Chapter 4 My Owner Is Coming

Rachel's POV

The sharp scent of antiseptic and medication stung my nostrils as consciousness slowly returned to me. My head throbbed with a splitting pain that made it impossible to open my eyes.

Every inch of my body ached as I lay motionless on what felt like a hospital bed, trying to piece together where I was.

Soft voices filtered through the darkness—two women speaking in hushed tones nearby.

"She's in poor condition... I don't think she can..."

"...she must recover first... conception..."

"...perhaps there's a chance... pregnancy... I have a supplement that helps... it promotes..."

My foggy mind registered sympathy for whoever this poor girl was they were discussing. Someone in a difficult situation, apparently being prepared for pregnancy.

How awful.

As I drifted between consciousness and darkness, fragments of memories began resurfacing. I was Rachel Sullivan, daughter of Alpha Henry of the Pine Ridge Pack.

After my mother Marie died, I'd done everything possible to care for both my father and our pack.

I remembered the promise I'd made to my mother on her deathbed—that Dad and I would take care of each other.

But no matter how desperately I tried, how I poured my very soul into meeting his expectations, it was never enough after Isabel entered our lives.

It felt like I simply faded into the background, my efforts meaningless. And now... the ultimate, soul-crushing betrayal: he hadn't just discarded me, he'd sold me.

Sold me like chattel to the Alpha of the Ironjaw Pack. My heart fractured as the cold reality hit: my only worth, stripped away, reduced to the hollow function of being a breeder.

A breeder... the word echoed like a final judgment, erasing everything I was, everything I hoped to be.

My eyes flew open as panic surged through me. I was here—I'd actually arrived at the Ironjaw Pack territory.

The last thing I remembered was climbing into Tyler's car, watching raindrops slide down the window as we drove away from the only home I'd ever known. Then my vision had blurred, and I'd fallen into a deep sleep.

But why was I in what appeared to be some kind of medical facility instead of being taken directly to Alpha Nathan?

"...she should be awake by now," a female voice said nearby.

A wave of dawning horror washed over me as I realized those women weren't talking about some other unfortunate girl—they were talking about me!

Conception. Pregnancy. Supplements. The words echoed, cold and impersonal, painting a future I couldn't escape.

My role as a breeder suddenly felt terrifyingly real, a chilling dread gripping my soul.

Fear made me tremble, but even that small movement sent waves of pain through my body.

"Tyler, you're here!" a cheerful voice called out. "I was just bringing her some food. She must be starving."

"Make it quick, Vicky. Alpha Nathan will be here soon," came Tyler's deep, even response.

A white curtain surrounding my bed was suddenly pulled back, revealing a young woman with long black hair and a bright smile.

When everyone's eyes turned toward me, I instinctively shrank back against the pillows.

I realized I was still wearing my mother's ivory white dress, though it was now wrinkled and slightly soiled.

"Hello there," said a woman with warm brown eyes, moving to my bedside. "I'm Dr. Emma Carter, Chief Medical Officer of the Ironjaw Pack."

I recognized her voice—she'd been discussing pregnancy earlier.

A golden-brown-haired woman leaned forward. "Are you hungry? I brought some soup and bread."

I shook my head, my stomach too knotted with anxiety to even consider food.

"Poor girl. You look so pale," she said sympathetically. "But don't worry, you'll be fine. Emma is the best doctor in our pack." She smiled warmly. "I'm Victoria, by the way. Tyler's sister."

I couldn't hide my surprise. Victoria was bubbly and talkative, while Tyler seemed stoic and serious most of the time.

"I need to check your vitals," Emma said, reaching toward me.

I flinched violently, a purely automatic reaction to her sudden movement. She froze for a beat, then slowly raised both hands, open and unthreatening.

"Take it easy," she murmured, "I won't hurt you, I promise."

Swallowing hard against the fear still lodged in my throat, I managed a jerky, hesitant nod.

Only then did she move closer, her actions deliberate and slow, as she began taking my temperature and checking my pulse.

"You can eat whenever you feel ready," Victoria assured me. "Just let me know."

My eyes drifted to Tyler, who leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, watching Emma's every move intently.

As the examination continued, my tension began to ease slightly.

Despite the Ironjaw Pack's fearsome reputation, they hadn't treated me badly so far. Perhaps the pack's terrifying reputation stemmed entirely from their Alpha.

"Your dress is beautiful," Victoria commented. "Who made it for you?"

"It was... my mother's gift..." I began, but emotion clogged my throat, making it impossible to continue.

"Vicky," Tyler intervened, "she doesn't want to talk right now. Let's not overwhelm her all at once."

"You're right. I'm sorry," Victoria apologized. "You need your rest."

Gathering my courage, I asked the question that had been weighing on me. "May I ask what work I'm supposed to do?" I tried to push back the blanket, wincing through the pain. "My father took Alpha's money. I need to work to repay the debt."

No one answered.

Suddenly, the atmosphere in the room changed dramatically.

Emma hastily finished her examination and packed away her equipment. Victoria moved to stand beside Tyler, her previously cheerful demeanor vanishing. Tyler stood straighter, his Beta presence more pronounced.

Even Emma's gentle professionalism gave way to tension as she stood rigidly, as if awaiting instructions.

I heard footsteps approaching—two or three people at least. Then a tall, dark-haired figure entered the room.

He was imposing—tall with pale skin and slightly curly black hair, sharply defined facial features and a strong jaw. Despite standing across the room, his Alpha aura was so powerful it made it difficult for me to breathe.

An unnatural silence fell as he entered. I noticed Victoria, Tyler, and Emma all lowered their eyes, turning their necks slightly toward him—the typical wolf posture of submission.

With a wave of terror washing over me, I realized I was looking at Alpha Nathan Blackwood himself.

The man who now owned me.