My Brother Sold Me to an Alpha Who Knelt Before Me

My brother forced me to drink an aphrodisiac, triggering my heat early.Half-conscious, I felt someone pulling at my clothes.I wanted to fight, but my arms and legs felt like lead, and I couldn't move them.My mother's voice came from above me. "Penny, I don't have a choice, either. If we don't get this investment, the pack may not survive."You're an Alpha's daughter. Think of it as a sacrifice for the pack." As she spoke, she dressed me in a lace slip.I wanted to speak, but I didn't even have the strength to move my lips. All I could do was let her do whatever she wanted with me.Then my brother's voice came from outside, trembling with excitement. "Mom, it's settled. Rowan Gale is sending someone to pick her up soon."Then he patted my shoulder."Don't act like you've been wronged. That's Rowan Gale, the Alpha of the largest pack in the werewolf world. Women fight each other for a chance to get into his bed. Count yourself lucky."My mother agreed. "That's right. If Rowan Gale act

When the doors opened, all the gold in the room was bright enough to blind anyone.Even the stone set into the floor was a piece of jade worth a fortune.Never mind all the objects scattered around the room, large and small. Even an ordinary ashtray in that room was worth a million dollars.At the sight of so much luxury, my mother's mouth fell open."The ornaments in this room alone could buy our entire pack, and this is only one of his least important rooms. Just how rich is he?"I can't even imagine how rich he is."My brother went around touching everything like a dog that had never been let out."Penny, if you serve Rowan Gale well, our pack will never have to worry about money again."If I were a woman, I'd gladly be his dog."I found his behavior both pitiful and ridiculous.I could see at a glance that this was no ordinary room.The pen displayed under glass on the cabinet wasn't a rare antique. It was the pen I used to sign with.The blue moon roses in full bloom on the table

Rowan stayed where he was and didn't answer.He lowered his eyes and wouldn't look at me, like a big dog whose owner had found its weak spot."Answer me!" I didn't raise my voice, but each word carried enough weight to leave no room for argument.He finally gave in. "Only three..." Then he hurried to explain, "I only looked at them. I never touched them."Never touched them. I knew he was telling the truth.Even when he'd done something wrong, he'd never once lied to my face.I pointed at Blanche on the floor."And her? How do you explain her?"Rowan's face darkened, and Blanche scrambled back two steps, staring at him in terror."What have you been telling people you are?"Blanche's lips trembled, and her words came out in fragments. "I said... I said I was your secretary..."I cut her off before she could finish. "You were the person who mattered most to him, the only woman close to him, and there was even talk that..." I paused deliberately, then continued, "You would be his Luna?"

It was raining hard outside, and I stood under the eaves looking out at the street.Guards were everywhere, but not one of them dared to stop me.My bruises had almost faded.Then an umbrella appeared above my head, and a coat settled around my shoulders."I've looked into it. Merrick's pack is nothing. The slightest crisis could wipe it out."He can't make you happy."I looked at him quietly. "What is it you're trying to say?""You'd rather be with someone so useless than come back to me?"I looked straight at him."He isn't useless."He takes care of me in every way, remembers every anniversary, and makes me breakfast every morning."Rowan ground his teeth."I can do all of that ten thousand times better. I can give you the largest pack in the werewolf world and make you the most honored Luna alive."I shook my head. "He doesn't keep a kennel full of dogs around to disgust me the way you do."Rowan stiffened, his face turning pale. "What can he give you? Being his mate only means liv