Chapter 2. A Debt To Pay

Sandra was saying something that Pearl couldn't believe. She felt like the sky was falling upon her head now. Pearl had been getting ready for the job program for months. After graduating from university, she desired to obtain an internship certificate and the opportunity to work at the company.

However, Sandra ruined all the fun this morning by forcing Pearl to attend dinner. Pearl shook her head, refusing her mother's order.

"No, Mom. I don't want to go there. I have to prepare for Excellor tomorrow!" Pearl said, denying the order. Briana was stunned and couldn't believe her sister, Pearl, would be matched. She turned to her father, John, who was just silent.

"You will come to the party. It's clear that you need to be there at six in the afternoon, no matter what you plan to do before." Sandra finished by scolding Pearl with her eyes wide. Pearl shook her head again. She didn't want to do that at all.

"But,"

"Stop arguing with me. There's no point at all. As a good girl, wear your nicest clothes to dinner and be nice to everyone. Make sure the Kerrant family treats you well when you visit." Sandra told Pearl, cynically, to do what she had chosen on her own.

She kept glaring at Pearl. Meanwhile, Pearl creased in thought. She couldn't understand the situation. Her eyes followed Sandra as she left the kitchen, having ruined the fun and happiness of the morning.

"Dad, what happened? Why does Pearl have to get married all of a sudden?" Briana asked while holding her dad's hand. John took a quick breath and turned his head away. He needed a moment to respond.

In a low tone, John said, "Your mother and I have decided." His face looked uncomfortable when he saw Pearl's expression. John then approached Pearl, who did nothing but stare perplexedly at her dad.

"I'm sorry, dear. I know this came up out of nowhere. We need to meet for dinner and get to know each other. The wedding is not going to happen now. You should have time to get to know each other." John gave Pearl a small smile as he told her about his and Sandra's plans.

Pearl was still confused and didn't understand. "But, Dad. If I'm getting married, I will lose this internship. I can't let this pass me by, Dad. This is a chance I've wanted for a long time," Pearl said, almost begging.

Briana and Keith looked sad about Pearl's situation. It must be very upsetting and hard to understand.

"I know, dear. We also care about your happiness, though. You're still young, and being alone on the street or going to work is very dangerous," said John, uttering a silly excuse.

"So, do you want me to get married because I'm alone? Dad, I'm fine!" Pearl denies the ridiculous excuse John gives her. John smiled and strangely shook his head. It looked like he had something to hide. Pearl just can't read anything.

"Dad," Pearl insisted again.

"Please, sweetheart. We'll talk about this later, okay?" John smiled once more, then nodded. He left the room to see Sandra. Pearl was getting more upset. She wanted to yell out loud. It felt like all of her work had gone for nothing. There, she only sat on a chair, squeezing her hair frustratingly. 

"Oh God, what should I do?" Pearl mumbled. Briana came over, sat next to her, and stroked her arm. She wanted to comfort Pearl, although she was also disappointed in her parents.

"Be patient, Pearl. I'm sure that you will be able to continue participating in the internship. Isn't that right, Keith?" Briana turned to Keith. Keith smiled and nodded. Keith helped cheer Pearl up by stroking her shoulder.

"You have always been the strongest all this time. Don't worry, we'll find a way out."

Pearl smiled bitterly at her siblings. She vaguely nodded, even though she was still miserable. How can she still do an internship at Excellor if she ends up getting married?

John stepped hurriedly to his bedroom to find Sandra. She was applying makeup to her face when John came to confront her.

"What are you doing? Why did you tell Pearl that?" John reprimanded Sandra muffled. Sandra stood in front of the mirror and glared back through it. She quickly stood up and turned to scold John, but she raised her voice.

"Then when will you tell her that she will be meeting them? Do you want her to get that job and cancel all our plans?"

John widened his eyes and panicked. He worried that her voice would be too loud to hear. He closed to Sandra and gave her a sign with both hands so she could lower her pitch.

"Don't talk too loud. They will hear it!"

"Just let them know. Why are you still covering all this up?" Sandra answered in a still-high pitch. In annoyance, John crossed his arms before his chest and looked away. He took a deep sigh to hold his agitation. He didn't want his children to acknowledge his debt, especially for Pearl.

"Sandra, I beg you. Let's not talk about it yet. I was looking for a way to tell Pearl." John coaxed again. Sandra glared at him more. She didn't like how John handled things to Pearl.

"Pearl must get married immediately to cover our debts. I don't want us to put Briana to marry into that monster." Sandra was again adamant about her wishes.

"They are not monsters,"

"I don't care, John. They are werewolves. Even if they are rich, I will never sacrifice my daughter for them. Just give them the marriage by giving out your adopted girl!" Sandra kept the pressure on her husband by referring to Pearl's hidden status.

John remained silent. He had little time to pay off his debts to the Kerrants. When the Kerrants offered the marriage, John could only accept it.

At the same time, Bruce Kerrant was listening to his butler's plans for tomorrow's dinner ball.

"Everything is ready, Alpha." Bruce nodded slightly, then turned to see his son Taggart coming over.

"I don't think I can attend that ball, Dad. I have to go to Atlanta tonight. I have work to do," said Taggart huskily and coldly to his father.

"You have to come, Tagg. As you are the next Alpha, you must choose your Luna as your bride," Bruce answered calmly. Taggart let out a deep breath and cast his gaze to the side.

"If you have decided it, I will begin the initiation immediately. What do you think?" Taggart's golden-brown eyes returned to his father. He just raised his eyebrows and then nodded.

It is the umpteenth time Bruce Kerrant has thrown a dinner ball for his eldest son, Taggart. He plans to find a mate for Taggart to lead their pack, The Silver Moon.