Offered to The Alpha Twins

“Fifty hectares of tea plantations. Two tea processing factories. One villa at the top of the estate. Five percent of the pack’s company shares. And protection guaranteed for seven generations.”

Cassandra Ashbourne was standing on the upper floor of her home when the voice came from the living room. Her body froze instantly, her steps coming to an abrupt halt. She remained motionless for a moment, as though she needed time to prepare herself for the path she was about to embark on.

For the Ashbourne family, all those gifts were a price rather than a list of fortunes. They were a value that had to be paid for, and not cheaply.

Cassandra drew a deep breath. Her steps resumed. She slowly began to descend the stairs.

From the upper floor, Cassandra could see the front yard of her family residence, filled with black vehicles. Several luxury cars were parked neatly, and people dressed in black uniforms stood alert and ready at various corners of the yard.

Not a single one of the people there spoke loudly. Conversations were conducted in restrained voices, without laughter or any hint of relaxation.

The Ashbourne residence, which usually felt warm and welcoming, now seemed to have transformed into a place where a funeral was being held. Ironically, it was not a body that would be buried, but Cassandra's life.

In the living room, Patton Ashbourne and Soraya Ellington were sitting facing a red-haired woman in a black suit. She looked calm, almost too calm for an atmosphere like this.

Zaria Cordova, a Gamma of the Orvanthor Pack, was one of those sent directly from the Palace to collect Cassandra. Her posture was straight and every movement was measured and professional.

“The pack's legal counsel will contact the Ashbourne family's legal counsel shortly,” Zaria said. “We will handle all documents related to the gifts this week.”

Patton nodded with a stiff smile. “Thank you for the Palace's kindness.”

Soraya smiled, too, but her fingers were clenched tightly together in her lap. Her expression said it all: none of those gifts brought her any joy.

Zaria returned their smiles. “In addition, the Palace has sent a few small gifts for you, Lord and Lady Ashbourne.”

Cassandra almost smiled bitterly. Having already seen the list of gifts mentioned, she would have bet that the Palace's 'small' gifts were not a matter of price, but size.

Zaria raised one hand. Several people who had been standing behind her immediately stepped forward.

They carried in velvet-lined boxes one after another. The moment one of them was opened, gemstones instantly filled the room with their glitter. Inside were a necklace with a deep red stone the size of a thumbnail, a pair of diamond earrings, a white gold bracelet and several raw gemstones whose names Cassandra did not recognise.

Zaria looked at Patton and Soraya in turn. “I hope you like them.”

“This seems a little excessive, Gamma,” said Soraya, staring at the items with a pale face. “The Ashbourne family has already received so much from the Palace.”

Zaria smiled professionally before responding lightly to Soraya's words. “The Palace holds the Ashbourne family in high regard. So, this is only fitting.”

Soraya swallowed. “We are truly grateful.”

Cassandra could see that Soraya was trying not to cry. She knew the reason, too. Her mother knew that nobody gave this much without expecting something in return, especially not the Palace.

Zaria shifted her gaze towards the staircase. “Is Lady Ashbourne ready?”

Cassandra appeared from the upper floor at precisely the right moment, before Soraya could answer. Her arrival brought the conversation to an immediate halt, and everyone turned to look at her.

Cassandra's figure was framed simply yet elegantly by a long, dark-blue gown. Her brownish-black hair was half-up, with a few soft strands falling around her face. She wore no conspicuous jewellery, except for a pair of pearl earrings given to her by Soraya and a simple necklace.

Cassandra appeared calm, at least on the outside. She had spent nearly an hour in front of the mirror, ensuring that no one could detect even the slightest hint of fear. She did not want to give anyone that satisfaction.

Zaria stood up. “Lady Ashbourne,” she greeted her politely. “It's a pleasure to meet you. I am Gamma Zaria Cordova.”

Cassandra stopped several steps in front of them. “Gamma.”

