Sold!

Thalia’s POV:

When I woke up, the scent of herbs filled the room. I was lying on a soft bed, but my head throbbed, and my body felt heavy. I reached for my face, only to find it wrapped tightly in bandages.

Memories rushed in — the iron, the fire, Selene’s wild eyes.

“No, no, no,” I whimpered, sitting up abruptly. The door creaked open, revealing one of the maids.

“You’re awake!” She gasped. “I... I’ll get your father.”

I tore the bandages from my face, ignoring the maid’s pleas as I stumbled to the mirror across the room. What stared back at me was a stranger.

A hideous scar marred the left side of my face, stretching from my temple to the corner of my mouth. My once flawless skin was ruined.

“Who... who is this?.” I whispered, with teary eyes.

The door opened again, and this time, my father entered. His cold eyes examined me like I was no longer useful. “You’ll wear a veil from now on,” He said with no trace of sympathy. “We can’t have the Pack losing appetite at feasts.”

I choked back a sob. “Father, please—”

“Enough.” His voice was like steel. “You brought shame to this family by seducing Nero. Be grateful I didn’t banish you.”

“But I— I didn’t—” My voice broke.

Over the next few days, I remained locked inside my chambers, with a heavy veil resting permanently over my face. Servants came and went, leaving food I barely touched, avoiding my gaze as if I were a ghost.

Outside, the pack prepared for the upcoming mating ceremony — laughter and music echoing from beyond my window.

The next day, during the Mating ceremony I sneaked out of my room and roamed around the Pack's Square freely.

But before I could go any further, I was grabbed by Selene who alerted my father. After scolding me, he made his coachman escort me back home, where I was locked inside my room, while everyone enjoyed the Mating Ceremony.

Suddenly, the door slammed open, rattling the weak hinges.

“Thalia!” My father’s loud voice filled the room, making me flinch. “How dare you disgrace me in front of the entire Pack?!”

I struggled to sit up, my head still pounding. “I had no choice, you refused to acknowledge the fact that Selene ruined my face. So I had to do anything to get your attention.”

He scoffed. “Selene? You expect me to believe that sweet girl would scar her own blood?!”

“She did!” My voice cracked. “She branded me, after she accused me of stealing Nero. I swear—”

“You little liar!” Selene burst into the room, her hair slightly disheveled but tears streaking her face. She looked pitiful, trembling as if she’d been wronged. “She attacked me, Father! I had no choice but to defend myself!”

“That’s not true!” I pleaded, eyes wide. “She planned it!”

Selene’s mother, Lady Brynn, swept in like a storm. “Enough!” She barked. Her eyes gleamed with hatred as they landed on me. “You vile little slut! You’ve always spread your skirts before men who showed you attention. Now you cry because you couldn’t have Nero? Pathetic!”

I swallowed the lump in my throat. “I never wanted him.”

My father’s eyes avoided mine, instead settling on the floor. His lips curled with disgust. “With that ruined face, you’re of no use to me now.”

My stomach dropped. “Father?”

“You’ll be sold.” His voice was cold. “I’ve already sent word. You leave at dawn.”

Sold?

My legs buckled. “No! Father, please!”

“You’re nothing but shame to me now. At least you can bring some silver to this household.”

With that, my father and Lady Brynn stormed out of the room. As soon as they were out of sight, Selene shut the door and stepped closer.

“You should thank me,” She said coldly. “Now, Nero won’t have to pretend to care for you.”

My heart twisted. “Why would you do this to me? I’m your sister.”

“Stepsister.” She corrected me.

“I am still your blood.”

“Well, you were always in my way.” She hissed, stepping closer. “The Pack loved you, father paraded you like a trophy, and Nero... he would have chosen you, even if the both of you were not Fated.”

Tears stung my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. “You’ll never be Luna.”

Selene’s lips curled into a satisfied smile. “No. But neither will you.”

She left without another word, and later that night, when the household was asleep, I stood before the mirror. My trembling fingers reached for the veil. Slowly, I lifted it, exposing my scarred face.

I wiped the tears from my cheeks.

“If the Moon Goddess has cursed me,” I whispered. “Then I will become her greatest curse in return.”

<><>

The next morning, I was tossed onto the back of a wagon, like cattle.

The journey to the Moon Shadow Pack was cold and silent, save for the guards’ occasional cruel laughter.

When we arrived, the sight alone was enough to steal my breath. The Packhouse had high walls that were crowned with iron spikes, and it felt like I was being swallowed by a beast.

And standing at its heart was him.

Lycan Alaric.

I had seen his picture on countless news reports. But never did I imagine that he would be this handsome.

His aura made my wolf cower, his broad shoulders, scarred jaw, and cold blue eyes marked him unmistakably as the feared warrior of the Moon Shadow pack.

He barely spared me a glance. “Is she the one?” He asked, coldly

“Yes, Lycan,” The guard replied.

Alaric’s eyes flicked over me. “Put her to work.”

And just like that, I was dragged to the servant quarters. “You’ll clean the warriors’ wing,” The head maid snapped.

Days passed in a haze of scrubbing floors and serving arrogant Alphas. Most treated me like dirt. One, in particular, a broad-shouldered female slave named Valerie, enjoyed shoving me whenever she passed.

“You think you’re better because you were once an Elder’s daughter?” She hissed one evening, shoving me into a pile of dirty linens.

Before I could respond, a growl shook the corridor. “Enough,” Lycan Alaric’s voice thundered. He stepped from the shadows. “Touch her again, and you’ll lose more than your pride.”

Valerie paled and scampered away. My chest fluttered and I was filled with fear and... gratitude.

Before I could thank him, my wolf stirred around and whispered. ‘Mine.’

I staggered back as the bond’s pull slammed into me like a wave. I looked back up to see the look of horror on Alaric’s face.

He didn't look happy.

His blue eyes widened, his fists clenched and the color drained from his face.

“No!” He snarled under his breath. “No, no, no.”

I stepped closer. “What's wrong?” I asked, as tears welled up in my eyes.

“You?” He hissed.

Tears fell. “ Lycan Alaric, I—”

He seized me by the chin, forcing me to meet his eyes. “You will never speak of it again. Do you understand? You are nothing but a hideous slave.”

And from that day onwards, Alaric treated me worse than the dirt beneath his boots.

Yet, he couldn’t stay away.

First of all, he made me his personal servant. I had to attend to his every need—dressing him, tending to wounds, scrubbing his chambers.

After that, I became his bed warmer. He never touched me gently, yet his lingering stares felt warm.

One night, after a feast, he returned reeking of wine. “You don’t speak, and don’t cry,” He said, as he cornered me.

Despite every instinct to run, I stood frozen. Suddenly, I was lifted up and taken to his bed.

I fell asleep while he went on and when dawn broke, the first thing I noticed when I woke up was the stinging pain in my neck.

My eyes widened as I realized what it could be.

Just to be sure, I rushed out of the bed and made my way to the mirror. And just like I suspected.

“Lycan Alaric marked me.” I whispered, staring at my reflection in disbelief.