Elodie's POV
"I'm not going anywhere!" I yelled.
"Yes, you are. You're going whether you like it or not, and that's final!" Those were my father's words.
"But she's sick and dying-"
He interrupted me. "I don't bloody care! I don't give a damn about it. You're going to the Darkflame Pack, and you're going to be the Alpha's wife. You might as well get used to it."
He walked up the stairs, leaving me panting helplessly in the living room. I was the last child and only daughter—at least his biological one. He never liked me. Not once, and I couldn't understand why.
When rough knocks came on my bedroom door, I ignored them. I'd had enough of his commanding bullshit.
But then I heard a loud thud, and my door flew open with a broken piece. Dad walked in, looking furious. "Did you not hear me?!" His voice thundered. "Get dressed and be downstairs in ten minutes, or so help me God, I'll drag you out myself!"
I didn't disobey. I knew what he was capable of. I had watched him be violent with my mom until she divorced him. He was a ruthless Alpha, and Mom, being an Omega, couldn't take it.
I was dressed, my luggage beside me in the living room while his eyes scanned me. The distaste in his eyes grew. "Get her out of my sight!" he commanded, and his guard came, dragging me out.
I was pushed like a rag doll into the SUV, and the door slammed shut before I could breathe.
The car moved, and I stayed silent, my mind foggy with too many thoughts. I felt the car stop, and the door opened. I got down, and just as fast, the SUV door slammed shut behind me.
The cold air rose, and I stared at the horror before me—the large mansion of the Darkflame Pack leader, Alpha Ryder Drakos.
Two guards dragged my suitcase out and dumped it in the snow. "Welcome to your pack, Omega," one said with a wicked grin. "Goodbye."
They got into the SUV and drove off, leaving me standing confused in the snow.
My father's words rang in my head. "You were never good for anything. At least this way, you'll finally be worth something."
My father had sold me like property, and the DarkflamePack had paid for me. I dragged my bags and took a few more steps toward the house that would soon be my own.
The front door opened, and I was led in. Inside, a handsome bearded man, probably in his thirties, dressed in a suit, bowed to me. "Welcome, Miss Elodie Wynters. We've been expecting you," he said smoothly. "I'm Lord Viktor Drakos—the Alpha's uncle."
I nodded, keeping my gaze low.
He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "You must be my nephew's fiancée."
His voice made me uneasy, and when he circled me slowly, I felt like prey about to be eaten. He stopped, then spoke calmly. "It's such a shame he's not here to meet a pretty damsel like you. He's still recovering from his… illness."
"Follow me," he ordered. I did, walking behind him further into the mansion, my heart racing like I'd run a marathon. We stopped at a narrow hallway, and a maid appeared with a bundle of plain clothes.
"My lady," she greeted with a bow. "This is your room."
The door opened, and I was let in. It was so… pink. And I hated pink. Why did everyone assume every lady loved that color?
The room was huge, with a master bed and everything a girl could need, and it made me itch all over.
"I think I'd better lay down some rules," Viktor said. "First, you must never go near the Alpha's wing."
"Why?" I forced out.
"It's the law. Second, you don't speak unless you're spoken to. And the final one—which is the most important—is that you stay alive. Don't let Ryder think of killing you when he sees you."
What? What the hell were all these rules?
The maid dropped the clothes on the bed, and they left. I stood in the room, speechless, replaying the day's madness.
How the hell was I supposed to get out of here?
By the next morning, my room door flung open, and the maid rushed in. I was startled—it was the same maid as yesterday.
"He's back," she said, fear on her face.
"Who's back?" I asked.
"The Alpha. We have to get you ready immediately."
My heart dropped. Why was he back so soon? I got out of bed and was about to rush into the bathroom when I heard footsteps closing in on my door.
I froze on the spot as his shoes entered my room, and there he was, standing in front of me, looking like a predator with those cold grey eyes and an imposing tall figure in a dark suit. His black hair was combed back, and his honey-toned skin glowed.
His jaw clenched, and I gulped, shaking under his watch.
"So, you're the Omega my uncle bought for me," he said. His deep voice scared the hell out of me.
I needed to do something. Think, Elodie . My stupid brain couldn't come up with anything, and he spoke again. "What's your name?"
"I… I…" I stuttered. His eyes dared me to slip, and I gulped harder. "I'm Elodie Wynters."
His cold face remained expressionless. He stepped closer, stopping right before me, and looked down to hold my gaze. My legs wobbled. "Then listen carefully, Elodie . I don't intend to keep you as my fiancée. You'll leave this house before the week ends. Do you understand?"
I nodded like a lizard, and he turned and walked out. I fell to the floor, my breathing ragged. The maid rushed to me, helping me stand.
He wanted me to leave. Where would I go?