DAPHNE

Splash!

“Wake up, you lazy ass.”

I jumped up from the patio chair at the balcony where I had passed the night as a bucket of cold water was thrown all over my body. My messy hair dripped of water. My stepmother had poured water on me just to wake me up.

“Good morning, mom.” I managed to speak with a shaky voice.

Glaring hard at me, she spat at me and said. “Do you think you’re on a vacation? Don’t you know that it’s morning, huh? You’d better get into the kitchen and prepare something for us to eat.”

“Okay, mom.” I replied, but she walked away with a glance. I struggled up from the chair where I had passed the night. Likewise, I was feeling cold especially for the fact that I was drenched in the rain the previous night.

Of course, I know there was no time to waste, so I proceeded into the kitchen. My stomach kept grumbling… I was very famished.

Well, I cook the food, but I don’t even eat it. The times I ate in the house, I ate on the bare ground while they ate at the dining table. I guess, it is taboo for me… a wolfless omega to eat on the same table with them.

A few moments later, I was already done with breakfast. So, I started serving at the dining table. I was about to get into the kitchen when I heard my stepmother’s voice, whispering. So, I moved closer to the door, eavesdropping.

“Mom, when are we kicking that asshole out of this house? I can’t stand her anymore.” Chloe sounded rather angry.

“Chloe, sweetie… in a few days, she won’t be a problem anymore.” The subtle smugness in my stepmother’s voice made me aware that they were talking about me.

What does she mean?

My heart started pounding, I was panicking because I don’t know what next they want to do to me. I know I shouldn’t be eavesdropping… if they find me doing that, I’ll surely get heavily punished. But her words got me even more curious, I was keen to know more.

“They’ll take her, and we’ll get the money.”

My eyes grew in panic. I was literally shaking uncontrollably.

What was she talking about? Who are the people going to take me and give them money?

“Is this the breakfast you were supposed to make?” A voice said behind me, and I jerked up, startled.

It was Andy. I knew I was done because he was getting to make matters worse for me. I noticed that the voices in the room had gone silent. They must have heard what Andy said.

“Daphne!” I heard my father’s terrifying voice from the room.

He was there all along, huh?

I’m finished. I thought of fleeing, but I knew that was impossible because Andy was standing right in front of me.

Andy walked towards the door, twisting the doorknob, the door threw open.

Taking a deep breath, and mustering courage, I walked into the room, not daring to look at anyone’s face.

“Father…” my voice was trembling.

“I’ve already known that she’s nothing but trouble. She was eavesdropping like a mouse at the door.” My stepmother smirked.

“You were eavesdropping on us?” My father gave me a death stare.

I could perceive the scent of alcohol, and I know how horrible it is when my father drinks. I redirect his attention immediately. “Father, breakfast is ready.”

“How ridiculous of you to think that you're preparing breakfast would make us forget the crimes you’ve committed, you punk.” My stepmother scoffed.

Before I could say another word. Slap!

My father landed a resounding slap on my cheek, making me stagger backwards. I tried to open my eyes, but my vision went blank. My father raised his hand again to slap me, but surprisingly, my stepmother stopped him.

“You’ll kill her.” My stepmother held his arm, and continued. “Edward, honey, have you forgotten that pretty face and voice are her biggest assets? You would rather not ruin it, do you?”

“She’s not earning enough money, and she’s also bad mannered. Why would the moon goddess give me such a useless wolfless child?” My father roared angrily.

I was sitting on the ground with my palms cupping my left cheek that was already red from the slap I received.

“Well, honey…” Alice, my stepmother, patted my father’s back, and continued. “There’s no doubt that she’s more of a disappointment than we expected. However, you have already spoken with Theodore. You know what the plan is for her. In a few days, we’ll have all our financial problems solved, and she’ll be less of a burden to us.”

My father’s frowned face beamed with smiles on hearing what she had said.

“You seem confused, daughter.” My stepmother mocked me. “Honey, why don’t you tell your bastard daughter the good news? I bet she’ll be so pleased to hear that.”

Alice’s smiles got me agitated. If she was so happy about something, then it must be bad news for me.

Squatting down to my level, my father raised his hand and patted my hair.

Then, he said, “You’re going to do a massive job for me. One that will change our lives for good.”

My heart raced faster as I waited impatiently for the sentence.

“You will serve the Alpha of the Red Moon Pack. It looks like he’s in need of a plaything, and he’s willing to pay a lot of money just to obtain you.”

My jaw dropped in shock.

My eyes frantically went back and forth between my father and Alice, his wife. The look on Alice’s face showed nothing but amusement.

My father, I call him father, but he sold me off like I was a commodity. How could he? How could he sell off his child?

I was terrified, speechless and shocked. The Alpha of the Red Moon Pack? The dreaded Alpha? The Alpha who was rumored that he killed his mate, and tore her into pieces?

