Chapter 2 A Different Life

📍Shannon📍

I gathered the broken pieces of myself and rushed out of the hall, Damien’s words still repeating in my head like an endless echo.

I had had enough for today. I thought this would be one of those rare days when I wouldn’t have to feel bad about not awakening my wolf strength for the past two years. But things turned out even worse. As if that wasn’t enough, Damien had just rejected me.

The pain was unbearable.

I got into a cab, heading home—the only place where I could find some peace when things like this happened. I had no one else. No friend. No mate. Nothing.

My life was a complete mess.

As I reached the packhouse, my gaze fell on father. But he wasn’t alone. He stood with a group of men, all of them deep in conversation. Their expressions were serious, their voices low.

Something felt… off.

Curious, I moved closer, wanting to know what was going on.

“Hey, Pops. What—”

Before I could finish, strong hands grabbed me. A rough palm covered my mouth before I could scream. My heart pounded as I kicked and struggled, but the person holding me was too strong.

Fear gripped me.

I fought harder, but it was useless. He dragged me toward a waiting vehicle and shoved me into the trunk. My legs were quickly tied with thick ropes, the tightness making me wince.

I looked up—and my blood ran cold as I met father's gaze.

I expected to see worry on his face. Maybe panic. Maybe even anger at the men for doing this to me.

But no.

He was smiling.

Not a kind smile. Not a concerned one. It was a wicked and satisfied grin. His eyes flashed with mischief, making my stomach twist.

“Oh, sweet daughter.” He said as he leaned forward, his voice dripping with fake concern. “You look troubled. Is anything the matter?”

My chest tightened.

How could he be asking me that when he could clearly see that I was in danger?

I sucked in a deep breath, forcing myself not to yell at him. My entire body trembled with frustration and fear, but I knew yelling wouldn’t help. I needed his help, no matter how much I hated begging for it.

“Dad, please,” I whispered, my voice breaking. “I don’t know who these men are or where they’re taking me. But you need to stop them. Please.”

Tears burned at the back of my eyes, threatening to spill. My heart pounded against my chest, every beat a desperate plea for freedom. I swallowed the tears rising in my throat, clinging to the last bit of hope that my father would save me.

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palm. Whoever these men were, I would come for them. If I made it out of this alive, they would pay dearly for treating me this way. But first, I had to escape their grip.

Father leaned in close, his breath warm against my ear.

“You really want me to help you, huh?” His voice was a whisper, dripping with mockery.

I flinched as his fingers trailed through my hair. That touch, the same one that once comforted me, now made my skin crawl. It felt like poison seeping into my scalp.

His next words shattered me.

“Well, what if I told you that I’m the one who sold you to them?”

The air was sucked from my lungs. My breath hitched, my pulse roaring in my ears.

“This isn’t true, right?” My voice was barely audible, a desperate whisper. “Tell me this is all a joke.”

I stared into his eyes, searching for a sign—any sign—that he was lying. But all I saw was indifference.

My tears spilled over, hot and endless.

Why? Why would he do this to me? Why were all these happening at the same time—on the same day?

A sharp pain twisted in my chest. This wasn’t right. This really had to be a joke.

Just then, mother stepped out.

Her smile stretched slowly across her face, but it wasn’t warm. It was cruel, just like father's.

She marched toward the vehicle, her movements slow, deliberate. When she reached father, she locked hands with him, her eyes suddenly taking on a dissatisfied look.

“Don’t tell me you’re yet to get rid of this thing,” she said, her voice laced with disgust.

My stomach dropped.

Surely, she wasn’t referring to me because she hadn’t even looked at me. Hadn’t acknowledged my presence.

But then she spoke again and this time, she said my name.

The world around me crumbled.

“What?! Are you two really trying to get rid of me? Selling me off to these… these assholes?”

Father’s head snapped toward me, his jaw tightening. His voice was low, laced with venom.

“One more word from you, and I might just teach you a lesson before they take you.” He threatened.

But I didn’t care anymore.

What more could he do to me? He had obviously done his worst by betraying me in the most unforgivable way.

I straightened my back, lifting my chin defiantly. My entire body was trembling, but my voice was steady when I spoke.

“Go ahead. Do your worst, old man. What else can you possibly do after selling me to people I don’t even know?” I shouted, my voice raw with fury.

Father’s eyes darkened. He leaned in slightly, his expression oddly calm.

“I’m sorry it had to happen this way, Shannon. But you’re useless to us in this pack. There’s no point keeping you when we can sell you for a decent sum of money.”

My heart twisted so violently as his words echoed in my head.

So he wasn’t joking.

I had been holding onto the foolish hope that this was some sick game.

But it wasn’t.

It was real.

The car’s engine roared to life, and before I could process what was happening, the car zoomed off.

Panic surged through me. I twisted and turned in the trunk, my wrists and ankles bound so tight I could barely feel my fingers. The ropes burned against my skin, but the pain in my chest was worse.

I choked back a sob, father’s words echoing in my mind.

"You're useless to us."

The weight of their betrayal settled heavily on my chest. I was nothing to them. Nothing but a transaction.

Why was I having a feeling that they weren't even my real parents after all?

Minutes passed—though it felt like hours—before the car came to a stop.

The trunk opened with a rough yank. Hands grabbed me, pulling me out.

I stumbled forward, my legs weak from being bound so tightly.

As we stepped into the building, my eyes went sore at the sight before me. My stomach twisted in horror.

The open hall was filled with women wandering aimlessly, their bodies exposed, their eyes empty.

My breath quickened.

No.

No, no, no.

My eyes reeled in disbelief as the realization hit me like a ton of bricks.

A brothel?