Two.

...

Chapter 2

"C- Claire." He grabbed the duvet, covering his chest. "what are you doing here?"

"What am I doing here? Really?" Tears burned my eyes, threatening to escape.  

"Claire—”

Quincy's loud cackling interrupted him. I turned to her, my mouth gaping. A satisfied smirk rested on her face. The first tear fell from my eyes. I should have known she was up to something the moment she smiled at me.

I turned to Henry, wanting to believe this was a mistake, that it was unintentional, and it was the only time it happened. I wanted to believe he was drunk or drugged, that he didn't cheat on me with clear thinking.

"Why did you do it?" I mumbled, whimpering.

"Do it?" Quincy laughed, stepping between us, "Henry and I have been having sex for ages. He's mine and we will be getting married soon."

"What?"

"Why are you crying? It's not like you two have anything going on."

I sniffled. What was she talking about?She knew about our relationship all along. Henry probably told her about it. 

Did they mock me together while they had sex with one another?

"Quincy!" Henry snapped at her.

She eyed him, then shifted her gaze to me, taking a few steps in my direction.

"You," she poked me in the chest, "did you actually believe anyone could love a cursed breed like you? Please. No one will ever love you, Claire. You are ugly, cursed, a disgrace. You are bad luck!" She yanked at me.

I stood transfixed, my heart shattering into a million pieces as my hopes died. My salvation, gone. All gone.

"Tell her, Henry," Quincy said, crossing her arms.

"You really never loved me?" I asked, my voice cracking.

"Claire, I'm sorry—”

I ran out of Quincy's room, sobbing hysterically by the time I reached the dungeon that contained my tiny room. A portrait of my mother was the closest thing to me, so I grabbed it and cried. I felt rejected, not only by my family and my mate but also by the universe.

My father always said that everyone was born with a purpose and goal, but maybe he was wrong. Or maybe I was the wrong one .

Maybe I wasn't meant to be born.

 I rose from the floor and walked to the wooden center table in my miserable room, I picked up the knife sitting on it. Countless times, I had tried to take my own life, but like a curse, there was always a restriction. It was as if I had been created solely to suffer, and even death was too good for me. 

I felt the moon goddess was purposely punishing me by making it impossible for me to end my life. 

What was the use being alive when no one loved me?

I didn't know my crime, didn't know why I was so hated when I hadn’t done anything to deserve it. 

"Please let me go," I prayed to the moon goddess, even though I knew she wouldn't hear my pleas. Unlike other wolves, I had no connection with her since my wolf disappeared. It wasn’t like she had done anything to save me, even when I had Ava.

I held the tip of the knife to my stomach, my tears flowing freely. As I drew it away and brought it forcefully towards my stomach, it fell. When I bent to retrieve it, a scent hit my nostrils. The usual odor that would prevent me from carrying out the act of suicide. I tried not to inhale it as I knew what would come next, -- but it was futile. I struggled to remain awake as my feeble hands gripped the knife. I pleaded, wept, and begged for death, but the restriction was stronger.

Like every other time, I fell to the ground. As the knife dropped from my hand, I passed out.

My eyes opened to the loud ringing of the call bell. It was Aspen's. I stood and smoothened my dress with my hands then dashed to her chambers situated on the fifth floor; where all the leaders’ rooms were located. 

The fourth floor was for warriors and guards. The third, for couples with children, and the second was for apprentices, omegas, and slaves to serve their respective pack families. Although, every family of the Blackmoon Pack owned their respective slaves, I was a slave for all. I was owned by no one and used by everyone.

And unlike other slaves, I lived in the dungeon.

The first floor of the pack house contained a large living room, kitchen, a general dinning room, and a nursery for the werepups.

Arriving at Aspen's room, I knocked, and a gruff response ushered me in.

"Took you long enough," Aspen sneered at me. I noticed wads of cash laid on the table before her, finely wrapped in a large gift box.

"I'm sorry," I said, "Why did you send for me?"

Aspen picked out a wad from the box and looked at me. "Prepare. You leave first thing tomorrow morning for the Shadow Pack house."

I waited for more. When she added nothing, I asked, "what kind of errand is it?"

"It's not an errand. You're getting married to Alpha Axel of the Shadow Pack."

A frown creased my brows., "I don't understand, What do you mean I'm getting married?"

"You see this?" She pointed to the money, "it was given in exchange for you. Who would have thought you were worth so much?"

"You sold me?" My voice cracked.

"For a good price.” She smiled nonchalantly. “ Now, I can settle your lousy father's debt and get myself something nice. Here,” She threw a paper at me, “ I already accepted and signed the marriage license."

I snatched the paper from the floor and stared at it in shock. 

She wasn't lying. She had truly sold me.

"Alpha Axel of the Shadow Pack?" I mumbled, reading the paper in my hand. "Didn't he die at war?" I asked, meeting her eyes.

"Not yet. He's just vegetative for now, but he'll be dead in a few months. I wonder why they paid so much when I would have willingly given you away for free," she mumbled loud enough for me to hear. "At least you're doing something good for your father for the first time in your life, before you die."

Not only was I getting married to an Alpha on his deathbed, I was also moving to the Shadow Pack house, where I knew absolutely no one. The only thing I'd heard about them was that they were the most callous beings.

"I didn't mention your identity to them, I guess that's why they paid so much. If you plan to live, keep it away from them, too for as long as you can," Aspen added. 

Saying this, I knew she was only trying to protect her image to the most influential Pack. She didn't care one bit about me.

I stared at the license again, feeling hopeless.

Who didn't know the ruthless, fierce, and unforgiving Alpha Axel of the wealthiest and most powerful pack in the land?

The Shadow Pack would never spare a Trista wolf like me.

I’d been wrong. My life did have an end, and this was it—if I didn’t successfully take my life beforehand. 

Looks like my death would be another horrible part of my journey, but I was glad it was coming. And I was sure as hell prepared for it.