The Beta's Bet

01 | Perfect Madness

*Melody’s POV*

My eyes flew open at the sound of the chains nearby. Fūck! I swear it’s been days, weeks, months even. Not years yet, right?

“Goddess, why did you allow me to be in this situation?” I prayed in my head.

I wonder if my father even misses me. I looked over, realizing that poor little Katrina was their next victim when they picked her weak body up from the cell floor. I shook in fear at the thought of what they did to the ones they had taken. Are we better off being taken away? It can’t be good news if they never return, right? I gulped and closed my eyes. Some day I’ll get out, right?

How did I fūcking get into this mess, anyway? Me! The untouchable Melody Laverde! Father always said I was special and untouchable. Clearly, he was wrong! Was he just saying so because I was his princess? Was? Is he even alive? Well, he has to be because he wasn’t there that day.

I never got to see him again before that stupīd attack happened. The attack. That was the weirdest attack in the history of attacks. Not that I’m some sort of an expert in that department, but it was odd. We have never heard of them occurring that way. At least not in Canada. Who attacks a pack as big as ours and takes a beta’s daughter, anyway?

*Flashback*

“You have to look your best today, Mel.” My step-mother said as she brushed my long brown hair. She was being awfully nice, which was odd because my father wasn’t nearby. “Maybe you will find your mate.” She chirped with a huge smile.

I stared at her through the mirror as I bit my tongue. I don’t understand why my father took her as a mate. He always said that he loved my mother, but when she disappeared, he took this lovely individual. Sarcasm applied. I loved my father, but I feel like he could have tried more before giving up on finding my mother.

“Hey Melly.” My step-brother, Theodore, said as he entered my room. I hated it when he entered my room without knocking. Surely, America has the same etiquette rules as Canada.

“Hey.” I mumbled, looking at him and my step-mother, staring at each other through the mirror. “Is something wrong?” I asked them, turning my head around.

“No, sweetheart. The alpha has sent your father out to pick up the future alpha from the airport and it seems like he got stuck in traffic. He will probably be late for the ceremony.” She replied, handing me the brush before standing up.

“Oh. Well, maybe we shouldn’t start the ceremony without them. I mean, this is as much for Landon as it is for me.” I replied as I stood up as well.

“Hmm. I suppose. We will see, but hurry up and get ready. We have to be downstairs soon.” My step-mother said before grabbing Theodore’s arm and pulling him out.

I picked the red sparkly dress up and brought it against my front as I looked in the mirror. I smiled. “Just like mother’s.” I really missed her. It had been years since she had gone missing.

Maybe Landon will notice me as more than a friend. It’s kind of hard getting a friend to look at you as anything other than a friend. Maybe it was possible for humans, but not for us werewolves. I mean, what would be the point if we could meet our mates and the little crush would go down the drain?

Who knows? Maybe I will find my mate tonight. It is a celebration and the alpha invited dozens of alphas and betas from across the country and even America. Some packs already RSVP’d, but a lot weren’t able to make it. The royal pack was one of them. Which was understandable since they rarely socialized with anyone after the queen was kidnapped all those years ago.

There I go daydreaming again. Landon always teased me about it. I quickly slipped on the dress and walked towards the closet, looking for those uncomfortable heels that my step-mother had picked out. That was a mistake.

I had just buckled my heels when my step-mother ran inside the room. “Hurry. The guests have already started arriving.” She said, grabbing my hand. What? It isn’t for another several hours.

As soon as we made it downstairs, Theodore called me from the gardens. “Ugh! You go. I will assist the guest since you can’t do anything right.” She muttered, making me furrow my brows. Why was she acting so strange? Nice then a bītch, then nice again.

“Melly, come here, please!” Theodore shouted even louder.

“I will be right there.” I yelled back, looking at my step-mother. “And our luna? Is she ready?”

“No! The alpha and her haven’t arrived yet from the business lunch that they had.” She replied.

“Oh, goddess!” I said with wide eyes. “I will be quick then.” I told her before running towards the garden.

“Theodore? Where are you?” I asked as I looked around the garden. I was about to call for him again when a rogue jumped in front of me. “What the hell?” I muttered, looking around.

The alarms hadn’t sounded yet, but there were several rogues already. I would hate to tear this dress, but I can’t do much about it.

I was about to shift when I felt a hand, holding a handkerchief cover my mouth. I tried to fight against their hold, but it was impossible. I was losing strength and consciousness quickly. My eyes closed involuntarily while arms wrapped around me, preventing me from falling. The strong person picked me up bridal style before I heard his deep voice.

“She’s perfect. You will have the money in the account within the hour.” He said before I lost consciousness.

*End of Flashback*

Everything still seems quite odd. The attack. My father and the alpha being gone. The guests having arrived early. But the question I keep asking myself is, if these people went there just to take me? But why? Why do they have me locked up? Why don’t they just kill me? Do I want to be dead? Probably. Anything would be better than being locked in this place, especially for this long. Beaten. Starved. Thankfully, not abūsed.

All these questions have been driving me to the verge of madness. I have no one to talk to. I haven’t been able to reach my wolf, Bianca, since I was taken. I missed her as much as I missed my father. They were the two most important individuals in my life. Them and Landon, of course.

I closed my eyes again and prayed to the moon goddess to save me for the billionth time since being taken. But guess what? Nothing happened. It’s like she doesn’t care about me or maybe she has forgotten me.

I was about to sit in my usual corner of the cold cell when one of the guards rattled some keys. “It’s your lucky day, Red.” He chuckled as he inserted the keys in the lock. Yeah, he called me red because of my dress. How original?

“What are you doing?” I asked him as I hugged myself. A habit I have grown here, since these asšholes don’t even give us a blanket.

“What does it look like I’m doing? I’m taking you out.” He said, winking at me before grabbing my arm roughly.