Arabella Toussaint:

"You'll be offered to the Lycan King in exchange for your brother's freedom," My father's announcement stunned everyone present in the room, "Your brother murdered the King's sister. Now someone must pay the price."

It was more like a death sentence for Vanessa Toussaint, my half-sister.

"What are you saying, Dad?" Vanessa cried when she heard about the deal, "Why am I being punished for something I didn't do?"

"I know, sweetheart. The Lycan King demanded a daughter from this house in exchange for your brother's life!"

My stepmother, Vikki Toussaint, sniffed her nose while I stood in the corner of the study room, watching the drama unfolding before my eyes. Like always, I was here to mop the floor when all of them barged in and sat down as if I was invisible.

But that was not something new. I had been invisible since I was six. Nobody looked at me unless they wanted something cleaned or needed a punching bag to let out their frustration.

"Vanessa. Darling!" My stepmother dabbed the tears with a napkin, "Please try to understand. They'll kill Victor," she sobbed, hiding her face behind her palms.

"Mom," Vanessa went to her and knelt, "I love my brother. Okay? I also don't want him to die… but I'm already engaged to Alpha's son. For Goddess sake, I'm the soon-to-be Luna of this pack!"

I felt my heart sinking.

Will the king kill my brother? He was the only one who used to take care of me.

Not that much, but he did offer me leftovers.

Tightening the grip around the mop, I looked down at the floor.

Right now, the entire Toussaint family looked like they were standing on the edge of a cliff. Victor Toussaint— the Toussaint heir… the pride of the family— was imprisoned by the Lycan King for murdering his sister.

Nobody knew what truly happened. After losing his sister, the king had gone crazy. He wanted Victor's blood in return.

The council elders were holding the king back because Victor was Beta Rick's heir. Later, they all mutually agreed to hand over Beta's daughter to the king as compensation for the blood debt.

"Just imagine!" Vanessa sobbed, "Instead of marrying Dante, I'll be offered to the king as a slave!"

My father, Beta Rick, dropped his head into his hands. His wife, Vikki, started crying silently. She looked truly helpless.

The woman who controlled everyone in this house looked defeated. She was bound to lose one child after all.

Vanessa's tear-filled eyes moved around the room desperately, and that was when her eyes landed on me.

Arabella Toussaint.

A cold dread took over my heart.

Her eyes lit up, "Wait a minute!" She rose to her feet as she started walking towards me. I must be looking like a frightened puppy standing there, "The king never said that he wanted a specific daughter…" A smirk appeared on her lips, "How about Arabella?" She turned towards her parents, as excitement flashed across her face.

Her parents straightened, trying to understand what she was saying, "The king wants a daughter as his slave. Arabella knows how to do the job. Our mother trained her well."

I pressed more into the wall, maybe trying to get swallowed by it. I had been invisible for the past twelve years. And now they were noticing me for all the wrong reasons.

Instinctively, my hand raised to the faded cut near my temple… the one that never healed properly after I failed to get a wolf. The vision in my left eye blurred slightly, just as it always did whenever I was stressed.

My father slowly got up from his seat, "Arabella!" His voice boomed in the study, "Victor took care of you. Do you think we don't know how Victor used to sneak food into your room? Now is the time to pay him back with your kindness."

Something cracked inside me. Vikki was my stepmother, but Rick Toussaint was my real father. How could he sacrifice his one child over another?

Is throwing me away this easy?

If Victor killed someone, that wasn't my mistake.

"I … I … um…" My throat tightened as I tried to speak for myself, but Vikki raised her hand to stop me, "We raised you, Arabella. Gave you a roof over your head. Don't you think you should repay us?" She asked me with a sinister smile.

I gulped hard and then nodded. A slow grin spread across Vikki's face, "That's like my daughter," She came and hugged me, but then had to step back immediately. Her face twisted in disgust, "Uh. When was the last time you took a shower?" She waved her hand near her nose.

I wanted to speak. I wanted to remind her that she was the one who asked me not to waste water.

Just last week, I turned eighteen and didn't get a wolf. Nobody asked me. Nobody noticed.

Except Maya, who was my best friend. Unlike me, Maya was an Omega by birth. She was the only one who used to take care of me.

She even stole food from the VIP kitchen to feed me. Among werewolves, slaves stood at the very bottom of the hierarchy. Even Omegas ranked above them.

