Chapter two: Cruel Bargain  

AMELIA’S POV

“Luna Chloe was almost kidnapped, did you hear?” I heard two maids gossiping between themselves.

I almost jumped up in joy from where I was nursing my wounds, but then I remembered I heard “almost kidnapped,” and my happiness dimmed down immediately. Why did she escape?

“What? I didn't hear. How did it happen?” The other maid asked.

“I heard she and some females were spending some time by the stream when the rival pack rushed in to attack and kidnapped them. They succeeded in taking some females, but Luna managed to escape,” the maid explained.

“Where is she now? Is the alpha finally going to act now that his Luna was almost kidnapped?”

“She is with the alpha as we speak; I heard the alpha is now springing into action to stop the shadow moon pack's menace,” she replied.

I got up and rushed to the Alpha's meeting room. I was curious to see what was going on there. I hid by the stairs and peered down the hall. I saw Alpha Marcus pacing up and down the room while Luna Chloe was sitting with her face, like she just saw a ghost. 

“My king, that wretched rival pack dared to kidnap me; you can't let them go scot-free; you must teach them a lesson." Luna Chloe whined and lamented bitterly. 

It pleased my heart to see her so shaken up. Ever since I was born and I lost my parents, I have been her maid for as long as I can remember. She has never treated me well, and she has mistreated me to the maximum. All the scars and marks I have were attributed to her; she seemed to be bent on disfiguring me because I was very beautiful, and it hurt her ego and prickled at her insecurity. But no matter what she did, I was still prettier, and it angered her even more. I felt a little disappointed that the Shadow Moon Pack didn't succeed in kidnapping her; I would have been the happiest person on earth.

“Quiet woman, let me think,” Alpha Marcus scolded her before returning to his normal pacing. The room turned quiet, with only Luna Chloe's occasional whimpering and Alpha's shoes hitting the ground.

Then a knock came on the door, and the guard announced, “Lycan King Talon of the Red Claw Pack has arrived." The door opened, and a tall-looking man walked in. He had dark, tousled hair with intense eyes that were housed on an angular face that accentuated his sharp jawline. He has a dangerous aura about him, and his presence made the room feel stuffy. 

I had heard of the powerful Lycan king before; he was more powerful than a regular wolf alpha, and I heard that he had never lost a battle before. He was known for his cruel nature.

“Thank you, Talon, for honoring my invitation. I wish we could have met under better circumstances,” Alpha Marcus said in an accommodating tone.

Lycan King Talon waved his hands with a blank look on his face. “What do you want?” 

“Erm… The shadow moon pack has been attacking my pack and kidnapping my people with no fear. They even attempted to kidnap my queen today. Please, we need your help in fighting them,” Alpha Marcus said. A normal Alpha would feel ashamed asking for help from another, but ours was the true definition of shamelessness. I scoffed inwardly at his actions. I was truly ashamed of the alpha and Luna of my pack.

“The shadow moon pack is a small piece of work, but can you pay for my service?” Lycan King Talon asked, his face filled with pride.

"Erm, I… ” Alpha Marcus stammered and exchanged looks with Luna Chloe. I didn't know how much money the Lycan king wanted, but I could already tell that Marcus wouldn't be able to afford it. The pack was broken, and in debt from all the money Marcus squandered, they wouldn't be able to afford as little as Talon's clothing.

“You don't have any money, and you dared to call me over? If you are not careful, I wouldn't mind taking this pack as one of my possessions,” Lycan King Talon spat out irritatedly before turning to leave.

“Uhmm, King Talon, we might not be able to pay you with money, but how about in kind?” Luna Chloe chirped in hurriedly.

Lycan King Talon stopped and turned back around. “I'm listening.” 

Alpha Marcus glanced at Chloe in confusion, but she ignored him and said, “Perhaps a breeder to bear your pups?”

Talon's eyebrows quivered, and he looked visibly interested. “Who is she?”

“Amelia, she's pretty and young,” I heard Luna Chloe say.

I covered my mouth to stifle the gasp that escaped my lips as my eyes widened in shock. She was talking about me.

“How old is she?”

“Old enough to bear as many pups as you want and satisfy you at the same time,” Luna Chloe smirked devilishly.

“Where is she? Is she willing to be my breeder?” 

“Once you agree, she will be sent to you without delay. She has no objections; she answers to us, so we only need your word,” she replied.

I had to leave hurriedly to stop myself from sobbing and blowing my cover. I fought back the dam of water rushing to my eyes, but I couldn't hold any longer once I was a little far away from the meeting room. The tears came like a waterfall, and I let them all out. 

I couldn't believe what I just heard. Luna Chloe hated my existence so much that she couldn't miss the opportunity to get rid of me—not just to anybody, but to the scary, ruthless man who only cared for a breeder. 

All I wished for was a mate to bring me out of my misery and make me feel loved, but my ill luck was so bad that I got anything but that.