Kieran's True Mate

Sheryl’s POV

I knew something was wrong the moment I sat down at the dinner table. The air felt heavy, and my father, Alpha Theodore, sat at the head of the table, his aura radiating a cold, dangerous energy that made me want to shrink into my chair. Alexandria - my stepmother - ate her meal like she didn't give a f*ck about the atmosphere, while Victoria - her daughter - scrolled through her phone absentmindedly, probably updating her social media fans about her beautiful life.

Yes. My step-sister lived a beautiful life filled with glamour, parties, and hot guys. And me? I’ve been reduced to something less than a slave. I'm constantly hidden away in my room by my father, who hates the sight of me. He treats Victoria like a precious jewel, and she isn't even his daughter.

My thoughts drifted, as they often did, to my mother. I was just twelve when she died, defending our pack during a brutal nighttime attack. The memory of her blood, the way she’d fell protecting me, still haunted my dreams. And my father had never forgiven me for surviving when she didn’t.

“I have an announcement,” Theodore cleared his throat, his voice cutting through my memories.

I looked up, my heart suddenly racing. Something in his tone warned me that whatever was coming wasn’t good. He always used that tone to deliver bad news.

“Sinclair Astrid, the Alpha of Ravenmoon pack demands payment,” he said, his voice flat and devoid of emotion. “The debt I owe is substantial, and I have no means to repay him.”

Alpha Sinclair? Even his name sent a chill down my spine. I had heard stories about him - a ruthless leader known for his cruelty, a wolf who showed no mercy. Why had my father borrowed money from him, knowing how evil he was?

When Theodore's eyes met mine, fear gripped me instantly. He hardly looks at me, hardly maintains eye contact. Something was wrong. And whatever he was about to say, had something to do with me.

“He wants something in exchange for canceling my debt,” Theodore continued. "One of my daughters."

And then I understood. Me. I was the payment. He would willingly throw me to the devil.

“No,” I whispered, the word barely escaping my lips.

Theodore’s nod confirmed my worst fears. “You will be sent to Alpha Sinclair tomorrow. You will pay the price for our pack’s survival.”

Panic exploded inside me. All rational thought disappeared. I had to escape, now! I had to run. Anything was better than being handed over to a monster who would likely kill me or worse.

I launched myself up, my chair clattering to the floor. But Theodore was always one step ahead. Before I could reach the door, two of his strongest guards blocked my path. Their strong hands grabbed me as I screamed and fought.

“Please, father!” I pleaded, pure terror consuming me. “I’ll do anything! I’ll be good, I’ll never complain or cause you trouble! Please don’t send me away! I'm begging you! Don't send me there, I won't survive it!”

But Theodore’s face remained a mask of stone. Victoria smiled slyly, while Alexandria continued eating like a Queen.

“You’ll be ready tomorrow,” my father said coldly. “Alpha Sinclair will collect what is owed.”

In that moment, I knew my life was over. "You can't do this, Father. Take Victoria instead, I'm your daughter, your blood. You haven't even spent a penny on me! Why am I paying for a debt I never partook in?!" I screamed, but Theodore was beyond reasoning.

“Take her to her room, and stand guard outside. Make sure she doesn’t escape.” He commanded, not even bothering to look at me, but I saw the disgust in his face.

Guards surrounded me, blocking any potential escape route. My heart raced as I was being dragged out and roughly pushed into my room.

The door jammed shut with a loud bang, crushing any remnants of hope I had left.

Hours passed slowly as I anxiously paced my room, thinking of how to save myself from this impending doom. I can't be here when Sinclair arrives tomorrow. He has to take Victoria instead; she's the one indirectly eating and spending his money. Not me.

At a point, I had to sit and think, but no solution was forthcoming.

Then an idea sprang up, and I stood up immediately.

Slowly and quietly, I moved toward the bathroom. I examined the window and discovered I could go through. It wasn't that wide, but for my flexible body, it could work.

I quickly unlatched the window, pushing it open as quietly as I could.

The cool night air hit my face, filled the the scent of freedom. Without hesitation, I squeezed through the opening and dropped silently onto the soft ground outside.

My heart thundered in my chest, freedom was just meters away. The outer gate was very close, waiting for me to pass through it.

I tiptoed carefully through the grounds, almost bouncing off to my freedom, when a familiar voice stopped me in my tracks.

“And where do you think you’re going?”

Sheryl’s POV

I froze. Slowly turning, and then I saw Victoria emerging from the shadows, her eyes gleaming with a satisfied smirk that sent chills down my spine.

“You can’t escape, Sheryl,” she said, her voice dripping with malice. “If you run, Sinclair won’t just kill you. He’ll destroy our entire pack. Is that what you want?”

I turned to face her, my body still trembling from the fact that I'd lost my only chance at escaping.

“I don't want to exchange words with you, Victoria. Step aside and let me pass.”

She threw back her head and laughed hard as she came to stand in front of me. "You must be delusional to think I'll let you walk through that gate."

I couldn't let her stop me. Not when my life was at risk. "You don't understand. Sinclair will kill me immediately I set foot in his park."

S