In a way, Maya was superior to me.

My so-called family— their stares were crawling on my skin. Vanessa must have sensed my fear because she held my hands gently, "Don't worry, Arabella. You'll survive. They want a slave, and you're the perfect choice. You know how to do chores and all that… right?" She then leaned towards me, "Sometimes you might have to warm the beds of royal warriors."

Cold fear spread through my body as a sick feeling twisted in my stomach. This was not the life I had imagined for myself.

I was already planning to run far away from this abusive life and live in peace. I was just waiting to save enough cash in my wallet to survive for a small period till I would find a job.

But no.

All my plans crumbled when Vanessa set her eyes on me.

"I'm… I'm just an Omega… They need a beta girl…" I swiped my tongue over my trembling lips, "Please… I don't think I'm fit to be a…"

"Actually, Vanessa is right," my stepmother got up with a small smile, "You're also Beta's daughter. The same blood runs in your veins…" She then turned to face her husband, "What do you think, Rick?" She gave my father a pleading look, and the man instantly melted.

"Of course," His eyes darted to me, "Vanessa is already promised to Dante. We don't have any choice," He said with a shrug, and I felt my heart drop, "We never punished you for killing your mother, Arabella. You owe this family that much."

A numb ache started spreading through my body.

***

"This can't be happening. Tell me this is a nightmare!" My best friend Maya was pacing restlessly through the garden like a caged lioness while I sat on the grass numbly.

Maya suddenly spun around, "I told you!" She crouched in front of me, "You fool! That's why I asked you to run. But all you cared about was saving enough money. Now what?"

I squeezed my eyes, forcing back the tears, "You run alone, Maya," I whispered with a burning throat, "I can't join you. My family needs me. My brother needs me."

"What the fuck!" Maya cursed, "Nobody needs you. Okay? We leave tonight."

I started shaking my head as my eyes welled up with tears, "The king will kill our whole pack, Maya. You know the consequences."

Maya's shoulders dropped in defeat. She must have realized I was right. Once the king came to know his soon-to-be slave had run away, he would burn the whole pack.

"Don't give up!" Maya leaned her forehead against mine, "Don't you dare give up, Bella. We will find a way. I'm sure we will find a way. Let this pack rot in hell. You owe them nothing."

...

Lucien Volkov (The Lycan King):

When I got out of the car, the Alpha of the Blackthorn pack was standing at the main entrance of the packhouse.

His Luna was also standing there beside him. They both looked like they were about to be executed.

When Alpha offered me his hand for a handshake, I ignored it completely, "I'm here to collect blood debt," I said in a clipped voice, walking past them.

Luna Ava seemed shaken by my presence.

"Wow!" One of the Omegas whispered in fascination, but I didn't pay any attention to my surroundings.

I walked straight to the office door to get inside when a faint scent of butter croissants and lime hit my nose.

"Mate!" My beast went feral inside me, "Our mate is nearby, Lucien."

I ignored my beast and headed straight to the head seat that was usually reserved for the alpha.

Alpha Chris and Beta Rick couldn't say a word and followed me silently.

"Where is your daughter?" I asked Beta Rick, not even trying to mask the bitterness in my voice.

"Sh…she… she'll be here in a while."

I nodded, checking my wristwatch. The door opened, and several Omegas came inside to place snacks on the table.

I frowned at the Omega who was hurriedly placing the cutlery.

The moment the first tray of food touched the table, my control snapped, "Get out!" I hissed.

The said Omega nearly stumbled over her own feet.

"I said get out!" I roared.

Within seconds, all the maids rushed out in confusion, trembling in fear.

I remained seated for only a second before my beast slammed violently inside my head, "Mate! She was here in the office. I can smell her."

I clenched my jaw in disgust. I would never take a mate from a pack whose future beta was involved in murder. He killed my sweet little sister, and now they had to pay me with their blood.

Suddenly, I shot to my feet. Before anyone could react, my arm swept across the table. The ceramic plates crashed against the marble floor.

Alpha and Beta of the Blackthorn pack flinched in their seats. They weren't expecting this kind of reaction from a king.

My breathing had turned dangerously heavy, "Do you think I came here all the way to party? To eat your food?" Each word I said dripped with menace, "I came here to collect a debt."

