Chapter 3

Isolde's POV

Every eye in my father's office burned into me like hot coals. My stepmother's glare was venomous, her face twisted with rage, while Sybilla's pale green eyes narrowed to slits, radiating pure hatred.

Beta Nathaniel broke the silence. "Given the circumstances, I see no reason to delay. You'll both join the Moon Alliance Program effective immediately."

"Now?" Sybilla squeaked, her carefully constructed facade crumbling. "But—I need time to pack, to say goodbye to—"

"You'll be provided with everything you need," Nathaniel cut her off. "Silver Moon Group prides itself on... accommodating its special guests."

The way he said "special guests" sent a chill down my spine. We weren't guests. We were collateral for a debt—human currency in a transaction between powerful werewolves.

My father rose from his seat, a desperate look in his eyes. "Perhaps we could discuss this privately, Beta Nathaniel. I'm sure we can work something—"

"There's nothing to discuss," Nathaniel interrupted. "Our Alpha's terms are final. Both daughters in exchange for debt forgiveness."

"At least allow them a day to prepare," my father pleaded. "Just twenty-four hours."

Nathaniel consulted his phone briefly, then nodded. "You have until tomorrow morning. A car will arrive at 9 AM sharp. Be ready." His cold eyes swept over me and Sybilla. "Pack lightly. As I said, everything will be provided."

With that, he strode out of the office, leaving behind a vacuum of shocked silence.

The moment the front door clicked shut, my stepmother exploded. "This is your fault!" she screamed at me, her perfectly manicured finger jabbing the air inches from my face. "If you hadn't opened your big mouth about Kieran, Sybilla wouldn't be in this situation!"

"My fault?" I laughed, the sound hollow and bitter. "You were the one who volunteered me for this 'program' before you even knew what it was!"

"I was protecting our family!" she shrieked. "Your father's business, our home—everything we've worked for!"

"By selling me? How motherly of you," I spat.

"You ungrateful little—"

"Enough!" My father's voice cracked like a whip. "What's done is done. The decision is made."

I turned to him, searching his face for any sign of the father who had once taught me to ride a bike, who had cheered at my martial arts tournaments. "And you're just going to let this happen? Let them take your daughters away to become... what exactly? What is this Moon Alliance Program?"

A heavy silence followed my question. My father and stepmother exchanged loaded glances.

They know, Lyra whispered. They know exactly what we're being sold into.

"It's an elite recruitment program," my father finally said, not meeting my eyes. "Silver Moon Group selects promising young werewolves for... special positions within their organization."

"What kind of positions?" I pressed.

Another uncomfortable silence.

"It's an honor," my stepmother interjected, her voice suddenly brittle. "Many girls would kill for this opportunity."

"Then why don't you look happy about Sybilla going?" I challenged.

When no one answered, Kieran—who had remained silent throughout the entire exchange—cleared his throat. "It's a harem," he said quietly. "The Moon Alliance Program is Silver Moon's way of saying 'werewolf harem.' They're recruiting potential mates for their top executives. Particularly for their Alpha."

The word hung in the air like a noxious gas. Harem. An outdated, barbaric tradition from the old werewolf days, repackaged with a sleek, corporate name.

"Is this true?" I asked my father, my voice barely a whisper.

He couldn't look at me. "It's more complex than that. There are opportunities—"

"To be sex slaves?" Sybilla shrieked, suddenly finding her voice. "Daddy, you can't let this happen! Not to me!"

She threw herself at our father, clutching his arm. "Please, Daddy! I can't go there! I'm your little girl! Your princess!"

The "not me" was implicit. Me, she didn't care about. But herself? Unthinkable.

My father patted her head awkwardly. "Sweetheart, I'll... I'll figure something out. I promise."

I watched this display with a strange detachment. Of course he'd try to save Sybilla. He always did. But me? I was on my own, as always.

We don't need him, Lyra growled. We've never needed any of them.

I turned and walked toward the door.

"Where are you going?" my father called after me.

"To pack," I replied without turning around. "Apparently, I have a new job at Silver Moon Group."

---

Back in my room, I sat on my bed, staring at the open suitcase before me. What do you pack when you're being sold into a werewolf harem? The question was so absurd I almost laughed.

A soft knock at my door interrupted my thoughts. Kieran stood in the doorway, his face a mask of regret.

"Can we talk?" he asked.

"There's nothing to say," I replied coldly.

He stepped inside anyway, closing the door behind him. "Isolde, I'm sorry. I never meant for things to happen this way."

"Which part? Sleeping with my sister or getting caught?"

He winced. "I deserve that. But you have to understand—"

"I don't have to understand anything," I cut him off. "You made your choice. Now I'm paying for it."

"That's not fair," he protested. "This situation with Silver Moon—it has nothing to do with me and Sybilla."

I barked out a laugh. "Doesn't it? If Sybilla hadn't lied about you being her mate, maybe I'd be the only one going. But she couldn't help herself—she had to drag you into her lie. And now we're both being shipped off to some corporate werewolf harem."

Kieran ran a hand through his hair. "Listen, I know people at Silver Moon. It's not as bad as it sounds. The girls there are treated well. Some even find real mates among the executives."

"Is that supposed to make me feel better?" I asked incredulously.

"I'm just saying... make the best of it. Silver Moon Group is powerful. Being chosen for their program is... it's actually an honor."

I stared at him, seeing him clearly for the first time. "Get out."

"Isolde—"

"Get. Out." I let a hint of a growl enter my voice, my eyes flashing briefly yellow. "Before I throw you out."

He backed toward the door. "I really am sorry, Isolde. I hope someday you'll—"

"Don't hold your breath," I said, turning away from him.

After he left, I resumed packing. In my bedroom, I finally broke down. Sobs wracked my body as I clutched my pillow. I didn't know why the people I loved always betrayed me. First my father, then my friends, now Kieran.

My gaze fell on a photograph — me as a little girl between my parents. Mom's smile was genuine, Dad's arm around me with pride. That was before everything changed. Before Sybilla and her mother arrived.

I traced my mother's face. "I miss you so much, Mom," I whispered.

Would I ever find her? The questions haunting me for years resurfaced with new urgency now that I was leaving.

The thought of the Moon Alliance Program made my stomach clench. Would I lose my freedom forever?

Strangely, leaving my father's mansion wasn't entirely unwelcome. This place hadn't felt like home in years. Not since Dad changed after Sybilla and her mother came into our lives.

I sighed deeply, wondering what awaited us at Silver Moon Headquarters.