Chapter 1 – The Substitute Daughter

Lila When my boyfriend Noah’s lips brushed against mine, he murmured my stepsister’s name. “Elena…” he moaned into my mouth. The name hit me like a slap, and I instantly pulled away. “You said Elena,” I whispered, each syllable cutting through my heart like a blade. Noah’s eyes widened in horror. He stammered, grasping at excuses, but the truth came tumbling out. A bet. A cruel, meaningless bet. He never loved me. It had always been Elena. My fingers curled into fists, nails biting into my palms. “We’re done,” I said, my voice eerily calm. Happy Valentine’s Day to me. I turned on my heel and walked out, crushing the rose petals under my feet that Noah had scattered for me. As the bastard daughter – a drunken mistake – of the Alpha, I was forced to work as a cleaner while my half-sister Elena lived as the pampered princess of our Pack. My mind flashed to this morning; I stepped into Elena’s room to clean and as I dusted the dresser, my eyes caught on something in the trash can. A slim, plastic stick, the faintest shadow of pink lines still visible on its surface: a pregnancy test. My pulse hammered, nausea creeping up my throat. It could’ve been anyone’s, but Noah’s voice, breathless and needy, had called her name while kissing me. Had they…? I squeezed my eyes shut. It didn’t matter. The test, the bet, the lies. I had given Noah my heart, and he had stomped on it like I was nothing. Distracted by my thoughts, I stepped into the hallway and nearly collided with her. Elena recoiled, her silk shawl slipping from her arms. "Watch where you’re going, bastard,” she spat, voice dripping with an easy cruelty. I felt Ruby, my wolf, stir within me; her fury simmered just beneath the surface. “Why are you so shameless, messing around with my boyfriend?” I told Ruby that hould hold on so that we can save enough money for mom’s treatment. Then we leave this cursed place behind. “I heard you think Noah’s your fated mate. That’s pretty ridiculous.” she hissed, her nails digging into my skin. I clenched my fists, my body tense. "Even if he's not my fated mate, he still won’t really love you. He’s just into your Alpha daughter status." Just when I thought she’d lunge for me, Elena paused, her head tilting to the side getting a mind link message. The link cut and Elena glared daggers at me. She flipped her golden hair over her shoulder. “Father wants to see you.” I stilled. “What?” She rolled her eyes. “Are you deaf and pathetic? I said, The. Alpha. Summoned. You.” She broke down every word like I was an idiot. “Now go before he changes his mind.” Shock coursed through me. Alpha Henry had never summoned me in eighteen years. As far as he was concerned, I didn’t, and shouldn’t, exist. So why now? Elena was still watching me, her arms crossed. Then she shifted, her fingers grazing her stomach unconsciously. I narrowed my eyes, but before I could speak, Elena turned on her heel and stormed away, giving one last verbal stab at me over her shoulder. “Hurry up, or I’ll tell Father you refused.” I clenched my fists, willing my heart to steady as I made my way to the Alpha’s – my father’s – office. The hallway leading to his door felt longer than usual, and my hands felt clammy against my cleaning apron. Taking a shaky breath, I knocked. “Enter,” came the deep, cold voice from within. I pushed the door open. The office was dimly lit, the heavy curtains drawn against the morning sun. Alpha Henry sat behind his desk, broad and imposing, the man who had given me nothing but pain without ever laying a hand on me. Elena stood beside him, but something was different. Her usual smugness had slipped. Her nails dug into her arms as she forced a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Sit.” I remained standing. “Why did you call me here?” Alpha Henry’s expression darkened with my small refusal to sit like a good dog. “You are to attend the Lycan King’s selection ceremony for brides.” The words hit me like a blow. “What?” Elena smirked, or she tried to. But the tension in her shoulders, the way her fingers twitched, told me she was furious. I almost laughed. Almost. I stared at them, my mind racing. Damon Sinclair, the ruthless Lycan King, a tyrant who had conquered more than ten packs and slaughtered his enemies without mercy, wanted a bride? I folded my arms. “Elena is right, she should be the one to be selected to attend, she’s the noble daughter, not the bastard.” Henry’s jaw tightened. “There’s a reason Elena can’t go to the selection, and if the Lycan King finds out, the consequences will be bad. Another important reason is that I don’t want Elena to leave my side.” "I guess this is Elena’s punishment for stealing someone else’s boyfriend." Elena, angry but holding it in front of the Alpha, and Henry, impatient, says: "I’ve already made up my mind. You can’t refuse." “And if I refuse?” Alpha Henry leaned forward, his eyes darkening. “Then I will ensure that your mother’s treatment stops immediately.” The air in my lungs vanished. My legs wobbled, and I gripped the chair in front of me, not believing he would be so cruel. But one look at his face told me otherwise. My mother – the only person in this world who had ever loved me – was wasting away. Every bit I earned went toward her medicine. I had vowed to save her. And now, daddy dearest was dangling her life over my head. Tears burned my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. “You want me to enter the selection as your daughter, fine. But in exchange, you’ll make sure my mother receives the best medical care possible.” Alpha Henry’s lips curled in satisfaction. “Done. But you’ll make sure you aren’t selected.” I took a shaky breath, but before I could speak, Elena laughed. “Don’t worry, Father. The Lycan King would never choose a lowly wolf like her. You can dress her up, but she’s not me.” A knock sounded at the door before it burst open. One of the pack’s officers stepped in, his face pale. “Alpha, the Lycan King has sent word.” Henry’s posture straightened instantly, respect flashing across his face. “What is it?” The officer hesitated, glancing at me before continuing. “The King’s Beta has arrived early. He demands to meet with the Alphas and bride candidates immediately.” My stomach dropped. I thought I’d have at least some time to prepare. Alpha Henry must have had the same thought as he cursed under his breath. I forced my breathing to steady, but inside, panic clawed at my chest. This was real. This was happening. I’d never in my life agreed with Elena, but there was no way King Damien would choose me. My mother’s life, and possibly mine, depended on it.