Chapter One

Tiara's POV

Salt stung my eyes as I stumbled onto the beach. My legs burned, and each breath felt like sandpaper was scraping my throat. I didn’t know what to do. I felt tired.

I felt helpless. The words were to the moon goddess, asking, ‘Please help me.’ It had been so long. She abandoned us. Left us to suffer in the hands of terrible leaders. It felt like hours since I'd started running. Here, the crashing waves were the only sound that was not the pounding of my heart.

For a moment, a spark of defiance thumped inside me. I could fight back, take back our land from the cruel Alpha who'd overthrown the good one, Darren. But against Lucius' army? It was hopeless.

Alphas. They were all the same - arrogant and clinging to old, brutal ways. Darren, though, he was different. He cared about his people. Now, Lucius was a tyrant.. Darren's death was still raw, no one in the pack had forgotten. It was unjust and unfair. He was the only good Alpha remaining. And he is gone!

The moon painted a silver path on the water. It made me feel like my father was watching over me from above. Guiding my way. Was I safe? Were they still searching for me? I’ve been running for so long, all I want is sleep. It was already night, they stopped the search.

I walked towards the trees, trying to find somewhere I could rest. My eyelids felt like lead weights, heavier than ever before. This wasn't normal tiredness. I had done more running like this before, I never got tired . I reached for my bag and pulled out my water bottle.

I drank, not able to slow down. I was thirsty. It felt like my throat had dried up like a desert. Then, when I felt alittle satisfied, I decided to save some of the remaining water for later. Before I could close up the bottle, I caught scent of something. It smelled strange.. A tiny speck of something familiar from the calming medicine Dad and I used for pregnant wolves. Panic clawed at my throat. How did that get in there?

Suddenly, we heard footsteps in the distance. My senses went on high alert, my wolf was ready to take over. I began to wonder who drugged me. My mind went back to when I’d packed my water in a hurry, my cousin gave it to me.

Why would she betray me like this?

Standing, I tried to run, but my eyelids were heavy and my legs were weak. The sand offered no comfort when I collapsed. My backpack landed on top, pinning me down. All I could do was watch as figures emerged from the darkness, getting bigger and bigger. Suddenly, a harsh light blinds me, forcing my eyelids shut. They'd found me. Six hours of desperate running, for this. I wouldn't be a prisoner. Not when I haven't found my mate yet.

Yet, I could barely keep my eyes open.

"Finally! Tell Alpha Lucius we’ve found her. This one will fetch a good price!"

Those were the last clear words I heard before rough hands grabbed me. I was thrown over a shoulder as I slowly lost consciousness.

This sleep, it might be my last…

…

Oblivion struck before the shock. My mind was flaccid. I could feel what was going on, but not quite understand. There was noise, distant cheering. Those were strong, masculine voices. They shouted, '' $100 for the blonde.'' For a few seconds, my mind tried to understand what was happening. They were probably the worst nightmare of my life. I had heard of this place before. This was why I was trying to run from the park. I do not want such a destiny for myself. When I opened my eyes, I felt surprised because the little compartment I was in showed little to no light.

Before I could register what was happening, sharp light blasted my eyes. Someone pulled me out of what seemed to be a box. What exactly was going on? When I looked around, men were everywhere. The only females in the bunch were the ones still on the stage.

''And now for the main course.'' one of the men said, pulling me up to the podium as the eyes of crude looking men gazed upon me.

Suddenly, there were whispers. And a man came from the back stage and whispered something to the one who held my hand. Immediately, I was pulled back. I was being dragged to the back of the stage. The men were left screaming and shouting.

That was it, My worst nightmare coming to life. I had done enough research earlier, I knew that this had to be the thursday 'special' show. I did not want to be here.

"You, my dear, will fetch a great fortune. " When the gigantibc man said that, I knew I was reserved for tomorrow's show. there was no fighting this. There was no way I could escape, especially after I had already stepped foot into that podium. The shows happened on all days except Thursday. The farmers from the Far East and the wealthy businessman both came to buy slaves from the slavers. The businessman had just enough money, but not too much. they did not buy the girls for much especially because they mainly use them for farm labor. A lot of the girls that were sold here majorly went for 100$ to 1000$. It was mainly for fun. Alpha Lucius started it. He often made his fortune by selling girls from poor families. I, on the other hand, did not come from a poor household. My father was the beta, but he was only loyal to the previous and rightful alpha of the throne. He refused to take orders from the man. The man had killed our Alpha and slaughtered our peaceful pack's women and children. I faced much misfortune because Alpha Lucius found it fun to sit down and chase anyone who dared go against him. I would never bow down to him and neither would I take his instructions. This is why I had been running away from the park just yesterday.

A woman, probably in her early thirties, moved forward from a dark Corner and towards me.

'' show her to the dungeons Miriam.'' The man said.

I was not planning to speak. Begging for my Freedom would be a waste of time and energy. I knew that the men often enjoyed it.

''Come on!'' the woman said, attitude and hatred laced in her voice. ''It's rare to find girls like you being sold to the high table!'' The woman said to me. She guided me towards the white hallway where they stewed the screams of other young girls. I knew where I was going was bad. I was sure I wouldn't get any help. I knew that being sold to the high Table meant being healthy and good-looking.

The woman's blatant words however struck confusion in me. '' and what is that supposed to mean? what exactly do you classify as girls like me?'' I asked her, masking the irritation and anger that I felt towards her. Women like her should protect and support fellow women. They should not work with these monsters to destroy young girls' lives.

''Girls who do not even deserve the privilege you've got. you have not worked hard for your position, you got everything off on a silver platter. Your father was the alpha's second-in-command. It gave you the right and the position you would have if he died,'' the woman said, pushing me violently. My feet dragged to the cold floor. I looked at my body and saw the tattered dress that I still wore.

'' So how will you have to preferred the system? How would you have worked hard to get the position that I had? I was not that spoiled, I had morals. I am a good person, that would not be said for you. You and I both know that our werewolf system would never allow a girl to become beta. I was not going to acquire any position anyway. I think all you do is speak in hatred and bitterness. It's extremely foolish of you to side with the people you're supposed to be fighting against. I say with confidence.

''You speak with such confidence despite knowing where you're going to end up by tomorrow. Don't worry about me or my motives for this Kingdom. But, you should worry. You should pray for a person to buy you and make you a slave, and nothing worse. We all know that some things in this world are far worse than being used for your body or your strength. I don't even see what would make any of them want to put in a Good Fortune for you.'' she rolled her eyes.

The door to the dungeons was open, ushering me in as I looked towards the little compartment. The floor was covered in grass and hay. There was a little hole at the top corner of the dark hole where the rays of the Sun penetrated into the cellar. When I turned back around, Miriam was already closing the door. She was locking it firmly.

''Women like you are the reason Monsters are born!'' I said to her, blatant of whatever anger she would develop by my words. I did not care. I was as good as dead. Being sold to that council meant the new owners had much more power and a better reputation. They had more than alpha Lucius.

''Then do not let me stop you, from being devoured by those same monsters, you dirty c*nt.''