Chapter 2

JOHANNA.

“Ramsey?!”

“You are not worthy to call me by my name, Johanna.” he retorted and got to his feet. “Make your choice, now.”

He's changed the most. The more days passed by, he found me more irritating. I hadn't mentioned his name casually in public unless with him privately…but this time, he's warned me never to do it again.

Not for once in our lovey-dovey days did he call me by my full name. He called me ‘Anna’, but now he recalled ‘Johanna’.

I felt a hot liquid drop on my cheek and I quickly wiped it off.

Now he's threatened me with a sex tape I didn't know how it got to stay and where it was. How can such a thing exist when I never had a thing with Alpha Darius? Till now, it still baffles me.

If I find that sextape, then he will have nothing to hold me back with but sign the paper right? Or should I just escape?

I shook my head. If I escaped and he released the tape, my life would be worse than death. Tarnishing my image around the world was the worst. Maybe, if I find the tape and damage it and he still insists not to sign the paper, I can now escape without fear of what my life would turn into.

“You aren't saying anything. As you can see, I have a lot to do.” he pulled my attention towards him again.

I nibbled my inner lip, eyes landed on the file which I retrieved from his table slowly. “It's fine not to sign it. I can keep being your slave.” my breath hitched in pain as I turned and made my way towards the door.

He really wasn't going to let me go since I betrayed him? Isn't that some sort of wickedness?

I held my sobs until I entered the little room I had been staying in for two years now, and I released it all. My chest was so heavy I feared it could burst. I cried out my eyes, soaking my cheeks.

When I managed to put myself together, I searched for my cell phone where I had hidden it before leaving. Nina had always threatened to take away everything Ramsey got for me and I made sure to hide them well…even my bank card.

One thing I had promised myself was not to stoop too low and watch her overshadow me. I was still a lycan regardless I wasn't loved at home.

If my mother was alive, I wouldn't even meet Ramsey. Or if I did and it ended up this way, he would find out the truth because my family will bring him down for trying to tarnish my image.

But as it stands, I have no one.

For the tenth time in two years, I dialed my father's number. It rang several times and he didn't pick up the call. The next thing that made my phone buzz was a message from him…the same thing he's been saying.

[Anna, you left home to fend for yourself. Do not reach out to me for I will be of no help. On no account must you reveal that I'm your father or I'll have you banished and you go rogue.]

All hope drained out of me. I felt my world crumble before me.

The only alternative I had was just to retrieve the sextape, destroy it and have Ramsey sign the papers or I would escape. I can't stay here while he crowns Nina…I must leave or I would be the pack's slave.

I didn't know what else to do, so I let my tears stream down my cheeks. It hurts so badly to be abandoned by one's mate. If he had only chosen me in the past, it could be considerate. But turning a blind eye even to our matebond….does it mean he didn't trust me all those years? Or he was still in love with Nina and only used me to hold himself until she returned?

I took a deep gulp and rested my back on the wall, still in tears until I dozed off.

……

A splash of water on my face pulled me out of my dream world. I felt chilly as I wiped my face only to see Nina with two other servants standing before me.

My heart clenched. What does she want?

“Didnt I tell you to do laundry? Should I resume work naked next week?” her voice escalated, causing an echo in the room.

I sniffed and stood up. She had truly told me to do it, but that wasn't something important to me.

Nina had taken my position in Ramsey's company—one I built with him—as the Director. Despite studying, I was still helping in managing one of his companies where medical equipment were produced so he could focus on the others.

But when this lady showed up, Ramsey forgot the ups and downs we passed through to reach that level. That must be why he didn't want to take anything from me after my demotion.

“Just an hour Johanna, or I'll have you thrown into the torture room.” She growled and marched towards the door, but suddenly stopped midstep. She turned, her eyes landed on the file I had dropped at the side. “What's that?”

Before I could even step out a foot, she grabbed it.

My heart throbbed harder against my ribcage. “Give it back, Nina. It has nothing to do with you.”

She turned at me, her glare heavy like it would pull me beneath the ground. “Is that so? This is my alpha's palace, so why doesn't it have to do with me?”

I lunged forward to grab it from her, but she raised it high. “Nina, there are some lines you shouldn't cross.”

“Dare to take it if you think you're still important in this palace. You're a slave and I'm going to be Luna soon, so have a try.”

I gnashed my teeth. Although she might be happy if she sees the content, a part of me feels like she would want me to stay behind so she could wield her useless power over me.

“Just give back the file. I am going to do the laundry…”

But she stepped back a bit, about to open the file when I instantly dragged it from her. What followed was a heavy smack across my cheek that shifted my neck to the side.

Blood drained from my face. I squeezed my palms into a fist, tears welled up in my eyes.

“Aren't you going to hit me back?” she yelled, stepping closer. “Do it, and have yourself roasted. I already knew the content of the file, and I hope it works out like you planned.” Those words were mocking and filled with scorn.

She already knew. How? Was she spying on me?

I could easily hit her back, but the outcome wasn't going to be funny.

“Scoundrel! Make sure to complete your task by the end of today….” then her heels clicked on the pavement as she left with her servants.

The file slipped through my fingers. I took a heavy breath while I rubbed my cheek.

I must find a way to retrieve that tape. Her mistreatment will worsen once she becomes Luna, and I'd be so powerless to fight back. If I expose that I'm a lycan, they will burn me to death because my species won't come for me.

Later, I headed out and did the laundry. I was on it until night fell, but sleeping wasn't for me until it's done.

When I finished, I decided to take a walk around the main palace building to see how tight the security was, only to come across two guards facing each other.

They hadn't seen me, so they were busy chatting. Not until I heard what they were talking about did my blood freeze…

“I overheard Lady Nina and Alpha King arguing over his dethroned Luna. I bet Johanna will be sold out soon even before the coronation takes place. Lady Nina refused that Johanna will still be in the pack as a slave while she rules, so I bet she will be sold out.”

My fingers curled into fist. I mistakenly let out a sob and the guards turned around.

I hid immediately. If they saw me, regardless I was once their Luna, they would imprison me, because slaves are not meant to be around the palace building unless sent for.

“Let’s check. Whoever it is hasn't gone far.” I heard one of the guards say to the other.