Chapter 2 – At Any Cost

Lila I followed Alpha Henry down the long, dimly lit corridor toward the meeting room, my stomach twisting into knots. The scent of polished wood and faint cigar smoke lingered in the air, making it hard to breathe. But that could have been my nerves. Just as we reached the heavy oak doors, he turned to me, his dark eyes narrowing. "Behave yourself," he hissed under his breath. "Don’t screw this up." I forced myself to nod, my hands clenched at my sides. There was no point in arguing. No point in saying that I had no intention of making a scene. If I so much as blinked wrong, he would twist it against me. He pushed open the doors, revealing a lavish meeting room. A large, dark mahogany table sat at its center, flanked by tall leather chairs. A male stood at the head of the room, exuding an aura of authority. This must be the Beta of the Lycan King. The moment we stepped inside, Alpha Henry’s entire demeanor changed. The cruel smirk he always wore around me vanished, replaced by an welcoming smile. "Beta Ronan," he greeted, bowing his head slightly in a surprising display of submission. "It is an honor to welcome you to our Pack." The Beta barely acknowledged Henry, his gaze sweeping across the room before settling on me. His posture was rigid, his face unreadable. Alpha Henry continued, "I have arranged for you to stay at the finest hotel in the city. A five-star suite, with every luxury imaginable. And, of course, I have arranged for the company of several lovely females to see to your every need." Beta Rona’s expression darkened. "I am here for business, not pleasure. Next time, do not waste my time with such nonsense." Alpha Henry’s shoulders stiffened, but he forced a chuckle, masking his irritation. "Of course, Beta. I only wished to show proper hospitality." Beta Ronan ignored him, his piercing gaze shifting back to me. "This is your daughter, Elena?" I noticed the flicker of shock in his eyes, fleeting but unmistakable. It made my stomach twist with unease. I wasn’t sure what had startled him about me. My money was on my disheveled appearance. "Yes," Alpha Henry said smoothly, reaching out to pull me closer. His hand gripped my arm in a mock display of fatherly affection. "My most beloved daughter." I barely stopped myself from recoiling. The lie was so absurd it almost made me laugh. This was the same man who had called me a mistake my entire life. Now, he paraded me around like some prized possession. My skin crawled, but I forced myself to stay still and let him play this game. I just had to think about my mother. Beta Ronan stepped closer, his nose flaring slightly and scenting the air around me. My pulse quickened. Not my appearance then, it’s the faint scent of cleaners clinging to my clothes. He studied me intently. "All wolves with Alpha blood are strong. But you… you are weak. Why?" I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to hold his gaze. Alpha Henry stammered beside me, scrambling for an explanation, but I cut him off before he could spin another lie. "I may look weak to some, but my body doesn’t define my strength." I raised my hands slightly, showing the rough calluses and faint scars on my palms. "I train hard. These are marks of discipline." Beta Ronan’s expression remained unreadable, but he gave a small nod. "Training marks are one thing. True power is another." His eyes narrowed slightly, as if assessing me further. "Do you have a mate?" he asked, voice calm but firm. I shook my head. "No." "Have you ever mated?" Heat rose to my face, but I kept my expression neutral. "No." Beta Ronan studied me for another long moment before finally pulling out a small notebook from his coat, flipping through its pages before stopping. "Elena Ashford." He checked a box beside my name and snapped the book shut. "Ten days from now, the royal emissary will come for you. Say your goodbyes." Shifting to my father, Ronan nodded “I’m leaving for the next Pack. Best of luck.” Alpha Henry seemed pleased with my performance, but his gaze darkened as soon as Beta Ronan left the room. Without a word, he turned on his heel and stormed out, expecting me to follow. "From this moment on, you will train relentlessly," he ordered once we were alone. "You will perfect your manners, your posture, your speech. You will not embarrass me. Do you understand?" I swallowed hard and nodded. The next ten days were brutal. Mornings were spent attempting to master noble etiquette; how to walk, how to sit, how to speak without revealing too much emotion – or who I really was. In the afternoons, I studied Lycan history and battle tactics. Evenings were dedicated to understanding the Lycan King himself. Damon Sinclair. The ruthless, calculating King. The Alpha of Alphas. I learned he was a male with a strong desire for control, so I was taught never to defy him. He valued power and discipline above all else, so I couldn’t display weakness. He valued a rational, minimalist lifestyle, despising unnecessary emotional displays. I had to maintain independence and grace at all times. He was passionate about training and liked to collect things... I memorized every detail, every expectation, all while pretending to be someone I wasn’t. Rumors about King Damon flew through the Packs. Several maids – and their Pack – had been punished for offending him; my mind reeled with thoughts of what would happen if he found out he had been lied to about a bride candidate’s identity. If my true identity was exposed, my pack would also be in danger. I didn’t care much about the wolves who bullied me, but I didn’t want to harm my mother. I believed I wouldn’t be chosen. All I needed to do was stay low, be cautious, and then quietly leave the palace. On the final night before my departure, I stood by her sickbed. She had been unconscious for days, her breath shallow, her body frail. But as if sensing my presence, her eyelids fluttered open. "Mom," I whispered, my throat tightening. She blinked up at me, her tired eyes filled with sorrow. "I’m sorry," she rasped. "I’m sorry you have to do this for me." I shook my head, biting back tears. "Don’t worry about me, Mom. As long as I can get you the treatment you need, it’s worth it." She squeezed my hand weakly, and I held onto that moment, burning it into my memory. The next morning, I stood in front of the mirror, hardly recognizing myself. The transformation was staggering. My skin glowed with health, my muscles had gained definition, my hair shone under the morning light. I had become someone else entirely. I looked like an Alpha’s beloved daughter. When the royal emissary arrived, I met Alpha Henry’s cold stare one last time. I glanced at Elena, at the hatred burning in her eyes, and at my so-called "family" who had never been anything but cruel to me. I swore to myself then and there – I would take my mother away from these people. At any cost. The journey to the palace was long, and when I arrived, I was ushered into a grand hall filled with women. They were all beautiful, adorned in silk gowns and designer jewelry. The excitement in the air was palpable. "OMG, the Lycan King is coming!!!" one woman squealed. "Quick, how does my hair look?" I watched them in disbelief. They were truly excited to be here. They actually wanted to belong to a male known for his cruelty. I lowered my head and stepped toward the back of the group, hoping to disappear among them. But a feeling of unease settled deep in my chest. I didn’t think I would be chosen. All I needed to do was survive this ordeal and leave. Yet, for some reason, the words of Beta Ronan echoed in my mind. "All wolves with Alpha blood are strong. But you… you are weak." I clenched my fists. No. I wasn’t weak. And if I had to prove it to survive, then so be it.