Chapter 6

Dakina’s POV

Alpha King Alfonso.

I know that name all too well. Alpha Alfonso is one of the  most powerful Alpha in the werewolf world. The ruler of the Moon Lake Pack. Everyone respects him

My father spoke of him with such reverence, such admiration. During meetings when I am asked to serve water to my father as usual, I would catch snippets of conversations about the great Alpha King Alfonso - his strength, his wisdom, his leadership- every alpha wanted to stay on his good book and partner with him.  Father always said that me meeting him would be the greatest honor of his life as I would learn a thing or two from him. Arrangements were even ongoing for me to meet him

Well, I guess the meeting has finally happened as daddy had wanted. Here I stand before this supposed great he-wolf. This hero of a man that I had painted in my head. This is him. This is the great Alpha King Alfonso.

The man who knotted me without my consent!

Disgust rises in my throat like bile- vile and so bitter. In my childish dreams, he was noble and honorable. A true leader who protected the innocent. He was a man I saw to be just

What a fool I was!

The voice from behind the door comes again, and my rage quickly transforms into drenching fear. Because right now, with Lucan's guard standing just outside that door, Alpha Alfonso's identity doesn't matter. 

If he knows I'm in here, he will tear down this whole place to please his stupid master, Lucan. He won't care that Alpha Alfonso is any king. Everyone knows about the bounty on my head, and Lucan has ordered me to be brought to him at once no matter who I am with or where I am- as long as it is within his territory 

I'm no longer brave. I'm no longer ready to die.

I need to survive.

My death wish has just been thrown out of the window and I am now carved into this small shell full of fear. Ah, how I hate myself so much right now

"Alpha King?" the guard calls again, his voice closer to the door now. "I heard noises coming from here. Are you certain everything is alright there?"

Alpha Alfonso's dark eyes study my face, and I know he can see the fear in my eyes and he smirks at the sight- feeding off my terror like a predator does on a pret

"Tell me, little bad wolf," he whispers so low that only I can hear. "You still have that wish of yours? The one where you said you wanted to die?"

I shake my head immediately, unable to speak. My whole body shakes against the wall.

A cruel smile appears on his face. "Wow. You were so brave a few minutes ago. So ready to die rather than stay with me."

He leans closer, his breath hot against my face so much that I can taste it. "Did you know there's a heavy bounty on your head? So big, actually I never knew you pack had so much money. Well, I could use some extra wad of cash in my name. Talk about getting new exotic wines for myself ."

Mu whole body tenses up as I understand his words better. No. He cannot . He would not. I would not let him…

But then he wraps his huge palm around my wrist, and he starts dragging me toward the door.

"No," I beg, tears gathering again in my eyes. If there was an award for crying, I would most probably get it by now. “Please, no."

"What's wrong?" Alfonso asks, his tone mocking. "Not so brave anymore, little wolf?"

I stumble behind him, my legs wibbly with fear. "Please," I beg, quaking like a stray leaf in a storm. "Please don’t take me out there”

He stops when we are close to the door and turns to face me as if he is amazed. "Oh, now you're begging? I never knew that you had it in you. How quickly things change when death is in your face"

Tears stream down my face as I grab onto his arm. "Lucan will kill me. He killed my father. He killed my brother. He'll do worse to me. He will force me to have his children then he will slaughter me"

"Do you remember what you said?” He smiles like pure evil. So much that I think he is just like watching me suffer. “You said you'd rather die than stay with me," he reminds me, clearly enjoying this pitiful display of mine. "You don’t know what you want anymore?"

I go straight to my knees, holding his hand tight like he is my savior at this point in time. "I was wrong. I was angry. I didn't mean it."

"You know what I think”" He bends down to my level, until his face is very close to mine. "You meant everything. You spat in the face of an alpha. You called me a bastard. You said you'd rather be knotted by an entire pack than by me. Don’t you think you should pay for your sins?."

"I'm sorry," I cry. "I'm cery sorry. Forgive me, I'll do anything. Just don't give me to him."

Alfonso tilts his, looking at me like I am a beggar- well, literally I am. "Anything?"

I nod desperately. "Yes. Anything."

"Be my breeder," he says simply. "Bear me an heir. This makes us even. You bear me a heir, I keep you safe"

I cannot believe my ears. He is still standing by this? What difference is he from Lucan? Is it not enough that he knotted me already without my constant!? "You already knotted me," I say, rage almost coming back in

“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” he exclaims when he notices my rage. “Take a chill pill, little wolf. You are probably already carrying your pup. What else is left? You're already bound to me. Might as well make it official."

I feel sick. Used. Manipulated. But what choice do I have?

"What do I gain from all these?” I ask, hating myself for even seeing this as an option 

Alfonso's looks at me in surprise. "You have balls, little wolf. You're literally begging for your life, and you want to negotiate?"

"I want something more, I think it is fair that way" I say, knowing I'm taking a risk. 

He looks at me, his expression going from awe to resignation- which takes a while, then lets out a low chuckle. "There is a thin line between your bravery and utter stupidity."

"I'm an just desperate," I admit.

Alfonso stands up, pulling me to my feet with him. "Fine. I'll keep you safe, and I'll help you take down Lucan. Is that enough for you greedy little thing?"

The promise of vengeance against my brother makes me not think properly again. Since this nightmare began, this is the first time the world makes sense. Lucan destroyed my entire life. If Alfonso can help me make him pay… then I will agree to this hot mess happening now

"Yes," I whisper. "I accept."

Not like I have a choice, but at least I'll get something out of this arrangement beyond just staying alive.

"Alpha King?" the guard calls again, his voice more insistent now. "Should I call additional guards?"

Alfonso looks at me, and I see something calculating in his expression. "You know," he says slowly, "that bounty really is big. More money than I've seen offered for a single person. You must really be precious."

My blood runs cold. "What do you mean?"

His grip tightens around my hand. "I'm saying, of what use is an omega proud wolf to me? Maybe I should reconsider our arrangement."

"No," I panic. “We just made a deal. You can't…"

"A deal can always be undone. I can do whatever I want, little wolf. I'm the Alpha King."

"Please," I whisper, but I can see that he is already making a decision 

He drags me toward the door, and I stumble behind him, my heart pounding so hard as I think of a next move

“Alpha King," the guard continues from outside. " I should mention, we're still searching for the fugitive, Danika. Alpha Lucan is so desperate to have his sister returned to him. He really loves her. The mating ceremony should happen soon, and she ran away. Alpha Lucan has offered a huge reward for any information leading to her capture."

Alfonso stops walking. He turns to look at me, and I see the exact moment where my life flashes before my eyes

"I think I'll pick the money over you," he says quietly, his grip on my wrist becoming painful.

My eyes fly wide open. “After everything, you are going to betray me?” I manage to say

"Yes,” he smirks, “I just want to show you what death looks like. This is what your big mouth has done to you”

“Please…” 

"Actually," he calls out to the guard, his eyes never leaving mine, his smile not faltering. “I think I have something you might want."