The Alpha King's Swapped Luna

Chapter 2: The Return

I stared in disbelief at the foreign clothes I was in. They were decent and soft, with no holes or tears in the fabric. Madam Helga had practically forced me into a tub of freezing water before I left. She scrubbed the dirt from my skin so harshly I was worried they might rub off. All that remained of my harsh days at the border camp was the white scars that ran all along my back and arms.

“Do not discuss your treatment at the border camp or else I would punish you further one day.” Madam Helga whispered a threat before shoving me into the car.

I don’t believe she realized that I wouldn’t tell a soul simply because I wanted to purge myself of the horrible memories from that place. Why would I want to relive it?

The journey back to MistFall Pack was long and boring but the time was perfect for me to regroup my thoughts. I’d always held out hope that Alpha Grayson would send for my return, but my family as well… I took a deep breath to prevent the tears from falling. Perhaps they realized that I was innocent in this whole scheme and wanted to make amends.

On instinct, the laughter of all the other Omega’s came crashing back to me. The mocking and scorn for holding out for the hope that they would want me back. A twisted sense of pride bubbled within me. Let’s see who’s laughing now.

The car rolled to a stop and I stepped onto the very same cobblestone ground I hadn’t seen in three years. There before me were the five people I never thought I’d see again. One, I’d never hoped to see again.

My mother was tearing up, dabbing at her eyes with a tissue to prevent her makeup from running. Her blonde hair was preened and primped to perfection just like always. My brother Vance stared at me, eyes filled with remorse with a touch of an unreadable expression. He waved to me in greeting, his other hand resting in his pocket. My father stared at me with the same cold expression he always had. His brown hair was combed back and gelled so his hair was completely frozen in place. Not a hair had ever been seen out of place on my father’s head for as long as I could remember. Nestled in the middle of the four of them, practically protected by the way they were spaced was… her. Ashley. Her flowing blonde hair and red lips highlighted her pink rosy cheeks and pale skin. Her blue eyes shone with warmth when I got close enough to the group and she placed her hands on her heart.

I suddenly stopped at the picturesque sight of them all together. The view of Ashley standing with my family around her made them seem like fit puzzle pieces all placed precariously together. A pang went through my heart at the thought that I knew standing next to them, I wouldn’t fit. No matter how much my mother primped me to look like the luna I was meant to be, I never could compare to how Ashley looked standing next to my family right now.

Mentally, I scolded myself for my thoughts. Alpha Grayson and my family had requested me to come back. They must want me to fit into this picture and make amends. With that, I forced a smile and closed the distance between us.

“My dear sweet girl.” My mother whined before pulling me into her arms and patting my head. Tears sprung from my eyes but I held them in. “You were gone from us for so long, how could you do that to your poor mother?” She whimpered.

I didn’t get a chance to respond before she continued. “Come inside, we’ve prepared dinner. We can chat together- as a family.”

Dinner was promptly served almost as soon as we all sat down in the elegant and regal dining room. I stared in shock at the display of hot steaming food before me. My stomach growled and without thinking, I began to dig into the delicious meal but stopped when I heard a door shut.

Alpha Grayson walked around the dining table confidently, his thick muscular arms tensing as he came around. His emerald green eyes were focused solely on me. My heart started to race at just the sight of his brown flowing locks. For some reason, his jaw was clenched but his face held the same look it always had when he saw me- adoring love.

“Elyse.” He said, prompting me to stand without a thought. “It’s been too long.” He murmured and softly patted my head.

I blushed and nodded. It was true then. He missed me just as much as I missed him then.

“Sit, let me serve you.” His deep voice held no room for questioning and I sat in my plush chair, Alpha Grayson pushing in my chair and taking the seat next to me- the head of the table.

Chatter immediately went around as everyone conversed casually with one another. It was an easy-going atmosphere and I found myself wishing I could take a snapshot of this moment so I would never forget it.

Alpha Grayson pulled my plate of food closer to him and began to cut up my food. I was about to question what he was doing when he pushed it back to me and held up a piece to my mouth. I blushed and took the food, chewing slowly.

“Dimples.” My brother’s familiar nickname for me reached my ears. I looked to my left and noticed he stared at me with a tense smile. “ I just want to say that everything I said to you before you left was a misunderstanding. Let’s get along now that you’re back.”

“Sister.” Ashley said sweetly, prompting me to look up at the entire table staring at me with gentle smiles on their faces. “Welcome home.” They all murmur the same.

My heart filled with warmth. My family wanted me. They loved me and welcomed me home. My mate, Alpha Grayson desired me, and was taking care of me. All was right in the world. Perhaps the Moon Goddess wanted to strengthen me so I could appreciate my loved ones more and never take them for granted. Or perhaps this was fate’s way of redeeming me for my hardship I faced.

“I just wish you came at a more peaceful time.” My mother sighed, her eyes slowly tearing up.

