Chapter 5

Debra's POV:

I walked into the grand dining hall with my head held high. The long table was set with the pack's finest silver and crystal, gleaming under the light of the chandeliers. My father sat at the head of the table, with Marley at his right. On his left sat a man I could only assume was Alpha Gareth.

He was even more repulsive than the rumors suggested. He was a bloated, greasy man with small, piggy eyes that roamed over me with a possessive gleam. A wet smile stretched across his thick lips, revealing yellowed teeth. The scent of stale sweat and something rotten, like old meat, clung to him.

My father's face tightened with fury when he saw my disheveled appearance. Marley, however, looked delighted. This was exactly the humiliation she had hoped for.

"Debra, darling," Marley cooed, her voice dripping with false concern. "You look... unwell. Are you feeling alright?"

"I've never been better," I said, my voice clear and cold. I walked to the table and took the empty seat directly across from Alpha Gareth.

"So," Gareth said, his voice a gravelly rumble. He didn't take his eyes off me. "This is the filly. A bit wild, Logan, but I like a challenge."

My father forced a tight smile. "She has a strong spirit, Gareth. She'll make a fine Luna for a strong Alpha."

The words were a betrayal so profound it left me breathless. He was selling me. He was actually selling me.

I picked up my water goblet, my hand surprisingly steady. "Tell me, Alpha Gareth," I said, meeting his lecherous gaze without flinching. "Is it true what they say about your first two wives? That they were both prone to... accidents?"

The room went dead silent. Gareth's greasy smile vanished, replaced by a dark scowl. My father shot to his feet, his chair scraping loudly against the marble floor.

"Debra!" he roared, his Alpha power washing over the room, demanding submission.

But I was beyond his control now. The bond between father and daughter had been irrevocably broken. His power felt like a distant wave, strong but unable to touch me.

I ignored him and kept my eyes on Gareth. "I'm just curious. As your potential bride, I feel I have a right to know what I'm getting into."

Gareth's face turned a blotchy purple. "You insolent whelp-"

Before he could finish, a new voice, calm and dangerously smooth, cut through the tension.

"Perhaps the young lady simply has high standards."

Every head turned towards the entrance of the dining hall.

Standing there, framed by the grand archway, was Alpha Ezekiel of the Black Moon Pack. He was dressed in impeccable black, his powerful frame exuding an effortless authority that made both my father and Alpha Gareth shrink in their seats. His stormy silver eyes were fixed on me, and for a split second, I saw something flicker in their depths-something that wasn't pity, but... approval.

"Alpha Ezekiel," my father stammered, his anger instantly replaced by shock and deference. "We... we were not expecting you."

"I was just leaving, but I heard raised voices," Ezekiel said, his gaze sweeping over the scene, taking in my appearance, my father's rage, and Gareth's sputtering fury. "I hope I'm not interrupting pack business."

"Not at all!" my father said quickly. "We were just... discussing Debra's future."

Ezekiel's eyes returned to me. "Is that so?" He took a slow step into the room. "And what future have you planned for the Alpha's daughter?"

My father hesitated, glancing nervously at Gareth.

It was Marley who answered, her voice like honey. "Alpha Gareth has graciously offered to form an alliance with our pack through a mating with Debra."

Ezekiel's gaze shifted to Gareth, a look of utter contempt on his handsome face. He looked Gareth up and down as if he were something unpleasant he'd found on the bottom of his shoe.

Then, he did something that changed everything. He walked past my father, past Marley, and stopped right behind my chair.

"I'm afraid that won't be possible," he said, his voice a low, possessive growl that sent shivers down my spine.

"She's already been claimed."