Chapter 2

Celia POV

I swiftly dodged the slap with ease.

My father, Zander, was growing increasingly furious.

"Celia, your mother tried so hard to find a suitable man for you, and this is how you present yourself? Dressing like this and openly kissing a man on the street? You've brought shame to our Dark Moon pack! Kneel down and apologize to your mother immediately!"

Zander's voice echoed with anger.

Sarah, my stepmother, intervened, trying to pacify the situation.

"Zander, it's okay, really. Don't blame Celia. It's my fault. I haven't been a good stepmother, and she's young and impulsive..."

Sarah wiped away her tears, trying to appear innocent. "It's fine, really."

I interjected, my tone cold and composed, "She's not my mother."

Sarah was my stepmother scheming to sell me off and strip away my inheritance rights in the Dark Moon pack.

I handed a stack of documents to Zander.

"Dad, these are the real profiles of the men Sarah wanted me to meet. Take a look. If you find someone you approve of, I'll be with him."

My father looked at the profiles and became utterly shocked.

The men described in the documents were far from impressive. They were mostly older men with peculiar quirks, struggling to find mates.

He glared at Sarah angrily.

"These men are almost my age! How could you do this, Sarah? Are you trying to sell my daughter to them?"

Sarah, trying to explain, stammered, "Zander, I don't know how this happened! I promise I selected the best men for Celia! They must have provided false information!"

I sneered, "Sarah, stop lying! Are you careless about me just because I'm not your daughter? Dad, would you agree if I had to be with such old men?"

Sarah attempted to explain, but Zander, disappointed, tossed the profiles at her face.

"That's enough! You don't need to interfere in Celia's matters anymore! By the way, your bank card will be blocked this month! Reflect on your actions at home!"

Sarah turned pale.

"Zander, please... No, you misunderstood me..."

Ignoring her, my father looked at me apologetically. "Celia, you don't have to meet those men anymore."

I smiled, "Thank you, Dad."

As Zander went upstairs, Sarah shot me a menacing glare, but I remained unfazed.

"Oh, by the way, Sarah," I said casually, "I forgot to mention that the contact information I gave those men is Jocelyn's private number. I hope Jocelyn finds her perfect match among them."

Sarah's face twisted with rage. "What? How dare you do this!!!"

I climbed upstairs and yawned.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang.

Sarah opened the door. A well-dressed man stood at the door. He was accompanied by a few people, carrying many bags in his hands.

"Who are you looking for?" Sarah asked cautiously.

I was curious, hid in the doorway, and peeked open a crack to watch.

Wait...

It was the man's Beta, Calvin!

How did he find out where I live?

Calvin spoke, "Madam, greetings. We are here on behalf of Alpha Leon in Black Mist pack to deliver the engagement gifts for your daughter."

"Engagement gifts?" Sarah's eyes widened. "Wait, Alpha Leon? The Alpha of powerful Black Mist pack?"

Calvin nodded. "Exactly."

"You mean Alpha Leon is interested in my daughter?" Sarah asked, surprised.

Calvin said, "In fact, my Alpha has chosen your daughter as his Luna."

Sarah responded hastily, "Oh, my daughter isn't home right now! I think it would be better if I wait until she returns..."

Calvin interrupted her, "Madam, your daughter has already accepted my Alpha. All you need to do is accept the engagement gifts."

He gestured for his men to bring in the gifts.

"In three days, my Alpha will come in person to take your daughter to the Black Mist pack as his Luna."

"In three days? Isn't that a bit rushed?" Sarah was ecstatic and worried.

Calvin reassured her, "Madam, please rest assured. Alpha Leon has made all necessary arrangements. Your daughter will be well taken care of."

Overwhelmed with joy, Sarah exclaimed, "Oh, that's good! We will be prepared in three days!"

Calvin nodded.

"Very well. We won't disturb you any longer."

Then, he left with his men.

Zander, hearing the commotion, came out.

"Who's here? What's all this?"

Sarah caressed the valuable gifts, trembling.

"Zander, Alpha Leon has taken an interest in our daughter, Jocelyn! These gifts are from the Black Mist pack!"