“Mother! Don’t share things like that with Elyse tonight. It’s her celebration. Let’s just pretend for tonight.” Ashley whimpered, rubbing my mother’s back in comfort.

“What do you mean?” I asked, concern pulsating through me as I looked at each and every one of their faces. My brother looked down and gulped. My father glared at the plate of food in front of him.

“We lost the war.” Alpha Grayson spoke next to me. I gasped and placed my hand on his arm in comfort. “The Silver Ridge Pack in the North turned the tide at the last minute and now we are forced to pay the losses.” He growled slowly, his jaw clenched in disgust. “They demand a war prize.”

Everyone was silent for a moment. I looked at all of them expecting someone to speak up. “What is the prize they want?” I asked, forcing the quivering in my voice down low.

“A bride.” Ashley spoke up, looking directly at me. “They demand the daughter of an alpha.”

“Then we should be fine.” I breathed a sigh of relief looking back at Alpha Grayson. “You are an only child and have no daughters.”

“Don’t be a fool, Elyse.” Grayson snarled. “They still demand a prize. They just demand the next best thing. A Beta daughter. A true Beta heir.”

“Then that means…” I looked over to Ashley. She stared at me with an unreadable expression. “What are you going to do?” I asked, dread seeping into my tone.

“How dare you!” My father slammed his hands on the table. “You’re so ungrateful! We raised you and that’s all you have to say?!”

My wolf whimpered inside me, lowering her head in submission. I looked over at Grayson but he merely stared at me, offering no aid to the insults thrown my way.

“I-I didn’t mean to-”

“That’s no way to speak to your sister!” My mother scolded me. “I’m appalled that you would even consider that. I thought we were over this.” She huffed.

“You see sister, I can’t be the war prize. I’m ineligible.” She tossed her napkin on the table, finally finished eating.

“Why is that?” I felt my pulse drumming in my ears, my instincts telling me that there was something wrong but I couldn't figure out what it was.

“Because-” she held up her left hand and smirked. “I am engaged to Grayson, our Alpha. We’re about to be married soon.” There on her hand, was a shiny diamond-encrusted ring.

Words could not describe the rushing I felt in my head. It felt as if everything in my body was frozen and my mind was numb. I felt my mouth gap open and my hands shook as I tried to process the information she just gave.

“M-married?”

Just then, I realized the seating placement of the room. Alpha Grayson was at the head of the table, I was seated to his left but in the place on his right- the spot normally reserved for the Luna, Ashley was currently seated in.

“But I'm Alpha Greyson's mate!” I protested. Grayson looked down at me in contempt, as if the thought of me stating that fact was such a nuisance.

“How could you- a no named Omega with no real family to speak of even dream of standing next to a great male like Alpha Grayson. You’d be a disgrace, and bring the whole pack to shame!” My father sneered. “No, that’s why you’re being sent out as a fake bride for the Silver Ridge Pack.”

“What?!” I stood up, my hands shaking with anger.“But there’s one flaw to your plan, father.” I sneered at the familial term. “It’s like you said. I’m no Beta, they would know that they’re being tricked.”

“Don’t trouble yourself with that.” My father chuckled to himself. “We’ve already thought of everything.” His dark smirk sent chills down my spine.

“What are you planning?” I growled, my hands in fists at my side.

“Elyse! Sit down! You’re causing a scene!” My mother’s red face huffed in embarrassment.

“It’s alright Mom.” Ashley smiled smugly. She flipped her hair and placed her delicate hand on Grayson’s bicep possessively. “We should tell her. She does, after all, have to give up her pathetic wolf.”

“My wolf?! You can’t take my wolf!” I snarled. “You can’t possibly think I’ll give you people anything!”

“You little leech.” He snarled and stood up. “We raised you for years so the least you can do is give up your worthless wolf.”

“Don’t worry sister.” Ashley leaned back in her chair, so content among the chaos around her. “You won’t go without. We’ll be switching wolves. You get the better end of the deal really. I’m the one that has to put up with your Omega wolf inside my body. You really should be grateful. We’re doing you a favor.”

Everything past the words ‘switching wolves’ became noise to me. The thought that my- no, not even mine- family thought that they could use me like this… It was despicable.

A startling realization gripped me. This must be why they requested for me to come home. They sickened me.

“I won’t do it!” I snarled, backing away from the table.

The woman that used to be my mother gasped, astounded that I could possibly refuse their will. Her mate growling and standing, ready to rip me to pieces. Vance merely narrowed his eyes, viewing me as if I were nothing but a pebble beneath his shoe. Only Ashley and Alpha Grayson remained unaffected at the table. Ashley looked smug, knowing that she won this game I hadn’t realized we were playing. While Alpha Grayson continued to look down at his plate, his expression guarded.

“I thought you people were my family. But you’re all monsters! I won’t play any part in your schemes!” I snarled.

And with that, I stormed out the door.