The Alpha's Revenge

Sapphire.

"The Alpha is throwing a party for his daughter?"

"Really? What's the catch?"

"No catch, it's her eighteenth birthday."

I lurked in the shadows and listened to the maid's gossip. My heart flipped when I confirmed the rumors. My father was throwing me a celebration. Why?

He barely acknowledges me as his daughter so something else must be going on then.

I stepped forward, startling the maids.

"Oh! You scared us." They exclaimed.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to. What is this I hear about a celebration?" I asked, It wasn't uncommon for me to ask the maids questions, they were the only ones who acted like I mattered so I felt more comfortable speaking with them.

"Your father asked us to prepare you for tonight, it's your eighteenth."

"Really? He is throwing this party for me?" I asked, and they bobbed their heads in agreement.

"I have to go see him, this is wonderful."

"No, he asked you not to bother him."

"It won't take long, I will be back soon."

With that, I headed in the direction of my father's study.

I paid no attention as I wandered the halls to my father’s office. I must admit that It took me by surprise when I heard the whispers from the servants rather than my father.

A part of me was happy that my father remembered that it was my birthday and wanted to surprise me. That’s why he didn’t inform me. This is the nicest he has done since my mother died.

He always seemed to blame me for my mother’s death, but I never really understood why he did that. I had done nothing but serve him and be the good daughter he wanted but that seems to fuel his hatred for me.

I appeared invisible even though I was the alpha's daughter. The pack members detested me for something that was out of my control. They all believed their alpha and allowed him to treat me like a piece of gum. Hell, they bullied me as they saw fit.

I got closer to my father's office, eager to thank him for remembering my birthday today. I heard loud voices coming from his office.

What could be the problem?

I inched closer, aware that I would be punished if I were to be caught eavesdropping.

"I told you it would work." My father gloated.

What would work? I strained my ears to listen even more.

"I can't believe you are this cruel to betray her like this." The beta growled.

"Relax, she is my daughter, not yours. I can do whatever I like"

I frowned, I didn't like the direction this was going. How did my father betray me?

I was about to storm in there regardless of the punishment and demand answers. I raised a hand to knock when his voice came next, shocking me.

"When they arrive, she will be sold and off my hands. I don't care what happens to her then." My father declared.

A gasp rose to my throat but I clamped it down by covering my mouth. Backing away from the door slowly in order not to give away my presence, I ran up to my room.

I flung myself onto the bed, my sobs echoed around the room.

My father wanted to sell me, offer me to the highest bidder. My eighteenth birthday celebration was an auction.

I knew he hated me because of my mother but the extent of selling me off like I was a piece of property baffled me to no end.

I closed her eyes, my resolve steeling for a moment. I wished it was my father who died instead of my mother. Everything would be so much easier for everyone.

A maid knocked on the door, "Princess? It's time to dress up." The maid announced.

It was at the tip of my tongue to tell her to get out of my room but I couldn't, not if I wanted to live.

"Okay," I muttered quietly.

I faced the vanity mirror, wincing at the sight of my bloodshot eyes. It was swollen from crying.

"Are you okay, miss?" The maid asked in fake concern.

I knew the minute I said anything, the maid would go squealing to my father like a pig. So I straightened my spine and looked straight ahead.

"Yes, I am fine."

I was told to sit down and be still so they could dress me up for my birthday. I almost snorted at that. More like they were preparing to offer me to the highest bidder.

God!

I can't believe my father would try to do such a thing, especially on a very important day in my life. The day I meet my mate and connect to my wolf.

It a memorable like other people would say but it will be forever burned in my memory as the day my father tried to sell me.

"I am going to make you so pretty." The maid cooed.

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes, pretty for whom?

Someone my father just picked out? For pack politics?

I wouldn't put it past him to do that.

"There, all done." The maid said proudly, I looked into the mirror she provided and frowned, that didn't look like me. I had so much makeup on, I couldn't recognize myself.

I opened my mouth to answer but a voice stopped me, ‘Yeah if we are going for the clown type of look.’

I stared at the maid wondering if she heard it too but she stared back expectantly like she was waiting for my answer.

I wanted to laugh but I couldn't, not if I wanted to expose my secret.

"Yes, it is pretty. Thank you." She beamed at my compliment and rushed out the door.

I sighed to myself, today is officially the worst birthday ever.

Other times were not recognized but it was better than this. The tears threatened to fall but I held them in. It wasn't worth it.

I should have known he didn't do it because he loved me, he did it because he wanted to get rid of me.

My chest constricted with so much pain that I found it hard to breathe.

‘Breath,’ the voice came again, this time ever so gently.

I did as the voice said till I felt calm enough.

"Thanks, Onyx,"

‘You're welcome, human.’ My wolf said. ‘Now, toughen up and go down there.'

I straightened my shoulders, I couldn't let them see me as weak.

I wore the dress they picked out for me, it wasn't my usual style but I have got to admit, it fits me perfectly.

I raised my chin and took the stairs one at a time. The epitome of elegance and perfection I portrayed made me more confident.

I halted just before the last step, my wolf was going crazy and my senses were following her.

"Onyx, what is wrong with you?" I asked, ‘Mate, mate, mate.’ She kept chanting.

"Who?" I asked, I tuned into my senses and I was blessed with the sweet smell of cinnamon and wood spice cologne. It dominated my senses making it difficult to stop thinking straight.

I followed my wolf as she led me to him, I stood still as he seemed to realize that I was his.

"Mate," he whispered, The look on his face made me so happy that I forgot the purpose of the celebration, it looked like I'd found my hope at the end of the tunnel.

Everything went back to being colorful.

