The Alpha Can't Know I'm His

Halo "I'm sorry Halo, but I simply can't let you go." I blinked at the woman seated on the throne before me like the she-queen she was—Luna Crystal of the Blackridge Pack, my adoptive pack. She was more than that to me once—my aunt, my late mother's only sister. But she had stopped being my family the moment she stepped into her fated mate's pack, married him, and let me become nothing more than a maid, a slave at her beck and call. "But you promised I could leave once I turned eighteen," I argued silently, my eyes dropping to the ground in a glare. I didn't dare look at her. She hated it when I did. Said it reminded her of her sister. That I reminded her too much of her sister. But I knew better now. It wasn't just about resemblance—it was guilt. Because she had never kept a single promise she made to my mother the day she died. "That was before that stupid lawyer came and declared that everything my wretched sister owned was to pass to you. Before I learned I'd get nothing for putting up with you all these years." The lawyer's visit had been a surprise to me too. A good surprise. I hadn't known my mother had so much money in the bank, but now, with Crystal's evil smirk, I regretted ever finding out. Because I would be getting none of it. A hand flew to my chest, to rub at the ache there as I realised that it had always been about the money—she had lied to me. It wasn't the first time, but just this one time, I had hoped she'd keep her word. She had promised to let me leave once I turned eighteen. Two more weeks and I would have been free. It was the reason I had been extra good. Doing what I was told without complaining. Staying invisible during all those pack functions my cousin, her beloved daughter hoped to snatch an alpha for herself. And now Crystal was taking it all away? "You can have it," I blurted, offering up the best shot I had at a new life from this miserable one. I could start over. Freedom was the only thing I needed. I would find my mate, and together we'd make a family. I would no longer be alone. "You really don't have to appear so selfless dear, it is already all mine, now that I get to take care of you more. And I have found you a wealthy husband. I would have scoffed at the idea that she thought she had ever taken care of me, but the last part of her statement made me pale. "A-A husband?" I didn't think that this could get any worse. "Of course, dear." Crystal smiled at me. That was the real warning sign. Nothing good was coming my way. Not that good things had ever been a normal occurrence in my pathetic little life. Good and Halo had always been strangers—two things that were never meant to exist in the same sentence. I learned that a long time ago. "Yes I did," she said excitedly, clapping her perfectly manicured hands. "And who better to take care of you than the man who's been waiting on you to become a woman for so many years?" I froze, her words lingering in the air like bitter poison. And who better to take of you than the man who's been waiting for you to turn into a woman all these years... She didn't mean him, did she? She wouldn't. Had she kept in touch with him all these years? My gaze snapped to her, not caring if that earned me a new punishment from her altogether. "Go on, ask away," she urged, surprising me with her lack of annoyance at meeting her gaze. "Ask if I have been in touch with that brute all these years. Although, I'm sure you probably know the answer." She had. There was no doubt about that. If her confession and smirk weren't evidence enough. "I get that you are all happy about all of this, mother, but who will clean up after me while she's gone?" Juliet, my cousin—the spoiled princess of the pack—screeched as she stepped into the hall, interrupting us. "What am I supposed to do about my outfit for the Alpha's Ball if she goes to her stupid little marriage?" I would have rolled my eyes at her shallowness if my world weren't falling apart. "Oh, calm down, my sweet Julieta," Crystal cooed, a huge smile on her face. "With what her future husband is willing to pay, you'll be able to buy the fanciest dresses you want for all the Alpha Balls you dream of attending!" "I will?" Juliet's pout morphed into a pleased grin in a flash, but just as quickly, she frowned. "If her fiance is filthy rich, why aren't you getting me married to him?" "You are my princess who deserves a prince—a young, strong alpha." Alpha Julius finally spoke, proudly. "Not some old, finished crone who's only looking to satisfy himself and father pups for his own benefit." I stumbled back at those words, betrayal and fear stabbing through my chest. They weren't just breaking their promise—they were selling me to a filthy, old man for money. And not just any man, but Maddox. His name alone was enough to unearth all my barely buried bloody memories of my mother's death. The nightmare from my past had found me! My mothers words echoed just then, "Run, Halo!" Maddox was beyond disgusting—ruthless, a murderer. But the worst part of it? Once you were his, you were always his. His property. No escape. Once that deal was struck, not even your true mate could save you from his hands. Wait. My mate... My heart raced, realization of what this meant hitting me. I would lose him. The only thing I ever wanted from this life would be taken from me without a second thought. He would be torn to shreds if they ever met. Just like my father was when Maddox caught up with my mother. Thanks to my own family. My teary gaze darted to the family I shouldn't have cared for but did. Their smiles and excitement cutting me to my core. Did they ever even care about me at all? The tears fell even as the truth slapped me in the face. I had never been a daughter. I wasn't even a person. I was a cash cow. "Halo, dear," Crystal's perfectly shaped brow shot up. "I do hope, you'll be more appreciative of this than my sister ever was." Than her sister was? I stared at her, confused. Then the pieces clicked into place, and horror clawed at my throat. She had sold my mother to him too. She had caused her death, my father's death. My entire world tilted. I had never thought it was possible for Crystal to hurt me more than she already had over the years. I was wrong. "We should go and prepare for their ceremony tonight," Crystal said cheerfully. "The quicker she gets out of our lives, the quicker we can celebrate." Tonight? My legs threatened to buckle beneath me as a million thoughts raced through my head. I would be married to Maddox by tonight? And worse? I would sentence my mate to death. Because that was what this meant. Once I shifted, the moon goddess would make our paths cross. By then, I would be Maddox’s—a death trap for my mate. I couldn't. I wouldn't. They would have to find me first.