Sold To The Rouge Alpha

The morning air was thick with tension as Isabella watched the servants prepare for the evening celebration. Tables were being set up in the grand hall, flowers arranged with care, and the smell of roasted meat filled the air. But her stomach twisted with worry instead of hunger.

"You look pale," Emma said, bringing Isabella a cup of tea. "Are you scared?"

Isabella took the warm cup gratefully. "A little. It's strange to think that people who hurt me will be sitting at the same table tonight."

Emma sat beside her on the garden bench. "Alpha Damien won't let anyone hurt you. Everyone here loves him because he protects us."

"How did you know Alpha Damien before he saved you?" Isabella asked, curious about the young girl's past.

Emma's face grew thoughtful. "My father used to tell stories about a powerful Alpha who disappeared years ago. He said this Alpha was betrayed by people he trusted. When Alpha Damien found me after the attack on our pack, I knew he was the one from the stories."

"What stories?"

Before Emma could answer, Jasper appeared. "Luna, Alpha wants to see you. He's in the armory."

Isabella had never been to the armory before. When she entered, she gasped. Weapons of all kinds lined the walls - swords, daggers, bows, and arrows. Damien stood in the center, examining a silver blade.

"You wanted to see me?" Isabella asked.

Damien looked up, his blue eyes serious. "Tonight, you'll meet many powerful Alphas. Some may try to test you or make you uncomfortable. I want you to be prepared."

He walked to a cabinet and pulled out a small, elegant dagger. The handle was decorated with blue stones that matched his eyes.

"I can't fight," Isabella protested. "I don't even have a wolf."

"You don't need to fight. This is just for protection." Damien gently took her hand and placed the dagger in her palm. "Keep it hidden in your dress. If anyone threatens you, don't hesitate to use it."

Isabella felt the weight of the weapon. It was heavier than she expected. "You really think someone will try to hurt me?"

"I think some people might try to take what's mine," Damien said quietly. His fingers brushed against hers as he showed her how to hold the dagger properly. "And I won't allow that."

The touch of his skin made Isabella's heart race. She looked up into his eyes and saw something burning there - not just protection, but possession.

"Damien, can I ask you something?"

"Anything."

"Why did you really make the deal with Ethan? You could have any woman as your mate. Why me?"

Damien was quiet for a long moment. Then he said, "Some bonds are made by the moon goddess. Others are written in blood and destiny. You'll understand everything soon, Isabella. But not today."

Before she could ask more questions, a horn sounded in the distance. Three long blasts.

"The first guests have arrived," Damien said. "It's time."

Isabella's hands trembled as she hid the dagger in a special pocket Emma had sewn into her dress. The blue gown was beautiful, making her gray eyes look like silver. Her hair was arranged in an elegant style with small flowers woven through it.

"You look like a true Luna," Emma said proudly.

But Isabella didn't feel like a Luna. She felt like a scared girl playing dress-up.

The first pack to arrive was the Silverstone pack. Their Alpha was an older man with kind eyes who bowed respectfully to Isabella. His mate was a gentle woman who complimented Isabella's dress.

"You have a beautiful territory, Alpha Damien," the Silverstone Alpha said. "Your pack seems very prosperous."

"Hard work and loyalty build strong packs," Damien replied.

More packs arrived throughout the afternoon. Isabella met Alphas from the Mountain Ridge pack, the River Valley pack, and several smaller territories. Most were polite and respectful, though she caught some staring at her with curiosity.

"They're wondering how a rogue Alpha got such a young Luna," Jasper whispered to her during a quiet moment.

"What do you tell them?"

"The truth - that you're the most beautiful and brave woman in the region," Jasper winked.

Isabella laughed despite her nerves. Jasper always knew how to make her smile.

As the sun began to set, painting the sky orange and red, the final horn sounded. Five long blasts - the signal for the most important guests.

Isabella's blood ran cold. The Moonshadow pack had arrived.

