os
at an awful lot of money for on
living room, and I pause to listen, hopi
and I know that they are
my mother is saying. "Any Alph
rees. "I definitely think it's
now what this is about, but a
r me. That didn't seem bad at first, but when I finally had to report for duty, it was at a sewage factory. It turned out to be hard work, but I jus
g, "But I'm worried she won't be able to do what they want her to do. After all, our little Rose is
ut? The sting of his hurtful remarks triggers a flood of memories, a barrage of insults that he has hurled at me over time. "Idiot" was relatively mild when compared t
ke the other kids I know who have pa
cords for the pack. The truth is, the coffers are nearly empty, rendering their task all the more challenging. Everyone within the
usion of concealing the pack's massive debt. It became painfully evident that my
ould continue to do so if necessary. The pack holds an indescribable significance to me, despite the horrible ac
another wretched sewage treatment plant. After all, my previous work at such a facility ended unceremoniously wit
m unable to witness their expressions through the narrow opening of the door where I discreetly listen, I can
he continues, "But mark my words, daughters of Alphas and Betas from every corner of the king
aith in me. Even though I remain oblivious to the precise nature of their discussion, perhaps his skepticis
ts, at least within these walls, I know what to expect. Leaving is not a viable option. I am the Alpha's daughter, and abandoning m
and my head spinning. I longingly yearn for the possibility of escape,
ng even an inch. I cautiously shift my weight, causing the ancient floorboards to let go a loud squeak. It
y subtle movements go unnoticed. Thankfully, they mistake the sounds I creat
t, but we must make the attempt. It's preferable to letting her
get your hopes up. It's highly probable that she will disappoint us,
y stomach, a feeble throb amidst th
what my parent
right in their assessment that I am incapable of accomplishing it. After all, I find myself failing repeate
it's safe to assume their standards will be e
entirely. Regardless of the nature of the task, it feels unbearably atrocious for someone like me to even conte
reat several steps, finding refuge near the sink. I turn the tap on, its steady stream camouflaging my
the endearment sounds strained, as if it were forced from her
it on the counter. "No, I wasn't listening," I say, hoping my performance convinces
to fulfill a specific role, and we genuinely believe you are the ideal candidate for this new position." My fa
k, longing for clarity amidst
ts, triggering memories of the sewage treat
subject me to someth
her voice tinged with hesitation. "
t they just say it? "Yes, you mentione
e retires. Since he has no offspring, he intends to appoint one of four Alphas to assume the t
l not be
gh. "What does that
Alpha who takes over the throne will need to have an heir," m
. No one asks if I'm okay or tries to comfort me as I attempt to breathe. Eventually, I
man before. I've been saving myself in hopes of finding a true love match that
pay is excellent, and it would give our p
"You're okay with essentially selli
t of Alphas and Betas are sending their daughters to try for t
head. "No
on fire. I should've known better than to tell him no. This isn't the first time he's slapp
ys done everything you've asked me to do, but you can't seriously be
nding a couple of things, Rose," my father says. "First of all, we're no
to stop me, and I'm not sure whether he
g, Rose," he continues, "is that you wi
t means I won't be a Breeder at
are four Alphas, and they've already be
with not having to become a Breeder. That is still the job they are
to one of the Alphas a
"No, that's not it at all," my father
row dizzy and weak in the knees from so much discussion a
is my mom who draws the short stick. With a deep breath, she says, "Rose, y
can't absorb them. It just doesn't seem possible. My
ve sex with fou
n think about it, and once again, I feel the sh
rse than the smarting in my che
ext thing I know, the world is turning dark at t
mom saying, "Rose, really?"