Chapter 1

RED FLARE PACK 

The hospital smell made me want to vomit. Or maybe that was the illness eating away at my insides. I couldn't tell anymore.

"We need to discuss payment," the pack doctor said, his voice cold and clinical. "The treatment isn't cheap, and your family—"

"We'll find a way," my father interrupted, his voice breaking. "Please, just save my daughter."

I wanted to tell him not to worry, that I would be fine, but I couldn't form the words. My body felt like it was on fire, burning from the inside out. The rare blood disease had struck me suddenly, and without the expensive treatment, I would die within weeks.

"Mr. Johnson," the doctor said quietly. "The Alpha might be willing to help. He's known to give loans to pack members in dire situations."

"No." Mother's voice was firm. "We can't go to him. The interest—"

"Our daughter is dying!" my father shouted, cutting her off. “Our only child is dying. You don't expect me to fold my hands and watch her die.”

I faded in and out after that. Days blurred together in a haze of pain and medication. I heard whispers, arguments, desperate pleas. Then one day, I woke up feeling better. The fire in my veins had cooled. The doctor smiled at me for the first time.

"You're going to live, Elena." He said, full of smiles.

I should have been happy, but instead, I saw the fear in my parents' eyes and knew something terrible had happened.

Six months later, I stood in front of the Alpha in his palace mansion, my small bag clutched in trembling hands.

"You can't do this!" my mother sobbed, clinging to me. "She's just eighteen!"

"The debt must be paid," the former Alpha said coldly. He stood on his porch, looking down at us like we were insects. "You borrowed fifty thousand dollars, and promised to pay it back in three months. It's been more than six months now, yet I haven't received a dime from your family. Did you think that money came for free?"

"We'll pay you back," my father begged. "Just give us more time to—"

"You have nothing! You are nothing. But your daughter..." The Alpha's eyes raked over me, and I felt sick to my stomach again. "She can work off the debt. She is young and healthy. Ten years of service to the Alpha's family should cover it."

I gasped. "Ten years?" My voice came out as a whisper. 

"You should be grateful," he said, dismissively. "I could have demanded payment immediately. Your family would be homeless. Instead, I'm giving you a chance."

After all pleas to the Alpha fell on deaf ears, my parents knew there was nothing they could do anymore.

I could literally see my father's heart breaking into more than a million pieces right there. 

“I'm sorry, Elena. I'm a failure. I’m sorry I failed you.” He said painfully, my heart tore into shreds watching my beloved father tell me that he failed me.

My mother kissed my forehead, her tears hot against my skin. "I'm so sorry, baby. We’re so sorry."

"It's okay, Mum. It's fine dad," I lied, holding back my tears. "I'll be fine. I'll be okay."

I definitely wasn't okay. 

The moment they bade me farewell and stepped out of the palace mansion, I broke apart, and cried till I almost got blind.

“Guards!” I heard the Alpha's voice calling out to the guards. “Get this one out of my sight.” He ordered and immediately, the guards grabbed me and took me away.

The Alpha's mansion was beautiful and terrifying at the same time. I was given a tiny room in the servants' quarters and a uniform that marked me as property. The other servants barely spoke to me, afraid to befriend someone so low in status.

One evening, I was summoned to the palace.

"You'll be working for my son, Jackson," the Alpha informed me. "He's around your age, so you'll attend to his needs, keep his quarters clean, and stay out of sight unless called for."

I nodded, without questions because who dares to question the Alpha if they don't have a death wish?

I had seen Jackson Stone before, from a distance. He was every woman's dream, and every girl's crush. Including me. When we were much younger, I had a crush on him and wished we would get married one day, but at the same time, I knew it was just a foolish wish because we were worlds apart. He was the future Alpha of the Pack, while I was a nobody. My family was of the lowest ranks too.

Well, every girl in the pack knew who he was. Even the ones who hadn't seen him knew what he looked like; tall, handsome, with blonde hair and piercing blue eyes. The future Alpha. Completely untouchable for someone like me.

“Do you understand?” The Alpha's voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

"Yes, sir," I murmured, my head still bowed, as I waited to be ordered to leave.

"Elena?" The Alpha's voice dropped dangerously low. "If you displease my son in any way, your family will pay the price. Do you understand?"

I nodded quickly because I understood perfectly.

For many months, I worked in silence. I cleaned Jackson's room while he was out training. I laid out his clothes, organized his things, and made myself invisible. He barely even acknowledged my existence, which was a relief. Sometimes I caught him looking at me with curiosity, but he never spoke.

Then came the night that changed everything.

I was cleaning Jackson's chambers really late, later than usual. He was supposed to be at a pack celebration, but I heard footsteps in the hallway. The door burst open, and Jackson stumbled in, reeking of alcohol.

"Who—" His eyes struggled to focus on me. "Oh. The maid."

"I'll finish quickly and leave, Alpha Jackson," I said without thinking properly, backing toward the door.

"Alpha Jackson," he repeated mockingly. "So formal. What's your name again?"

"Elena, sir."

"Elena." He moved closer, unsteady on his feet. "Pretty name. Pretty girl. Why haven't I noticed you before?"

"I should go—"

His hand shot out, grabbing my wrist. "Stay. I'm lonely. Everyone at that party was so boring, talking about pack politics and pack duties." He laughed bitterly. "They want me to marry Sophia soon too. Did you know that?" He added, a little too excited.

I had heard the rumors about them being together. I heard pack gossipers say Sophia was his first love. Truly, she was beautiful, from a good high rank family of Betas. She was the definitely the perfect fit for the future Alpha of Red Flare Pack.

"She's beautiful," I whispered, trying to pull away gently.

"She is," he agreed, his grip tightening. "But she doesn't look at me the way you're looking at me right now."

I knew that was the alcohol talking and I knew i needed to flew immediately.

"Please, I need to—"

"Why are you afraid?" He pulled me closer, his breath hot against my face. "I'm not going to hurt you. I'm not a monster."

"I know, sir. I just—"

"Stop calling me sir." His other hand cupped my face, his thumb brushing my cheek. "We're the same age, aren't we?"

"Alpha Jackson, you've had too much to drink. In the morning—"

"In the morning, I'll go back to being the perfect son," he said. "The perfect future Alpha. Tonight, I just want to enjoy. Forget pack responsibilities."

I tried to push him away, but he was obviously too strong. The alcohol had lowered his inhibitions, and made him aggressive. My protests fell on deaf ears.

I screamed in horror as he tore off my clothes, pinned me to his bed, and forcefully had his way with me. And when it was all over, he passed out on his bed, leaving me trembling on the floor.