Chapter 1 Minor Shake
Aria
I checked the time and it was few minutes after five!
My heart jumped in my chest. Father would be so mad at me.
Gosh, I can't believe I overslept at Philip's house. Now, Dad is going to kill me, literally.
Most times, I wished I were a werewolf. Then I wouldn't have to worry about returning home late. I wouldn't even worry about going home. It's not like I was cherished at home.
If I had the power to leave, I would never look back.
“We are here,” the driver announced suddenly, forcefully pulling me out of my thoughts.
I stretched his bills to him before I hurried out of the car and into the house.
My heart beat increased as I eventually pushed the door open. I opened my mouth and launched into the explanation I had planned several times in my head.
But I'm forced into another stop as I look at the intruders in our home.
There were four hefty men in the dining room. One was sitting on the sofa while my father was kneeling in front of him.
What was happening?
“Oh, the price is here,” one of them muttered, making me swallow hard on my suddenly dried throat.
“Yes, please. Take her and leave me alone. I beg of you.”
I looked at my father for an explanation.
“What's going on here, father?”
Elias looked at me suddenly, with cold eyes. “Don't call me that!” he yelled. “I'm not your father!”
Actually, he's right. He's my stepfather. And even though I do everything that I can as a daughter to him, he has never acknowledged me. I desperately thought he would, wanted him to, one day.
I had no one else, except him, Susan, and then Philip, my boyfriend.
The man sitting on the chair stood up. “Pack your load, young lady. You are coming with us.”
No way!
I looked at Elias for an explanation. “What's all this about? What's happening? Why do I have to go with them?” I bombarded him, my own heart giving me a hard time thinking.
“Because you belong to Lucian Draven now,” Elias responded and it felt like I couldn't breathe for a moment.
Lucian Draven? Who doesn't know him? He’s one of the most powerful Alphas ever known. He's popular even in the human world. No one dares cross his path. Alpha of the Harlwan, ruthless in battle and merciless in rule, his name was enough to silence anyone and his eyes could make even strong men bow.
No freaking way!
But I still couldn't wrap my head around what the whole thing was all about.
“Why? Why do I have to go with them?”
“Because your stepfather does not love you, he sold you to him,” the man responded.
Good, his explanation was clear enough. Just that it made things worse!
My chest tightened suddenly and my breathing started to come in short.
“Don't you die on me, you this foolish child!” I heard Elias’ voice in the void I was suddenly suspended in.
That did nothing to relieve me. Instead, it made me panic the most. His voice suddenly sounded far away as I tried to concentrate but it seemed all difficult.
“Kneel!” a deep voice muttered suddenly, ripping through the void I had trapped myself in.
And as if in a trance, I responded to it.
“Hands on your legs,” the voice was saying and for once, I got lost. Was it referring to me? Or was I daydreaming?
Yet again, I followed it.
“Good girl,” the voice seemed to laugh, its sound making butterflies appear in my stomach. “Now, take a deep long drag.”
I complied.
“Release it,” the voice seemed to be the centre of my concentration now, urging me on.
For a moment, it looked like I was the only one in the room, with the voice obviously as I listened to his orders until I could finally breathe properly.
“Fuck! If you die! How do I pay my debts?” Elias whined.
So, this was all about his debts.
When I was back, I stood up but even my legs suddenly felt jelly. But I still needed to do this. I moved closer to Elias, as I felt the hot tears on my cheek.
I had no idea why I was really crying.
Was it the fact that Elias sold me or the fact that I was sold to the ruthless Lucian? An Alpha that hates humans like wolves hates wolfbane?
“Why? If it were the debts, we could have sorted them out. We could have found another way but you sold me?” I yelled, annoyed at everything.
I was annoyed at him, annoyed at myself, and annoyed at the whole world at large. This wasn't supposed to happen. Here was I, thinking I could finally gain his love but Elias would never love me like his own.
Those were all wishful thoughts.
After my mother's death, it only got even worse. Now, my freedom has been sold?
When will I eventually be free?
He slapped me, shutting me off abruptly. “You, this ungrateful girl! Is this how you repay me for all I have done for you all these years?”
My eyes watered. This can't be happening.
“Goods have been damaged,” that same familiar voice muttered.
For a second, I thought it was in my head until a figure moved behind me.
I turned towards it and my eyes widened at who I was looking at LUCIAN DRAVEN in flesh!
“You will still owe me five thousand dollars even after taking her,” he muttered, somewhat angrily.
A dark scowl was on his face and I feared he was going to shift.
“But_” Elias hurried past me and stopped in front of him. “You promised me. You said you would clear my debts if I give her to you.”
“I did say that but I didn't say you were supposed to slap her. How do I manage broken goods?”
I stared, shocked. I had no idea what was more shocking. The Greek-like god in front of me, or the fact that he just referred to me as good to be brought.
But what was I expecting from Lucian? He doesn't even like humans and I'm human! And yes, he's a monster!
Elias fell to the ground. “Please, Alpha Lucian. Have pity on me.”
“Pity?” He howled and I nearly jumped out of my body. “Do you want me to return it?”
“No! We will do as you've said,” Elias finally agreed and looked at me. “You have to follow them now.”
I adjusted back unconsciously while swallowing hard on suddenly dried throat. “No! I'm not going anywhere. Philip will pay your debt. Cancel the agreement now!” I yelled
Lucian looked at me, his right lip raised slightly. The action intrigued me. “You mean your boyfriend?”
Another shock wave coursed through my body. How did he know?
“Oh, darling, I'm sorry to shock you, but no one is coming for you now.”