She watched from the window as several black cars pulled up to the main entrance. Guards in dark uniforms stepped out first, forming a protective line. Then came a woman with long red hair - Thea, wearing a golden dress that sparkled in the evening light.

Finally, Ethan emerged from the largest car. He looked the same as always - tall, handsome, and arrogant. But there was something different in his posture. He seemed tense, alert, like a predator entering unknown territory.

Isabella's hands clenched into fists. The last time she saw him, she was being tied up and humiliated. Now she was Luna of a powerful pack, wearing a beautiful dress, with a weapon hidden in her clothes.

"Remember," Damien appeared beside her, "you are not the same person who left that pack. You are Isabella Vargulf now. You bow to no one."

Isabella nodded, trying to gather her courage.

They walked down to the main hall together. The room was filled with guests, all talking and laughing. But when Damien and Isabella entered, a hush fell over the crowd.

"Welcome, honored guests," Damien's voice carried across the room. "Tonight, we celebrate new alliances and old friendships."

Isabella stood beside him, her chin raised proudly. She could feel dozens of eyes on her, but she focused on looking confident.

Then she saw Ethan across the room, and their eyes met.

The shock on his face was clear. His mouth opened slightly, as if he couldn't believe what he was seeing. Beside him, Thea's face twisted with anger and disbelief.

Ethan had expected to find a broken girl sold to a savage rogue. Instead, he saw a beautiful woman standing beside one of the most powerful-looking Alphas he'd ever encountered.

"Impossible," Thea hissed quietly.

But Ethan's shock quickly turned to rage. His hands clenched at his sides as he realized the truth - he had been played. This wasn't just any rogue Alpha. This was someone with real power, someone who had made him look like a fool.

As the evening progressed, Isabella watched Ethan from across the room. He kept staring at her, his jaw tight with anger. Several times she caught him whispering urgently with his guards.

During dinner, the Silverstone Alpha raised his glass. "To Alpha Damien and Luna Isabella. May your union bring peace and prosperity to all our territories."

Everyone drank, but Isabella noticed Ethan barely touched his wine. His eyes never left her face.

After the meal, pack leaders began approaching Damien to discuss territory agreements and trade deals. Isabella found herself standing slightly apart, watching the political dance unfold.

That's when Ethan made his move.

He approached her slowly, casually, as if just making polite conversation. But Isabella could see the rage burning in his eyes.

"Well, well," he said quietly when he reached her. "The little mouse has found herself a new hole to hide in."

Isabella's hand moved instinctively toward her hidden dagger. "I'm not hiding, Ethan. I'm exactly where I belong."

"Do you really think this rogue can protect you? Do you have any idea what kind of enemies you've just made?"

Before Isabella could respond, a strong hand settled on her shoulder. Damien had appeared beside her, silent as a shadow.

"Is there a problem here?" Damien's voice was calm, but there was ice in his tone.

Ethan looked up at Damien, and for the first time, Isabella saw real fear flash in his eyes. Up close, Damien was taller and more powerfully built than Ethan. But it wasn't just his size - there was something dangerous in his presence that made other Alphas step back.

"Just greeting an old pack member," Ethan said, forcing a smile.

"How thoughtful," Damien replied. "Though I believe Luna Isabella has moved beyond her past associations."

The two Alphas stared at each other, and Isabella could feel the tension crackling between them like lightning before a storm.

Finally, Ethan stepped back. "Of course. Congratulations on your mating ceremony."

As he walked away, Isabella caught him making a subtle hand signal to one of his guards. Her blood turned cold. Whatever Ethan was planning, it was going to happen soon.

The evening continued, but Isabella couldn't shake her unease. Every time she looked around, she caught Ethan's people watching her. They were planning something.

As the guests began to leave, Isabella felt a moment of relief. Soon this would be over, and she could breathe again.

But as the last car disappeared into the darkness, Jasper appeared at Damien's side with urgent news.

"Alpha," he said quietly, "three of Ethan's guards never left. They're still somewhere on our territory."