My canines had fully extended, and my beast was struggling to come forward. A monstrous growl rumbled from my chest; I could feel my eyes turning into a fiery golden shade.

My alpha aura was getting out of control, traveling in waves. There was silence in the room. Nobody dared to breathe.

I placed both hands on the table and leaned forward slowly, "Don't test my patience. Bring the girl so that I can sign the contract and get out of this bullshit pack!" I could feel my veins in my neck stand out as I spoke through clenched teeth.

Alpha Chris whispered in a weak voice, "Sh… she's coming… I've already sent the mindlink."

***

Arabella Toussaint:

I looked at myself in the mirror and couldn't recognize myself.

Gone were my ragged clothes. In their place, I wore an off-white gown that reached my knees. Vanessa had dyed my snow-white hair black and curled it. Now she was applying the final touch. A soft lip color.

My scar was well hidden behind makeup.

I felt like they were preparing me for slaughter. Only this was worse because being slaughtered would give the pain of only a few minutes.

"Arabella!" Maya came inside and stopped in shock, "Oh, wow. Look at you."

"Doesn't she look beautiful?" Vanessa asked chirpily, and for a moment, I could sense that Maya wanted to strangle her.

"Here. It's yours," Vanessa quickly fastened the necklace around my neck, the same one she had snatched from me two years back. It was the only thing I had left that belonged to my mother.

They turned around when my stepmother knocked on the door, "The king is here, Vanessa. Send her quickly."

"Sure, mama!"

"The king is so handsome, Van," My stepmother told Vanessa in a sickeningly sweet voice, "Why go for Alpha's son when you can become the queen?"

"Mamma! Stop it!" Vanessa giggled, rolling her eyes, "Let's see how he reacts when he sees me," Vanessa chimed in.

With a sinking heart, I got up and looked at Maya, who could see fear in my eyes.

"Miss Vanessa!" Maya bent her head in respect, "Can I talk to my friend for a little while?" she asked innocently.

Vanessa waved her hand carelessly, "Sure. But make it fast. He-he."

When she left, Maya rushed to me, "Bella!"

"Maya. What will I do now?" I was on the verge of tears.

"Don't worry, silly. Alpha King is here to have a good look at you and to sign the contract. You're not going today. Okay? We have one night," she whispered, leaning closer to me.

My fearful eyes snapped up, "What do you mean?"

In response, Maya only spoke one word, "Tonight!" and then nodded, "We don't have time. We're leaving tonight."

I felt a shiver running down my spine. I knew what Maya was saying. It was time to leave the pack.

...

Arabella Toussaint:

I swallowed hard. I could feel my blood running cold as I stood outside the Alpha's office.

An Omega opened the door and gestured for me to go inside. As instructed by Vanessa, I straightened my posture and kept my eyes down.

Please help me, Moon Goddess.

With a silent prayer, I stepped inside but then stopped. Ceramic pieces lay scattered across the floor, and I could feel tension in the air.

A man sat in the Alpha's seat who seemed to go still at first. I slowly looked up and had to stop the sudden gasp that was about to slip past my lips.

If the man sitting behind Alpha Chris' desk was the Lycan King, then the rumors hadn't done him justice. He looked like a Greek god, and his molten golden eyes slowly scanned me from head to toe.

He looked extremely handsome in black, yet everything about him looked dangerous. A black tattoo trailed up his neck. His messy dark hair fell over his forehead, but nothing about him looked soft. His golden eyes, streaked with amber, held a dangerous glint. Everything about him spoke of power and authority, of a man who was used to everyone obeying his every command.

I couldn't look at his face for too long.

I didn't know if I was imagining it, but he seemed to sniff the air before his eyes darted back to my face.

I hurriedly looked down because I didn't want to meet his cold gaze anymore.

Everything around me went still when I sensed him getting up from his seat. Alpha Chris, Luna Ava, and my parents seemed to go tense in their seats.

Taking slow steps, he reached me, and I wanted to sink more into the floor.

Wasn't he here to sign the contract today and get it done with? Why was he getting closer?

I almost forgot how to breathe when I felt him leaning towards me. What was he doing?

Goddess! Was he sniffing me?

His black shirt stretched over his muscular chest as he moved.

I tried to look sideways to observe my father's face to see if I was doing something wrong. But the man didn't let me.

His forefinger touched my cheek, stopping me from moving.

