you


    "You should thank me. I managed to make your ugly face a little bit decent. At least can still have a chance to get through your first night at the pce, Annikamented as she continued to put makeup on my face to hide the bruises caused by his father. "It surprises me to see that you truly believe that you''ll get away with this," I scoff.


    Annika obviously didn''t like myment, so she deliberately pressed her makeup brush against my bruised lips, which immediately made me wince in pain.


    "I will let you slide this time and let you get sassy all you want. Consider that my parting gift to you," she said before shing her most annoying smile.


    I


    Troll my


    eyes in the mirror. I figure there''s no need for me to try to make it work with her, just like before. I saw her squint her eyes towards me as if giving me a warning, but I didn''t care less. Growing up as an only child, I often longed for thepanionship of a sister. So when Alpha Gordon decided to adopt me, the prospect of gaining a sister close to my age filled me with excitement. Little did I know, the dream I''d cherished for so long would soon turn into a nightmare.


    she dered triumphantly. "Though it didn''t transform your face as much as I''d hoped, it''ll suffice." "Perhaps it''s yourck of makeup skills that''s to me," I quipped in response.


    "Don''t push your luck, Sage. My patience is wearing thing," she warned, her tone edged with thinly veiled irritation. "Is that a challenge?" I taunted, unable to resist pushing her buttons further. She shot me a withering re. "Don''t you dare, Sage. I still have plenty of concealer left, enough to hide another bruise on your face," she warned, her tone sharp with threat.


    "I doubt you have the guts." I goaded her further, unable to resist stoking the fire. Our eyes locked in a tense standoff, and the air was thick with animosity.


    Suddenly, her eyes sparked with an intense fury, her wolf''s presence simmering just beneath the surface. Annika, having received her wolf early due to her lineage as the daughter of an alpha, was considered a prime candidate for the position of Luna in another pack. But such matters held little sway over me. Even if she were to end my life in that moment, I couldn''t care less.


    78


    Annika was on the verge ofunching herself at me when her father''s authoritative voice cut through the tension like a knife.


    That''s enough, Annika Alpha Gordon''smanding tone resonated, bringing an abrupt halt to her aggression. "She''s of more value to us alive than dead, so reign. yourself in."


    Annika begrudginglyplied, her wolfish instincts subdued under the weight of her father''s directive. Though the tension lingered, his intervention prevented the situation from escting further, at least for the time being. "Yes, father, Annika replied.


    Go


    on. Sage. Your ride is here," Alpha Gordon said.


    Alpha Gordon took the lead, and I hastened to follow him, eager to escape the brewing storm within the house. Stepping outside, my eyes immediately fell upon a sleek ck luxury car stationed near our doorstep. As we approached, a strikingly handsome man emerged from the vehicle, his well-built frame exuding an air of power and authority.


    The man''s gaze locked onto us without giving us a single smile as he closed the distance between us. His presencemanded attention, and I couldn''t help but feel a sense of intrigue mingled with apprehension at his arrival.


    Is he the Lycan king? I can''t help but ask silently. But who am I kidding? His Highness will never make an effort for just another concubine.


    "Good evening, Alpha Gordon," he said with his deep, baritone voice.


    "Good evening. Beta Scott. I''m pleased to present to you my eldest daughter, Sage."


    He eyed me as if he were checking me like goods from the market. Once he''s done, he turns his eyes back to Alpha Gordon.


    "Are you sure about this, Alpha Gordon?" he asked without batting an eye. He maintains his straight face and cold demeanor.


    "But of course, Beta Scott. I broke nows here. Sage is my legal daughter; thus, she''s eligible to be sent as a tribute," Alpha Gordon replied with a confident smile.


    He then turned his eyes back at me, assessing the situation. After a few minutes of silence, he excused himself.


    "Excuse me for a moment," he said before going back to his car.


    We all watched him carefully as he walked towards the ck sedan park right outside


    12-16


    Tue,


    Sep 10 GO


    our porch. I was hoping that he would get inside the car and leave, yet he didn''t. Instead, he fetched his phone from his pocke and made a call.


    I was holding my breath as I watched Beta Scott talk over the phone. It''s safe to assume that he was calling His Highness regarding this matter. My heart was pounding. I''m still positive that this will not go ording to Alpha Gordon''s n. I''m sure the Lycan King will not fall for this trick. After a long, agonizing few minutes of waiting, I bit my lip in excitement as I watched Beta Scott walk back towards us after he ended the call. My heart races in anticipation. As soon as the lycan king rejected me as the tribute, I will leave this house immediately.


    But all my hopes were shattered the moment Beta Scott opened his mouth.


    "His Highness wanted to extend his gratitude towards the Mooke Crest pack for honoring the treaty and maintaining peace and harmony throughout the kingdom," Beta Scott said.


    Annika and Erica cheered as soon as they heard that the Lycan King epted me as a


    Tribute.


    "No, this can''t be happening..." I murmured to myself.


    "We''ll go ahead now, Alpha Gordon," he said. "Please escort Her Ladyship in the car," he ordered his men.


    "It''s a pleasure doing business with you, Beta Scott."


    Beta Scott''s eyes darkened as if he didn''t like what Alpha Gordon just said. He red at him and ignored the hand he offered.


    Alpha Gordon cleared his throat, a subtle sign of retreat, and withdrew his hand, perhaps to salvage some dignity. I cast one final pleading nce at him, hoping against. hope for a change of heart. Yet, all I received in response was a smug smirk that sent a chill down my spine. "Mydy," one of Beta Scott''s men addressed me, breaking the tense silence.


    With a heavy sigh, I resigned myself to the inevitable and followed them. Shoulders slumped, and I trudged toward the waiting car, a sense of defeat weighing heavily on me. Beta Scott gestured for me to take the passenger seat, and I obliged, sinking into. the unfamiliar car. He assumed the front seat while the other men filed into the car behind us, sealing my fate with each closing door. 12.16 Tue Sep 10 G. Chapter 7 stayed


    I silent along the way. I didn''t know what to expect. I was expecting that Alpha Gordon would get away with what they did, but I was wrong. Should I just start epting my fate?


    Everyone knows where the pce is, so I was a bit confused when I noticed that we were taking a different route. Fear engulfs my whole body when I notice that something doesn''t seem right. I knew it. There''s no way that the Lycan King will let this slide. Are they going to kill me for trying to trick the king?


    "Where are we going?" I asked nervously.


    But Beta Scott stayed silent. His eyes remained fixed ahead of the road, as if he didn''t hear anything. My fear intensifies as we continue to take the unfamiliar path. Will this be the end of me?


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