Chapter 8 Breaking Ties With Family

[Gianna's Perspective]

It had been several days since I was brought to my new room. The moment I stepped inside, I was stunned by its opulence. Everything was adorned with luxury furnishings.

The dazzling crystal chandelier hanging in the center was undoubtedly worth a fortune. The walls were lined with smooth, warm-toned wood panels, and nestled within them were a few classical oil paintings, each valued at five million dollars.

In reality, from the day Dennis left the hospital room, I hadn't seen him since.

That day had been bright and sunny, with a lovely blue sky overhead. It reminded me of his eyes—dangerous yet captivating. Dennis, the ruthless Blood Moon Alpha, and also my master.

It had been two weeks since our last encounter. A part of me was curious, even eager, to see him again. But fear shadowed that desire.

I shook my head, willing myself not to think about Dennis. He was the last person I should miss.

"Gianna!" A knock at the door snapped me out of my thoughts. I turned to see Jessica stepping into the room.

"Morning! Just wanted to check if they've already brought your breakfast," Jessica said. Her eyes landed on the nearly untouched plate, and she sat beside me.

"You're not a fan of toast, huh? I can get them to bring you something else," Jessica offered.

I could tell Jessica cared about me genuinely. Not because of my role as a breeder, but because she truly saw me as a friend.

"Jessica, the toast is fine," I replied, offering a small smile. "Thank you for everything. I just don't have much of an appetite lately. I'm sorry!"

Even here, surrounded by so much luxury, I found myself hesitant about many things. But at least I had Jessica and Doll. They made me feel a little less alone.

"Don't say 'sorry' anymore, miss!" Jessica raised her voice, pretending to scold me. Then her face broke into a bright, cheerful grin. Jessica always had a way of lifting my spirits.

"All right, Jessica. Really, thank you," I said, grateful for everything she'd done for me.

"Oh, Allen will be here to pick you up soon," Jessica mentioned casually.

I nodded. Allen visited me almost daily, and I'd grown used to his presence. He always kept his distance, which I appreciated. It was hard to believe that the Beta of the Blood Moon Pack could be such a composed and respectful gentleman.

"Here, I brought some new clothes for you! Try them on for me!" Jessica said enthusiastically.

Her excitement about dressing me up was obvious, but I couldn't help feeling puzzled and curious.

Meanwhile, Allen never gave me advance notice about his visits. I was always in my room, so there was no need for preparation.

'Unless... unless they want me to meet someone else. Dennis?' I thought.

The mere thought of Dennis made my heart race—the memory of his touch, his piercing eyes.

But then, the way Dennis had looked at me came back to haunt me. A shiver ran down my spine.

Yes, that gaze—intense, predatory. It was the way a hunter watched its prey or the way an owner inspected newly acquired goods.

"Look, Gianna," Jessica continued, breaking into my thoughts. "I know this isn't my place to say, but being a breeder doesn't have to be all bad. You'll bring new life to this pack—a life that might one day lead it. A part of you will always remain here."

"I know," I replied, my voice soft. Uncertainty still lingered in every word.

I understood Jessica was trying to comfort me, but it didn't help. This wasn't the life I wanted. I craved freedom.

While we talked, I changed into a simple outfit Jessica had brought. The fabric was soft and fit me perfectly.

"Just think about it, okay?" Jessica said earnestly.

I nodded, watching as she gave me a reassuring smile before disappearing through the door. The longer I waited, the more anxious I felt.

I paced the floor of the extravagant room, my gaze drifting out the window. The Blood Moon estate was nestled on the edge of a vast forest. The sprawling greenery seemed like it could soothe even the most restless soul.

I couldn't help but think, 'Will there ever come a day when I can run freely through those trees and feel the soft grass beneath my feet?'

"Gianna..." Allen's voice came from behind me, making my breath catch. Slowly, I turned around and saw him standing at the open door.

"Are you ready?" Allen asked.

