Chapter 2: Traded to the Beast

Kate's POV

I was forcibly awoken by the harsh clang of steel against steel.

I jolted upright in my bed, disoriented, until my blurry vision focused on the armored warriors shoving open my chamber door.

"Up, omega. It's time to leave." One of them barked gruffly.

Fear and dread washed over me as the reality crashed back.

Today was the fateful crimson moon - the ritual night I would be traded away to become the mate of Dimitri, the dreaded Alpha of the Blood Moon pack.

"I-I'm not ready yet." I tried to protest, only to shrink back when one warrior aimed the tip of his halberd point at my throat.

"You'll go as you are, half-breed. We've wasted enough time and resources on scum like you already."

The words dripped with sneering contempt, a constant reminder of how low I was viewed in my own pack.

My status as the Alpha's daughter meant nothing, here I was just a pitiful omega to be used as a bargaining chip.

With a harsh yank, the warriors hauled me to my feet, not caring when I cried out in pain as my slender wrists were bound tightly.

How utterly I had fallen, to be treated as a lowly criminal being dragged to my doom.

They half-carried, half-dragged me battered form out of my chambers and down the twisting corridors of the Twilight Fang den.

Once I had walked these halls with pride, my head held high despite the snide whispers of the lower ranks behind my back.

Now those same packmates jeered and threw garbage at the shackled princess being marched in disgrace to her new fate.

I kept my eyes averted, jaw clenched to hold back the shamed tears burning behind my eyes.

All too soon, they reached the main ceremonial courtyard where the full force of my pack had assembled beneath the swollen crimson moon.

At the center of the gathered crowd stood my father Damien, stoic and impassive on his throne, flanked by two subordinates.

I froze, heart dropping into my stomach when I recognized the powerful, feral figure at his right hand.

Dimitri of the Blood Moon pack...my new 'mate' to be.

He cut an utterly intimidating presence, over six feet of chiseled wolf-warrior muscle corded with scars and twisted lycan brands.

His striking features were ruggedly handsome despite the jagged slashes marring one side of his brutally scarred face.

And those eyes...endless pits of swirling silver and cold fire that made me blood freeze in my veins.

Eyes that radiated a perpetual ferocity and killer instinct, just waiting to be unleashed.

This was the feared Alpha I would soon belong to?

A heartless, bloodthirsty monster who cared only for power and territory?

I couldn't hold back a pitiful whimper of fear that drew a few derisive chuckles from the assembled wolves.

As I was dragged before the dais, Dimitri's piercing gaze slowly raked over my trembling form in a way that made me feel utterly exposed and insignificant. As if he were a merciless wolf assessing weakling prey.

Finally, those fathomless silver eyes locked onto mine, brimming with a dark, unsettling promise.

I swallowed thickly, my entire body crawling with visceral dread at what fate awaited me at this male's hands.

"Presenting our half-breed omega daughter, Kate," My father announced to the court in a booming baritone. "As per our negotiations over the western range, she is now your 'mate' and property to do with as you please, Alpha Dimitri."

Dimitri gave him the barest hint of a nod, his expression twisted in what seemed like a mocking sneer.

"Your clan's...generosity is noted, Alpha Damien. She shall make an...intriguing addition to my ranks."

The way his eyes trailed over me again made my stomach churn with visceral dread.

Those merciless silver orbs saw right through her defiant front, cutting right to the core of my deep-seated terror.

"B-Begging your pardon..." One of my father's brutish Betas stepped forward with a contemptuous sneer. "But shouldn't you be claiming the half-breed now before she attempts to flee again? Can't have your new bitch runnin' loose like an untrained whelp!"

A vicious growl rumbled out from Dimitri's chest, sharp canines flashing in warning.

"Watch your tone when addressing me, lesser wolf. My 'bitch' as you so crudely put it, is now my responsibility. And I don't take kindly to having my affairs questioned."

The hapless Beta froze, eyes going wide as realization set in that he had just openly disrespected one of the most vicious Alphas in all the packs.

I shrank back, fully expecting Dimitri to lash out in a burst of staggering violence.

Instead, he turned his smoldering gaze onto me, raking over my probably lithe, disheveled form in a way that made me long to cover myself. To hide beneath the scorching weight of that lascivious stare.

"Although...perhaps a lesson in obedience is in order."

Before I could even blink, he surged forward in a shocking blur of preternatural speed and ripped the binding ropes from my wrists with one savage jerk.

I gasped in shock and pain, automatically cradling my raw, bloody wrists to my chest.

Then Dimitri's merciless gaze locked onto my own, freezing me in place like a hapless rabbit ensnared by a wolf's steely glare.

A wicked smirk slowly curled one corner of his scarred mouth.

"On your knees, omega. Present yourself to your new Alpha mate...properly."

Heart thundering, I could only watch in mute shock and terror as he slowly began to shift before me.

Bones crunched and sinuous muscle rippled beneath his skin as his body transformed into something bestial. Something not quite man...and not quite wolf.

A horrifying hybrid monster, towering over my cowering form.

I was paralyzed with fear. I couldn't even scream as the grotesque lycan advanced on me, bloody fangs gleaming wetly in the crimson moonlight, hungry for the taste of flesh and submission.

My vision became impossibly warped.

Darkness crept in around the edges as I lost myself in those icy silver pools, reflecting the promise of pain and possession soon to come.

Just before the blackness enveloped me completely, I heard his sadistic rumbling chuckle, devoid of any shred of humanity or warmth.

"Welcome to your new life, little omega. Let's see how much you can endure..."