Chapter 2 Chapter 2

Emma.

I jerk awake when chilly water is dumped over me and I heave jolting forward.

Oh no! My nightmare is happening.

My hands are tied behind me and my legs are cuffed with silver chains.

I lift my head and lock eyes with dark chilling eyes.

"Tell me why you were on our pack borders ?" the huge man mumbles and I fearfully watch him light a cigar. The man is shirtless and creepy tattoos cover every inch of his skin.

His arms are thick, and every part of him is pure muscle. He will surely crash me to death.

"Last night, my warriors found you beaten and dumped on our territory. I don't think you are a threat but my alpha doesn't negotiate with rogues. So, you'd better start talking if you value your life," His voice asks again, this time calmer, but the cold in his eyes doesn't change.

So he is not the alpha? Thank Goddess.

However, I can't tell him I am wolfless. He might kill me.

"Mhm," I clear my throat and hopefully stare at him. What if he can actually help me? "It's my mate's wedding today. He's marrying my sister," I mumble, and that stab appears in my heart again.

It's actually happening.

"She thought he would change his mind, so she got rid of me," I add when he expectantly stares at me.

"Well, that's fucked up" the guy shrugs and dumps the burning cigar on the floor.

"Please, help me. I am not a threat, and I swear, I will go as far away from your pack as possible," I beg hopefully, staring at him.

If he wanted to harm me, he would have done that already.

"Unfortunately, that's my alpha's call to make"

"Please, no. He will kill me" I cry when I remember all the rumors I have heard about him. The man in front of me smirks. It is as if he is amused by my plea.

"He is already here, sorry" he mutters and hurriedly opens the old iron door.

My heart trembles with anxiety, and for the tenth time, I try to wiggle from the chains, but they don't budge.

Goddess, I can't die like this. I wouldn't have stopped that stupid wedding anyway.

"You know how we handle the prisoners, beta. I hate wasting my time," A gruff voice grumbles, and my palms become sweaty instantly.

I bite my lip so hard, and when my eyes meet the blue, cold eyes of alpha Lorenzo, my heart stops for a moment.

There is no scar on his face. His face is, in fact, the most handsome I have seen, clean, spotless, and has clean-shaven facial hair.

The man is bigger than his beta and he also has ink peeking from his sleeves.

The expensive dark leather shoes complement the flawless black suit that fits him perfectly.

No. But they said...?

"Who the fuck is she?" The alpha turns to his beta and they share long eye contact as if they are communicating through the mindlink.

After a moment, the alpha turns to me and I can feel his scrutinizing gaze piercing through my flesh.

"How old are you?" the man suddenly asks and I swallow dryly.

"Eighteen," I mutter, and he turns back to his beta. What the fuck are they communicating about? Alpha Lorenzo deeply sighs and finally nods at his beta.

"Clean her up, and bring her to me in thirty minutes," the man says and hurriedly walks out as if this place suffocates him.

"Am I in trouble?" I murmur when the beta starts to undo the chains. For some reason, I think I can trust him.

Goddess! Maybe I am wrong, but I think he has a soft spot deep in his soul.

"You want to live, right?"

"Yes," I quickly respond, and he nods.

"I want you to be brave. If you do as told, you will walk away free in no time. Alpha Lorenzo lacks patience and if you aren't careful with him, he might just snap..."

"What does he want me to do?"

Goddess! I hope it's not a bad thing. Is it sex? Oh no, I haven't done that before.

"Nothing to worry about. You need to clean up and I will take you to him"

After wearing the white dress the beta offered, I look at myself in the mirror and sigh.

What can they possibly want from a harmless prisoner?

"Let's go" The beta opens the door and urges me outside.

Every step we take towards the Alpha's office, my heart threatens to escape from my rib cage.

"Be brave. Remember, it's the only way to survive. Unless you want to go back to the cells" The man whispers and knocks on a door. "Good luck" the beta mumbles and walks away.

I remain standing in front of the large mahogany door as I fidget with my fingers. Behind this door lies my fate.

The fate my sister worked so hard to change for me. Us

"Come in," the deep voice whispers, and my heart skips. I wipe my clammy hands on my dress and gently push the door open.

The man is sitting behind the huge office chair with his face buried in the files in front of him.

"Take a seat," Alpha Lorenzo says, and I hurriedly do as told. The beta said I should be brave.

Goddess! I hope he doesn't ask for sex.

"The council selection starts in two months." Alpha Lorenzo says without lifting his face from the papers. "There are qualifications one must meet and the first one is being in a stable relationship. Married, or Mated." The man lifts his head to look at me, and I quickly look away.

His eyes can freeze you. A deep scowl covers his face and I wonder if he ever smiles.

"Read this and sign if you agree." Alpha Enzo pushes the papers he has been scrutinizing in front of me, and my shaky hand reaches them.

Marriage contract is written in bold and that causes my heart to tremble.

A fucking marriage contract.

"We will be husband and wife on paper only. When the contract expires, you walk away with five million dollars. Strictly no strings attached"

Goddess! This is unbelievable.

I shouldn't have guessed this at all. I get married for a year and after that, I walk away with that money?

It's a tempting offer.

Be brave Bella. That money will change my life greatly. I will use it to start over, far away from my home and that family. From everyone who thinks I am not enough.

"What is it gonna be. Sign or go back to the cells," the man asks again, and my eyes meet his, cold and unwavering.