~Chapter 2~Working girls.~

Annabella

Another long day of work is finally coming to an end. My best friend Gretchen and I are in the pack kitchen finishing up the last of the dinner dishes. I sigh heavily it could always be worse. I could have laundry duty this week. I try to make the best of my situation no matter what task I am assigned. I finish drying the last of the plates and stack them.

"You have a birthday coming up." Gretchen says to me as if I need to be reminded.

I rolled my eyes at her. I do, but it won't be the celebratorial occasion as most 21 year old's experience. There will be no party or gifts for me to mark this milestone of my life. Quite the opposite. I have heard the rumors floating around about my Alpha's latetes business venture, if that's what you want to call it. It won't be a happy birthday for me at all.

"Yes, I do. I probably won't be here much longer." I can't keep the doom I feel out of my voice.

We both know that's it true. She looks at me with sympathy in her eyes. We have been friends since we were kids. I am really going to miss her and this place that I have called home. Not that the life I live is charmed. Since I was old enough to earn my keep, I have never known a day where I didn't work to the point of exhaustion. But it is better than my only alternative.

"I didn't mean it like that." She said, shaking her head. "Maybe we can run away." She suggested, with tears welling up in her eyes.

I pull her into a hug. I know she would follow me if I asked her to. "Where would be go? We have no money. You would be punished right along with me when we got caught."

I have been thinking along the same lines. The only thing that keeps me put is my father. I know if I run, Alpha George will kill him. He has suffered enough. My whole family has. Maybe if I do as I am told, my father will be allowed to live out the rest of his life in peace. I am his only remaining daughter, so I guess it's up to me.

I am a Trentity female. Which means I am highly covented. Every Alpha in existence wants a Trentity at his disposal. They all seek to claim the power of the blood that flows through our veins. Either we are used for breeding their heirs or to make their warriors bloodthirsty killers. For years, Alpha George has been the regions go-to supplier. Except now I am the last one.

Heavy is the head that wears the crown, I suppose. "I will be ok, Gretchen." I tell her with false bravo. "There is nothing we can do to change my fate, but you will be mated soon and start your own family."

Gretchen has always been the glass is half full type. She looks to me with hope in her eyes. "Maybe Alpha George won't sell you at all."

We exit the kitchen together through the omega entrance with our arms locked. I hear her wolf, Daisy, start to growl as the two warriors approach us. I know she would fight for me as well. But I won't let her if they intend to take me then so be it. I am surprised it has taken them this long to come for me.

"Alpha George has been looking for you." His Beta, James says to me with a hiss.

"That's a lie!" I fire back at him. "He knows where I have been. He makes the work assignments. Remember?"

"You got a real smart mouth, Annabella." He says to me. "You should have learned your place by now." He grabs me roughly by the arm. "Come on!"