Krystal's Pov
The two led me into my boudoir and settled me down.
"The Alpha has requested your presence," they told me.
I clenched my fists. Yes, I knew that.
But knowing didn't make it any less hurt.
However, I wasn't about to dwell on that.
Lifting my gaze, I muttered in a soft voice, "But my foot hurts... Did Father need me urgently? Can you let him know I'm injured?"
I tried lifting it, but a sharp pain shot through me, and I gasped.
It truly hurt.
The two exchanged a look, then nodded. "We still have to take you to him."
[How persistent.]
I had no choice but to comply. "Then I have to trouble you to help me there."
One of them scooped me into his arms in a princess carry, and together, they brought me to my father's study.
I couldn't deny the nervousness that gripped me tightly. Their conversation was still vivid in my mind. It was a good thing I already had an idea of what was coming, or the foolish me would probably be dancing with joy at being summoned, and then likely have a heart attack upon realizing I was about to be sold.
The guards knocked and I was carried in after getting permission.
My eyes landed on the figure sitting in front of my father. He had his back to me, while my father was facing me. That must be Alpha Russell. I've never met him before.
Then my gaze landed on my father, Alpha Xek, as the pack members addressed him. The man who sired me, and the same one who wouldn't hesitate to sell me off.
Autumn happened to inherit all his features, thick brows and now their eyes. I, on the other hand, took after my mother.
"What happened to her?" His brows furrowed as he surveyed me.
The guards explained the situation, and I could see the veins on my father's neck popping. He squeezed out through gritted teeth, "Aren't you too useless?"
I'd succeeded in angering him, but I couldn't care less.
I bit my lip. "I'm sorry, Father."
"Useless!" he spat. "Bring her before Alpha Russell."
The guards quickly led me to that Alpha and finally, I could see his face. His appearance was just as unlikable as his words.
His eyes were like two little beads forced under his brows. Those eyes held nothing but malice. In fact, I had to avert my gaze instantly, feeling my screen crawl.
"She's indeed a pretty one," he said, his gaze scrutinizing me with a weird smile.
"What's your cup size?"
I froze, feeling humiliated.
"He asked you a question!" After a moment of silence, my father snapped.
"C..." I found myself squeezing out.
"Oh... really?" His gaze lingered on my chest, licking his lips. "I guess I'll take her." He turned to my father. "I love women with big boobs. She's barely passable, but that will do."
My father broke into a wide smile, one I hadn't seen in ages. I didn't expect I had to be in this condition for him to be happy.
"No problem!"
"Then it's settled," Alpha Russell declared, rising to his feet. "Send her to my pack after the Moon Festival. How's that?"
My father's smile deepened, standing as well. "Yes, I promised she would be heal by then. I will escort you."
But before he left his study, he told the guards, "Call the doctor for her. I want her healed with no scars in five days at most."
And just like that, my fate was seemingly sealed as I was taken away.
Once I was settled back on my bed, the pack doctor was called to attend to me. She applied some ointment and asked me to rest well before packing her bags.
My maids were also told to take good care of me.
And finally, the room emptied.
I slipped my hand under my pillow and pulled out my phone.
Time to begin my research.
I scrolled through the invitation list uploaded by my pack and examining the names carefully.
Hours passed before I found what I was looking for. I barely managed to hide the phone when an Omega arrived with my meal.
Shadow Moon Pack. The pack I set my eyes on.
The more I dug into it, the more I knew: this was my best shot. In fact, it was as if it had been made for my situation.
"I didn't expect them to have fallen into this state," I shook my head bitterly. They used to be one of the most powerful packs in our region.
My father had taken me there once, when I was younger. The Alpha of that pack had even joked about setting me up with his son.
I just learned now that there was, however, an ambush, and that Alpha died unexpectedly. His son, Cole King, was supposed to inherit his seat, but a close friend of the late Alpha grew greedy and tried to merge their packs under his own control.
With Cole still alive, of course he wouldn't let that happen, and so... there came the war.
The two packs fought heavily and fiercely with all they had. At the end of the day, Cole King, with the help of his maternal family, the Glowing Crescent pack, emerged as the victor.
But their victory came at a heavy price.
There were many casualties, injured warriors, destroyed lands, and famine.
The wolves who were supposed to be hunting couldn't even get out of bed. One of the pack doctors was said to have died during the war, and the other was half alive and half dead. And now, Alpha Cole was seeking healthcare for his people... but they had no resources to obtain it.
And I just happened to exist. A healer, capable of curing anything.
A smile hung on my lips, my heart pounding with hope.
There's a way.
My face lit up as I began planning my next move.
Only five days remained. And I had to succeed.