Zaria asked directly. “So, can we leave now?”

The simple question made the room feel heavier. There was a brief silence, making the sound of their breathing seem louder than usual.

Cassandra turned towards her parents. “May I speak with my parents for a moment?”

“Of course, Lady,” Zaria replied. She gestured to her people. “I will wait outside.”

Once Zaria and her entourage had left and the living room door had closed, Cassandra was alone with her parents for the first time since morning. For the first time since that morning, Cassandra was alone with her parents.

“Mama. Papa.” Cassandra approached her mother. A small smile bloomed on her beautiful face. “I'm leaving now,” she said softly. Her voice sounded calmer than she felt. “Take good care of yourselves.”

Soraya immediately stood up. “Oh, Cassie. You...”

Soraya's words trailed off. Her sentence remained unfinished as her eyes began to glisten with tears.

Cassandra smiled. “Pray for me,” she said, clasping Soraya's hands. “This is a decision I have made. I hope you can support me.”

Soraya shook her head. “What if we find another way?” she asked, her voice trembling. “It's not too late yet, sweetheart.”

Cassandra fell silent, then slowly shook her head. “It's too late, Mama,” she said helplessly. “The Palace has already given us the gifts. My name has also been announced as a candidate to be the Luna of the Alpha Twins. So, I can't back out.”

Soraya's shoulders slumped. She lowered her head. “We're completely useless.”

Cassandra squeezed Soraya's fingers. “Don't say that.”

Soraya let out a muffled groan. “We should have—”

“You've already tried,” Cassandra interrupted quickly. “I know that.” She turned to Patton. Her gaze was gentle and completely devoid of regret. “You've done everything you could.”

Patton said nothing. He remained silent, looking far older than he had a few weeks ago.

Cassandra smiled again, this time more broadly. “So, let me go. I'm sure this is the best way out for us.”

Soraya shook her head again. “I'm not sure, Cassie,” she said, staring intently at Cassandra. Her eyes reflected so much worry that she could not possibly voice it all. “I'm afraid this way out will only lead you into another problem.”

Cassandra fell silent. The words hit far too close to home.

The Palace should always be the safest place, no matter where it was located. Ironically, however, the safety of Orvanthor Palace had recently been called into question by rumours circulating throughout the pack.

Several daughters of noble families had once been sent to the palace with the same status that Cassandra now held. They had been escorted there with honour and welcomed with dignity. They had felt proud and had been filled with beautiful dreams, but then they had disappeared without a trace.

These prospective Lunas vanished as though swallowed by the earth. They were never crowned Luna, nor did they ever return home. They disappeared without a word, an explanation or even a funeral, as though they had never existed.

Soraya rubbed her face. “That rumour can't possibly be just a rumour.”

Cassandra swallowed. “Mama.”

“Many other noble daughters have gone to the palace before, only for all news of them to suddenly disappear,” said Soraya, her voice growing quieter. “Some say that they may have died.”

Cassandra looked at Soraya. “That's just a rumour.”

“Rumours can be true or false,” Soraya insisted, panicking. “What if it's true?”

Cassandra did not answer. She fell silent as the possibility began to shake her resolve.

Soraya spoke again. “They say the Alpha Twins carry a curse.”

Cassandra smiled bitterly. She had a deeply ironic realisation at precisely the right moment: the Alpha Twins' curse meant nothing compared to her current situation. “Would it make any difference to me?”

Soraya froze. “Cassie.”

“At least the palace is the safest place in the world for me to hide,” Cassandra continued, attempting to sound humorous. She didn't find any of this funny; she was simply too exhausted to be afraid anymore. “My chances of surviving are much higher there, Mama.”

Soraya winced. She seemed unable to say anything more. “I'll pray for you, sweetheart,” she said, pulling Cassandra into her arms. Her hands held Cassandra tightly. “Promise me. We'll meet again next year, on your twenty-eighth birthday.”

