Chapter 7
you
"You should thank me. I managed to make your ugly face a little bit decent. At least can still have a chance to get through your first night at the palace, Annika commented as she continued to put makeup on my face to hide the bruises caused by his father. "It surprises me to see that you truly believe that you'll get away with this," I scoff.
Annika obviously didn't like my comment, so she deliberately pressed her makeup brush against my bruised lips, which immediately made me wince in pain.
"I will let you slide this time and let you get sassy all you want. Consider that my parting gift to you," she said before flashing her most annoying smile.
I
Troll my
eyes in the mirror. I figure there's no need for me to try to make it work with her, just like before. I saw her squint her eyes towards me as if giving me a warning, but I didn't care less. Growing up as an only child, I often longed for the companionship of a sister. So when Alpha Gordon decided to adopt me, the prospect of gaining a sister close to my age filled me with excitement. Little did I know, the dream I'd cherished for so long would soon turn into a nightmare.
she declared triumphantly. "Though it didn't transform your face as much as I'd hoped, it'll suffice." "Perhaps it's your lack of makeup skills that's to blame," I quipped in response.
"Don't push your luck, Sage. My patience is wearing thing," she warned, her tone edged with thinly veiled irritation. "Is that a challenge?" I taunted, unable to resist pushing her buttons further. She shot me a withering glare. "Don't you dare, Sage. I still have plenty of concealer left, enough to hide another bruise on your face," she warned, her tone sharp with threat.
"I doubt you have the guts." I goaded her further, unable to resist stoking the fire. Our eyes locked in a tense standoff, and the air was thick with animosity.
Suddenly, her eyes sparked with an intense fury, her wolf's presence simmering just beneath the surface. Annika, having received her wolf early due to her lineage as the daughter of an alpha, was considered a prime candidate for the position of Luna in another pack. But such matters held little sway over me. Even if she were to end my life in that moment, I couldn't care less.
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Annika was on the verge of launching herself at me when her father's authoritative voice cut through the tension like a knife.
That's enough, Annika Alpha Gordon's commanding tone resonated, bringing an abrupt halt to her aggression. "She's of more value to us alive than dead, so reign. yourself in."
Annika begrudgingly complied, her wolfish instincts subdued under the weight of her father's directive. Though the tension lingered, his intervention prevented the situation from escalating further, at least for the time being. "Yes, father, Annika replied.
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on. Sage. Your ride is here," Alpha Gordon said.
Alpha Gordon took the lead, and I hastened to follow him, eager to escape the brewing storm within the house. Stepping outside, my eyes immediately fell upon a sleek black luxury car stationed near our doorstep. As we approached, a strikingly handsome man emerged from the vehicle, his well-built frame exuding an air of power and authority.
The man's gaze locked onto us without giving us a single smile as he closed the distance between us. His presence commanded attention, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of intrigue mingled with apprehension at his arrival.
Is he the Lycan king? I can't help but ask silently. But who am I kidding? His Highness will never make an effort for just another concubine.
"Good evening, Alpha Gordon," he said with his deep, baritone voice.
"Good evening. Beta Scott. I'm pleased to present to you my eldest daughter, Sage."
He eyed me as if he were checking me like goods from the market. Once he's done, he turns his eyes back to Alpha Gordon.
"Are you sure about this, Alpha Gordon?" he asked without batting an eye. He maintains his straight face and cold demeanor.
"But of course, Beta Scott. I broke no laws here. Sage is my legal daughter; thus, she's eligible to be sent as a tribute," Alpha Gordon replied with a confident smile.
He then turned his eyes back at me, assessing the situation. After a few minutes of silence, he excused himself.
"Excuse me for a moment," he said before going back to his car.
We all watched him carefully as he walked towards the black sedan park right outside
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our porch. I was hoping that he would get inside the car and leave, yet he didn't. Instead, he fetched his phone from his pocke and made a call.
I was holding my breath as I watched Beta Scott talk over the phone. It's safe to assume that he was calling His Highness regarding this matter. My heart was pounding. I'm still positive that this will not go according to Alpha Gordon's plan. I'm sure the Lycan King will not fall for this trick. After a long, agonizing few minutes of waiting, I bit my lip in excitement as I watched Beta Scott walk back towards us after he ended the call. My heart races in anticipation. As soon as the lycan king rejected me as the tribute, I will leave this house immediately.
But all my hopes were shattered the moment Beta Scott opened his mouth.
"His Highness wanted to extend his gratitude towards the Moonlake Crest pack for honoring the treaty and maintaining peace and harmony throughout the kingdom," Beta Scott said.
Annika and Erica cheered as soon as they heard that the Lycan King accepted me as a
Tribute.
"No, this can't be happening..." I murmured to myself.
"We'll go ahead now, Alpha Gordon," he said. "Please escort Her Ladyship in the car," he ordered his men.
"It's a pleasure doing business with you, Beta Scott."
Beta Scott's eyes darkened as if he didn't like what Alpha Gordon just said. He glared at him and ignored the hand he offered.
Alpha Gordon cleared his throat, a subtle sign of retreat, and withdrew his hand, perhaps to salvage some dignity. I cast one final pleading glance at him, hoping against. hope for a change of heart. Yet, all I received in response was a smug smirk that sent a chill down my spine. "My lady," one of Beta Scott's men addressed me, breaking the tense silence.
With a heavy sigh, I resigned myself to the inevitable and followed them. Shoulders slumped, and I trudged toward the waiting car, a sense of defeat weighing heavily on me. Beta Scott gestured for me to take the passenger seat, and I obliged, sinking into. the unfamiliar car. He assumed the front seat while the other men filed into the car behind us, sealing my fate with each closing door. 12.16 Tue Sep 10 G. Chapter 7 stayed
I silent along the way. I didn't know what to expect. I was expecting that Alpha Gordon would get away with what they did, but I was wrong. Should I just start accepting my fate?
Everyone knows where the palace is, so I was a bit confused when I noticed that we were taking a different route. Fear engulfs my whole body when I notice that something doesn't seem right. I knew it. There's no way that the Lycan King will let this slide. Are they going to kill me for trying to trick the king?
"Where are we going?" I asked nervously.
But Beta Scott stayed silent. His eyes remained fixed ahead of the road, as if he didn't hear anything. My fear intensifies as we continue to take the unfamiliar path. Will this be the end of me?