02

« I’m just trying to help you, okay ? This party is for you, you know. » He points to another spot on the second story window that I’ve been cleaning for half an hour because it’s impossible to satisfy this annoying freak.

« For me ? What do you mean for me ? It’s for Nathan just like everything else. » I say, scrubbing the window like I have a vengeance to settle with it.

Nathan is the Alpha’s son. Along with his upcoming 18th birthday, the title will also be given to him. And just like all Alpha children, Nathan’s a spoiled brat. Anything we ever do as a pack is always for him.

One time his father even made us throw a party for his first chest hair. What was even worse is that it was a dinner party. Of course I couldn’t eat anything without throwing it right back up because one thought was always on my mind, and that was the fact that we were celebrating a chest hair.

« You haven’t heard ? Nathan picked you as his Luna. »

Right then my foot slips off the ladder, sending me plummeting downward. My stomach is skinned on the steps before my hands gain purchase where my feet once were.

« WHAT ?! » I choke on my own saliva while trying desperately to reattain my footing.

« I thought you would’ve known by now, » He shrugs simply.

« No. There’s nothing to know, because it’s not happening. » I state firmly and begin to climb down the ladder.

« Wait what are you doing ? Adrienne we’re not done ! Adrienne ! » His yelling falls on dismissive ears because there’s no way in hell I’m walking back there, or letting this happen to myself.

There’s a lump stuck in my throat and I’m so angry that my jaw quivers if I’m not grinding my teeth together. My stomach is in knots, but not the good, excited kind of knots. Instead, it’s the kind of knots that urge breakfast to make a reappearance.

I storm my way towards the Alpha’s house, on the hunt for a certain ego inflated, soon to be Alpha. The angry and quick pace I keep earns me some concerned stares from the pack members as I march through our little village.

I try to ignore them as I make a beeline for the house. Now that I think of it, everyone has been treating me differently. I’ve been getting dirty looks and side-eyed glares all week, and I’m just now noticing it.

They could only be thinking one of two things. Why her or thank the gods it’s not me.

My face burns with embarrassment and ignorance. Apparently, everyone has known about my fate except for me. But that ends now.

After having burst through the door of the Alpha’s house without a single trace of hesitation, I head for the stairs where I know his office is. I’m marching my way down the hallway when angry voices stop me dead in my tracks.

« That maniac is on the loose ! How am I suppose to takeover when he’s out there just waiting for someone to pounce on ? » I recognize the whiny yet still smug voice of the celebrated prick, Nathan Swelter.

Since I need to talk to him anyway, sticking around by the partially open door wouldn’t be that wrong, would it ? I’ve never exactly been against eavesdropping before, so what’s the difference now ?

That’s my reasoning as I creep closer to the door and press my ear against the wall, letting the gift of heightened hearing do it’s job.

« He’s less likely to bother us if there are two leaders. You have a Luna picked out, correct ? » I recognize the voice of Alpha Andre, speaking in a composed tone.

« I want Adrienne, » he responds almost immediately, causing me to physically restrain the gag squirming to escape my throat. At the mention of my name, I feel the color drain from my face. « She’s the one and I’m tired of waiting for both her and my title. »

A deep hum reaches my ears, what the Alpha always does when he’s considering something. « Then wait no longer. I’ll have the wedding moved up to Thursday. Since there’s no mate bond to bind you, vows will work just as well. Plus, you’ll have more time to get acquainted with her. Maybe even-« 

« There’s not going to be a wedding, » I announce, seething after barging through the door on impulse. There’s no way I can stand out there and silently listen to my future being decided for me. Not anymore. I’m sick of being a ghost in my own life.

Two pairs of eyes turn on me. One is Nathan’s—a light blue that pairs nicely with neatly combed black hair. The other pair are a darker blue and belong to his father, whose once inky black hair is now peppered with grey. Evidence of the stress that comes attached to the title.

« Excuse me ? » Alpha Andre stands up from his leather office chair. He has squared shoulders and a tall stature that would be hard to beat. One thing is for certain, and it’s that he’s used to looking down on people, not vice versa. He shoots me that disappointing gaze that he’s mastered over the years, making even the most arrogant of wolves ashamed of themselves.

I swallow, fighting to keep my attitude under control. Too many times I’ve mouthed off to him and seen the consequences. But keeping this new leaf turned over is proving to be quite challenging.

« I’m not marrying him or anyone else, » I seethe again, planting my feet firmly in place. He can’t possibly think that he can force me into this. Can he ? He’s held control over me my entire life, but surely there’s a line he won’t cross. There has to be.

To my right, Nathan lets out a frustrated moan.

« Why can’t you just cooperate for once ? » He whines at me. « I thought we were past this. I can give you everything you want ! Who turns down the title of Luna ? » He looks to his father for help with pleading yet demanding eyes.

He’s never grown up. He still reminds me of that same child who threatened to throw a tantrum if he didn’t get his dessert. Or the one who threatened to have my fingers cut off if I tried to play with a toy he’d forgotten he even had.

« You can’t give me shit or you wouldn’t have treated me like it my whole life, » I shoot back, feeling a growl starting to rumble deep in my chest. He’s always thought of himself as royalty and everyone else peasants. But in my eyes, a king without a crown isn’t a king at all.

Alpha Andre snarls at me for my backlash. « Watch your damn tongue. » He then turns to his son, confidence thick in the air around him. « She’ll do whatever I say. » He sits back down in his chair, leaning back and watching me with a calculating look. One that reminds me of a beady eyed snake in the grass.

« Won’t you Adrienne ? » He asks in that sickly sweet, ominous voice. I hate that voice, that tone. I hate it with all of my being and I always have. It makes me sick. Sicker than imagining a future with Nathan.

I clench my jaw tightly, my hands curling into fists. « And if I don’t ? »

He tilts his head down and smiles darkly, clasping his hands loosely together. « Then you’ll be locked up again. You wouldn’t want that, would you ? I’d think it gets awful lonely down there. »

My blood turns to ice and suddenly I feel cold. Chilled to the bone. It’s as if I can already feel the frigid stone against my skin and the silence ringing in my ears.

I hide my fear and scoff, skeptical and taken aback. There’s no way I can go back there, not to that hellhole. Though if he’s serious about this, then I’m more screwed than the missing ones in his head. Though that’s an easy accomplishment.

« You wouldn’t. » I force my words to come out as a challenge, yet on the inside I feel like breaking down, dropping to my knees, and begging to keep my freedom.