Cassandra held her breath. For a moment, she felt like crying. But she swallowed all the turmoil in her heart and sealed the promise with a single word. “I promise, Mama.” She released the embrace, then turned to Patton. “Papa, I'm leaving.”

Patton nodded slowly. “Take care of yourself.”

“You need to take care of your health, too,” replied Cassandra, raising an eyebrow. “Remember, you're not allowed to drink coffee anymore.”

Patton nodded, looking serious. “I know,” he said, pressing a brief kiss to Cassandra's forehead. “Now, go. Gamma is waiting for you outside.”

Cassandra embraced Patton and closed her eyes for several seconds. She allowed herself to absorb the farewell before finally releasing him.

Without another word, she turned and walked towards the door. She knew that if she kept talking, she wouldn't be able to leave.

Zaria immediately approached her. “My lady, please.”

Cassandra nodded, then stepped out of the house. She kept walking, not looking back once.

But Cassandra's heart was not strong enough. She gave in. Her steps stopped before she could get into the car.

Cassandra turned to look at her family home one last time. Committing every bit of its beauty and warmth to memory, she promised herself she would return a year later.

“My lady,” said Zaria, pulling Cassandra back to reality. “Is there something wrong?”

Cassandra shook her head. “No,” she answered briefly, before getting into the car.

The journey to the palace passed in silence. The only sound was the soft hum of the engine.

The scenery outside gradually changed. The city buildings disappeared. The roads grew quieter. Forests replaced buildings. The further they travelled, the taller the stone walls in the distance became.

The Main Palace stood behind a massive gate, guarded by dozens of soldiers. Stone towers rose high above the walls, and the Orvanthor emblem—a black wolf with two heads—was carved above the main gate.

Cassandra felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. A strange feeling crept into her mind, causing her to unconsciously clench her hands.

The car passed through the gate without being inspected or asked any questions, and continued onward. The moment it stopped in front of the main staircase, several people approached immediately.

A woman stood at the front. She wore a dark grey uniform bearing the Orvanthor emblem on her chest.

“Lady Ashbourne, it's a pleasure to meet you,” she greeted her politely and warmly. “My name is Darlena Jardine. I am a watcher of the Orvanthor Pack.”

Cassandra smiled faintly. “You can call me Cassandra or Cassie, Watcher.”

Darlena nodded. “Very well, Lady Cassandra,” she said, gesturing for Cassandra to enter.

The entrance hall of the palace was immense. The floor was made of polished black marble. Tall pillars supported an elaborately carved ceiling. Crystal chandeliers hung from the centre of the ceiling, reflecting light in every direction.

Although everything looked magnificent, beautiful and perfect, it made Cassandra feel uneasy. There were too many guards, doors and blind spots.

Darlena walked beside Cassandra. “If you need anything, Lady,” she said, “don't hesitate to tell me.”

Cassandra nodded. “All right, Watcher. I—”

Her words were cut short when a shadow suddenly emerged from one of the corridors. A woman came running towards them.

Everyone stopped in their tracks. Several nearby guards instantly moved into action.

Cassandra was startled. Her wolf spirit jolted. She braced herself instinctively, but there was no time to react. Before she could process the situation, the woman had grabbed her hand tightly.

She was wearing a palace staff uniform, but she looked dishevelled. Her hair was a mess. She was panting heavily, as though she had just run as fast and as far as she could.

“Lady!” the woman cried out in panic. She tightened her grip on Cassandra's hand, causing pain. “Get out of here!'

Cassandra froze. Logically, she knew she should move away immediately, but her instincts told her that the woman would not hurt her. “W-what?”

The woman glanced behind her, then looked around warily. Her eyes were filled with fear. “You'll die like the other prospective Lunas,” she said breathlessly. “Die. They all died.”

Cassandra's heart seemed to stop beating. “What are you—”

The woman stared intently at Cassandra. With a pale face, she whispered, “They're going to kill you.”

*