Page 14 of Chased By My Grumpy Alpha
When they begin dragging me away, I kick Henrick in the back of his knee with my good leg. It doesn’t matter how strong he is; it’s still a weak spot, and he stumbles forward, releasing his grip. I scramble backward, lifting my hands, palms out. “Let me walk, damn it!”
Henrick snarls at me, and I see the deadly intent in his eyes. However, before he can lunge at me, George stops him, shaking his head. “This isn’t the time. Get moving, then.” The last part is aimed at me.
The walk to the pack hall feels like a death march. Henrik and George flank me. Other pack members stop to stare as we pass, their expressions ranging from curious to pleased. A few actually smile, like they’re being entertained. I doubt any of them know what’s happening, but it’s obvious that I’m in some sort of trouble. That’s enough for them.
When we reach Gareth’s office, Henrik doesn’t bother knocking. He pushes the door open and gestures for me to enter.
The scene inside stops me in my tracks.
Alpha Gareth is seated behind his desk, his expression cold and calculating. Beta Leroy stands to his right, arms crossed, looking grim. But it’s the other two figures that make my heart plummet.
Harper sits in one of the chairs facing the desk, her beautiful face streaked with tears. Her golden hair hangs in tangled waves around her shoulders, and her hands shake in her lap. She looks like she’s been crying for hours.
And beside her, pale and sick-looking, stands Daciana. Her dark eyes meet mine for just a second before she looks away, guilt written across her face.
“Sit,” Gareth commands, gesturing to the empty chair beside Harper.
I move toward his desk but remain standing. “What’s going on?”
“There’s been a change of plans,” he says, his voice deceptively calm.
My stomach clenches. “What kind of change?”
“The Blue Crest Pack has agreed to the exchange. One female from our pack will be sent to mate with one of their warriors.” His gray eyes fix on me with evil pleasure. “That female will be you.”
The words stun me. For a moment, I can’t breathe.
“Me?” My voice comes out as a soft squeak. “But—but the decree said the strongest female. I don’t have any abilities. I can’t even shift.”
Alpha Gareth’s smile is cruel. “That’s not my problem.”
The room spins slightly as understanding begins to dawn. “You can’t do this. The royal decree specifically—”
“The royal decree says we must send a strong female.” He leans back in his chair, looking pleased with himself. “And I’ve decided to send you. You’re strong enough.”
He’s going against the royal decree! Can he even do that?!
“I won’t go.” The words burst out of me before I can stop them.
Harper’s sob rings out in the air. “Astra, please!” She reaches for my hand, her tear-filled eyes desperate. “They’ll torture me! They’ll kill me!”
I jerk my hand away, shocked by what she is saying. “And you think they won’t do the same to me?”
“That’s different…” Harper starts before trailing off.
Disgust fills me. So much for the kind and benevolent façade she puts on. She’s just like the rest of them. I’m nothing in her eyes.
“How?” My voice rises. “How is it different? Because I’m not the Alpha’s daughter? Because I have a latent wolf? Because my life matters less?”
Harper looks to her father, tears streaming down her face. “Papa, please. Tell her—”
“Harper is a beloved member of this pack,” Gareth says coldly. “She has value here. You, on the other hand, can make this sacrifice.”
“Sacrifice?” I scoff. “You mean you can throw me away, and no one will care.”
“Precisely.”
His casual admission of my worthlessness hits harder than I would have expected. But beneath the hurt, rage begins to build.
