Sold to the Enemy Alpha

Sansa!" I hear a sharp voice ring through the kitchen before the bowl in my hands could even touch the table. Flinching instinctively, I turn around to meet the eyes of a stern woman. "Y-Yes, Mother?" I say softly. My stepmother, Luna Beatrice, entered the room with her usual look of disapproval. "You call this soup?" Beatrice snapped, staring at the bowl on the table. "The guests will arrive in less than an hour and this is the best you can do?" I lower my head embarrassingly, fiddling with my hands. "I'm sorry, mother. I'll fix it-" "You should have fixed it before serving it." Angry, she shoved the bowl back into my hands and stormed away. Swallowing the lump in my throat, I held on to the bowl, staring at the soup I had made before going round the kitchen. The kitchen staff just pretended not to notice me as I took the bowl out, minding my business. At twenty-one years old, I was the eldest daughter of Alpha Richard Nightshade, ruler of the Silver Moon Pack. Yet I was treated worse than most servants. I spent my days cleaning, cooking, carrying supplies, and enduring insults while my younger stepsister enjoyed the privileges of being the Alpha's favorite child. Sometimes I wondered if my father even remembered I existed. While I stood there ashamed, a familiar laugh echoed from the dining hall. It was Eloise, my younger sister- stepsister in truth. Spoiled, loved and pampered, she was everything I wasn't. Putting myself together, I carried the newly made soup to the banquet room where preparations were underway. Alpha Richard sat at the head of the table discussing pack matters with several elders, his silver hair glimmering beneath the chandeliers like a powerful, respected and feared man. I paused before walking toward his direction. Compared to the last few days, he seemed happier and free today. Perhaps walking towards him would make him notice me just once and everything could change between us. But the moment I came close for him to see me, his disdainful voice hit, "Move. You're blocking the way." The cold voice shattered my thoughts instantly as I lowered my gaze and quietly stepped aside. Of course. Nothing was different. Nothing ever was. Hours later, the guests finally arrived. The banquet hall filled with laughter, music, and expensive wine but I remained in the kitchen as usual, not allowed to dine with my family. The celebration continued long into the evening. When I finally finished washing the last plate, exhaustion weighed heavily on my shoulders. I was about to retire for the night when someone entered the kitchen suddenly. It was my father, Alpha Richard. "Father?" I almost dropped the plate in shock. Why was he here? Had I done anything wrong now? Alpha Richard stood awkwardly near the doorway, clearing his throat. "Sansa." He called me calmly. My heart skipped. "Yes father?" His expression softened slightly. "I need a favor." The surprise on my face was impossible to ignore. My father needed a favour from her?! Was that a joke or were things really changing as I wished? Hope bloomed in my chest as I straightened. "O-of course, father. Anything." I said, waiting for what he wanted me to do. "There are important guests staying tomorrow. We need fresh vegetables from the southern market." I nodded immediately. The veggies had finished today truly and it was already late at night. It was only right that I went to the market. "I'll go first thing in the morning tomorrow, father. You do not have to worry." I told him hastily. "Good." He gave a short nod. Then, surprisingly, he placed a hand on my shoulder. A gesture he hadn't made in years. What was happening? Was the world ending? "You've always been dependable, Sansa." I frowned slightly at his words before a smile spread across my face. In truth, those weren't the words I really wanted to hear from him but I could start with that. Rome wasn't built in a day. "Thanks, father. I won't disappoint you." I told him finally. *** The next morning arrived bright and clear. I woke up quickly and after having my bath, I left the packhouse before sunrise carrying a basket and a small pouch of coins. The southern market sat on the edge of town, normally crowded and loud as I knew it but when I arrived there today...It felt strangely quiet. I frowned. Where was everyone? Several stalls stood empty while others were closed entirely. A chill crawled down my spine. Something wasn't right. This market was the most bustling I knew all over the pack. It wouldn't just go suddenly quiet without reason unless this was seasonal period. I stepped forward, about to find out what was going on by asking anyone questions when I suddenly heard footsteps behind me. I turned around in alert, seeing three large-looking men approach me in long stride.. My wolf stirred uneasily at the sight of them as they kept coming closer, their shoes clicking loudly against the ground. Usually, it was a norm to greet such men with respect as they were likely pack warriors, overseeing the pack to make sure every person was safe. But staring harder at the men with my brows furrowed, I scanned them, noticing they were not wearing the silver moon's crest like every warrior was to wear. Something about them felt awfully off but I kept my cool, smiling when they stopped right before me, "Good morning," I whispered as the word forced itself out of my mouth. "Can...I help you?" I asked and the men exchanged glances amongst each other when one smiled and said, "I see you are the good we were asked to pick up by morning," He clicked his tongue, his eyes darkening as he sized me, causing me to turn self-conscious and frightened. Fear tightened in my chest as I stepped back, trying to think of what to do in this situation. "Who are you and what do you want?" I asked loudly. They didn't answer and just continued advancing, sending dangers bells through me. I turned to run, my legs managing to take only a step forward before a cloth covered my mouth swiftly and the scream I had almost poured out died instantly. The world spun and my basket crashed to the ground before my vision blurred. The last thing I saw by the time the men were close to me and before darkness swallowed me whole was a strange crest like an underground world symbol I had never seen before and then I blacked out.