Sold To The Rouge Alpha

Isabella's blood turned to ice as she heard Jasper's words. Three guards were still hidden somewhere in the territory, and she knew they weren't here for a friendly visit.

"Where?" Damien's voice was deadly calm, but Isabella could see his muscles tense like a wolf preparing to attack.

"Marcus spotted them near the east border about twenty minutes ago. They were moving toward the residential area," Jasper reported. "He's tracking them now with two other guards."

Isabella's mind raced. The residential area was where Emma lived. Where all the children and families had their homes.

"They're not after the families," Isabella said suddenly. "They're after me."

Damien turned to her, his blue eyes sharp. "What makes you say that?"

"Ethan kept staring at me all night. And right before he left, he made some kind of signal to his guard. He's not done with me yet."

Thea appeared from the shadows where she had been eavesdropping. Her golden dress was wrinkled now, and her makeup smeared slightly. "You think you're so important? Maybe they're here to steal information about this pathetic pack."

"Thea," Damien's voice cut through the air like a blade. "You will speak respectfully about my Luna and my pack, or you will leave. Now."

Isabella had never heard anyone speak to Thea like that. The red-haired woman's face flushed with anger and embarrassment.

"How dare you—"

"Guards," Damien called without raising his voice. Immediately, six of his men appeared. "Please escort Miss Blaze to her car. Make sure she leaves our territory safely."

"Wait!" Thea protested as the guards approached her. "You can't just throw me out! I'm the Luna of Moonshadow pack!"

"Not on my territory, you're not." Damien didn't even look at her as she was led away, still protesting loudly.

Isabella felt a strange satisfaction watching Thea being dragged out like a common troublemaker. For years, Thea had humiliated her. Now the tables were turned.

But her satisfaction was short-lived. A guard came running up to them, breathing hard.

"Alpha! The three intruders have split up. One is heading toward the main house. The other two are moving toward the school building."

Isabella's heart stopped. "The school? But Emma sleeps there with the other children!"

"Not anymore," Jasper said grimly. "Tonight, all the children are staying in the main house for safety. We moved them during the party."

Isabella felt relief flood through her. At least the children were safe.

"What about the guard heading for the main house?" she asked.

Damien's expression grew dark. "That one is coming for you."

As if summoned by his words, the lights in the main house suddenly went out. Emergency lighting came on a moment later, casting everything in a red glow.

"He's already inside," Jasper muttered.

Damien grabbed Isabella's arm gently but firmly. "Stay close to me. Don't leave my side for any reason."

They moved toward the house, surrounded by Damien's guards. Isabella's hand found the hidden dagger in her dress. Her palms were sweating, but she tried to stay calm.

The main house was eerily quiet as they entered. The guests had all left, and the servants had been sent to safety. Only the sound of their footsteps echoed in the halls.

"He could be anywhere," one guard whispered.

That's when they heard a child crying.

"Emma!" Isabella gasped, recognizing the voice.

"I thought you said all the children were moved," Damien said sharply.

"They were!" Jasper looked confused and worried.

The crying was coming from upstairs. Isabella started toward the staircase, but Damien caught her arm.

"It could be a trap."

"If Emma is really up there, I can't leave her." Isabella's gray eyes blazed with determination.

Damien studied her face for a moment, then nodded. "We go together. Guards, surround the house. Make sure no one gets in or out."

They climbed the stairs slowly, following the sound of Emma's cries. The red emergency lighting made everything look like a nightmare. Shadows danced on the walls, and every corner could hide an enemy.

The crying led them to Isabella's bedroom. The door was slightly open, and through the crack, they could see a figure sitting on the bed.

It was Emma, but something was wrong. She was sitting too still, and her crying sounded... strange.

"Emma?" Isabella called softly.

The crying stopped immediately. Then Emma's voice came from the room, but it sounded flat and emotionless.

"Isabella? Please come in. I'm scared."

Damien held Isabella back. He sniffed the air and his expression darkened. "That's not Emma."

"What do you mean?"

"The scent is wrong. Emma smells like wildflowers and sunshine. This smells like..." he paused, "like magic."

Isabella's eyes widened. "Magic? But how—"

Before she could finish, the figure on the bed turned toward them. It looked exactly like Emma, but the eyes were completely black. No white, no color, just darkness.

"Hello, Isabella," the thing wearing Emma's face said with a smile that was too wide. "We've been waiting for you."

Isabella screamed and stumbled backward. Damien immediately pushed her behind him, his body changing as his wolf began to emerge. His muscles bulged, his nails extended into claws, and his eyes turned golden.

"Where is the real Emma?" he growled.

The fake Emma giggled, a sound like breaking glass. "Safe. For now. But if you want her to stay that way, Isabella needs to come with us."

"Never," Damien snarled.

"Oh, but she will." The creature stood up, and as it did, its appearance began to change. Emma's small form stretched and twisted until it became a tall, thin man with pale skin and red eyes. "Because we have more than just the little girl."

He snapped his fingers, and three more figures appeared in the room as if materializing from smoke. Isabella recognized them immediately - Ethan's missing guards. But like the fake Emma, their eyes were solid black.

"Ethan made a deal," one of them said in a voice that echoed strangely. "Isabella comes with us peacefully, or everyone in this pack dies tonight."

Isabella felt sick. "What kind of deal?"

"The kind that involves very old magic and very powerful beings," the pale man answered. "Beings who have been waiting a long time to meet you, Isabella Rolf."

"It's Isabella Vargulf now," she said firmly, surprised by her own courage.

The pale man laughed. "Names don't matter. What matters is what you are."

"I'm just a human girl with no wolf. What could you possibly want with me?"

"Oh, my dear child." The man's red eyes gleamed. "You are so much more than that. Your parents lied to you. Your pack lied to you. Even your own memories have been hidden from you."

Isabella felt Damien tense beside her. Did he know what this creature was talking about?

"But we can show you the truth," the pale man continued. "All you have to do is come with us. Willingly."

"And if I don't?"

The man smiled, showing teeth that were too sharp. "Then we start killing your new pack. Beginning with the children."

Isabella's heart pounded. She looked at Damien, hoping he had a plan. But for the first time since she'd met him, he looked uncertain.

"There has to be another way," she said desperately.

"There is," Damien said quietly. "But you won't like it."

Before Isabella could ask what he meant, chaos erupted. The windows exploded inward as more dark figures poured into the room. The emergency lights went out completely, plunging them into darkness.

Isabella heard fighting all around her - growling, snarling, the sound of claws against skin. Someone grabbed her arm in the darkness.

"Isabella!" It was Damien's voice, but she couldn't see him.

"I'm here!" she called back.

But then a different hand grabbed her other arm, pulling her in the opposite direction. A voice whispered in her ear, cold and ancient.

"Come with us now, or watch everyone you care about die."

In the darkness, Isabella had to make an impossible choice. Save herself, or save everyone else.

The dagger in her dress felt heavy as she made her decision.

"Let me go," she said firmly.

"Isabella, no!" Damien's voice was desperate.

But it was too late. Isabella had made her choice, and nothing would ever be the same.