV loomed ominously in front of us, and my heart sank as I saw the driver for the first time.

The driver was a man in his fifties with a scruffy beard and old clothes. His eyes were cold and empty, and they bore into mine as if daring me to defy him. I felt a chill run down my spine, knowing that I was now completely at the mercy of these strangers.

I got into the back seat of the SUV, and my stepfather sat next to me. The driver started the engine, and we drove off. I watched as my home disappeared in the distance, and tears streamed down my face. I knew that I was leaving behind everything that I had ever known, my family, my friends, and my home. I wondered if I would ever be able to return.

As we drove, my mind drifted to the past. I remembered my mother, who had died when I was just a child. My stepfather had never treated me the same way he treated his own children. He had always made me feel like an outsider in my own home. And now, he had sold me off to a stranger for his own gain. I wondered what he had gotten out of this deal.

I thought about my future and what it might hold. Would I ever be able to escape the alpha king's clutches? Would I be trapped in his pack forever? Would I ever find love and happiness? My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the SUV's tires on the road.

The SUV drove through the city, and I looked out the window. I saw people going about their day, oblivious to the fact that I was being taken away from everything I knew and loved. I felt like screaming out for help, but I knew it was pointless. No one could help me now.

After what felt like hours, the SUV finally turned onto a long and winding road. We drove through a forest, and I could hear the sound of birds and animals. It was peaceful, but I couldn't enjoy it. My mind was filled with fear and uncertainty.

Finally, we arrived at a massive iron gate. The driver pressed a button, and the gates opened. We drove through, and I saw the alpha king's mansion for the first time. It was a huge building with multiple wings and towers. The gardens were immaculately kept, and I could see fountains and statues. It was grander than anything I had ever seen before.

As we drove up the driveway, I saw a group of people waiting for us. They were all dressed in black and looked like guards. They had serious expressions on their faces, and I knew that this was not going to be a happy place. The closer we got, the more nervous I became.

The SUV came to a stop in front of the entrance, and the driver got out. My stepfather opened the door and gestured for me to get out. I hesitated for a moment, but then I knew I had no choice. I got out of the SUV, and the guards surrounded me.

They didn't say anything, but their presence made me feel even more scared. My stepfather looked at me and said, "Remember, you belong to the alpha king now. You will do as he says, and you will make him happy. Or else." With those words, he turned around and walked back to the SUV. The driver got in, and they drove off, leaving me alone with the guards.

I looked up at the mansion and wondered what awaited me inside