Chapter 1: Sold to the Shadow Alpha

Selena

"Selena! Get down here now!" My father's angry voice boomed up the stairs. I sighed, setting down the dress I was mending. What had I done wrong this time?

I hurried down to the kitchen where my father stood, arms crossed. His beta, Lucas, was next to him, an apologetic look on his face.

"What is it, d...Father?" I asked softly, keeping my eyes downcast.

"You're being sold, girl," my father growled. "I've had enough of your uselessness around here. Lucas found a buyer - you'll be some alpha's breeder from now on."

My head jerked up in shock. "What? No!" I cried. "Father, please, I'm sorry for whatever I did wrong. Please don't sell me away!"

"Enough!" He slapped me hard across the face. I fell to the floor, tears springing to my eyes as I clutched my stinging cheek. "Whatever you did wrong?"

"You are a mistake to begin with, a half-human!" He yelled.

"You Are a disgrace to me! You've been nothing but a burden. I should have gotten rid of you years ago. Lucas, get her out of my sight. Gather your things. The car will be here in two days."

Lucas gently helped me to my feet, his eyes full of pity. "I'm sorry Selena," he murmured. "He used the Alpha voice on me, I can't help it." Lucas apologized.

"It's...it's not your fault you're doing what your work." I muster the courage and replied.

"There was nothing I can do, your father's mind is made up."

During this two day I begged dad to change his mind but he punish me more.

I was only a half-blood—part human, part werewolf. But unlike a true she-wolf, I could not shift. I had no inner wolf. My father and pack saw me as weak, worthless. Especially my stepsister Elena. She never missed a chance to belittle me.

"Well, look who it is," Elena sneered as she entered the kitchen. "The little half-breed mistake."

I ignored her barbs and kept working. But she continued.

"I hear you're being sent away," she taunted. "Finally daddy is getting rid of his useless whelp."

I spun around, anger rising in me. "You know nothing, Elena. Tend to your own affairs."

She laughed coldly. "I know you're being sold off like chattel. Sent to be the rutting toy of the Shadow Alpha. A proper she-wolf would claw out her own heart first. But not you."

I hurried from the kitchen, holding back angry tears. Elena's words were harsh, but true. I was being sold off by my own pack, my own father. And I was powerless to stop it.

The days passed in a blur, I packed up my meager belongings. The maids I had befriended over the years squeezed my hand and whispered words of encouragement, but there was nothing any of us could do. My fate was sealed.

On the morning the car arrived, my cruel stepsister Elena laughed in my face. "Finally, the day has come," she sneered. "Maybe you can cook and clean for your new master too. It's all you're good for."

I ignored her hateful words, clutching my small suitcase as I walked out to the sleek black car. Lucas hugged me quickly. "Be brave, hopefully it'll be better than this hell." he soothed.

Can that be true?

I sat in, to be taken away from the only home I'd ever known.

Hot tears spilled down my cheeks as the pack house disappeared from view. I was only half werewolf, not having manifested my wolf yet.

That made me worthless in my father's eyes. Now he was selling me as a breeder to Alpha Blaze Cross, known for running the notorious Shadow Pack.

Rumors about Alpha Cross swirled through the supernatural community. They said he was ruthless, heartless, treating everyone like a possession to be used as he saw fit. His inner circle was made up of cold-blooded killers and thugs. Numerous omegas had disappeared into his pack, never to be seen again. And this was the monster I now belonged to.

The drive took hours, heading farther and farther north. We turned down an unmarked gravel road, dense forest hemming us in on both sides. I shuddered. Once I set foot inside those woods, because I know I'd never escape.

The car pulled up to a high metal gate patrolled by armed guards. They peered inside before waving us through. We continued on, the road winding deeper into the shadowy woods.

Finally, we arrived at the pack house. It was a huge log mansion, surrounded by outbuildings and training grounds. More guards roamed the perimeter, watching our approach.

My door was wrenched open and I was dragged from the car by a brute of a werewolf. He grinned nastily, showing his fangs. "Let's go, bitch. Alpha wants to see you." He yelled. "Let's see how long you can last?" He spat.

How long?

What on earth is that supposed to mean?

That only means others didn't lasted a while.

I was half-dragged, half-carried up the steps and into the opulent house. Pieces of furniture and decor that likely cost more than my father's entire house filled the rooms. But it meant nothing to me.

We entered what I guessed was Alpha Cross's office. Behind a massive wooden desk sat the largest, most intimidating werewolf I'd ever seen.

Shaggy black hair brushed his shoulders. His tanned skin was marked with scars, evidence of a violent life. He slowly lifted his head, ice-blue eyes piercing me to my core. The air trembled with his alpha energy.

"Here's the breeder, Alpha," grunted my escort.

Alpha Blaze Cross stood, prowling around his desk with lethal grace. He was huge, over six and a half feet of pure muscle. I cowered back, unable to meet his intense stare.

This was the creature who now owned me.

He grabbed my chin in one giant hand, tilting my face up. I trembled as he scented me, feeling utterly violated. After a long, tense moment, he released me.

"She'll do," he rumbled in a deep baritone. "Have her taken to my room and made ready."

Ready?

For what?

I was once again dragged along, my feet scrambling to keep up. I was taken upstairs and handed over to several female servants. They stripped my clothes and ushered me into a decadent bathroom. I stood numbly as they bathed and groomed me. My fate was closing in.

Too soon, I was dried off and dressed in a sheer nightgown that covered little or nothing of my body. A leather collar was fastened around my neck.

"What?" I choked. "What is this for?" I managed to ask but they kept quiet all this while. Which scared me more.

The servants painted my face with makeup and brushed out my long hair. Then I was led to the master room to await my new owner.

I heard the bedroom door open behind me. Taking a deep breath, I turned to face my destiny.

Alpha Blaze Cross stood before me in all his intimidating glory. I lowered my eyes submissively, my heart racing with undisguised terror. This brute was to be my first, a breeder, and he'll do as he wished.

He approached slowly, circling me like prey. I felt his burning gaze travel down my body, hatred for him building inside me.

Disgusting! What did he take me of?

When he finally stopped in front of me, his scent enveloped me in the most confusing way.

Woodsmoke and pine trees, mingled with something rich and intoxicating.

Why? Why am I feeling like this?

To my horror, I felt my body responding to his nearness, I feel something purring. No! This couldn't be.

One clawed finger tilted my chin up. I met his stare helplessly, watching his nostrils flare as he scented me again. A growl rumbled from his chest.

"Little wolfless wolf," he grunted in a gravelly voice. "You're mine now."

His words resonate in my, making a shiver run down my spine.

His hands roam down my body and his touch send sparks all over

Wait? He's my Mate?

No!

This heartless beast was my fated mate? I wanted to scream and rage. Instead, I collapsed into his arms, my mind shutting down in self-defense.

What's happening to me?

How could the Moon Goddess be so cruel?To bind me as mate to this cold-hearted monster.

He own my body, my spirit, my very soul. I was doomed. This is a nightmare!