'No. I don't even know what's happening. How can I possibly be ready?' I thought.

"Uh... yeah," I mumbled, my feet shuffling forward hesitantly.

I had been bought by the Blood Moon pack, but so far, they had done nothing but care for my recovery.

Doll and Jessica had done their best to make me feel at home, and even Allen treated me with respect, always giving me as much privacy as possible.

I followed him through the hallway, stopping in front of two large white wooden doors. When Allen pulled them open, my breath hitched again.

Standing inside were people I thought I'd never see again: my father, William, and my stepmother, Barbara.

They were bidding farewell to a man who looked like a bodyguard. William held a bank card between his fingers, his face lit up with a wide smile. Barbara mirrored his joy, her expression glowing with satisfaction.

They seemed to be in excellent spirits. I guessed Dennis had just transferred another payment to them.

After the bodyguard left, William carefully slipped the card into the inner pocket of his wallet, and then handed it to Barbara. She opened her purse and tucked it inside.

It was like watching some sacred ceremony. The sight made me scoff coldly.

Allen must have noticed my expression growing darker. Always the gentleman, he asked if I was all right, if I needed him to stay. I assured him I was fine.

"Allen, I'll head back myself later," I told him. "I'd like to speak with my family alone."

"All right. I'll send someone to pick you up in fifteen minutes," he said. I nodded in gratitude, and with that, Allen turned and left.

That was when William noticed me. The moment he turned his head, his face hardened. There was no warm reunion, no fatherly embrace.

Instead, he pointed a finger at me, his tone sharp and scolding. "Gianna! Look at what you've done! If it weren't for Alpha's mercy, we'd be bankrupt by now!"

"I don't know why we even bothered raising you, you useless girl!" William barked, his voice booming. "You can't even do your job as a breeder!"

I was so foolish, so naive. I had still been holding on to some ridiculous hope that he cared about me.

But no—William didn't care how I was doing or what I wanted. All he cared about was whether I could please Dennis.

In reality, William had died years ago. Not literally, but in every way that mattered. His words were like a slap, snapping me out of my delusion.

My face turned cold as I stared at him. I asked, "You knew all along, didn't you? That Dennis bought me to be his breeder?"

I already knew the answer, of course. Dennis's words had made that clear enough. But I wanted to hear it from them. I needed the truth—just this once.

I couldn't believe that William, my father, wanted to push me into hell.

My question wiped the smug expression off his face. William's eyes darted around the room, unable to meet mine, guilt written all over him.

I stared at William, the man I had spent years loving, fearing, and trying to care for. And I used to convince myself that his actions were the drugs' fault.

But now, as William stood sober in front of me, there was no sorrow in his gaze. No regret. Only frustration and anger, as always.

"What's with that tone? I'm your father, not some criminal!" William snapped defensively. "How dare you speak to me like that?"

A bitter laugh escaped me. I sneered. "Father? Do you still remember you're my father? Then why are you pushing me into hell? Why did you let Barbara deceive me and sell me to the Blood Moon pack?"

Without William's approval, Barbara wouldn't have dared do anything

Barbara, finally dropping her act, smirked and added fuel to the fire, her tone laced with mock sympathy. "You should be grateful, Gianna. Do you know how many women dream of being the Alpha's mate? And you were chosen to be Dennis' breeder. You should be thanking us."

"If it's so great, why didn't you offer one of your own?" I shot back, my voice steady, but disappointment coursed through me like poison.

Initially, I had thought I was brought here to work as a servant. But when I learned I was expected to bear children for a stranger, my world crumbled.

"Enough!" William thundered. "Barbara is only looking out for your best interests! And besides, you're my daughter. What's wrong with me sending you to the Blood Moon pack?"

"Dad," I said, my voice trembling with suppressed emotion. "Ever since Mom passed, you've forgotten you even have a daughter. You don't know how I survived in that house, how I avoided Leo's harassment, or how Barbara treated me—"

"Watch your tone!" William interrupted angrily. "You should call her Mom, not by her name. Show some respect!"

