Chapter 1

Calla’s POV

“You’re going to like your new home Calla… if that’s too much to ask, then you’re just going to learn to adjust. You’ve always been an adaptable creature.”

This awkward moment before my father and I will go on to haunt me for the hour-long drive to the Ash Creek pack.

My new home.

Because now, I belong to Blade Blackthorn.

It had all happened so quickly. A few days ago, we got a lot of visitors. Strangers in leather jackets, who drove black SUVs. 

I should have known something was up when Father started skipping dinners and staying up in his study until way after midnight.

And then today, mere minutes ago, he had called me into his study to inform me that I would be leaving with the Alpha of Ash Creek. 

I’m to become a breeder.

“It’s the only way to save our family,” he had said, playing the family card. 

“Please daughter. Do it for us. Do it for the legacy we’ve built for decades. If you do not leave with the Alpha today, we stand to lose everything.”

How could I have said no when he begged me so desperately?

That’s how I find myself standing in front of an ominous-looking mansion. The Blackthorn pack house. 

My suitcase is clutched like a lifeline in front of my dress.

The beta, who had come to get me, he introduces himself as Hector.

“Here. Let me help you with your bag,” he offers to take my bag. I’m too numb to refuse. I let him take my bag. He leads me inside. 

It is just as impressive inside, as it is outside. 

There’s no sign of this ferocious Alpha, whose heirs I’m supposed to birth. I keep waiting for him to lunge out of thin air, eyes flashing and teeth bared. 

I won’t be surprised if he rips me right off the floor and hauls me towards a forest bed to mate.

Blade Blackthorn might own a huge mansion but he’s nothing more than a savage. Only a savage would tear a family apart.

Only a savage would rip an innocent away from her family, condemning her to live the life of a breeder.

I haven’t met him yet but I hate him already.

“This will be your room,” Hector opens a door. He steps aside and gestures for me to go in.

He’s a big hunk of a man but he moves with feline grace. I wonder about Blade. Is he as big as this Hector? How am I going to handle a man who could very likely be twice my size?

I go inside the room.

It’s a fairytale room. The sort you see in old Disney movies. I hate it immediately.

Everything about pack life disgusts me. For the first time, I wish I were born ordinary. I wish I weren’t an Alpha’s daughter.

“I’ll let you settle in. Blade…the Alpha will be here to make your acquaintance soon.”

I face away from Hector to hide the height of dismay I feel.

“For what it’s worth, he’s not a total asshole,” he adds before he leaves. “He’s actually pretty decent once you get to know him.”

“I don’t want to get to know him. I want to run away.” I mumble to myself.

“Dinner should be lovely,” he smiles at me. His smile is nice. “We’re throwing a mini party in your honour. It’s also a chance for you to meet everyone.”

With that said, he shuts the door softly behind him.

After he leaves, I pull out my phone and call my sister. Bianca answers on the first ring. Her voice is small and sounds so far away. 

“Calla,” she breathes. “Are you there already? How is your new home? Have you met the Alpha yet? Is he as vicious-looking as the rumours say?”

Bianca’s questions rush out of her in rapid succession. I take a deep breath and fight the urge to cry. 

“Yeah, I’m here Bi. No, I haven’t met him yet. I’m in my new room.”

“Are you okay? You sound sad.”

“Of course I’m sad,” I scoff. “Are you kidding me? My life is over. I’ll never get to be anything but some Alpha’s breeder.”

“At least he’s good-looking and rich.”

“What?” Again, I scoff. For some reason, I’m not getting the responses I had hoped to get from my sister. It makes me feel lonelier than ever.

“You mean to say you haven’t checked him out online?” Bianca sucks in her teeth. “Look him up Calla. Perhaps that’ll change your mind somehow... Oh and guess what?”

“What?” I inhale a deep breath and let it out slowly. 

“He’s got a twin brother. Apparently, they are identical. Who knows? Perhaps father could make me his breeder. That way, we could both be living together under the same roof.”

“Bianca!” If only she could see the look of horror on my face.

“I’m kidding,” she says but I know that’s a lie. She meant it. And it makes me wonder, if I’m being way too dramatic about this whole arrangement.

From Bianca’s perspective, being a royal breeder isn’t such a bad deal. If anything, she sees it as an honour.

So why does my heart break when I think about spending my whole life here, treated as nothing more than a breeding vessel?

Even though it’s the last thing I want to do, I pull up my search engine and G****e the Alpha of Ash Creek.

Bianca was right. He is handsome. The word to describe him is — clean. 

In every shot, he’s wearing a perfectly ironed suit. He’s got one of those faces that doesn’t smile much. 

His eyes are endless. Black bottomless pits, that seem to have the power to drown you if you stare too much. 

I try to picture having a conversation with this man and it terrifies me. 

I nearly drop my phone when I hear a knock at the door. I switch the screen off and tuck it away. 

The lock turns and he walks in.

Blade Blackthorn. 

My new master.