How could they? How could my family do this to me?

DAPHNE

My pillow was already wet from the tears I was shedding. My hands and legs were chained to the bed, and I couldn’t move.

Today is the day that my buyer was coming to take me far away… to the deadly pack, the Red Moon pack. The dreaded pack all over North-bridge. It was rumored that their Alpha is a monster. He killed three of his Luna's and lived all alone. Worst of all, he never found his mate all these years. Now, my father sold me to him as his slave.

I was still crying my eyes out when the door creaked open, drawing my attention. My eyebrows puckered when I saw Andy and his sister, Chloe at the entrance. I turned my face away, of course they are here to mock me.

“You look quite pathetic, Daphne.” Andy laughed hysterically.

Ignoring him, I continued sobbing quietly. I groaned in pain as Chloe grabbed me by my hair. “Loser! You know your place, don’t you? I’m the favorite daughter of the Beta, and guess what? I’m definitely going to be the Luna of our pack when the Alpha proposes to me. Likewise, I’m sure you don’t know what it means to be treated like a princess.” She laughed mockingly.

“Let…let go of my hands.” I managed to push her away, and my hair fell down my shoulder.

She was about to grab my hair again when Alice’s voice made her change her mind. The door of the room opened and Alice walked in with a bunch of keys.

“What are you guys doing here? And you, Andy, will you stop f****** around with this SL*t? Our distinguished guest is almost here, we can’t keep him waiting.” She scolded him.

Glaring hard at me for the last time, Chloe stormed out of the room.

“Mother, why don’t you find something to entertain yourself with, and stop worrying what the hell I do with her.” He snapped back at her.

“Then, feel free to explain yourself to the Alpha of the Red moon pack.”

Alice knows exactly how to handle her lustful son. This time, Andy didn’t object. I know he isn't concerned with what his mother or father says. He had no respect for anyone! It was just shocking to me that even a monster like him would not dare to disobey the Alpha of the Red Moon Pack.

However, Alice walked to the bed where I was chained, and unlocked the keys to the chain on my feet and on my wrist.

“Go into the bedroom and dress up. The servants will send a dress for you in the next ten minutes. Get ready, our guest is here. Don’t act awkward if you don’t want me to throw your useless, seductress mother’s ashes into the river.” She threatened.

Struggling up from the bed, I walked into the bathroom. My eyes were all swollen. From the bathroom, I heard the bedroom door close.

I turned on the shower, and stood under it as tears poured down my cheeks. I felt so miserable. Then, I heard a faint knock on the door of the bathroom.

“Who’s there?”

“You got lucky, Daphne. This luck will run out eventually though.” It was Andy’s voice. I didn’t reply to him, so he continued. “When the Alpha of the Red Moon Pack is done with you, you’re mine. I’ll make you beg for me to cum on that pretty face of yours.”

I felt so disgusted by his statement that I clenched my fist tight. Well, after his statement, he left the room because I heard the door close.

Eventually, I took my bath as I was instructed and walked out of the bathroom. My eyes narrowed at the sight of the pretty dress on the bed… A strapless black body-con dress. It was embellished with diamond stone all over it. Furthermore, it has an elegant embroidery pattern on it.

I loved everything about this dress.

How could I not? This is the first designer dress that I’ve ever worn. It’s the first gift from my family too… on the day that they sold me off to a cruel alpha for money and power.

As a Beta’s daughter, I was supposed to have been loved, respected and cherished. I would have been spoiled and treated like a princess, and one day, when I was of age, I would meet my mate, wearing this pretty dress.

Probably, my mate would be an Alpha who would declare me his Luna. That would be something a mother and father would be so proud of. Their daughter becomes the queen that she’s meant to be. But here I was… the lowest of them all, not even worth caring for. A motherless omega.

I took off my bathrobe, and stood in front of the vanity mirror. In the reflection, I could see the red sore marks on my neck. My skin was bruised and scarred from years of abuse. My hazel eyes were already swollen from crying.

All I saw in myself was a poor girl who was being sold off like a cheap sheep by her family.

Why did this have to happen to me? What did I ever do to deserve this?

At last, I was able to wear a designer dress like other girls from noble families. But it wasn’t for meeting my mate.

It was for meeting my new master… a dreaded, murderous Alpha.

In a few minutes, I was led out of the house by a group of men. One of them had some discussions with my father and handed him a bag full of dollars. The man was undoubtedly the Beta of the Red Moon Pack.

From a distance, I watched my father and stepmother leap in excitement as they opened the bag of money. They sold me off like a sheep, with no single regret.

“Hey, you move.” One of the men who looked fearful yelled at me. They had a handcuff around my wrist as they led me into the Rolls-Royce. I got into the car and they drove off.

Now, a new chapter of my life is opened.

