I'm led to a coffee shop by Alpha George, the alpha of the Lightning Pack and Alpha Asher's uncle.

"I know this might seem sudden, but I need a luna. After careful consideration, I believe you're the most suitable candidate," he says.

I stare at him, dumbfounded.

He leans forward earnestly. "I know about your father's debt. I have my reasons for needing a luna, and I think we can help each other. I can pay off the five - million debt. In return, I only ask for your companionship and commitment to this marriage."

I'm shocked.

I'm acutely aware of who he is: Alpha George, the alpha who rules the Lightning Pack with an iron fist. His reputation for swift, unyielding decisions precedes him, and the very thought of him sends a shiver down my spine.

Yet, in the suffocating darkness of my current situation, he's the solitary glimmer of hope.

I finally steel my nerves and make my decision. "I'll do it,".

Moments later, I find myself in his luxurious car on my way home.

Before he leaves, he hands me a simple card with his details.

"One week. Sort everything out and come to me,"

I managed to scrape together enough money to pay off those ruthless loan sharks. Just as I was trying to catch my breath, my father, reeking of alcohol, burst into my place and dragged me to an exhibition.

"What on earth are we doing here, Dad?"

"Don't you get it? You've been with Alpha Asher for ages. I found out he'll be at this exhibition today. This is our chance! Make him marry you. Our family's future depends on it!" His eyes were wild

I immediately turned to leave.

I spun on my heel to leave. But at the door, I froze. There was Alpha Asher, arm - in - arm with Britney, their heads bent close, sharing private laughs.

At the sight of them, my father exploded. "You shameless hussy! How dare you steal my son - in - law!" he roared, pointing a shaking finger at Britney.

Tears welled in Britney's eyes, and Alpha Asher pulled her protectively close. "What the hell are you doing? Your daughter didn't tell you I'm done with her? I'm sick of her," he sneered.

"After eight years, you're dumping her? Who else would want her now?" my father bellowed, his voice echoing in the hall.

In an instant, all eyes in the hall turned towards us, and whispers and stifled laughter filled the air.

I felt the blood drain from my face, and my shoulders trembled involuntarily. I rushed forward and grabbed my father's hand, pleading in a low voice, "Dad, please, let's go home."

But he refused to budge, flailing his arms to break free and intent on causing more chaos. I was left with no choice but to hold him tightly and whisper in his ear.

"Is that true?" he asked, his eyes wide with disbelief.

"I promise, it's true. Now, please, go home,.

My father finally nodded and turned to leave, but Alpha Asher stepped in his way.

Just as my father turned to leave, Alpha Asher blocked his way. "Your drunk father scared my Alice. You think you can just leave?"

I looked at Britney, who was sobbing softly.

"My father was out of line. I'm so sorry. Please forgive him,"

Alpha Asher let out a cold chuckle. "Just an apology? Alice is so delicate. Even a raised voice scares her. How do you plan to make up for what your father did?"

Memories of Alpha Asher protecting me at a banquet three years ago flashed through my mind. Now, he was using the same words against me.

Fury and pain boiling over, I strode to the center of the room, where a large, ornate mirror hung. Without hesitation, I balled my fist and punched through the glass. The shattering sound silenced the whispers. Blood trickled down my hand, staining the carpet.

I turned to face Alpha Asher. "Is this enough to pay you back?"

I turned to push way through the crowd of onlookers, who were still buzzing with excitement.

But Alpha Asher called out. "What did you say to your father? Why did he leave so obediently?"

"None of your business,".

I walked out of the hall.

Back home,my phone pinged with a notification.

There was a post about Alpha Asher lavishing Britney with a gigantic, one - of - a - kind sky garden and the world - famous Heart of the Ocean diamond necklace as a proposal gift.

I reached up and touched my face, only to find it wet with tears.

I jolted awake from a restless sleep, memories of Alpha Asher crashing over me like a tidal wave.

I recalled my forgotten personal items in his office, and with a heavy, lead - filled heart, I dragged myself there.

The moment I pushed the door open, it was as if a bolt of lightning had struck me.

