Chapter 2

TW: Mentions of abuse

SOLANA

My eyes widened as Elric tossed a hurriedly scrawled note into my lap. It was undeniably Selene’s writing. Apparently, she had someone she loved and couldn't bring herself to be the pack's sacrificial lamb.

"Are you ignoring me, you brat?!" Elric roared, and I stumbled backwards, crumpling to the ground as my chest heaved.

The wolfsbane in my blood was killing me painfully, and there was nothing I could do. I was a worthless, murderous omega. One undeserving of love and affection. Cursed to live in my younger sister's shadow and bound to an ancient, deadly wolf.

"I don't know where she went," I coughed, keeping my eyes on the floor.

If I didn't, it would only enrage him.

He hated the color of my eyes. Whenever he had his way with me, he would force me to close my eyes. All I had to do was let him spread my legs and do whatever he wanted.

I was already numb to my suffering.

There was no use fighting. What was the use if I was growing closer and closer to my own grave with each passing day?

"If you don't tell me where she is, I'll kill you!" Alpha Elric roared, kicking me in the ribs.

I bit my lip to stifle the groan of pain that threatened to escape.

"I swear to the goddess. I don't know," I croaked. He cursed under his breath, pacing back and forth.

"Fine. You will take her place. You will be the demon alpha's sacrifice," he hissed, and I shivered.

The demon alpha.

It was a name that bred fear and panic throughout the neighboring towns. Even pure-blooded vampires feared him. He was no king, but his influence was greater than royalty.

Every year, he receives a maiden from packs to appease him. To keep their peace. And to ensure their protection.

Rumors say he doesn't have a mate and has been searching for a breeder strong enough to bear him an heir.

My sister had literally narrowly escaped death. It was said that none of the maidens made it out alive. I had to protect my sister, who was so full of life. Sure, she wouldn’t value what I was about to do. But I was relieved to know that she'd gone far away from here.

Alpha Elric opened the small storage room where the ceremonial dress was. Then he tossed it at my feet.

"Make no mistake, mutt. When I find your sister, I will break her legs and have all of my officials ruin her."

No, he wouldn't. Not my sister. He could do whatever he wanted to me. But not her.

Please, Mother Selene, protect my sister.

"Get dressed! He will be arriving soon," he hissed, and I nodded. He stormed out of my tiny room and slammed the door shut.

Shakily, I picked myself off the ground, grabbing the dress. It was beautiful. It had pearls stitched to it, and it was soft and silky.

The kind of dress I didn't think I would ever get to wear before my demise.

I smiled, gazing at it. It didn't matter that this could as well be my funeral clothes, it was beautiful. I loved it. Holding it to my chest, I closed my eyes, my smile widening.

...

"Lana!!!" I looked up at the sound of my best friend's voice. There were tears running down her pale cheeks.

She ran to me, sobbing hard. "I heard... Oh Goddess. How can you do this? You're going to die," she croaked, wrapping her arms around me.

I hugged her, pressing a goodbye kiss to her temple.

"You made my painful days less agonizing. Thank you, Tara," I said to her, and she sniffled, her nose turning pink.

"Why does it have to be you?" She cried.

"I have accepted my fate, dear. If we don't meet again in this lifetime, I hope we meet again in the next. Take care of yourself, Tara," I said, and she nodded, sobbing harder.

I smiled softly, refocusing my gaze on the mirror before me.

My makeup was light, my glowing emerald eyes shining brighter than ever.

It was because I was happy. The happiest I had ever been.

My dream was finally coming true. My dream of dying somewhere far away from this pack, where I've shed enough blood and tears.

There was a loud knock on the door. Tara tensed, pulling away from me.

"Come out," Beta Ansel said with a gruff voice.

My heartbeat spiked. It was time.

Still, I kept a brilliant smile on my face and rose to my feet, gently squeezing Tara's cold hands.

She refused to let go of me. She followed closely by my side and headed out of the room with me.

"Follow me," Beta Ansel said, and I turned to look at Tara.

"It's okay. I'll be fine," I told her.

She shook her head, fresh tears welling up in her bloodshot blue eyes.

"I'm going with you. I don't care if you're going to a prison, a pit, or hell itself."

I chuckled. "You're being dramatic."

We both followed after Beta Ansel, who seemed to be getting more irritated by our exchange.

Finally, we halted in front of a large mahogany door. The one that led to Alpha Elric's study.

Beta Ansel knocked on the door, and it creaked open. The instant it did, the smell of roses flooded my nostrils. I gasped, startled by the intensity. Roses were my favorite.

Where was this scent coming from?

My rose garden had been burnt down to ashes by Kamala when she'd discovered it. Therefore, there was no way there were flowers in Elric's study.

His beta ushered me in while Tara tightened her hold on me.

The moment we stepped in, my heart started to pound faster at the sight of him. A man larger than life itself.

He was seated on a chair in front of Elric's desk, wearing a long dark coat that was perfectly tailored. His shoulders were super broad, highlighting the raw strength and masculinity that oozed from him. His pitch-black hair cascaded down his shoulders in beautiful waves.

Slowly, he turned to look at me, and my heart stuttered. His face was blank. Almost like he was a lifeless sculpture.

Goddess, his eyes....

One of them was pitch black, and the other was a bright red.

A gruesome scar marred the skin from his left temple ending just shy of his jawline.

"Two?" He asked, his deep voice reverberating in the small space. My stomach tightened, my breathing quickening.

"No, Roman. Apologies for the confusion," Elric said, smiling nervously while glaring at Tara.

The demon alpha cocked his head, lifting a hand to point at me.

“Her?”

Elric cleared his throat, sweat glistening on his forehead.

“Yes—”

Before he could finish his statement, the demon alpha rose to his feet, slowly.

I gaped at him, my eyes bulging in their sockets. He towered above everyone in the room, his aura intimidating.

“If that’s the case, I’m leaving,” he said, and my heart sank.

“Roman, please. I need your protection. The blue rose pack—”

“Elric,” the alpha practically growled, his presence sucking out the oxygen in the room. “How dare you insult me. Do you want to die?”

Elric paled, and Tara gripped my hand tighter, her palm sweaty.

Panic washed over me the instant the demon alpha started to head towards the door where Tara and I were standing.

No, he can’t leave. He’s my only ticket out of this hell, I thought.

Tara quickly pulled me out of the way, and I realized then that the smell of roses was coming from him.

My life flashed before my eyes, and tears welled up in my eyes. I didn’t want to die here in Red Groove Pack.

Gritting my teeth, I pulled away from Tara and grabbed the demon alpha’s hand.

He froze instantly, and so did I.

But something else was happening inside of me.

Amira, my wolf who had been suppressed for years finally stirred inside of me.

‘Mate,’ she whimpered and my eyes bulged in their sockets, my gaze meeting the demon Alpha’s mismatched eyes.