Chapter 2
1434 Words
It was a long drive. I cried until my eyes ran dry, leaving me numb and hollow. I had no idea where we were going, but I knew it was far from home. I should be happy to be free from the torture of my stepmother and stepsister, but being sold like a piece of meat was not the freedom I had imagined.
Our debts were too much, and I was the only solution. I had been sold without saying goodbye to Claudia, and that hurt the most.
The journey was long and lonely, the carriage enclosed, with only the sound of trees rustling in the breeze to mark our passage. Eventually, we stopped.
"We've arrived," the man who bought me said, his voice devoid of any warmth.
I had no more tears left to shed, no strength to cry. I stepped out and looked around, taking in my new surroundings. It was different from the home I knew.
The man eyed me, his gaze almost devouring. "When Alpha Kael marries his Luna, we’ll need more hands around here. You might be good at other things as well."
I hated the way he looked at me. I didn’t know who Alpha Kael was, but it was clear I was being sold to him as a slave.
"Move! Let's go inside! You were sold for a fortune; you can't go to waste."
I obeyed, as I had all my life. Inside, he directed me to a room. It was bigger and better than my old one in my pack. I wasn’t alone; it seemed I had a roommate.
"This is your chamber," the man said. "Gina will tell you everything you need to know." He pushed me in and slammed the door. I stood there, lost.
A girl approached me, smiling kindly. "You'll get used to it. Is this your first time being sold as a slave?"
I nodded. She seemed nice.
"Don’t worry, Master Kael isn’t as difficult as his father."
"His father?" I repeated.
"Yes. He’s the current Alpha of the Frostmoon pack."
"Frostmoon pack? Is this where we are?"
Gina looked at me, surprised. "You had no idea who your new master was going to be?"
"I didn’t know I was going to be sold. My stepmother sold me to clear off our debt. Figured I was actually good for something to her for once."
"Oh dear, I’m sorry," Gina said sympathetically.
A bell rang, startling me. "What’s that?"
"It should be 7 pm already," Gina said.
"What happens at 7 pm?"
"It’s time for dinner preparations. We need to set the table for the masters. Dinner must always be served on time."
"I don’t think I’m ready for this," I confessed.
"You’ll be fine. I felt the same way at first. But you have to come with me. Soraya wouldn’t like it if I left you behind."
"Soraya?"
"She’s the pack caretaker. Just follow my lead and you’ll be fine."
I took a deep breath. It was a lot to take in, especially after the long journey. I couldn’t help but imagine Selene’s mating ceremony, how they were probably celebrating and enjoying their double victory of getting rid of me.
Gina snapped her fingers in front of my face. "Hey! We’ll be late, and trust me, you don’t want to start off on Soraya’s wrong foot."
I nodded.
"What’s your name?" she asked.
"I’m Kaida."
Gina smiled. "You’ll be fine." She led me through the corridors to the kitchen. A mature woman, Soraya, yelled at us the moment we arrived.
"You’re 9 minutes late! The table should have been halfway set by now!"
"Sorry, Soraya," Gina said, rushing to pick up a tray. I stood there, unsure of what to do.
"And you?" Soraya yelled. "Are you just going to stand there?! Pick up a tray and set the table!"
Gina quickly whispered to me, "Just follow me."
I hurried to the counter, picked up a tray, and followed Gina. It was a new world and all I could do was try to survive one moment at a time.
I followed closely behind Gina until we arrived at the grand dining room. She dropped her tray and set it on one side of the table, and I mimicked her movements.
Gina looked at me and said, "You see, it's not that difficult."
Just then, we heard footsteps approaching the table.
Gina whispered, "They must be coming for dinner. Let's go get the second dish." I didn't say a word as I followed her back to the kitchen.
Soraya yelled, "Hurry up, you two!!"
We quickened our pace, grabbed another tray of food, and rushed back to the dining room. Gina was way ahead of me this time, but I knew my way back, and besides, I could still see her from a distance.
As I neared the dining room, I saw Gina bow her head and greet someone. "Alpha Caden," she said softly, but I heard her. She placed her tray on the table and began setting it up as I approached.
But then, something strange happened.
I felt a pull in my chest, a sensation that made my heart race as I stared at the other Alpha seated directly in front of me. It was as if my heart had leapt out of my body.
My breath caught in my throat, my pulse quickened, and my wolf stirred inside me, more alive than it had ever been.
A warmth spread through my chest, both exhilarating and terrifying. My wolf, usually weak and a faint presence, was now roaring, clawing, demanding my attention.
I couldn't move. I stood there, frozen, as the stranger's gaze locked onto mine. The world around me blurred, and all I could feel was the intense connection, the undeniable pull.
It was as if every fiber of my being was drawn to him, as if my soul recognized something my mind couldn't yet grasp.
Gina was waiting for me to approach with the tray, but I was rooted to the spot, overwhelmed by the intensity of the moment. I couldn't explain it, couldn't understand it. And then, suddenly, the tray slipped from my hands, crashing to the floor and shattering the silence.
Gina rushed to me, her voice filled with concern. "Kaida! Are you okay?"
Alpha Caden's voice boomed, "What the hell is wrong with you? Who the hell are you?"
Soraya, hearing the commotion, ran out from the kitchen. She quickly bowed her head to Alpha Caden. "I'm so sorry, Alpha Caden," she said, before turning to me and yelling, "What the hell is wrong with you? Are you out of your mind?"
I couldn't say a word. I couldn't explain what had happened. All I could do was bow my head, feeling the weight of everyone's eyes on me.
The stranger in front of me, the one who had caused this inexplicable reaction, spoke, his voice commanding and curious. "Who are you?"
I couldn't speak, but Soraya stepped in. "I'm sorry, Alpha Kael," she said.
In my mind, I whispered, “So he's Alpha Kael.”
Soraya continued, "She's the new slave that was brought in for you once you pick your Luna. We will need extra hands around here. I'm so sorry for the mess. I'll take care of her myself."
Soraya grabbed me by the arm and dragged me back to the kitchen. She yelled, "You useless thing! You couldn't even get one thing right!"
Gina quickly bent down to clean up the mess as Soraya slapped me hard across the face, making me stumble.
“You can't talk? Huh? You just came and you're already creating a mess. No wonder you were sold! Now get back to your room this instant before I figure out how to handle you!"
I didn't waste a minute. I rushed back to my room, my heart pounding. I couldn't explain what I had felt out there. I had never felt that way before, and it was entirely different the moment I set my eyes on Alpha Kael. It was like my wolf was trying to tell me something.
Gina walked in, concern etched on her face. "Are you okay? What happened?"
I looked at her, my heart still racing. "My wolf... I think... I think it sensed something."
Gina's curiosity piqued. "What's that?"
I took a deep breath. "My wolf is very weak, but this time it sensed something strong for the very first time."
"What's that?" Gina leaned in, more intrigued.
I looked at her, my voice trembling. "I think it sensed my mate.”
- Writer
