Sold To The Alpha King

The pounding on the front door came before sunrise. Elara Thorn jerked awake. Another bang followed, louder this time, rattling the thin walls of the old manor. Her heart sank. She already knew who it was. Debt collectors. Again. She pushed aside her blanket and hurried into the hallway. The manor that had once been the pride of Silver Fang Pack now looked like a ghost of itself. The wallpaper peeled from the walls. The carpets were worn thin. Even the chandeliers had been sold months ago. A third knock thundered through the house. “Father!” she called. No answer. The silence made her stomach twist. She found Alpha Victor Thorn in his study. Or what remained of it. Most of the furniture had been sold. The once-powerful Alpha sat behind a nearly empty desk, staring at a stack of papers. He looked older every day. His dark hair had turned gray around the temples. The weight of the pack’s failures hung heavily on his shoulders. The knocking came again. Victor didn’t move. “Father,” Elara said softly. “They’re back.” “I know.” His voice sounded tired. Too tired. Something about it made her uneasy. “Should I tell them you’re not here?” A bitter laugh escaped him. “They already know I’m here.” The room fell silent. Elara clasped her hands together. The air felt strange. Heavy. Like a storm waiting to break. “What’s wrong?” she asked. Victor finally looked at her. His eyes were bloodshot. He looked as though he hadn’t slept all night. “Sit down, Elara.” Fear crawled into her chest. She obeyed. Slowly. Carefully. The chair creaked beneath her weight. Outside, voices rose as the debt collectors continued demanding payment. Victor folded his hands. For several seconds he simply stared at her. Then he spoke. “I have found a solution.” Relief washed over her. A solution. Finally. Maybe things would get better. Maybe the pack wouldn’t lose everything. “Really?” she asked. A smile touched her lips. His didn’t. The relief vanished instantly. “What kind of solution?” Victor looked away. That single movement was enough to make her pulse quicken. “Father?” His jaw tightened. “I have arranged a marriage.” Elara blinked. “A marriage?” “Yes.” The answer came too quickly. Almost rehearsed. She stared at him. Marriage? Now? After years of barely surviving? The idea made no sense. “With who?” Victor hesitated. “Moonstone Kingdom.” The words knocked the breath from her lungs. Moonstone. The most powerful kingdom on the continent. The wealthiest. The strongest. The very name inspired awe. And fear. “Moonstone?” she repeated. Victor nodded. “You will be joining Blackthorne Palace.” Elara’s eyes widened. The palace. Royalty. None of this felt real. “Why me?” His expression darkened. Because there was no one else. The answer lingered unspoken between them. “Who am I marrying?” Victor rose from his chair and walked toward the window. His back faced her. “Kael Blackthorne.” Elara froze. Even in remote Silver Fang Pack, everyone knew that name. The future Alpha King. The Iron Alpha. The man said to be more wolf than human. Stories followed him everywhere. Ruthless. Merciless. Unbreakable. Girls whispered about him. Warriors feared him. Enemies disappeared around him. And now she was apparently going to marry him. The idea sounded absurd. “I don’t understand.” “You don’t need to.” The sharpness in Victor’s voice startled her. He immediately looked guilty. “I’m sorry.” Silence stretched between them. Elara stood. “If this marriage saves the pack, then I’ll do it.” The words hurt. But they were true. Silver Fang was her home. Its people were her family. If she could save them, how could she refuse? Victor’s shoulders sagged. For a moment, he looked relieved. Then something else crossed his face. Shame. Deep, unbearable shame. A chill ran down her spine. “Father?” He wouldn’t meet her eyes. “What’s wrong?” Nothing. That was what he should have said. Instead, he remained silent. And somehow that was worse. A violent crash echoed from downstairs. The front door had finally given way. Voices flooded the manor. Boots pounded across the floorboards. Elara rushed toward the hallway. Several pack guards entered moments later. Their faces were pale. “Alpha,” one of them said. “They’re taking the estate.” Victor closed his eyes. The last traces of hope vanished from the room. The manor was gone. Everything was gone. The debt collectors had won. Elara looked between the guard and her father. Confusion churned inside her. If the marriage had already been arranged, why were they still taking everything? Something wasn’t right. Not even close. Then another figure appeared in the doorway. A man dressed entirely in black. Tall. Broad-shouldered. Unfamiliar. His silver wolf insignia gleamed beneath the morning light. Moonstone. The room instantly fell silent. The stranger’s gaze landed on Elara. Not her father. Her. As though she were the reason he had come. The man reached into his coat. He withdrew a sealed document. “The transfer has been approved.” Transfer? Elara frowned. “What transfer?” No one answered. The stranger stepped forward and handed the document to Victor. Victor accepted it with trembling hands. The movement didn’t escape her notice. Her pulse quickened. “Father.” Still no answer. The stranger finally spoke. His voice was cold. Official. Detached. “The Crown appreciates your cooperation.” Elara’s stomach dropped. Cooperation? What cooperation? She crossed the room and snatched the document before either man could stop her. Her eyes scanned the page. The first few lines made no sense. Then she reached the section containing her name. Elara Thorn. Female. Age twenty-two. Asset transfer. Compensation received. Property rights surrendered. The words blurred. Her breathing stopped. No. No. No. This wasn’t a marriage contract. This was a sale. A transaction. A purchase. A scream built in her throat. Slowly, she raised her head. Her eyes met her father’s. The truth was written all over his face. He knew. He had known the entire time. “You sold me.” The whisper shattered the room. Victor looked away. And that was answer enough. Elara felt her world collapse beneath her feet. The stranger took a step forward. “Miss Thorn, transportation leaves at noon.” She stared at him. Then at her father. Then back at the contract trembling in her hands. Something inside her broke. Transportation. As though she were cargo. As though she were livestock. As though she belonged to someone now. The stranger’s next words chilled her blood. “His Majesty’s heir cannot wait forever.” Elara’s head snapped up. “What heir?” The man smiled. A small smile. A terrible smile. And suddenly she knew. This wasn’t about marriage. This wasn’t about love. This wasn’t even about politics. It was something far worse. And for the first time since entering the room, fear truly seized her heart.