SLOANE

I stirred awake, my head banging with a splitting headache and I was forced to sit up. Breathing heavily, I made sure to clutch my aching head in between my hands before attempting to get out of the bed.

The moment my legs hit the titled flooring, I gasped loudly as it dawned on me I didn’t own a bed. I’ve always been sleeping on the terrace and if that meant anything, it was that I wasn’t home like I’d thought.

Instead, I was somewhere else.

With my heart pounding with crazy fear, I slowly turned my head to access the entire room. The room wasn't familiar, but above all, I was floored by how lavish everything was.  

From the golden lights hanging off the ceiling to the shiny floors reflecting every glow, and the plush seats lined up so neatly, everything screamed luxury. And worst of all, it was a loud reminder that I couldn’t have afforded this luxurious room myself even if I tried. 

The realization of that was so startling my heart began to beat so fast, the memories of last night flashing before my very eyes. My teeth gnashed together in shame, I braced myself to look down at my body and words couldn’t describe how disappointed I was to see I was completely naked like I assumed. 

Shit. What have I done? 

Don’t tell me I spent the night with some unknown man?

Quickly, I looked beside me at the muscular body sprawled across the bed and the moment my eyes connected with his face, I jumped off the bed in fright.

I might have just met him yesterday night but his face was still etched in my mind and even from miles away, I’d still recognize him. Fuck! How did this happen? More importantly, why couldn’t I remember a thing? I was sure I hadn’t drunk enough to get me wasted. Or wait, don’t tell me he’d drugged me?

I shook my head instantly, erasing the idea from my mind. No, I couldn’t conclude just yet. Especially since I don’t know him well enough to assume he would do something as horrible as that.

I took a deep breath, then began to rack my head, trying all I could to remember where it all went wrong. Then it clicked. The kiss. That accidental kiss.

It was from there that my curiosity had gotten the better of me, and I threw away all safety measures, choosing to satisfy my craving— Him. I knew it meant I’d be giving up my virginity but since I was destined to die alone with no man in my life, I couldn’t pass up the golden opportunity. And that must’ve been how I went from ditching the idea of running from the club… to sleeping with him.

Now thinking back on how good he felt inside me as he fucked every thoughts of the Beta who had brutally rejected me for my sister from my head, I didn’t regret it.

What was left now was getting out of here. Casting a look towards the bed to make sure he was still sound asleep, I looked around for my dress. I should leave. I don’t think I could bring myself to face him if he woke up to me still in here.

Losing my dignity to him was one thing. But him finding out who I really was, and that he’d slept with the pack’s outcast was another. Because from the look of things, he didn’t seem like an ordinary wolf. If he chose to press charges, who knows? I could spend the rest of my miserable life behind bars. 

And you know what? My parents would’ve skinned me alive and buried me six feet themselves for staining the family’s image, way before then.

***

I ran, only slowing down when I got home. I tiptoed to the gate, my plan to creep inside without being noticed aborting as my legs hit something, and I was forced to pause.

I was in so much hurry I missed something by my foot. I let out a sigh of relief. I could have tripped.

But then taking a step back, I looked downward only for shock to emerge from my face the very next second. Of everything I expected to be hindering me from stepping inside, my luggage wasn't one of them.

My eyes were filled with horror as I took in the state of my clothes scattered across the floor, and I couldn’t have been more taken aback. How had my things ended up here? Who did this?

Actually I knew I was going to definitely receive my share of punishment for attending the ball that only Scarlett was permitted to, when I got home and that I couldn’t escape it, but wasn't this them going overboard?

Baffled and at the same time petrified, I stood at the same spot wondering what to do next when I heard the gate creaking open, revealing my mother. Hastily, I rushed towards her. But how could I have forgotten I was only a leech to her and we haven’t made any physical contact in years? Before I could reach her, she put a hand out, stopping me short in my tracks.

“Your sister was right. You’re going to run back home,” She scoffed unbelievably, her voice dripping with so much disdain than allowed from someone I came into this world through. “But you know what? From the very moment you went against me, and went to that ball nevertheless in an attempt to snatch your sister’s mate, there’s been no more space for you here. Now, pack your things at this very moment and leave.” She said in a cold commanding voice, and I froze, my breath catching in my throat for a split second.