His gaze flitted over me like he was studying me, we said nothing but drank each other in. I inhaled deeply as I took in more of his delicious scent, he seemed to be doing the same, his nostrils flared as he caught my scent.

His eyes darkened as he breathed me in. I stood there in my happy bubble that no one could take away from me.

My mate.

Mine.

He opened his mouth to speak but flinched halfway from the interruption.

"Your father has requested your presence, princess."

I sighed, my moment was over.

I looked back to my mate just to see his countenance had changed, he looked disgusted by me.

The earlier admiration in his eyes had vanished like it was never there at all. I didn't interpret the situation but I wanted to get to know him more so I went first.

"My name is..." I flinched when he growled lowly, He took a threatening step toward me and I moved back, what is happening?

"You are not my mate. I have a fiancé." He said.

And without a second glance, he walked away leaving me to stare at his back.

Sapphire.

The numbness spread from my chest to the rest of my body, I couldn't move or speak.

Onyx whimpered in my head, she retreated to her corner and covered her eyes with her tail as she sobbed. The gaping hole in my chest opened wider from my mate's rejection.

The look of disgust on his face was something I wasn't going to forget anytime soon. I lifted a finger to wipe the tear that escaped, if my father got a hold of me, he would beat me for trying to ruin his night.

I looked at the maid who stood to the side waiting for me, "my father asked for me?"

"Yes, he sent me to fetch you." She said before scurrying away.

This couldn't get any worse.

I hurried over to my father, he was eager to show me off like I was some kind of trophy.

"Sapphire, there is my lovely daughter." He bellowed as soon as he saw me.

I halted in my steps. Lovely daughter? He was planning something.

He narrowed his eyes at me when I didn't smile back, "Are you alright? You don't look too good."

I wanted to thank him for stating the obvious maybe that would prevent him from selling me out but I kept mute.

He hissed, taking me to the side.

"Behave yourself and plaster a smile on that ugly face of yours." He sneered.

"Yes sir,"

"Good, I don't want anything going wrong. I have spent months planning this for months. Nothing can go wrong, do you understand?" He tightened his grip on my shoulder making me wince.

"Understood, sir."

"Good,"

To anyone, we were having a father and daughter moment but no one seemed to get that this man was not my father, he was simply an Alpha who puts pack politics before any other thing.

He passed a fake smile on his face as he faced his associates, "Forgive my daughter, she was feeling a little off."

They laughed it out, I, on the other hand, was seething with anger. The men in my life have proved to be nothing but disappointments to be.

My mate had a fiancé and has refused to claim me, my father hates me and wants nothing more than to auction me off. No matter what it takes, I am leaving here tonight.

I can't keep suffering under the clutches of my father, his years of abuse and tyranny were going to end tonight. I looked across the room as I watched my mate mingle with people, he was so confident that he stood tall.

My mouth watered with longing, I wanted to match over there and demand that he claim me but my father wouldn't tolerate that kind of behavior from me.

I met my father's eyes from across the room, and he beckoned to me. Like the obedient girl I was trained to be, I stood close to him.

'You are going to dance with the nobles, give them a little show. The auction is going to start soon."

I stared at my father, maybe hearing himself talk out loud would make him realize this was a bad idea but he wasn't fazed at all. It's like he had decided that I would be gone by the time I clock eighteen.

A noble approached, I shifted uncomfortably knowing that I was about to be passed around like a piece of meat.

"Hello princess, care to dance with me?" He asked, "Of course," I said with no reluctance.

He led me to the dance floor, I had the urge to stomp on his leg but I didn't. That would be a stain on the lessons I took when I was little.

I watched my father smile from ear to ear as he watched us sway together to the music. We danced for a long time before he broke it up.

"Come," he commanded as he climbed the podium.

I followed him, and he cleared his throat taking all the attention for himself. The people stared at their Alpha including other Alphas from neighboring packs.

"Thank you all for honoring my invitation, it is a thing of joy to see you gathered here as I celebrate my only daughter, Princess Sapphire."

He clapped making people join him, I felt sick to my stomach. He was openly auctioning me out and not one person was decent enough to stop him.

"Come, my dear." He held his hand out to me.

I took a step and the lights went off, I froze. People started screaming, I looked around but I didn't find anything suspicious. My father has disappeared from the stage.

The smell of blood made me bite my tongue, this was a setup. Whoever was behind this planned it. This was a good chance for me to escape.

I hiked up my skirt to run, I intended to flee the pack and find a life for myself, I turned the corner just to bump into a vase. It came crashing on the floor, and I stilled.

I didn't give my presence out, I turned to escape but I was suddenly covered in darkness.

I felt myself being carried away by strong men. I was being held, hostage.

I stayed in the darkness, hearing the sounds of the men who kidnapped me.

"The Alpha asked us to watch her," he heard one whisper, I struggled against my restraints but it was of no use.

"He is here,"

No sooner had the words come out that her blindfold was yanked off. My eyes adjusted to the light.

I looked around, trying to capture the faces of the men who were holding me hostage.

I narrowed my eyes when it came to a rest stop on a familiar face.

"You," I said, the realization dawning on me shortly, "it was you!" I gasped.

"Correct princess," he smirked.

"You ordered the attack, you killed my father," I stated.

He narrowed his eyes, "yes, I believe I did."

He watched my reaction but I gave away nothing, how do you react when someone tells you they have killed the man who tortured you every day for fun?

Who uses you as his punching bag? It was life-changing but he was the only family I had left.

"Why would you capture me, I am your mate," I stated, "No, I have a fiancé. You are my enemy's daughter which makes you my enemy." He said with ice in his voice.

"But..."

"But nothing, you will stay in this dungeon till I find a good use for you." He said as he stormed out.