Chapter 1 SAGE "Happy birthday, Sage," I whispered to myself as soon as I opened my eyes.
I was in an exceptionally light mood this morning. Today is a very special day for me. Aside from being my 18th birthday, today is also the day that I will stand before the moon goddess and receive my wolf. My life has been tough since my father died. He used to be an alpha but was sentenced to death when he was accused of treason. Alpha Gordon, alpha of the Moonlake Crest Pack, was generous enough to spareand takeunder his wing in order to preventfrom sharing the sfate. I get up and fix my bed before heading towards the bathroom. I couldn't help but smile. while I was in the shower. I was truly looking forward to today. Aside from getting my wolf, Holt toldthat he had prepared something for my birthday. Holt t was the only good t tookout of good will and that he truly believes I'm innocent of the sin of my father. But everything becclear the moment. I stepped foot into their home. They letstay in the bunker, and co**roaches and rats are my constant companions. I'm only allowed to eat their leftovers. But Holt was different. He constantly sneaks in freshly cooked food forwhenever his parents are not around. He never shouted ator hitlike the other members of his family. "Once I've becthe alpha, I'm going to make you my luna, Sage. I promise you. No one is going to hurt you again." thought Alpha Gordon ting that happened tosince Alpha Gordon tookinto living with them. They never treatedas part of their family. I'm more like their maid, who lives just to serve them. Holt was the only one who treatedas a friend and not a s**e. I These are the promises he made when he confessed his love for me. I was overjoyed when he toldthat. I was already aware of my feelings for him before he confessed. He's the lone bright spot in my current terrible fate. He is the only reason I am enduring the torture from Alpha Gordon and his family. I chose to wear the only quality clothes I possessed. Holt gavea pink floral dress for my seventeenth birthday last year. We have been in a relationship for two years. Though we chose to keep it a secret from his family for the tbeing, I'm clinging to Holt's promise to presentto the pack as his girlfriend soon..
glanced at myself in the full-body mirror one last tbefore I headed upstairs to 1/5 Chapter 1 prepare breakfast for the family. It has been my routine for five years now since I arrived at this house. It doesn't matter whether it's my birthday or not; I need to serve. them like usual.
I was surprised when I found everyone in the dining hall. The table was already set, and the food had been served.
"Oh, she's here! The woman we've all been waiting for," Alpha Gordon announc smiling widely as he approached me. "Good morning, Sage!" he greeted before givinga peck on the cheeks.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtI felt a little bit awkward by his sudden kindness towards me. It caughtoff guard, since I haven't seen him smile towardssince I got here.
"Con, Sage. Join us. We prepared this food especially for you," Erica said, Alpha Gordon's wife.
I immediately felt suspicious of the kindness that they were showing me. I've been celebrating my birthday for five years now, and not once did they prepare something for my birthday, not even a slice or cake. So, it's completely out of their character whenever they do something like this.
! I have a bad feeling about this. Are they planning to poison me? I searched for Holt around the table, hoping I could get sanswers from him. But when my eyes landed on him, he quickly averted his gaze. He looks apologetic and guilty. But what is he so guilty about? "Here, I take this seat," Alpha Gordon said as he pulled up an empty chair placed on the other end of the table. Once I'm seated, he quickly goes back to the seat across the other. side of the table. "Happy birthday, Sage," Annika greeted with a smirk as he raised her eyebrows. She looks like she knows something that I don't.
The mystery is already killing me. I had an urge to ask what's happening. "What's going on?" "It's your birthday, Sage. We've prepared something special for you now that you've cof age. Besides, tonight will be the night that you'll be standing below the moon. goddess to receive your wolf, aren't you?" Erica answered. "None of you have been kind tosince I got here. You've all treatedlike a s***e. So, please excuseif I find it hard to believe that you've all gone through trouble just 2/5 213 Chapter 1 Sep 10 to prepare something for my birthday," I said Alpha Gordon's laughter suddenly filled the room. He then picked up his cup of coffee and took a sip from it. "You've always been quick to catch on to what's happening," he said, revealing the devilish and took a sip from it. "nile he has always wore since I met him. "You're right. This isn't just about your birthday and coming of age. I think it's tfor you to pay for all the kindness that we've shown you since you betrayed our pack." "What do you You're mean?" I asked in confusion.