Completely thrown off by her sudden decision, my stomach flipped and I couldn’t help but panic. “No, mom. Don’t do this, please. At least hear my side of the story first—” Swallowing hard, I tried to reason with her, but I was cut off as she suddenly slammed the door to my face, not letting me finish.

My nails dug into my palms, fury circling in my eyes. Yet it was useless. I couldn’t do anything about this. I could only hope she would change her mind soon because I had nowhere else to go. Not anymore. With my curse preventing me from having a mate of my own, I was certainly going to rot here forever.

My legs about to give out, I lowered myself onto the ground and sat at the gate in silence.

My skin prickled as people walked past, throwing me curious scrutinizing looks and probably wondering why I was locked out of my own home, but I still remained there nevertheless. Despite how embarrassing it was.

While my father doesn’t really seem to despise me with his entire being, my mother never liked me one bit and she’s never tried to hide it. Thinking about it, I fought back my tears but it still made its way out, crashing down my cheeks and I held my chest as more pain exploded in it.

There’s nothing more hurting and painful than your own parents considering you a threat to them. Not even the Beta’s indirect rejection from yesterday’s ball.

My mind whirling, and my thoughts all over the place, I didn’t realize how lost in my head I was until I jerked upright at the loud screech of tires. Two sleek, identical luxury cars had just pulled up right in front of me.

With a cold unease spreading over my skin, I watched as the doors flung open, and several masked up figures stepped out. Moments like this made me wish I wasn’t locked outside. At least then I could run and hide.

I stared at them blankly, pretending not to care, but my heart was pounding in my ears like a warning drum as they formed a circle around me. Damn it… I wasn’t about to get kidnapped, was I? 

My mouth opened instantly, about to question them but my voice was halted as I heard approaching footsteps. The men stepped aside, making way for whoever was left of them and as I met the person’s eyes, I was left frozen on the spot.

“Isn’t it nice seeing you again?” He raised an eyebrow my way, a teasing smirk playing on his face as he approached me.

I almost choked on my spit, my mind racing wildly as I took an instinctive step backward in both panic and disbelief. It was the stranger from last night’s one night stand. Someone I had thought I wasn’t going to be setting my eyes on ever again.

Shit. What was he doing here? When I left the hotel room, I made sure I left no traces so how? How had he tracked me down?! 

“You know what? I don’t care how you came to find me but this place isn’t my home. Back off now.” I found myself saying sternly, blocking the entrance.

But what was I thinking? That had only made him more determined to enter. And I couldn’t let him. He’s certainly here to report me to my parents, and if I thought I was fucked before, then I’d be more doomed.

Finally stopping before me, he merely chuckled in response and that was enough to show he didn’t take my words for it.

“Why don’t we confirm that first, Sloane?” He argued, his gaze remaining firmly on me as he closed the space between us.

My breath hitched, and it suddenly became too difficult to breathe. How did he know my name? Someone please tell me my identity hasn’t already been exposed to him? Different thoughts raced through my head, which I pushed aside the moment he stepped back, sparing a look behind him. 

“Bring down the gate!” He commanded his men.  

My eyes widened in shock, and before I could comprehend what was happening, his men already swung into action.

“No… no, you can’t.” I shuttered, scurrying towards them and I must have been a fool to think I could stop them. It was only a few seconds before the gate crashed to the ground and my heart raced out of control as the stranger and few of his men strode inside all at once. 

I’ve always known he was someone of importance because of how much command his presence carried, but I never expected him to be this powerful. I began to pace back and forth, genuinely worried for myself. Now what was going to happen to me? Isn’t it more advisable I run off this instant? 

However, before the idea could come to life, “You should go inside too.” One of his men growled sharply, his narrowed eyes fixed on me. 

My stomach sank immediately and I just stopped, the weight of his order pressing down on me. There were only three of his men left here, and for a split second, I considered fleeing to save my life but not when it was crystal clear I was no match for them. 

At last, I nodded hesitantly, and headed inside. However, as I opened the front door and stepped in, I hadn’t entered fully when I gasped as I heard something that caused my entire world to stop spinning.

