Sold to the Alpha

Thomas stepped forward, his expression as unreadable as when Autumn first encountered him. "High Mountain Pack, two days ago, you initiated an attack on the borders of the Red Moon Pack in an attempt to reclaim land you believe is rightfully yours. That attack has violated the treaty you formed with the pack, overseen by your king, Alpha Elijah, and has ignited a war. The king is furious with the actions of your alpha and your pack. However, he has chosen to show mercy. You have two options: accept the punishment and fine, or wage war against Red Moon and the king's armies. We present this to you so you may understand the consequences of your reckless actions. You have ten minutes to decide if you wish to proceed with the war you've begun."

Thomas took a seat beside a visibly pale Alpha Warner at the front of the room as the pack erupted into murmurs and opinions. Each wolf consulted with their families and friends, weighing the worth of war. After ten minutes, Alpha Warner stood, and the room fell silent once more.

"High Mountain Pack, I have heard your thoughts on this matter." The alpha's scowl deepened, clearly reluctant to speak the words he was about to say. "We will accept the consequences of our actions. Inform King Elijah that we will accept his punishment."

Thomas nodded. "I will relay the message to his majesty and then return to collect your payment." Alpha Warner nodded with a frown before retaking his seat. The pack whispered nervously amongst themselves, speculating about the nature of the punishment.

Autumn sat on edge in her seat, aware that the price would be steep. But anything was better than the death and suffering of war. When the two packs had been at war before, it was years of violence and anxiety. The treaty had been established to prevent such a recurrence. That is, until Alpha Warner allowed his ego to jeopardize the pack's safety. Autumn couldn't help but chuckle when she heard her wolf label him an idiot.

Thomas reentered a few minutes later. "I have informed King Elijah of your decision. He has withdrawn the forces he had already prepared to send your way. As for the punishment, Alpha Elijah requires half of your warriors to serve in the king's pack for one year."

The room exploded into gasps and growls as the people realized the consequences their alpha had brought upon them. Their families would be separated for a year, and the pack would be undermanned. "That's preposterous! We can't possibly protect our pack with half of our warriors gone!" Warner yelled, his face reddening.

Beta Thomas spun around to face him, his tone icy and daring the alpha to overstep. "You brought this upon yourself." He turned back to the room. "Now for the fine."

Alpha Warner nodded, and with a dismissive wave of his hand, he looked out into the crowd of the pack. Suddenly, Autumn felt herself being seized by the arms and yanked from her chair. She struggled against the grip of the two large pack enforcers holding her tightly.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! LET GO OF ME!" Autumn screamed, thrashing and kicking to force them to release her. They dragged her to the front of the meeting hall and before the alpha and luna.

"This girl owes us a debt of hundreds of thousands of dollars. We do not have the funds to pay the fine King Elijah has imposed, so we offer the girl in exchange to serve in his household until he deems the debt repaid."

Thomas scowled. "You should have considered that before violating the treaty. The fine was one million dollars. Are you saying this girl is worth that much?"

Luna Joella stepped forward, her eyes brimming with feigned tears. "This girl means so much to us and to our pack. It is a loss we will scarcely be able to bear, but we know our pack's safety is more important than our feelings."

"What?!" Autumn spat. "You liars! The only thing you won't be able to bear is having to wash your own damn clothes! You can't just sell me off to fix some mistake you made!"

Thomas narrowed his eyes at her before nodding. "The exchange will have to suffice. Hopefully, King Elijah will be understanding. Escort her out of here. We leave immediately."

Autumn's eyes widened with shock as reality set in. Fear crept inside her as she cried for help. "Please! Don't let them do this! Somebody help me! Please!" Autumn yelled and pleaded as tears streamed down her face. She searched for sympathy in the eyes of just one of her fellow pack members, but each turned away. Autumn kicked and struggled against the arms that pulled her out of the meeting hall.

When they reached the outside, she was released, the force causing her to fall to the ground. "Please do not run; I have no interest in chasing you down," Thomas spoke coldly as he towered over her. "Get in the car."

"No!" Autumn spat at the ground near his feet. "I am not a piece of property to be sold. I will not go with you!"

"You would let your pack suffer and die in an avoidable war because you selfishly refuse to get in the car?" Thomas asked with a sideways glance.

"They sold me to pay for a foolish choice they made. They are no pack to me," she growled.

Thomas looked at her in surprise. "Well, little omega, the deal has already been struck. Now, are you going to get in the car, or will I have to tie you to the roof?"

Autumn scowled at him before standing tall and stepping into the car. She faced the window and stared out at the pack grounds, the place she had called home for as long as she could remember. Autumn had always imagined leaving this place, freeing herself from the debt she was working off, and finally making a home elsewhere. She never envisioned she would have to leave because she had been sold to pay their debt. Or that she would once again be owned by someone else.

"You will enjoy working in the palace," Thomas said as they drove away. "It's far nicer than this place."

"It's doubtful...," Autumn mumbled.

Thomas chuckled. "You're quite outspoken for a servant."

She ignored him and looked out the window again, hoping to find some way out of this predicament.

From one prison to another... her wolf grumbled.

We will find a way out of this. I will not be a servant for the rest of my life, Autumn thought to herself as they drove farther from High Mountain and closer to her new home.