Bound To The Alpha King

Chapter 2

Kaliyah fell through the door and hit the floor with a loud thud. Her face flushed with embarrassment when Yennefer yelled loudly.

"I knew it! Eavesdropping. I could smell the stench of your wolf through the door."

"That's enough, Yennefer. Don't talk to your sister that way." Algernon snapped at her, his tone firm but controlled.

Kaliyah gaze darted to him, surprise flickering across her face. Why was he defending her? It was unlike him.

As she struggled to her feet, her eyes scammed the living room, taking in the unfamiliar faces of their guests. It was obvious they were high ranked shifters. The colour in their eyes shifted occasionally from brown to gold, and back again.

Algernon sat beside the bookshelf, his expression one of indifference as he stared at her.

Beside him was Ophelia and the look in her eyes was enough to let Kaliyah know she was in big trouble.

Kaliyah quickly lowered her head and apologized.

"Forgive me father, stepmother." She murmured. "I wasn't eavesdropping, I was just passing by. I had no idea you had guests."

Ophelia's lips tightened as she glared at Kaliyah. She knew the latter was lying, but she could do nothing because the guests in front of them were from Moonstone Pack, the largest and strongest werewolf kingdom where the Alpha King lived.

Reluctantly, she forced a smile and motioned for Kaliyah to sit.

"It's alright, daughter." She said with false concern. "It seems you're done with your chores. Join us."

For the second time, Kaliyah was stunned speechless. She looked towards Ophelia, then slowly to Algernon, before staring at Yennefer. Something was off, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.

Why were they acting so nice towards her? These same people, who had treated her lower than filth all her life.

Pushing her endless questions away, she lowered into the chair and crossed her arms.

One of the guests, Orion, an older shifter with white blonde hair and piercing golden eyes, spoke up suddenly.

"Where did you get those scars, child?" His eyes bore into hers, waiting for an answer.

Kaliyah's heart skipped a beat as she hesitated, her eyes darting to Ophelia. The warning in her stepmother's gaze was clear: speak the truth and suffer the consequences.

Kaliyah quickly averted her eyes and looked back at the intimidating shifter.

"I... I fell from a tree while getting some fruits." She lied, her voice barely above a whisper.

The woman beside Orion, Athena, raised an eyebrow. "And why are your wounds not healed?" She asked further. She looked younger, with sharp brown eyes and a shaved head.

Kaliyah's palms grew sweaty as she struggled to come up with a convincing answer. She had never been good at lying, and she feared these intimidating shifters before her would see through her lies.

Fortunately, Ophelia cut in smoothly.

"Forgive her silence, my lords." She said with a wide fake smile. "She's not one to talk much. Her healing abilities are slow, a trait she inherited from her late mother."

"That's enough." Orion silenced her and turned back to Algernon. "Let us continue the purpose of our visit."

"Of course, Lord Orion." Algernon nodded eagerly.

"Alpha Soren needs a strong she-wolf, one fertile enough to bear his sons. Your daughters have been selected for this role, but only one shall be chosen."

As Kaliyah listened, she slowly realized why they had such important guests.

The Alpha King of Moonstone was in search of a bride, and Algernon's family was being considered.

Of all the entire family in the different packs, Algernon Thorne was the only shifter with a little bit of royalty in his bloodline. And as fate would have it, he had two daughters.

The Alpha King then sent two of his trusted advisers to pay a visit to GreyOak Pack where Algernon lived with his family, and find out which daughter would be fit for his bride.

It all made sense now. This was the reason her father and stepmother were treating her with such unusual kindness.

They wanted to present a perfect facade to the visiting shifters, to conceal the truth about the way Kaliyah was really treated.

From the corner of her eye, Kaliyah caught Yennefer whispering excitedly to Ophelia. Suddenly, she understood Ophelia's comment about her not being fit for the role.

The cruel woman wanted Yennefer to be the chosen one, to secure the coveted position as the Alpha King's bride.

Not like she cared, Kaliyah thought. The last thing she wanted was to be chosen like some commodity, to be some sort of breeder to the Alpha King whom she had heard horrible rumours about.

"Who is the eldest of your daughters?" Athena asked.

Without wasting a second, Ophelia pointed to her own daughter.

"Yennefer is, Lord Athena. She is strong, bold, and I have trained her well to be respectful."

Athena ignored her and turned to Orion, discussing in whispers.

Kaliyah sat there in silence, as if she was invisible. She knew better than to speak out. If Ophelia wanted Yennefer to be the oldest, so be it. Maybe if Yennefer succeeded and married the Alpha King, she would have a better chance of escaping.

"It is settled then." Orion spoke out after a while. "Yennefer has been chosen. But there is one more important thing, more important than every other role. The Alpha's bride is required to be a virgin."

His golden eyes locked onto Yennefer, before he asked bluntly. "You are untouched, aren't you?"

His question caught Yennefer unaware and she coughed slightly before answering.

"Of... of course, Lord Orion. My mother taught me well to stay pure until I meet my mate..."

"Remember you are not Alpha Soren's mate." Athena snapped at her. "You are merely his chosen bride. It will do you good to remember that."

Yennefer averted her eyes quickly and nodded.

"Should Alpha Soren discover you lied about being untouched, you would suffer a fate worse than death." Athena added.

"Lord Athena, believe me when I say my daughter is untouched. I am her mother. I trained her well."

"Then it is settled." Orion repeated, his voice firm but polite. "In three days' time, Alpha Soren and his escorts will arrive, as is the custom of Moonstone. The rites of the ceremony will be conducted here, and he will mate with his chosen bride. Prepare your daughter for his arrival."

"She will be well prepared, my Lords." Algernon replied, bowing deeply.

As Orion and Athena stood up to leave, Athena turned towards Kaliyah. A soft smile spread across her face as she walked towards her. Reaching into her robe, she produced a small bottle filled with a vibrant green liquid.

"This will help your scars heal faster." She said, her voice gentle. "It's a healing potion."

Kaliyah rose quickly, her eyes fixed on the bottle. She bowed her head and mumbled, "Thank you, Lord Athena."

Athena's smile widened, and for a moment, she felt a surge of pity for the young she-wolf.

"You're welcome, child," She replied. Without another word, she turned and stepped out of the living room, with Orion, Algernon and Ophelia following closely behind her.

As soon as they were gone, Yennefer snatched the bottle from Kaliyah's hand.

"Give it back!" Kaliyah yelled, her anger flaring.

Yennefer smirked, her eyes glinting with malice. "Try getting it back," she taunted. "Don't forget I still have your diary. One word from me, and Father will lock you up."

Kaliyah's anger mounted, but she bit back her retort. Instead, she turned and marched out of the living room, her heart seething with resentment.

If all went well and Yennefer married the Alpha King, she would finally have the opportunity to escape from the hellhole she was living in.