“It would have been better if all we did was sleep together but she’s with my mark. Or have any of you ever seen where a person stole an Alpha’s mate mark and went scot-free?” Leaned across the table, the stranger, or should I say our pack’s Alpha, let out the bombshell like it was the most casual thing in the world. 

And my gasp? It was so loud it drew everyone’s attention to my presence. But I remained there, my eyebrows furrowed together. Wait a second, I… stole his mark?! A cold feeling of shame washed over me. Oh no, that only explains why he was here. 

A voice tore through the chaos in my head. “Oh my goodness. You shameless brat, how could you?” My mother shouted condescendingly, fury in her eyes as she moved towards me with a raised hand. I instantly knew what was coming. 

“Mrs. Garcia, you’re really going to hit someone in my presence?” Alpha Dimitri’s angry voice reverberated in the air, a silent warning flashing in his eyes and yet, I still braced myself for the impact of her slap against my cheek. When my mother beats me up, no amount of pleas could ever get her to stop, not unless she’s used up all her energy teaching me a lesson.

I waited for the slap and when it didn’t come, I opened my eyes back to my mother stepping far away from me in fear. Which was new. But what was I thinking? It was an Alpha in question. 

“Not at all. I’m sorry, Alpha,” She bowed apologetically, her voice full of defeat. “But what now? Is she going to be punished for her shameful act? If so, we don’t mind. She deserves to be tortured—”

She barely finished when he cut her off, his jaw clenching even tighter. 

“No. She has my mark and it’s only right I take her as my Luna. I want her sold off to me.” He went straight to the point, and my jaw slacked, his proclamation shocking even me. 

“What?!” Everyone in the room blurted in horror. I could see my parents turn towards each other, probably questioning whether they heard him right or not. 

While I tried to process things myself too, Scarlett stepped forward at once. “No, it’s not possible. Sloane can’t be the Luna. Not now or never.” She shook her head in disbelief, the words ‘It should be me instead’ written over her frowned face as she glared pointedly at me. 

It wasn’t a surprise Scarlett wanted all the good things in life for herself, but the fact she had to talk down on me to reach for it stung. I would be better off pretending I never heard her but not this time. Having had enough, I couldn’t hold back my annoyance and retorted. 

“Why do you think so? Why exactly do you think I’m any less of a person than you? For how long will you continue to demean me, Scarlett?” I rasped out, countering her. She scoffed, mischief swirling in her eyes but before she could respond…

“Shut the hell up right there, Sloane. You think you have any right to say a word?” My father shut me up in her defense, his voice oozing with venom. Then he faced the Alpha again. “Alpha, I think we need to properly discuss this. My daughter, Sloane, isn’t fit for that position. Why not her twin sister, Scarlett? She’d serve you better, my lord.” He attempted to persuade him, his tone laced with deep resentment for me. 

But still out of everything he said, what got to me wasn’t him tactically trying to put my sister in favor of the Alpha. Instead, the only two words my ears picked up from him was one I had thought was a taboo to his mouth. Did I just hear him refer to me as his daughter?  

He never did. This was the first time my father has ever acknowledged me as his.

“How is Sloane any different?” The Alpha’s voice pulled me out of my reverie, just before I got too lost in my thoughts. Nobody thought I was worth anything but he was standing up for me, and I was taken aback. “She has every qualification possible, and last time I checked, she’s the one with my mark,” He continued, fixing my father with a stern gaze. “Also, none of you get to tell me what to do. This should be my choice, and mine alone.” He finished with finality in his voice, silencing everyone. 

Then he gestured to one of his men who withdrew a check out of nowhere, and placed it on the table between them.

“Here is what I’m willing to offer and should serve you and your family for the rest of your lives. Now, is there still any other objection?” He cocked a mischievous brow in the air as he questioned, finally leaning back in his seat. “After all, rumors have it you have no use for her.” I didn’t have to look before I knew his gaze was now solely resting on me.

From his tone, this wasn’t a request, it was more of an order. 

At that very moment, my mouth went dry and I swallowed hard, my eyes trained on the ground as though I knew it was already done. This was it. There was nothing anyone could do, this was how I ended up being sold to a mysterious Alpha out of nowhere. 

As much as it was freedom, it was strange, and terrifying at the same time. What if this was just another hellhole?