"My mother is dead," I said quietly, pain lacing every word.

Ever since Barbara and Leo entered our lives, I'd been excluded from family meals, left to eat scraps and leftovers, barely surviving.

I worked endless shifts at coffee shops and diners to make ends meet, never sleeping soundly. I was William's daughter, yet I lived worse than a beggar.

Meanwhile, Leo basked in the glory of being the stepson, decked out in designer clothes and frequenting exclusive clubs, while I wore hand-me-downs and crammed myself onto public transit to get to work.

I had dreamed of saving myself for my mate, someone I loved, escaping that house, and building a life free from pain.

But William and Barbara had turned me into nothing more than a tool—a machine to bear children.

Barbara spoke again, feigning a lighthearted tone. "William, don't be too hard on her. She's always called me by my name. It's nothing new. I don't mind the disrespect. I just don't want it to ruin your bond with her."

"See? Even now, Barbara's speaking up for you," William said, his voice dripping with disappointment.

My expression grew colder. For over a decade, I had clung to the hope that he cared. But William didn't.

"If I become Dennis' breeder, we're even, Dad," I said flatly. "The debt I owe you as your daughter will be repaid in full. This will be my final act of filial duty."

"You won't have a daughter anymore," I said firmly. It was the last bit of courage I had left.

For a moment, shock flickered across William's face. His eyes grew misty, but his decision remained unchanged.

"This is settled. Don't embarrass me in front of the Blood Moon pack," William said curtly, turning and walking away without so much as a glance back. All he cared about was money.

As soon as William left, Barbara's face twisted into a vicious sneer.

"Well, well, you little bitch!" Barbara hissed. "Didn't expect you to have the guts to shout at me like that. Heard Dennis has killed a few women in bed before. You must be looking forward to it, huh? Consider this a gift from me. Satisfied?"

Her words were sharp, but my glare was sharper. I asked coldly, "Barbara, you're despicable. Aren't you afraid of karma?"

Barbara laughed triumphantly. "Oh, please. That money we got? It's more than enough for my son and me to live like royalty. And you? You're just a toy, one that'll be used again and again. Gianna, do you think you can hide the fact that you've already given birth from your future mate?"

Barbara's cruel jab struck me where it hurt most, making my knees weak. "You planned this... all of it!"

Then Barbara smirked. "And what if I did? Even if you tell someone, do you really think your future mate would believe you? Face it, Gianna. Everything in that house belongs to Leo. Your father gave up on you a long time ago."

Barbara took a step closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Oh, and here's the best part. Once your child is born, they'll be raised by another Luna. Your baby will never even know you exist."

My heart ached like it was being cut with a knife, thinking of the child I never had.

"You don't want to be a breeder? Fine. Just get on your knees and beg me. Maybe then I'll let you off the hook," Barbara said coldly.

I clenched my fists, my teeth grinding as I forced out my words. "Barbara... it seems you don't know about my father's gambling addiction, do you? He'll throw every penny you have into paying off his debts. Soon, you'll have nothing."

"Oh, and maybe you should spend less time scheming and more time worrying about your precious Leo. He'll never be a real man again. You'd better start thinking about how to cover his surgery costs," I pressed on, my voice laced with mockery.

Barbara's face turned a furious shade of red, but I didn't care. Ignoring her, I turned on my heel and strode away.

It wasn't until I reached the end of the hallway that I realized I was trembling, every ounce of my strength drained. My vision blurred, and I nearly collapsed—until Jessica appeared, catching me just in time.

"Take me back to my room," I whispered, forcing a weak smile. Jessica held me steady, her arm around my shoulders.

The light at the end of the hallway was blinding, making my eyes sting. I felt like a hollow shell, emptied of everything but pain.

'My cruel father. This will be the last time I see him. From this moment on, I no longer have a family in the world,' I thought bitterly.