Chapter 2

"We’re ruined!" Harold gasped, almost collapsing to the floor.

Wendy’s face turned white too.

The entire strength of the Silver Creek Pack was barely a fraction of the Iron Crest Pack. This would destroy them!

Harold fell to his knees, crawling toward Victor. "Alpha Victor, please show mercy! It’s all this brat’s fault! Punish her, do whatever you want with her, but please don't ruin the Silver Creek Pack!"

I watched his pathetic begging with utter disgust.

This was my father. For his own gain, he would throw me to the wolves without a second thought.

Helen cried out, "Alpha Victor, we will lock her in your room tonight! She is yours to do with as you please! Just please, spare us!"

Looking at this so-called family made me want to throw up.

I turned to Victor. "I made this decision. I will bear the consequences alone. Let my family go, and leave the Silver Creek Pack alone."

Victor raised an eyebrow, amused. "You? With what?"

"I will prove myself to you," I said firmly.

Mocking laughter erupted in the hall.

An abandoned, illegitimate daughter taking responsibility? It was a joke.

Wendy sneered, "Clara, stop talking big! How are you going to pay him back? With your worthless life?"

I ignored her and kept my eyes on Victor.

"Give me time."

Victor stared at me for a long time, then suddenly smiled.

"Fine. I’ll give you time."

He waved his hand, signaling the guards to step aside.

"From this day on, Clara Miller, you owe me. Big time."

He paused, his voice turning dangerous. "Don't try to run. You know what I can do."

With that, he turned his wheelchair and left the hall without looking back.

My father and stepmother glared at me from the floor, looking like they wanted to skin me alive.

"You curse! You’ve ruined us!"

I didn't look at them. I grabbed the expensive dress and walked out of that cage.

The sunlight outside was blinding, but for the first time, I felt free.

As I walked away, the voice in my head whispered again. *Leave this territory. They won't let you go easily.*

I stood by the highway in a wedding gown, looking like a total joke.

Strangers stared and pointed, but I didn't care.

I sneaked into a thrift store, traded my dress for a pair of jeans and a T-shirt, and bought a bus ticket to a remote town.

Three days later, I settled down in a human town called Millbrook.

I got a job washing dishes at a local diner and rented a cheap apartment.

One night, when I came back to my place, I found an envelope slipped under my door. Inside was five thousand dollars in cash and a note with no name, but I recognized the elegant handwriting: *Don't die out there.*

It was from Victor’s Beta.

I was surprised. Why would Victor help me?

Was he watching me?

Whatever. Having a place to stay was better than sleeping on the streets.