Chapter 3

　　I ran into my room and fell on my bed. Tears couldn’t help running down my cheeks. 　　“To be a breeder. How could they do this to me!” I wanted to yell, but I knew that no one would listen to me. 　　I was so desperate that I curled up, put my arms around my legs, and trembled. I wished that my parents were still alive. Then I could rush into my mother’s arms and cry out without caring what others thought. No. If my mother were still alive, she would never let such a thing happen. 　　The necklace had an oval white opal pendant. It was my mother's gift to me for my come-of-age ceremony. She said that when I grew up, I could wear this necklace to meet my mate, and my mate would be astonished and fall in love with me at first glance. 　　A few years ago, Gerardo wanted to sell it for money. I begged him to let me keep it even if I knew that would irritate him. That was the only thing I had from my dear mother. 　　As the daughter of an Alpha, I was supposed to be respected, treasured, and loved. My mate might be another Alpha, and he would claim that I was his Luna. My father would proudly announce that his daughter was born to be a queen. 　　But, here, I had the lowest status. No one cared about me. 　　A series of urgent knocks on the door brought me back to reality. 　　"Pack your things. They are coming." Frida stood next to the door. 　　“Come on. Don’t make things hard.” She was impatient. 　　I slowly stood up. 　　“Take a shower and get dressed.” 　　My head was a mess. I couldn’t think of anything but did as Frida said. 　　I tottered into the bathroom. When I felt the hot water on my body, I gradually stopped trembling. 　　"Do you have any idea how lucky you are? I heard he is wealthy and powerful. His pack is much larger than ours," Frida said outside the bathroom. I could hear her rooting around my drawers and wardrobe. 　　"He is also the ruthless Alpha and kills people randomly if they can't make him satisfied." I finished the shower and walked out of the bathroom. 　　Frida turned around and looked at me with contempt. "You never know to be appreciative." Then, she pointed to the bed. "Dress this. Mom specifically prepared for you." 　　It was a white strapless dress. Kaylie actually spent money to buy a dress for me. It seemed that she really wanted to sell me to the Alpha of Mercado. She wanted the buyer to believe that I was worth the money they paid. 　　I put on the dress. "Look at you! What a lovely girl!" Frida’s voice was ironic. 　　I looked at the table. There lay a necklace. That was why she had rotted my things. She had been looking for it. 　　I looked at myself in the mirror. The white strapless design revealed my swan neck and fair skin, and the elegant bodice showed my body perfectly. My copper hair was shiny like silk, lying down to my waist. And the airy chiffon skirt was just long enough to show my slim shins. 　　But then, I saw the bruises on my skin. My eyes were red because of crying. In fact, I looked terrible. I was just a poor girl waiting to be picked up by the buyer. Tears welled up in my eyes again. 　　"Stop being pathetic." Frida interrupted my thoughts. "I'm really sick of you being like this. Like you are the most pitiful girl in the world." 　　I didn't say anything but started to collect my things. I only had several T-shirts, two pairs of jeans, and some underwear. I stuck them into a bag. 　　Frida watched me collect my things, in case I took something that she thought didn't belong to me. 　　"You’re going to be a mistress of a wealthy pack. Lucky you." Rangel showed up nowhere and leaned against the door frame. 　　"Okay. We are done. Let's go." Frida urged me. 　　But Rangel's body occupied almost all the space of the door, and I couldn't get out without touching him. He smiled at me wryly. 　　I braced myself and squeezed out of the door at the fastest speed I could. When I got out of the room, I began to run. Rangel seemed to be annoyed. He shouted behind me, "Why are you running? Are you so desperate to meet your new master?" 　　He also sped up and grabbed my arm. I tried to get rid of him but failed. He grabbed me so hard. 　　I saw his eyes widen. I knew I pissed him off again. 　　"Rangel, please let me go." I tried my best to hold my fear and begged him. 　　"Don't you dare to dodge me!" he roared in a low voice and raised his left hand. 　　I closed my eyes and shrank, waiting for his fist to fall on me. 　　It didn't come as I expected. I opened my eyes and saw Rangel slowly put down his left hand. But he still grabbed my arm with his right hand. 　　I suddenly realized something and followed his line of sight to look downstairs. 　　Gerardo and Kaylie were standing downstairs. There was also a man in a black suit I hadn't seen before. The man was very tall. I instinctively clutched my chest. Two men were standing a little distance behind him in the shadow. It was too dark to see their faces. 　　"Cora, come here." Kaylie waved her hand to me. 　　"Mr. Beasley, isn't she beautiful? She has been preparing for your arrival," she smiled flatteringly at the man. 　　But the Beta ignored her. His eyes were still focused on me. 　　"Do as she said," he ordered. His voice wasn't loud, but it was enough for Rangel to hear. 　　Rangel sneered. He suddenly put forth the strength of his right hand and swung. I lost my balance and screamed. 　　When I came back to my senses, I found myself in the Beta's arms. He caught me. 　　He gently helped me to stand up. After he made sure I didn't get hurt and could stand by myself, he withdrew his hands immediately. 　　"Thank you..." I was flushed and said in a low voice. 　　"You're welcome, Miss Cora. I'm Sean," the Beta smiled at me. His smile was so gentle. Didn't know why I was not as frightened as just now. 　　"Why are there bruises on her?" Sean asked. His voice was deep. 　　"It was because of the high heels. You fell down the stairs earlier today. Didn't you, Cora?" Kaylie stared at me as she said. 　　"Yes. I fell down the stairs. I'm sorry..." It was a terrible lie. 　　"Really?" Sean seemed not to believe it. 　　"Why did you ask so many questions? She's perfectly fine and complete," Rangel suddenly said in an arrogant tone.