Substitute Love: Her Fated Alpha

Chapter 2

It seemed like I was lucky enough to have a narrow escape.

By filling myself with wild berries and the river water, I survived for two days in the forest with much difficulty. After recovering some of my strength, I stumbled toward the border of the pack. That was where an owner of a small tavern took me in. This tavern was relatively far from the center of the pack. Right now, it would be the safest place for me to stay.

I stayed in the tavern as a woodcutter. The owner was a crafty old man, and it was easy to guess why he chose to take me in. After all, my looks were quite decent. This tavern would turn into a sinful hellhole every night. Men who sought excitement would gather here, ready to commit the worst crime by torturing the women who were trafficked here. Indeed, this tavern was also a brothel.

I tried my best to keep a low profile, doing everything I could to keep the tavern owner happy. This way, he would never make me serve the guests with my body.

However, the peaceful days never lasted. Tonight, I was dragged out of the kitchen by my hair, and what awaited me was the private lounges. I saw several ugly men who had the most disgusting gaze as they looked at me with l**t. Terrified, I screamed my lungs out, but that was not enough to stop them from ripping my clothes apart.

That was when I realized. I was nothing without Lucian. A weak werewolf like me could only wait for her death in this world where only the fittest survived.

Kylie: Adeline, let me go. I want to fight them!

Me: It’s useless… We won’t win… Kylie, I’m so tired. I’ve had enough of all this. Why am I even alive?

Kylie: Don’t you ever think that way! We can’t give up now, Adeline. We haven’t found your older brother yet. We still need to find our home! If we want to do that, we need to stay alive!

Me: But I’m so, very tired…

Drowning in despair, I stopped struggling. No matter how much Kylie tried to pull me out of my trance, there was nothing she could do.

Before I became completely n***d, the lounge door was opened with force. Several werewolves walked in. Judging from their outfits, they were likely from the Blue Moon Pack. The two parties started to fight, both in the taverns and in the woods.

Watching as blood and limbs flew everywhere, I knew I was spared for a brief moment. Shaking, I picked up my clothes from the floor and ran back to the kitchen while gritting my teeth.

This place was no longer safe.

Seeing warriors from the Blue Moon Pack here was not a good sign. In fact, it made things extremely dangerous for me. If I wanted to live, I would have to get out of this place as soon as possible and run further away.

However, before I could even pack up my things, a few werewolves walked into the tavern. They were the werewolves who bashed me up in the woods back then. I only walked out of the kitchen wishing to wash my face, but I bumped into them head-on instead.

“My, my. Look who we have here?” One of them grabbed onto my hair. “This is great. Alpha Lucian thought you were dead! If we bring you back to the pack, I’m sure we’ll be rewarded!”

“Wow, what a surprise! I think we’ve come to the right place!”

As they started to cheer, my body tensed up from fear. This was my very last chance to run.

“Please, I’m begging you. Please don’t bring me back. I’ll do anything! Please!” I begged them on my knees, even going so far as to reach for their pants. Seeing my pathetic state, they laughed.

“You said that yourself. Too late to say stop now.”

I pretended to cooperate, successfully lowering their guards. As my hand reached for one of their bodies, the werewolf even let out a disgusting moan. Just as he was expecting me to advance further, I struggled out of his embrace and ran for the door.

The werewolves cursed loudly and soon started to chase me. I knew that if I were to run toward the forest, they would catch me very soon with their strong builds. Left without any other choices, I ran toward the cliff.

Standing by the edge of the cliff, I glanced downward at the bottomless abyss. Catching a glimpse of the werewolves who were about to catch me, I took a leap without hesitation.

Kylie: Adeline! No!!!

Me: We don’t have a choice, Kylie.

Kylie: You’ll have nothing if you die! Adeline, Adeline!

Me: I’m sorry. I’d rather die than be tortured again. Please forgive me, Kylie…

Feeling my body clashing with the sharp rocks, I soon lost consciousness.

When I woke up, I found myself lying between the softest sheets. It felt as if I was in heaven, as the fall should have killed me. However, the realistic surroundings quickly made me realize I was still alive.

Just as I was feeling confused, the door opened with a creak. I watched as a tall and mature man walked in with a plate filled with food. I could tell from his demeanor that he was a powerful Alpha.

Kylie: Adeline, he’s so strong… Do you think he’ll t*****e us as Lucian did?

Me: I don’t know. Kylie, I’m scared. What should we do?

Kylie: You can’t show him your fear, Adeline! Don’t worry, I’ll protect you. No matter what happens, we can’t surrender to the same fate again.

Me: You’re right.

Alarmed, I straightened my back and slowly shuffled backward. I tried to hide my trembling hand behind my body, refusing to let him know that I was scared.

“Who are you?”

Seeing that I was scared, the man stopped in his tracks. Gently, he said, “Don’t be scared, Adeline. I won’t hurt you.”

His comforting words only made me more confused. How did he know my name?

The man tried his best to calm me down as he approached me slowly. I could tell that he meant no harm and gradually let down my guard.

“You… know me?”

Smiling, he placed the plate of food in front of me. “Of course I know you, my dear Adeline. I’m your brother, Theo. I’ve been looking for you all these years!”

His reply surprised me greatly. As I slowly traced his features with my hand, I realized how familiar he looked. That was when I knew he was telling the truth. Without saying another word, I pounced at him and wept in his arms. “I… I missed you so much.”

Theo comforted me patiently and told me about his experiences for the past few years.

When we lost each other back then due to being chased by enemy werewolves, he was lucky enough to survive. After much travel, he found shelter in the west. That was where he started to train diligently, aiming to become stronger and stronger. In the end, he became a famous figure in the land of the west. As the leader of the Blood Moon Pack, he led his warriors to battle and claimed many pieces of land. His subordinate found me unconscious at the bottom of the cliff close to the village. Apparently, my ribs were all broken. He saved me and took care of me every day, pulling me back from the dead.

“Adeline, I had my people look into your pack. The Blue Moon Pack has gone too far. Are you willing to fight back and take revenge with me?”

“Of course I am, Theo!” The fury in me was burning, but I was also scared. “But I’m too weak, Theo. I don’t think I can ever become a powerful warrior…”

Kylie: Don’t think like that, Adeline! We can work toward it together!

Me: But it’s true, Kylie… We’re both weak. We can’t even defeat those lowly Omegas.

Kylie: Adeline, you have to believe in yourself. You’ll become strong one day.

Theo hugged me tightly, his tone comforting and assuring as he made a promise, “Don’t worry, Adeline. I’ll make sure you become the bravest wolf on this land.”