"Look up!" He commanded in a cold voice, and fear nearly choked me. Mustering up all my courage, I followed his command… and then I felt like someone had punched me in my gut.

Because I was looking into the most intimidating eyes I had ever seen. I couldn't maintain eye contact and had to look down.

"Interesting!" He whispered.

And then, without warning, his hand moved to the back of my neck as he pulled me closer, forcing my face to the side.

Before I could understand anything, I felt his canines sinking into the side of my neck.

"What the…"

I heard gasps in the room and felt like the world had started spinning before my eyes. It seemed like someone had slashed my skin, and I swear it hurt.

A sharp pain tore through me.

"Now she won't be able to run away," He said with a smirk and wiped the small blood droplet from his lips using his thumb.

"Now go!" He shoved me and went back to the desk, where a file was placed, "I'll send someone to collect her."

Collect her? What was I? A possession?

I tried to ignore the throbbing pain in my neck and tried to understand what hurt more. The place where he marked me without my consent, or the notion that all my ways to run away were closed.

He quickly signed the papers and then headed out without a backward glance.

I stood there in shock while the people around me were in chaos.

"He marked her!"

"Goddess. How's it possible?"

"She was supposed to go there as their slave!"

I didn't know what to do, so I walked out of that office in a daze.

"Goddess! Arabella! You alright?" Maya was there to hug me, but I stayed like a piece of wood. Straight and unfeeling.

Completely numb.

Someone behind me was screaming at the top of her lungs. Vanessa Toussaint.

"How is it possible, Mom? She was meant to be a slave. And now she's our queen?" Maya moved back when she heard Vanessa and gave me a confused look.

That was when her gaze fell on the mark on my neck.

"Goddess!"

I started shaking my head, "Take me away, Maya," I whispered, "Take me to my room… please…" Maya nodded and then wrapped her arm around my shoulders.

***

It was almost midnight, and we were both sitting side by side on the edge of my bed.

"Tomorrow this room will be empty," Maya said in a whisper. She was holding my hand that was on my lap, "If I knew he would mark you…." Tears started rolling down her cheeks, "What a shitty friend I am," She muttered helplessly.

I wish I could console my friend. All this time, she had been my rock. While living in this hell, she was a breath of fresh air in my life.

We laughed together, we cried together, and now…

Now it was our last night together.

The mark would never allow me to run, unless I rejected him and he accepted my rejection.

How did he know that I was planning this?

I squeezed my friend's hand lightly, "It's okay, Maya," I tried to smile, "You get out of here. Make a life for yourself. No need to write me or contact me. You might get caught."

Maye turned toward me and hugged me tightly, "Arabella! I'll miss you," she cried.

I pursed my lips but couldn't stop the tears from running down my face, "I'll miss you too, my friend."

We were so busy crying that when the door burst open, we both jerked up in surprise, "You!" Vanessa stood in the doorway with bloodshot eyes.

Seemed like she had been crying too.

"You knew…" She came inside as her eyes stayed on me, "You knew that's why you never protested. He was here for me…but see… he marked you…"

Maya frowned deeply as if she thought Vanessa had gone crazy.

"Ma'am…" She kept her eyes down, "Arabella only did what you asked her to do. She…"

Slap!

Maya was in shock when Vanessa's palm slammed against her cheek, "M… miss V…anessa."

"How dare you speak to me like that…" Vanessa's eyes then darted towards me, "And you!" She gritted her teeth, and I thought it was my turn for the next slap.

Maya must also have sensed it because she hurriedly stood before me, "Please think carefully, Miss Vanessa," she threw her palms up, "If her face has a slap mark, Alpha King might… wipe this pack from the land."

Vanessa helplessly balled her hands into fists as she stomped her foot, "I'll not let you live in peace, Arabella. You think you'll be my queen? Fu*ck you, my queen!" Showing a middle finger, she stormed out of the room.

I slowly turned to look at Maya, who was already watching me. We both ended up laughing weakly and hugged each other.

Vanessa was a fool if she thought Alpha King marked me because he wanted me as his queen. I knew the power play among these packs better than anyone else.

I was the murderer's sister, and I was sure I was expected to be a slave in their little sick game.

Maybe Vanessa was right.

Being a slave, I already knew what I was signing up for.

I was terribly wrong. I had no idea that the real nightmare was yet to begin.