Daphne

My eyes felt so heavy as I tried to open them. I could feel my head banging so hard. I gradually opened my heavy eyes, but all I saw was darkness, and that made me gasp.

Where am I?

Staring around the blank darkness, I gave out a loud yell as I tried to get up from the bed where I was lying, but I couldn’t. My left hand was chained to the bed frame. Fear gripped me. My biggest fear was darkness as I was night blind. This has been the punishment I got from the goddess ever since I lost my mother.

That fateful night, she willingly gave herself to death just so I would be alive. It was a dark night, and until date, no one knew what exactly led to the fire accident. As a matter of fact, I wished that I would die in the fire with her. After that incident, I became night blind and my biggest fear was darkness because I feel so powerless when I’m in the dark. It brings back the painful and unforgettable memories that led to my misfortunes.

“Let me out! Is someone there? Get me out of here.” I yelled in panic. The darkness… I can’t deal with it. I continued dragging my hands from the chains and the chains kept clanking noisily.

Was this the Red Moon Pack? Why would they lock me up? Why was I even bought by their Alpha?

I stared around in fear, and I felt as if there were eyes in the dark, staring at me. I quickly shut my eyes, and by the time I opened my eyes, I was in a different place.

It was like a beautiful garden. I stared around, confused. Wasn’t I chained to a bed and locked up in a dark room a while ago?

Instantly, I felt a sharp light shone on me. I raised my eyes, and saw a beautiful lady. She was dressed in a sparkling dress, and there was a golden crown placed on her glittering hair.

“Moon…. Moon goddess?” I stuttered, stunned by her beauty and aura. I quickly went on my knees.

She was wearing a pretty smile as she stared at me. “Daphne, everything happens for a reason. I’m here to show you something.”

Attentively, I stared at her as she stretched her hands to the air. Then I saw a mirror, hanging in the air. Looking into the mirror, I saw the figure of a man. I couldn’t see his face, but I saw a hideous mark on his back.

“You’ll find your mate, and he has this mark on his back. Your love is blessed, but you’ll be tested as well.” She said,

I was confused. I tried to say something, but then I felt like a hard wind blew me right back into the dark room. My hands were still chained, and I groaned in pain.

“Who’s there?” I heard a noise, like the creak of the door. I couldn’t see anyone because of the night blindness.

The light was instantly turned on, and I quickly turned my gaze to the door. I saw a lady, she was dressed in a maidservant’s attire, and had a tray of food with her.

Glaring sternly at me, she dropped the tray on the side table. I glanced at the tray, and my expression changed… dry bread that wouldn’t even be enough for a two-year-old child and a glass of water.

“Do you intend to scream everyone to deafness? If I were you, I’d behave myself and shut the hell up.” She said coldly, and I swallowed hard.

She grabbed the tray and pushed it to the side of the bed where I was. “That's your dinner.” With that, she turned to leave.

“Uhm… Miss, I can’t eat with chained hands.” I stammered, and she turned back to me. Walking straight to me, she took out a key from the pocket of her outfit and unlocked the chain.

“Listen, eat up quickly because you’ll be led to take a shower before you can go see the Alpha tonight. You’d better not keep him waiting if you still want to be alive.” She warned, giving me goosebumps.

Gathering all the courage I could, I managed to ask. “Why am I here? What is my job description?”

She scoffed at me. “Job description, you say? You’ll get to know soon.” She gave me a deadly stare one more time before leaving.

Her words made me shiver in panic. What does she mean by going to see the Alpha tonight? I couldn’t wrap my head around why I should meet the Alpha at night? Creepy!

I was smacked out of my thoughts by the growling of my stomach due to hunger. I quickly picked up the dry bread, and started digging into it. It was so tough, and tasteless. I bet if it was left to stay a day more, it would definitely turn stale. Well, I was already used to starving or eating leftovers, so it was no big deal for me.

A few minutes later, the door was opened, and a beautiful lady walked in. She smiled warmly at me, and honestly, this was like the first time in many years that I felt safe with someone.

“Hey, what’s your name?”

Gulping hard, I mumbled. “Daphne.” It was almost inaudible, but she heard me, anyway.

“Daphne, you don’t have to be scared of me. I’m not going to hurt you, okay? From now on, I’ll be your nurse, you can call me Madam Dorothy.” She patted my hair, and I tried to stay away from her. Even though she was nice, I still can’t trust her.

After a few seconds of silence, her words seemed to ring in her ears, ‘nurse’. I turned sharply at her with my brows fluttered. “Nurse? Why do I need a nurse, ma’am? I’m not sick.”

She was about to say something when another woman barged into the room. The woman looked so mean and had no warmth in her face, and that scared the hell out of me.

“This thin girl? How are you sure that she’d be able to bear his pup?” She scoffed at me, and my eyes grew in curiosity.

“Huh? Bear his pup?” I freaked out.