Alpha Andras Monet

AZALEA

'You've been purchased to become my Alpha's surrogate.'

Purchased? Slave-trader? Surrogate. None of the words make sense, but then again, I am in an unfamiliar room.

My mouth falls open in surprise as I stare at the stranger, whose name I now know as Donovan, and I hold back my words. But the earnestness in his eyes tells me he's not bluffing at all. He is dead serious. And I'm scared shitless.

I should sprint towards the door. I should scream as well. Maybe someone would hear and come to my rescue. But I know better. Doing all those things would be a complete waste of my time because this is his territory.

I'm alone with this man—the Beta of a pack I've never heard of, and from his fierce features and stoic stance, I know he'll have no issue subduing me. He’s stronger than me and can snap my neck in a second if necessary. A chill runs down my spine.

"I…You’re joking, right?” I ask, the question spilling from my mouth before I can stop it.

There is complete silence—an unsettling one that pricks at my flesh.

Donovan lets out a sigh. His eyes soften as well, and for a little moment, we appear to be on equal footing. Then his jaw twitches, and a dissatisfied expression arises on his face.

He hisses. "I believe I did not mince words when I talked earlier, or did I?" His muscles protrude from the short-sleeved white shirt that clings his arms and body as he folds his hands.

My head shakes, but not at him. At myself instead, and I’m convinced I need to get out of here. My father, whom I know nothing off, is most likely in danger, and I need to find him. Besides, being a surrogate is not in any way near my plans in life. Carrying another man's child is not even on the list. The fuck?!

"I will have to call bullshit to everything you've said." I speak up, gaining a small amount of confidence.

This is pointless, and I know it. I slowly rise from the bed and continue anyway. "I don't care why you brought me here or how much money you paid those shady men from the motel. You should know that I am completely unaware of this. I was only a visitor staying there."

"How unfortunate." He snickers, cocking his head, and there's a look of amusement on his features. I must appear desperate for him to regard me funnily.

But my desperation quickly turns to wrath and resentment. I clench my teeth. This man purchased me for his Alpha or whoever. If he thinks I'll do what he wants without a battle, he's in for a surprise. No, scratch that. He has something coming because I refuse to let some stranger push me into servitude like this. This is ridiculous!

"I'll ask you politely once more. Please let me go. I'd like to..." He cuts me off before I complete my sentence.

When he speaks, his expression and tone stay the same. Cold. Unyielding. “And why will I just let you go after all the trouble of acquiring you for my Alpha? Do you know how much you cost to assert definitely that you don't care?"

"Oh!" I mutter.

I get it now. And if it's about the money he spent on me...then?! I grasp for the necklace that is wrapped around my neck. I unfasten it and hold it up in front of him, a sheepish expression on my face—the jewelry gleams in the room's brilliant artificial lighting.

"This should be expensive, as it is brand new. I don't need it anymore, and I'm sure the money spent on my head would cover it."

Before I can blink, his hand shoots out and grabs the accessory.

My entire self is at ease as I eye him suspiciously, hoping he'll take my offer and let me go.

However, he keeps the necklace up for a few seconds - his attention fixed on the piece — and then suddenly, he drops it to the floor like it weighs nothing. I let out a yell. The stones fracture into fragments, and I curse aloud.

"What the fuck did you just do?"

"I just made an example out of your cheap necklace. Are you unaware that it's a fake?"

A fake? This discovery leaves me speechless and stunned. Alpha Hunt, that filthy scumbag! He couldn't even purchase me something genuine as a birthday present. Is this how cheap I appear in his eyes? Am I not worth something original? I suppose I should have known better.

"That jewelry is fake." Donovan repeats. “Because it won't shatter easily if it isn't. The floors aren't hard enough to break the necklace on impact."

"But—"

“Young lady, you can do nothing about this situation because my Alpha doesn't want your money. He needs a surrogate, and it has been concluded that you will be the one. You're in shape, ripe, and exactly what he needs."

Concluded? On who’s agreement? My rage grows, and I'm tempted to do something rash, like ramble out a witchy spell and make this man pay. But after that, what next?

'You run, Azalea. You make your way through whatever this place is and flee for your life.' My subconscious sharply chimes.

I shut my eyes. When I open them, I start muttering a—

The sound of the door slamming open and a strong aura filling the room causes me to pause. My eyes travel up and up until they see a tall, dark-haired man standing in the doorway.

With the lightest shade of green eyes I've ever seen, this man is easily the most handsome man I’ve laid eyes on. The sharpness of his nose and the prominence of his jawline distinguish his angelic features.

Back to his body build. Landon is quite big, and Donovan—the beta is fucking huge—but their stature pales in compared to this monstrosity of a man before me. This man is nearly a giant, with toned muscles popping out of a T-shirt that hugs his chest sensually and frighteningly. He exudes such power that it temporarily steals my breath away.

"What the fuck is going on here, Donovan?" As he enters the room, his boots pound on the floor.

When he comes to a halt behind Donovan, hovering over both of us with a deathly gaze targeted at ME, I swallow.

"Sorry, Alpha." Donovan bows slightly in respect, and my eyes widen.

This intimidating-looking man is the Alpha King of Moon…Moon-Heart Pack. Yes. He's the one who bought me—the man who wants me to bear his child for reasons I don't understand. I swallow hard once more.

Donovan speaks again. "She just woke up, and I've been explaining the circumstances of her situation to her. She is, nonetheless, persistent about leaving."

"Leaving?" The Alpha King asks, his voice low and harsh, and I shiver slightly as it cuts through the air.

"Yes, Alpha."

"Oh, but she can't." The Alpha King says again, this time with a chuckle.

What?

I look at what he’d thrown on the bed. It's just a poster. With an…I gasp. The poster has my image, and the word 'WANTED' is prominently inscribed.

"You'll have to forget all plans to flee this place, runaway wolf. Shadow Valley pack has distributed missing posters of you to every wolf territory, so even if you manage to escape, you'll be apprehended by another pack. There's a large bounty on your head, and no one will take it for granted." He pauses before adding. "Would you want that?"

His words are emotionless, and I return my gaze to the poster. He’s right. There's a bounty on my head, and if I leave here, I'll most likely be grabbed by another pack and bundled to Shadow Valley.

My entire being shudders at the prospect of ever returning to that hellhole of a pack—of returning to those monsters. That’s a fate I don’t want.

I choke back a sob.

"Excuse me, Alpha-" When I speak again, my voice is unsteady, and I realize I don't even know his name. Yet.

"Andras Monet." He responds quickly, and I repeat after him. "Andras Monet."

Even his name sounds frightening and powerful. But it's the least of my worries right now.

I relax back on the bed and hold my knees to my chest as I remain silent. I hear him giving Donovan some instructions—something about getting ready and our departure.

My entire body is trembling, and my gaze darts around the room, from the poster to the shattered necklace on the floor to the retreating form of the man who appears to hold my fate in his hands.

I bat my lashes, attempting to keep the tears at bay, but it's futile. They fall anyway.

"Alpha Andras…" I croak out, and he halts in his tracks. He slowly turns around and faces me.

I sniff and ask. “All you want is a surrogate, right?"

There is no response—just a lifted brow.

My stomach churns uneasily, but I'm not discouraged. I decide to carry on, attempting my last ditch effort. "If I complete this surrogacy deal, will you let me go?"