"Father, do you think I'll make a good Alpha?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
My father turned to me, his expression filled with warmth. "You will not only be a good Alpha, Serena. You will be a strong one—one who will bring peace to all the wolf packs, as they deserve."
I exhaled, my nerves easing just a little. "Thank you, Father." I gave him a small smile, but my heart still raced.
Tonight was the night. My coronation. The moment I had spent my entire life preparing for.
A loud howl echoed through the halls.
"It's time," my father said, holding me close.
My pack stood behind me. My family. My people. I had never been prouder.
The butler's voice rang out, commanding attention. "Alpha Garon and his family are about to enter! Your attention is required!"
Silence fell over the room.
Alpha Garon was wheeled in, his body frail but his presence still commanding. Beside him walked a man I had never seen before—tall, imposing, and undeniably striking.
I leaned toward my father. "I don't think I've ever seen his son before."
My father frowned. "I knew he had a son, but he has been away for years. I wonder why he would return now, of all times."
I sipped my drink. "What's his name?"
"Lycan," my mother answered before my father could. Her gaze lingered on him, admiration clear in her eyes. "Quite the handsome one, I must say."
I chuckled. She wasn't wrong. Lycan was undeniably good-looking—tall, broad-shouldered, the kind of man women would fall for without hesitation. But I had no time for distractions. This was my coronation night.
Alpha Garon's voice filled the hall. "Welcome, wolves! I trust you are all well. Tonight, we gather for the coronation of a new Alpha."
The room erupted in cheers and howls.
"As you all know, my reign has been long and honorable, but it is time for a new leader." More applause followed. "And as tradition states, the next in line is the Crescent Pack. The family of Mickelson, step forward."
Pride swelled in my chest as my father took my mother's hand and mine, leading us forward. My mother had told me I looked beautiful in my ceremonial robe, but all I cared about was proving myself worthy.
Alpha Garon's gaze swept over us. Then, his next words shattered everything.
"The Mickelson family was next in line for the title, yes... but the title has been revoked."
A loud ringing filled my ears. My stomach dropped.
Revoked? How?!
Before I realized it, my thoughts had slipped from my mouth. "What?!"
The room went deathly silent.
Alpha Garon's sharp gaze landed on me. "Lower your voice, young pup."
I swallowed hard, my pulse pounding. "I apologize, Alpha," I said, lowering my gaze. "But may I ask... why?"
My father stepped forward, his voice steady. "Yes, may we ask why the council has revoked our title?"
Garon smirked. "You have no male successor. No female can be an Alpha."
The words sliced through me like a blade.
I lifted my gaze, and my eyes locked with Lycan's. He was still staring at me, unreadable.
My father remained calm, but his voice was firm. "There is no law forbidding women from being Alphas. Many women in my pack are warriors, hunters, and generals."
Garon chuckled darkly. "Those were the old ways, Mickelson. Times have changed. The threats we face now require a strong Alpha, and we cannot entrust our survival to a woman."
I clenched my fists. I had always known Alpha Garon to be power-hungry, but this… this was beyond anything I expected.
"I have trained my entire life for this," I said, stepping forward. My voice wavered, but I held my ground. "It is my birthright!"
Tears burned at my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. "I don't care about the council's decision. I am worthy of this title."
Garon's expression was unreadable as he leaned forward. "Strength and skill alone do not make an Alpha, child."
His next words sent ice through my veins.
"And as tradition demands, any family whose title is revoked has only two options: the daughter becomes the new Alpha's concubine… or she is sold as a slave to another pack."
---
After hearing Alpha Garon declare the conditions of a revoked title, my heart skipped a beat.
I had studied our laws. I had trained for this moment. I knew what could happen… but some part of me—some foolish, hopeful part—believed it wouldn't. That I would stand tall and rise, not fall.
Maybe I was naïve to think I'd become Alpha that easily. That merit and bloodline would be enough.
I took a step forward, voice ringing clear through the silence.
"I choose to be sold as a slave to another pack."
The room gasped in unison.
A loud "No, you wouldn't!" rang out behind me—my father's voice, sharp with disbelief and pain.
He pushed through the shocked crowd, his eyes burning into mine.
"I would like to have a word with my daughter," he said, his tone firm but respectful.
Garon, leaning comfortably on his throne of stolen honor, nodded with a smug gesture of approval.
My father reached me within seconds, grabbing my shoulders gently but urgently.
His voice dropped to a whisper only we could hear.
"Serena, what do you think you're doing?"
"Father..." I whispered, my voice barely steady. "I'm ready."
He didn't answer right away. Just stared at me, his eyes clouded with sorrow and disbelief.
Before he could respond, my mother stepped in, grabbing my wrist with trembling fingers. "No, Serena. You're not doing this."
"Mom—"
"Absolutely not!" Her voice cracked, but her eyes blazed. "You are not throwing yourself into slavery just to save our pride."
"This isn't about pride," I said, forcing calm into my tone, though everything inside me trembled. "It's about principle."
My father shook his head slowly. "Principle won't protect you when they chain you, Serena. It won't save you from the way they treat their slaves."
"Better a slave by choice than a concubine by force," I said, voice hardening.
My mother flinched like I'd slapped her.
"You think we raised you for this?" she whispered. "For the world to spit on your name? To see you dragged away, caged, branded like an animal?"
I took a shaky breath. "You raised me to fight. You raised me to be a leader. This is the only way I can take control of my fate."
"Control?" my father echoed bitterly. "You call this control? You're walking into a cage, Serena!"
"I'm walking away from humiliation," I snapped. "I won't stand there and smile while they reduce me to a prize for some smug Alpha to use. I won't let Garon rewrite our story while we stand silent and bow!"
Silence followed.
Then my mother took my face gently in her hands, tears slipping down her cheeks. "My girl..." she whispered. "You're brave, but even the bravest wolves bleed. You don't need to prove anything to anyone. Not like this."
"Mom..." My voice wavered. I leaned into her touch for just a second, feeling like a child again.
"I was born to carry our name forward," I whispered. "Even if it means carrying it into darkness."
My father exhaled, one hand tightening into a fist. "Then at least let us speak your truth beside you."
I nodded once, blinking back tears. "Thank you... both of you. But I've already decided."