Zander was stunned.

"What? Alpha Leon? You mean the powerful and wealthy Alpha of the Black Mist pack?"

Sarah nodded eagerly. "Yes, it's him!"

Zander covered his chest.

"My goodness! Jocelyn has actually been chosen by Alpha Leon to be his Luna!"

Sarah, bursting with pride, said, "What's so surprising about that? She's my daughter! Darling, speaking of this, Celia grew up in the countryside, wild and temperamental. I just wanted to find an older man who could tolerate her. You really misunderstood me."

"I know, honey. I'm so sorry," Zander admitted.

I frowned. They mistakenly believed that Leon wanted Jocelyn to be his Luna.

Suddenly, I had a plan in my heart.

…

Next day.

In the afternoon, I returned home, holding a delicate photo frame, and headed upstairs. Jocelyn happened to be coming down and deliberately blocked my way.

"What are you holding? Did you steal the jewelry from my engagement gifts?" She crossed her arms and asked arrogantly.

I halted and replied calmly, "It's just a photo frame, and it's mine."

"Give it to me!"

Jocelyn reached out and snatched the item I was shielding in my arms.

She sneered, "Fuck, just a picture of your mother, that home wrecker. Fortunately, she's already dead!"

I reached out to grab the photo frame, but Jocelyn intentionally dropped it on the floor.

"Oops! My bad!"

Watching the frame being crushed beneath Jocelyn's foot, anger flared up within me.

It was a rare picture of my mother I had found in an old album. The frame was now broken, and the photo had been dirtied.

I grabbed ahold of Jocelyn's clothing, my voice ice-cold.

"Pick it up."

Jocelyn wasn't intimidated. "Celia, look, I'll become the Luna of the Black Mist pack soon! If you dare mess with me, Alpha Leon will kill you! Are you scared now? Get lost!"

She pushed me away and smirked triumphantly, "Alpha Leon chose me to be his Luna! He will protect me no matter what! See? All those gifts over there are from the Black Mist pack! You better not touch them, because you can't afford to compensate for it!"

With a cold and distain look in my eyes, I said to Jocelyn, "Congratulations. But, will a powerful pack like the Black Mist pack accept a wolfless woman as their Luna? You almost became a breeder, remember?"

Jocelyn was hit where it hurt the most.

"So what? Alpha Leon loves me deeply; he will protect me no matter what!"

"Is that so?"

I smiled, saying nothing more. I picked up my mother's photo, dusting off the dirt before turning and heading upstairs.

This was a good outcome.

I didn't have to worry about how to get out of the trouble I accidentally got into yesterday.

Since Jocelyn was so eager to be with that man, it was perfect.

...

Three days later.

Our Dark Moon pack hosted a grand banquet, and relatives and friends gathered to congratulate Jocelyn.

Sarah ensured that Zander spared no expense, making it known to everyone that Jocelyn was soon to become Alpha Leon's Luna.

"Look, Alpha Leon's car is here! So majestic! Those are limited edition luxury cars!"

"Alpha Leon took their lumber business by storm when he came back from studying finance and management abroad! Looks like he's making a lot of money!"

"I envy Jocelyn! She gets to marry a top-tier man like Alpha Leon! He's mature and handsome. So what if he's thirty-five? Mature men often take better care of women."

Listening to the relatives and friends' praises and envy, Jocelyn, dressed in her bridal gown, was brimming with arrogance.

The car stopped at the entrance of Dark Moon pack's mansion.

Leon, tall and imposing, stepped out of the car, exuding power and elegance.

His Beta, Calvin, signaled for the men in their suits to alight from the following cars, following Leon toward the mansion.

Up in the attic, I was peering from the terrace, watching the commotion below.

In a momentary glance between Leon and me, I swiftly turned away.

A sense of unease washed over me.

Leon spotted me!

To be on the safe side, I couldn't linger at home any longer.

I had to slip away quickly!

I briskly walked towards the back door of the mansion, humming a tune to myself.

Before I could take more than a few steps, a powerful force gripped the collar of my shirt, hoisting me up into the air.