The Mysterious Alpha

Freda’s POV I woke up with a scream that tore through my room, my hand clamped tight around my thigh. A sharp, burning pain shot through it, pinning me to the bed. I twisted helplessly, each movement sending another wave of agony up my leg. What’s happening? A hard knock slammed against the door—my scream had clearly drawn attention. I tried to push myself up, but the pain sliced through me like fire. A shaky gasp slipped out as my thoughts scattered. All I could do was writhe, each breath sharp and punishing. The door rattled again. Someone tried to force it open, but the lock held. “Can you find a spare key?” Jenny’s voice trembled outside, panic barely contained. Footsteps shuffled frantically—probably the maids searching. “Do you think something happened to Freda? Today of all days?” Nina’s voice shook. Today. My wedding day. The day I was meant to marry Adrian Waters—my mate, the man I’d loved for as long as I could remember. Images flickered behind my eyelids: flowers,

Freda’s P.O.VI didn’t know when I eventually fell asleep.My eyes burned.My throat felt raw.My body trembled from the cold.But it was the whispers that woke me.“Look at her… she seems right at home in this dungeon,” someone murmured.More voices followed—low, curious, cruel.I blinked, sitting up slowly. My blue dress, once elegant and soft, was now wrinkled, stained, and clinging uncomfortably to my dirty skin. My hair was tangled. My throat tasted like metal.A group of pack members crowded the dungeon entrance, their faces twisted with disgust, fear, or fascination.Their collective gaze dropped to one place—my thigh.The curse mark.Murky red lines sprawled across my skin like a burn that refused to heal.I gasped and tugged the slit of my dress closed, covering it.“She’s truly cursed,” a woman whispered.“Isn’t she the girl without an origin? I always knew she would bring trouble,” a man muttered.The shame hit me harder than the cold ever could.Their eyes weren’t just look

Freda’s POV The bidding started before I could even breathe. The dining hall—meant for celebration—had been rearranged into something ugly. Tables pushed back. Chairs dragged to face the Alpha like some twisted theater audience. And me… dragged to the front beside him like a thing to be displayed. Not a wolf. Not a girl. Just an object. The room felt too small for all the eyes tearing into me. Sun Blood Pack never dealt with slaves. Never. Yet tonight, with visitors from other packs filling the hall and liquor softening their morals, they suddenly acted like this was normal. My stomach tightened. Slave. Was that my fate now? I wasn’t a princess, but I had never been branded—or priced. I thought turning eighteen meant freedom from maltreatment. Instead, it felt like I had stepped into a deeper hell. My gaze drifted—stupid, hopeful—and landed on Adrian. He sat beside Nina. She leaned into him, whispering something behind her hand, her lips brushing too close to his ear. Ad

Freda’s P.O.V I tugged my hands deeper into the jacket. It was oversized and swallowed me whole, but I felt safe inside it. It smelled faintly of cider, calming my racing thoughts even though all I truly wanted was a quiet place to cry. A blonde guy stood beside the man in the hoodie, a wide smirk plastered on his face. He leaned in and whispered something, but I didn’t catch the words. He didnt respond to the guy but turned back towards me. The hoodie guy held the car door open like I was someone precious. The gesture unsettled me. No one had ever opened a door for me before. Instead of stepping out like he expected, I stayed seated. I’d seen the surroundings on our way here—trees, unfamiliar roads, nothing I recognized. What if this was just another trap? Out of the frying pan and into the fire. “You know you’re safe here,” he said gently. “You can come out now.” His voice was careful, almost hesitant, as if he were afraid of saying the wrong thing. I didn’t understand it. Why

Freda’s P.O.V I blinked at the man before me. Ever since he chose to buy me, he had been nothing but a mystery. He had given me a room. A strange but beautiful room, more comfortable than any place I had ever slept in. Now, he stood before me, personally inviting me to dinner. Back at home, no one cared whether I ate or not. No one cared about me at all. I was certain they were celebrating right now, not even thinking about the fact that they had sold me to a stranger. “Are you going to keep standing there,” he said, “or will you join me for dinner before there’s nothing left to eat?” His voice slid into my ears, warm and oddly comforting. Dangerous. Before I could answer, he turned and walked away, heading in the direction I assumed led to the dining room. My stomach growled in protest. I hadn’t eaten all day. I had been too excited about the mating ceremony and everything that came with it to remember food. I hurried after him, slowing my steps when I got close. “What do yo