Chapter 1 — The Initiation

Tiffany’s determination to join the brotherhood was clear on her face.

Despite the many speculations, she knew she was ready. Hence, when her father told her that tonight was the beginning of her initiation, she did not waste her time thinking things over. She had long thought about it before. And tonight, the brotherhood would see the heiress in the flesh.

“Are you ready?” her father asked in a solemn voice. She looked at him and nodded her head. She was beyond ready.

As Tiffany stood in front of the Alphas, the black cloak that extended to her ankle didn’t show even a single inch of her skin, and yet she felt naked. Six pairs of cold eyes stared at her with curiosity and distrust. They were scrutinizing her, and each look seemed to grill her flesh little by little.

Her father stepped in front and spoke in a very loud voice. “Powerful lords of this land, tonight, we celebrate my unica hija’s (only daughter) 18th birthday.” His voice reverberated in the secluded office where thousands of familiar photographs hung on the walls. The pictures were of people who belonged to the highest rank in the society—the socialites, illustrados, principalias—and in more modern terms, the billionaires.

The man who was speaking was her father, the Alpha Don himself and leader of Alpha Brotherhood, Don Arnulfo Viaje del Cargador. He was a 61-year-old cunning and cold-blooded hound who hunted everyone who came his way. The seriousness in his face and his intimidating persona were clear as he spoke. “Being my only child, she will inherit everything that I own, including the position in this brotherhood.”

A sudden murmur rose through the air as the men shared their opinions about the matter. “Don Arnulfo, we all know that she cannot lead the brotherhood. Are we letting a woman overpower us now? I won’t tolerate it!”

Tiffany’s lips pressed into a thin line as she heard them burst into a fit. She knew her credentials and her claim to her father’s inheritance was nothing in the eyes of this greedy Alpha Council.

For many years, the secret brotherhood led by her father only had men as members and leaders. But she was a del Cargador and only a del Cargador could be the rightful Don. But her generation did not conceive a son. Instead, she was born a girl.

“If only I had a son, Tiffany would not stand in front of us here,” her father continued. “As your Alpha Don, abide by my decision.”

But the council was even more triggered. “Let’s give her some options then,” one of the council members exclaimed.

“What options, Mr. Chu?” the Don replied.

The rich proprietor stood up and said, “If Tiffany marries an Alpha’s son, she will have the chance to rule the brotherhood for the meantime. And in two years, they must conceive a son who will, later on, claim the position.”

Tiffany glared at Mr. Chu and spoke for the first time. “I don’t want to marry anyone. I want to rule! Maybe it’s time for the brotherhood to step into another type of leadership. Please, father, powerful lords, just give me a chance!”

“Such ambitious undertaking, Miss Tiffany. If that is so, that leads us to the next option,” Mr. Chu replied with a sigh. “I recommend that you should be an Alpha assassin, señorita. And in less than a year, you will kill the notorious leader of the Dragon Brotherhood. Only then will I and the rest of the council accept you as our rightful Alpha Don.”

The majority rose in their seats, which showed that they agreed to the suggestion. Clenching her fist, Tiffany heaved a sigh as she looked at them one by one. Forcing herself to choke on the lump in her throat, she thought about her struggles to reach this milestone. All her life, they had raised her to be an Alpha just like her father. Everything that she had been preparing for had come her way. But the Alphas were hesitant about her because she was a girl! As if her gender was something to be embarrassed about.

Don Arnulfo stepped up and said, “We understand the Alpha is not just any secret organization. Anyone who enters its realms has to face an enormous task, my daughter. The Alpha Council is right. Prove to us first that you deserve to lead the brotherhood.” The Don shot her an intense stare as he paused, making her feel even more breathless. “We give nothing free, my daughter. Face an ordeal before you join the brotherhood and inherit everything.”

Tiffany took a deep breath as she looked at the men in front of her again. All of them were wearing the same grim expression as her father. They were all dressed in black coats and white ties and underneath those coats was the seal of the Alpha, forever imprinted on their wealthy skins.

“Tell us, Tiffany. Do you think you have what it takes to be an Alpha?” Mr. Chu taunted her once more. “Can you kill the leader of the brotherhood’s mortal enemy?” one man added. She drew a smirk as they stared at them with confidence.

‘Who are you to judge me?’ she said in her mind. She had achieved so much in the Academy and had eliminated countless men in the field. As she said, she was beyond prepared for this.

“Are you ready to take your destiny, my child? Are you ready to live in my world where money is power and power is the only thing that matters?”

After this ceremony, she would bear the seal. She had always loved to daydream of having it, and now it was being laid out to her on a golden platter. But her father had been living a very complicated life, her mother used to tell her. It was a life that turned their world upside-down. There was always a constant need to gain power and wealth and perpetually harboring rage, revenge, and brutality—all for the sake of power!

Does she want to live that kind of life? She had been asking that question for many years now. Of course, she knew everything there was to know about her father. She idolized him and dreamt of becoming him in the future. This was what she wanted, wasn’t it? “This is my destiny, Papa. I will take it,” she bravely replied.

With a snap of her father’s fingers, the twelve Alphas gathered around her; encircling her and chanting. The Don approached them at the center of the circle, then kissed both of her cheeks. He looked at her one more time before asking, “Do you swear to keep the reputation and confidentiality of this brotherhood?”

The chanting continued to rise as she stood there, exchanging excited glances with her father. “I-I swear!” she answered, her voice crackled amid the noise created by the Alphas.

“Do you swear to be a loyal Alpha and to practice the cause of this brotherhood at all times?”

“Yes, I’ll do everything!”

An overwhelming feeling was already tickling her scalp, and the noise intensified the unfamiliar sensations she was feeling tonight.

“Do you swear that you will give your life to preserve the integrity of the Alpha and to die for it if need be?” She could almost hear a drum roll in the background as the men moved around; still in circles and not breaking their positions. She was now drowning in nervousness and excitement.

“I swear to give my life to preserve the integrity of the Alpha and to die for it if need be!”

The Don raised his hand, and everything fell silent. There was a sudden eeriness in the atmosphere as they heard clashing metal. A huge furnace kindled with a glowing fire was at the center of the hall. There was also a small knife with a golden handle that was placed on a small round table. The Alphas brought her to the table as the Don drew the knife. He brought the knife to his palm and slit it. Blood gushed out of his hand as he handled the knife to his daughter. Tiffany did the same thing, and both of them now had bloody hands. The Don stretched his palm, and they shook hands. They called this a blood contract—the first part of the initiation.

“Take off your cloak,” her father said in a solemn voice, “and kneel.”

Tiffany let her cloak drop to the floor as the blood on her palm continued to drip from her hand. The thin clothing hiding her private parts almost exposed her milky white skin.

“You will know the ordeal tomorrow, my señorita,” said the Don as he took an iron seal from the raging flames. The seal glowed, mocking her. Bowing her head, she closed her eyes as she prepared for the next part of her initiation; the seal. She felt her body trembling as she kneeled on the floor.

“You are the heiress, hija. This is your world,” her father whispered. Then two powerful hands grasped her arms and forced her to yield to whatever was coming.

“Tonight, marks your initiation! I welcome you, my unica hija. Welcome to the Alpha!” The Don pressed the burning iron seal to his daughter’s flesh and, a surge of tremendous pain consumed her. “This is my world,” she said in a ragged voice. “I am now an Alpha!”

Then she dropped to the floor.