There, on a diamond - encrusted sofa fit for royalty, Alpha Asher was wrapped around Britney. A crystal coffee table nearby overflowed with exotic fruits from every corner of the globe.

Britney fluttered her doe - like eyes and pouted, "Honey, this board game is impossible! I'm so confused."

Alpha Ashe pinched her cheek gently and cooed, "My little dumpling, let me show you."

Britney wrinkled her nose in annoyance. "That diamond necklace from the fashion party lost a diamond. It's infuriating!" Instantly, Alpha Asher snatched his gold - plated phone and roared at the jeweler, "Get the purest diamond on earth! Make a one - of - a - kind necklace. Deliver it in two days, or else! Money is no damn object!"

After a while, Britney yawned loudly and snuggled deeper into his arms. "I'm so sleepy," she whined.

Alpha Asher scooped her up like she was made of glass and carried her to a silk - draped bedroom.

He laid her on a bed covered in the rarest down and tucked the quilt around her with extreme care. Then, he turned on a ruby - studded phonograph, filling the air with soft, lilting music, and gently combed her hair with an ancient agarwood comb, gazing at her as if she were the only star in his sky.

Half - asleep, Britney mumbled, "I want those Parisian macarons." Without looking up, Alpha Asher barked at his assistant, "Get the macarons from Paris in 30 minutes! Fly a private jet if you have to!"

I stood there, dazed.

Once, Alpha Asher and I had shared such moments. But love? It was a fleeting, treacherous thing.

After three long, agonizing hours of being ignored, Alpha Asher finally glanced at me, . "Grab your stuff and leave," he spat.

My legs numb, I made my way to the desk and opened the cabinet. It was filled with lewd lingerie and kinky toys.

With a growl of disgust, I swept them all into the trash.

Britney snorted. "Everyone said you were a slut. I didn't believe it until now. In the office, really? "

I ignored her and reached for the trash bag.

But she wasn't done. She opened a pornographic video on Alpha Asher's computer and shoved it in my face.

There I was, naked, performing a lewd act. My face went white as a sheet. I lunged for the computer, but Britney stepped back, sneering. "Disgusted? You should be. You're just a cheap toy."

She leaned in. "On our first night, he kissed me everywhere. His tongue was so soft when he licked my vagina... He said you could never compare even you tried your hardest to suck his dick."

My nails dug into my palms, drawing blood.

"That unborn kid? Lucky it's gone. With a whore like you for a mom, it'd be a slut too."

That was it. I slapped her hard across the face.

She fell onto the sofa, wailing.

Just then, Alpha Asher walked in . Without a word, he backhanded me to the floor. Pain exploded in my face, my cheek swelling instantly.

Clutching the trash bag, I forced myself up and stumbled out, my heart broken into a million pieces.

That night, I was swallowed by a nightmare. I held my child tenderly. But in an instant, my child turned into a cold corpse.

Despair crushed my chest, and I gasped for air, feeling darkness suffocate me from within.

I rushed to the beach.

The sea wind whipped at me.

On the sand, I saw the sandcastles Alpha Asher and I built.

"Grace, let me take care of you. We'll have cute babies,"

In the distance, Alpha Asher and Britney were building a sandcastle, surrounded by name - flags.

When he saw me, he asked, "What are you doing here?"

I strode over, grabbed a shovel, and with a scream lost in the waves, I smashed our sandcastles, one by one.

I kicked the sand into the sea, watching it be swallowed, as if erasing our past.

Just as I turned to leave, a malicious glint flashed in Britney's eyes. She subtly gestured to a beach cleaning vehicle that was working nearby.

The driver, understanding her intent immediately, steered the vehicle straight towards me.

I had no time to react. The vehicle hit me hard, sending me flying.

My clothes were torn by the rough gravel, and my skin was rubbed raw, bloodied and bruised.

Alpha Asher merely frowned at the scene and showed no sign of coming to check on me.

Britney, feigning fear, nestled into his arms, sobbing softly.

He patted her back casually and said nonchalantly, "Don't be scared, baby. She's definitely fine. Besides, even if something did happen, I can handle it easily. No need to worry about her."

My vision blurred, and all I could hear were the sound of the waves and Alpha Asher's cold words.