Chapter 2

LEANNA’S POV

I peeked out my door, careful to see if I was being followed or spied on. My gaze darted around a bit, before calming slightly.

With my experience growing up, I had to learn about different routes to my destination, all in the name of avoiding clan members who had a lot to say about my situation.

I got tired of apologizing for ruining my mother’s life with my birth, and for not being a typical wolf. Hence, I just chose to remain invisible. 

It had worked well so far, I thought to myself as I moved through a thickening. Noting the slight marks I made to identify my path through the bushes.

I was well aware of the fact that a highly trained member could easily spot my tracks. But people like them were never around. 

They had more important things to do. Things like blending in with the humans. And making sure our existence remained a secret.

My gaze brightened at the prospect. As I made my way though the path, I wondered what it would be like, to be away from the clan grounds. To be able to meet people who wouldn’t define my worth based on whether I could turn into a wolf or not.

As I let my thoughts wander, I was quickly pulled from my reverie as an all to familiar voice was carried by the wind into my ears. 

Startled, I crouched to the ground. My heart pounded in my chest as my mind instantly wandered to the worst case scenario. I was being attacked.

I had seen it happen to others. And I knew for sure I wasn’t special.

My breathing became increasingly hurried, as I moved to rest my back on the nearest, thickest tree. Hoping the mixture of scents in the forest, would mask mine.

“Lena you know this is a good thing,” a gruff voice let out sternly and I felt a chill run down my spine. 

It was a voice I was all too familiar with. It was the same one that announced my mother’s inexplicable death back when I was just a child. It was a voice I could never forget.

“I know, but still! Why does she get to be with him?” Lena’s scathing voice rang out. 

The thumping in my chest increased as I knew I was the only person worth her interest within the walls of our holding grounds.

“The waste is being married off as a bargaining chip, to an alpha well known for his cruelty. You have nothing to be jealous of,” the stern voice continued, and I felt a chill run down my spine at his words.

My mind was instantly set into disarray. Numerous question marks kept popping up in my head. 

It had to be false. It just had to be. There was no way I would be sent off so suddenly. I tried to convince myself of that, but the more I thought about it, the more it made sense.

The inexplicable summoning could be explained by that single statement. 

I didn’t know when, but my fingers had been buried into my palm to the extent of almost drawing blood. 

“But I’ve heard rumors of his masculine beauty. I want him for myself,” Lena countered in a tone I never believed she had. 

Her voice filled with want for something other than my pain. “Foolish! You’re going to take over the clan one day. What man can’t you have then?” Lena’s father countered.

I didn’t have to see their faces to picture the livid expression on his face. But in that moment, I could care less about what they thought.

The thought that I might be sold off to the highest bidder pervaded my mind like a sprout without any hinders.

Gritting my teeth, I waited until they were far away before I stood up to continue my journey. It was one thing to hear it from them.

It was another to hear my own flesh and blood cast me away like a side-piece without any worth.

My thoughts ran wildly. I only regained myself as I stood before two huge double doors that represented the clan leader’s hall.

It had intricate carvings, like the lines that marked the most beautiful trees in the forest. The beautiful brown wood championed by two howling wolf heads that exuded blatant brutality. 

An ode to our ancestors they called it. 

The first time I saw it, I was struck by its feral beauty. But in that moment, I wanted nothing more than to let out the rage I felt.

“Come in,” an all too familiar imperious voice rang out. I felt the blood rush to my head as I pushed open the doors, albeit with a little difficulty.

I stepped into the hall. The sound of my boots making loud echoes as I walked towards him.

And there he was, sat on a podium as he always was. His imperious air hit me like a wave as I felt the urge to bow in his presence like any normal clan member would.

The hall was littered with seats on both sides that only his trusted few were allowed to occupy. 

Today it was empty, save for the both of us. 

“You’re early,” he said, his gaze still fixated on his desk as he didn’t even bother registering my presence.

I stared at him. His silver mane flowing down his back. A trait special to our bloodline. Apparently, it meant we were favored by the moon Goddess. But I had never felt her favor. 

I look to my silver curls as a curse bestowed upon me for sins committed without my knowledge.

“Sit,” he said simply. His eyes still drawn to whatever parchment remained on his table. 

The pounding of my heart gradually grew louder in my ears as I recalled everything I heard on my way there. Unable to help myself, I spat.

“Did you sell me to some testosterone-high alpha?” 

Like clockwork, his lazy eyes finally acknowledged my presence as he fixated his piercing blue gaze on me.

My breath halted as I awaited his response.