Episode 21

"I'll explain," Alpha Jesse said, realizing that I was lost and confused.

"I'm already lost here," I said as I took a sip of water. "Please tell me what I need to know about this guy," I added, noticing Alpha Jesse's heavy exhale.

"He's Alpha Jackie, your mate. You're betrothed to him," he replied.

"Why?" I asked, seeking clarification.

"Please calm down, that's exactly what I'm trying to explain," he said, and I managed to compose myself while waiting for him to finish his explanation.

"It's difficult for me to talk about," he continued, taking a deep breath. "He was a great friend..."

As he spoke, it became clear that he was struggling to find the right words to explain the situation.

"To make a long story short, I had a problem with my brother, Rubin," he said, but before he could continue, I interrupted him.

"Rubin?!" I exclaimed, as if the name were familiar, but it was only because my mother had mentioned it in a story she once told me.

"Do you know him?" Alpha Jesse asked, looking curious, as I shook my head, pretending I didn't.

However, my mind was racing with thoughts once again. Why did my mother's story seem to revolve around me?

Why is this happening? Is this some kind of nightmare? If it were, I should have woken up by now!

But from the bits of information I've gathered, it seems that Rubin is the one who kidnapped my mother.

"Lucia!?" Alpha Jesse called my name, bringing me back to reality.

"Yes, father?" I responded, trying to refocus my thoughts.

"Do you understand?" he asked, indicating that he had been speaking all this while, but my mind had been elsewhere.

"Sorry, what did you say?" I asked, realizing that I had not been paying attention.

Alpha Jesse stared at me for a moment before speaking. "Lucia, is something bothering you? Your mind wasn't with me."

He then requested that I share my issue with him, but I shook my head. "I'm fine. Can you just continue with your explanation? What did you say again?" I asked, trying to refocus on the conversation.

Alpha Jesse let out a heavy sigh before continuing.

"So, my brother Rubin was a vampire. I had a problem with him because of your mother's departure and his fated mate's departure as well," Alpha Jesse explained.

"It was extremely difficult when he declared war against our pack," he continued, but I interrupted him.

"Why did he declare war?" I asked.

"He believed I had a hand in their escape, especially his fated mate's, so he waged war. However, I wasn't strong enough at the time to stop him," Alpha Jesse explained, letting out a deep breath as I listened intently as he continues.

"I had to hurry to Alpha Jackie for help, but before he could assist me, he made a request. He asked for my first daughter," Jesse was in the middle of explaining, but I interrupted.

"So...? Even with that, why am I supposed to be handed over to a man I don't even know?" I asked, looking visibly upset.

"You will get to know him better when he arrives," he replied calmly, but I couldn't hold back my anger and stood up from my seat.

"I don't want to know him! I think Diana even wants him more than I do. Why not let her have him?" I retorted.

"I'm not interested in him, obviously that's why you made sure to only approach me and leave my mother, so you could fulfill your selfish desire," I said, but he interrupted me with a loud voice.

"Lucia!" He shouted my name, and I immediately fell silent, understanding that he was upset.

"I didn't do it just for myself! Nor only for the favor of my pack" He said.

"Then who did you do it for?" I asked, because I obviously didn't want the so called Alpha Jackie.

"For you!," he said, while I stared at him in shock. It was as if he had traded me in exchange for assistance in a war. I mean, who simply gives someone away and yet claims it was for their own benefit? It was rather amusing.

"You did this for me?" I asked in disbelief. "Absolutely," he replied.

"I didn't just agree to his proposal for the sake of receiving help, but also because he is a remarkable Alpha!"

"He's wealthy and influential! He would make the perfect partner for you! He's the kind of man every girl dreams of, and I'm even happy he chose you," Jesse exclaimed. However, I immediately interrupted him.

"But I'm not happy, Jesse! I'm not thrilled! I'm not like every other girl! I don't want him!" I said in frustration before storming out of the dining room.

"Lucia! Lucia!" he called after me, but I was too upset to respond. I left for my room without saying a word.

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Upon arriving in my room, I felt utterly restless. I had already fallen in love with Logan, and I couldn't allow any trivial reason to come between us.

If this so-called Alpha Jackie still needed Alpha Jesse's child, he should go to Diana. I don't give a damn.

I wasn't prepared to love him at any moment or on any day. My mind was plagued with numerous thoughts when I suddenly heard a knock on my door.

I remained silent for a while, assuming it was my father. "Come in," I said as the door opened, only to find Ariana standing there.

However, upon realizing it was her, I didn't put on a smile or give her any facial expression like I used to.

Without overthinking, she already sensed that I wasn't happy.

"Lucia, you don't seem okay. Is everything alright?" she asked in a gentle voice, acting cautiously as if I might react negatively towards her due to my sour mood. But I wasn't that type of person.

"Not really. I'm going through a tough time, and I don't know what to do," I replied to her as she moved closer.

"Do you mind sharing your problems with me? We can go to the woods," she suggested, catching me off guard.

"At the woods?" I asked, confused.

"Yes, I promised to take you for a run in the woods tonight. Come on, you'll love it," Ariana responded as I continued to stare at her in shock.

"Having a run in the woods is highly beneficial for werewolves, as it provides us with renewed motivation and optimism to overcome our difficulties," she explained convincingly.

Feeling persuaded by her words and trusting her judgement, I had no choice but to join her. Perhaps during our time in the woods, she would be able to offer me further guidance and advice on how to navigate my struggles.

★ DIANA ★

This night feels like a living nightmare to me - my worst one yet.

I never imagined my father would entertain the idea of mating Lucia to Alpha Jackie instead of me.

I would rather endure any other form of punishment than allow Lucia to steal him away from me. It cannot happen - never!

"She has already taken almost everything from me and now she wants the last remaining thing? No, this cannot happen!" I thought to myself, feeling deeply troubled.

As I was lost in my thoughts, I heard a knock on my door.

"Come in!" I said, knowing it must be Silva, and sure enough, he entered the room.

"What took you so long since I called for you?" I asked, my voice tinged with anger.

"I am sorry, my princess," he replied apologetically.

"What is preventing you from getting rid of that girl?" I demanded, as Silva took a deep breath.

"Why must you be so heartless?" Silva retorted fearlessly.

"What do you mean?" I asked, taken aback.

"I mean that I'm not even sure if you remember that you are not his actual daughter. Diana, we orchestrated your entry into this pack!" he revealed.

I was puzzled, not sure what he was trying to convey with this revelation. "And what difference does that make?" I inquired, wondering what he was trying to prove.

"That's not what we agreed on when I let you into this pack as the Alpha's daughter. You were supposed to serve me in a more beneficial way," he said to me.

"You promised to give me a valuable position in this group from the moment you joined," Silva complained as I stared back at him.

"But you didn't fulfill your promise! And now you want me to help you with your evil plan again?"

"What was our main agreement before I brought you into this pack? At first You were supposed to provide me with sexual satisfaction," Silva said, but before he could finish his sentence, I slapped him across the face.

"How dare you even think about having an affair with the Alpha's daughter! Do you have no fear?" I yelled at him, as he just held his cheek in pain.

"Listen carefully, you have two days to get that girl out of this pack or I will expose both of us to Alpha Jesse. You know the consequences," I threatened.

"For allowing the Alpha's second child to suffer out there as an Omega of another pack just for you to gain sexual satisfaction from me!" I said walking around him with a ridiculous smile.

"You know you would bleed if Alpha Jesse ever finds out. The choice is yours to make. Now get out of my sight!" I shouted at him, and he left in anger. I then hopped back onto my bed.