Chapter 2 - The Palace Call

Alina's POV

Before I could even think, the guard said the order of the Alpha and grabbed me forward yanking me forwards as if it were just an everyday routine. The others formed an inner ring around me and not a single chance at all to escape. My basket fell off my hands with a soft thud as the bread rolled across the ground.

"Please," I whispered, but none turned back. Not a single one of them cared if it hurt me when I stumbled trying to keep up as they dragged me. For them, I was not even the daughter of the past Alpha. I was nothing to them: just a problem for Damon to pull around whenever he deems fit.

The palace's path wasn't long walk from my house, but today, it felt endless. My heart thudded in my ribs as terror crawled through my body. My step throbbed with yesterday's bruising. My memory kept playing pictures of Damon raising his hand, angrily scolding, his grip on my wrist when he tries touching me.

I shivered. Considering that he hurt me for refusing that, what would he do now? Would be tie me up and have his way with me?

When we reached the gates of the palace, the gates opened with the combined power of the guards who then dragged me into the courtyard and then down the corridors of the palace, my skin covered in bruises and blood as they dragged me across the rough ground like I was a rag doll. They stopped in front of the throne room and yanked me to my feet, as one of them opened the door.

Damon sat on his throne, or should I say, of Father’s , but his now. He exuded a confidence that made my stomach twist. His face had this look as he saw me, but not from some tender feeling. It was like a look one had when a plan has finally come together.

"There you are," Damon said, "I have waited for you. I almost thought you would not come." His voice was smooth, but I sensed the danger beneath it. I gulped.

I narrowed my eyes, as I tried to stand straight despite the excruciating pain in my ankle. "You sent guards. I didn't have a choice."

He waved his hand carelessly. "Don't act like a victim. You should be grateful I even bothered to summon you politely, puny girl."

Politely.

That’s one way to put being dragged to the palace like a rag doll.

"What is it that you want?" I asked softly.

He stared at me for a moment; his gaze traveled up and then down over the bruises which he had left on me. No shame there. No apologies or even a flicker of remorse on his face. Only a heavy sigh as if I had caused him inconvenience.

"It's time for you to finally do something useful," he said, "for the pack."

My stomach dropped. "What do you mean?"

"This pack is on the verge of collapse. We have lost resources during the war, lands are weak and not bearing good food, livestock’s are dying. Our people are hungry. We need help, and I found it." He said, leaning back on his throne.

My brows furrowed. Confused. "Help… from where?"

Damon flashed me a smirk. "The Crimson Lycan Empire."

My breath caught. "The twin kings?"

"Yes," he said proudly. "King Kael and King Kaden themselves. Powerful. Respected. Feared. They agreed to give us support, gold, military protection—everything we need."

Fear crawled up my spine. I had heard the stories, those whispered by the traders and travelers. The twins were strong rulers but ruthless. They did not make any deal without a price.

"What did you offer them?" I asked slowly.

Damon stopped walking. His eyes locked onto mine, and I felt something cold settle inside me. “Not what but who.” He said.

“Who?” I asked, narrowing my eyes as I waited for his answer.

"You."

My heart fell at such a rate I could hardly breathe. "Me? Damon… what are you talking about?"

"You will be the collateral," he said, as if it were the most normal thing in the world. "The kings were told you are a fertile wolf. That you can give them strong male heirs."

I felt dizzy. "No," I whispered, shaking my head. "You can't do that. You can't send me to them. Damon, they're dangerous. You've heard the stories—"

He cut me off with a harsh laugh. "I don't care about stories. And you don't have a choice. The kings want a breeder and we need money. You're the perfect one for the job."

"I'm not," I insisted, my voice trembling. "I'm not a thing to give away. I'm not a bargaining chip. You can't just hand me over."

"Too late, I already did." He said, as he laughed and some of the guards awkwardly laughed too.

I thought of running away, but the guards behind me stood in the way. "Damon, please… please don't do this. They will hurt me. They will use me. They’ll kill me.”

He shrugged. "So?”

My breath caught. "How can you say that? I'm your sister."

"Stepsister," he corrected coldly. "And you're not even useful to me here. At least this way, you serve a purpose."

Tears stung my eyes, but I blinked them away. "I won't do it."

"You will."

"No," I said, louder this time. "I won't go to them. I won't be anyone's breeder."

Damon's jaw tightened. "You really think you have a choice?"

But I didn't need to answer that. My silence was enough.

This forced him to his feet and he slowly made his way toward me, boots stumping on the stone floor, echoing. When he reached me, he leaned close, his voice low and sharp.

"You'll die here, and it won't be quick," he whispered.

A chill ran down my spine.

My knees buckled and I almost fell to the floor. "Damon… don't do this. Please."

He took a step back, unaffected. "You will be the collateral. That is final."

My chest was tight with pain. "I won't," I said again, although my voice was now softer, shaking. "I won't do it."

Damon stared at me for a long moment. His face grew darker, colder. The rage in his eyes terrified me.

"Fine," he said.

He snapped his fingers. The guards stepped forward immediately.

"Damon-wait-"

He did not throw a glance at me. He didn't hesitate for a moment, either.

His voice was flat, emotionless, final.

"Throw her into the dungeons."