're aware of of the peace treaty between the Lycan king and all the packs within this territory, right?" he started. Of course, I'm I'm perfectly y aware of that. All the alphas within this continent reed to send their daughters to the Lycan king's concubine in order to control packs and prevent them from betraying the kingdom. "Y-yes," I stuttered. I'm already suspecting where he's going with this, but I'm still hoping that I was wrong. should be thrilled to to represen you tour pack and honor the treaty our pack signed into," he continued. "But the treaty stated that you should send your oldest daughter." I stopped my tracks when I realized something.
Well, It's for this purpose at all," 'he king." "What do you think is the reason I adopted you, Sage? that savage and ruthless said, confirming what had been going on inside my mentioned it. "I'm head since h not s**d enough to send my real daughter to It always puzzledwhy he adopted me. Now everything comes to light. I looked at Holt, hoping to see slight in this terrible news. But he refused to look at me. "You'll be going to the palace tomorrow. Don't mess this up for the pack, Sage. At least for once, be useful," Erica commented.
I remained silent. I can't even swallow my food. All I'm thinking right now is Holt. What will happen to us now? Alpha Gordon and Erica left right after breakfast. They needed to arrange sthings for the engagement tomorrow. I took that opportunity to talk to Holt. Maybe he has a plan. Annika was in her room, and Holt was preparing to leave when I stopped him to confront him.
Capter 1 "What's your plan, Holt?" I asked him. "We can run away together. Let's leave everything behind, Holt. I love you, and you love me. I think that's more than enough reason for us to move away." He let out a loud sigh before he answered. "Do what my dad says, Sage. We don't have a choice." I was surprised by his answer. It tooka while to recover. "What do you mean?" I asked, feeling confused.
If you don't agree, my father will have no choice but to send my sister to that monster. I can't let that happen. She's my sister," he said.
I immediately took a step back upon realizing that he wasn't going to choose me. "So, it's ratherwho will be sent to that what you so-called monster than your sister, right?" He quickly grabbed both of his arms. "I'm sorry it has been this way, Sage. But I promise, once I've becthe Alpha, I'll get you back. My hands are tied right 1 Sage. I can't run away with you. You can't expectto throw everything away just to be with you. You have to understand." I took a deep breath. "You're right. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked you to do that."
He smiled before he cupped my cheek. "I know you'd understand. Just do what my father is asking you to do, okay? If t If the Lycan King discards you, I'll take you back. I promise." He then proceeded to press his lips against my forehead before he left. It hadn't been long since Holt left when I heard a voice behind me.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"How brave of you to ask my brother to ditch his family and his m responsibility as the future alpha of this pack. You must be delusional." Annika sneered as she leaned against the frdoor. You don't know what Holt and I have. We love each other, and I believe him." "Really? Did he say, Where is he going right now?" She smirked.
"I don't have to know. I know it's something important. But I trust Holt." "Is that so?" She slowly walked closer toand handeda piece of paper. "That's Emily's address," she said.
"Who's Emily?" I asked in confusion.
"She's Holt's fiancée and his future Luna." 12 14 Tue Sep 15 1.
I was taken aback. I tried my best to hide my surprise from Annika. "He wouldn't do that. He promised he wouldn't take any Luna but me, I answered confidently.
"If you're that confident, then why don't you pay them a visit? See it for yourself," she challenged me.
I don't have to. I trust Holt." my
She sneered, "Your innocence will get you killed, Sage." She shrugged her shoulders. "Well, it's your choicem anyway I'm just trying to be nice since you're going to take place as the Lycan king's new concubine. Let's just say it's my payment for your sacrifice," she said before leavingdumbfounded in the living room. 1 stared at the paper on my head for a few minutes. "Holt will not do that to me. I trust him," I murmured.