Chapter 1

"No"

Hazel's scream echoed through the Alpha King's hall as she stumbled backward, her chest rising and falling violently while her horrified gaze remained fixed on the man sitting upon the carved throne—the man who had brought her into this world, yet looked at her with less compassion than he would show a stranger.

"You can't do this!" she cried, shaking her head so hard that tears flew from her eyes. "I'm your daughter, not a slave you can sell whenever it benefits you. I have a heart, I have dreams, and I refuse to let you throw my life away for one of your business deals."

Not a single emotion crossed Alpha Victor's face.

His expression remained as cold and unmoving as carved stone, while the elders standing beside him lowered their eyes, unwilling to interfere with the Alpha King's decision.

"The agreement has already been signed," Alpha Victor said "Our pack was drowning in debt. Alpha Lord Ryder has paid every coin in exchange for you. By tomorrow night, you will become his wife."

Hazel's heart stopped.

"You... sold me to repay your debts?"

Alpha Lord Ryder.

The ruthless ruler of the Nightshade Pack. A man whose hands were stained with the blood of countless enemies. A monster powerful enough to make even veteran Alphas bow their heads.

Rumors claimed he had never loved anyone and that mercy didn't exist in his heart.

And now... She was being handed over to him.

"No..." Hazel said. "Please... don't do this to me."

Her father slowly rose from his throne. "You should be grateful," he said, stopping only a few feet away from her. "Instead of rotting away in poverty like your worthless mother, you'll spend the rest of your life surrounded by wealth."

Hazel stared at him in disbelief.

"Wealth?" she repeated bitterly. "Is that what you think this is? You're selling your own daughter!"

His jaw tightened. "My daughter?" A cruel laugh escaped his lips.

"The day your mother betrayed me by carrying another man's child was the day both of you became nothing."

Those words shattered the last fragile piece of Hazel's heart. Her mother had endured years of beatings. Years of insults, yet she had loved this man until the day she died.

And even death hadn't softened his hatred.

Tears streamed down Hazel's cheeks as anger slowly replaced her fear.

"You can hate my mother all you want," she said, forcing herself to meet his icy stare, "but I will never marry a man I don't love."

Smack!

The slap sent her crashing onto the cold floor as pain exploded across her cheek..The metallic taste of blood filled her mouth.

She pressed a trembling hand against her swollen face before slowly looking back at the man.

"Never speak of that woman again," Alpha Victor growled. "She deserved every miserable day she lived."

"I don't care what you do to me," she screamed, her voice echoing through every corner of the hall. "I will never give Alpha Ryder an heir"

"Your choice ended the moment I signed that contract. Tomorrow, you become Alpha Ryder's wife. You will bear his heir, and whether you hate him or not is none of my concern and you have no choice."

"I don't care what you do to me, but I won't do it. I will never bear a son for a man like that".

"Guards."

Four heavily armed warriors stepped forward immediately.

"Tie her to the punishment post. Let's see if that teaches her some respect."

"No! Please, don't do this!"

They grabbed her arms roughly, ignoring her struggles, and dragged her out into the freezing rain of the courtyard. 

They tied her wrists tightly to the rough bark of the old tree.

Tears blurred Hazel's vision as another scream tore from her throat.

Mother...

Was this how you suffered?

She bit her lip until blood filled her mouth, refusing to beg again.

Whip!

Another lash ripped across the first wound. Her knees buckled, but the ropes dug deeper into her wrists, forcing her upright.

Each strike tore through flesh and pride alike until blood soaked the back of her dress.

By the twentieth lash, she could no longer feel her legs.

Darkness swallowed everything.

...

The icy splash of water forced Hazel's eyes open. She gasped violently, coughing as filthy water filled her mouth.

Her entire body screamed in agony. As she struggled to breathe, one terrifying thought crashed into her mind.

By tomorrow... she would belong to the most feared Alpha alive.