Bound by the Alpha: Hybrid Villainess Obsession

Everyone in the Frostborne Mansion was talking about the lavish celebration that House Frostborne hosted for their daughter Ashara's coming-of-age. As the moon cast its magnificent light on the entire land of Detrioz, guests continued to flow, bearing gifts of high value. This lavish celebration was a bait by the Frostborne to get the most noblest of werewolves for their beloved daughter, Ashara, rivaling the high-profile engagement of their adopted daughter, Aetheria, to the noble Quinlan Brancacci, the rumored next Alpha of the De Laurentiis Thribe that rules all other packs. In the shadowed realms where the moon reigns supreme, the De Laurentiis family stands as the unchallenged sovereigns, revered by the ten old packs of werewolves that roam the earth. This venerable lineage, cloaked in mystery and power, wields an authority so strong that it sends shivers down the spines of the other packs, who dare not cross their path. This power makes the De Laurentiis not just a family but a dynasty, engraved in the annals of time. Amidst the jubilation, Luiz and Shezafera Frostborne were eagerly scanning through the sea of guests. "Did we invite the De Laurentiis?" Luiz murmured anxiously, "we can't mess this up," he whispered. Shezafera nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, and I truly insist on having them as our in-laws. It is the best pick for Ashara. Shezafera's thinking strayed to Aetheria, and the chat took another turn. "It's infuriating," she snapped. "That Aetheria, a mere human, is now engaged to a Brancacci with De Laurentiis blood, yet here we are still finding a match for our dear child. Adopting that human was a wrong move, Luiz." Luiz's eyes narrowed after hearing Shezafera's nagging remarks, yet he tenderly put a soothing hand on her shoulder, feeling with her as she was completely frustrated. Meanwhile, Aetheria glided gracefully through the crowd, effortlessly balancing trays of wine. She was just wearing a casual dress, yet she looked so elegant. Anyone whom she passes by will turn their heads to take a look at her etherial beauty. Her hair floated like a black sea of glitter, and her golden eyes were dreamy. The servants and butlers, who held a strong fondness for her, tried to stop her. "Miss Aetheria, please allow us to handle that for you. You really shouldn't be working on such an occasion," Thomas, the head butler, said with a concerned expression on his face. Aetheria greeted him with a warm, appreciative smile. "Thank you, Thomas, but I don't mind at all. My wrists and legs would strain if I stayed for far too long in my room." "But it's not right," Martha, one of the maids, interjected in a gentle yet obstinate voice. "You're a member of this family, not a servant nor someone who just happens to be here." Aetheria's smile remained unrestrained, not even a hint of darkness passed over her kind gaze. "In this house, I find happiness wherever I want to. So please, Thomas and Martha, allow this humble human to be happy." Aetheria let out a sweet smile that matched her naturally red lips. The staff exchanged glances; their admiration for her is growing alongside a shared empathy for her situation. They observed her graceful movement, unaffected by the life she was forced to live in. Despite the fact that the household staff loved her, Aetheria felt a growing distance from her adoptive parents with each passing day. Yet she found solace and love in her bond with Ashara, or so she believed. Little did Aetheria know, a betrayal unfolded. Ashara and Quinlan, in a secluded room far from the bustling event, were wrapped in each other's arms, exchanging promises and love vows intended for lovers alone. “You know you are the one I’ve wanted all along, Ashara,” Quinlan whispered as he planted a soft kiss on Ashara's hand. His light touch was intentionally sending a tingling feeling inside her. "And you're the one I want, Quinlan. But what about Aetheria?" Ashara's voice was filled with a blend of longing and worry, her breath catching as Quinlan's fingers gently moved along her back. "Aetheria... she doesn't ignite the same passion within me as you do." Quinlan's confession was filled with intense emotion; his eyes were reflecting a deep longing as he gently untied her dress. Their whispers filled the space with an undeniable intensity of betrayal, their desire for one another eclipsing any feelings of remorse or worry. "Let's just enjoy this now; I promise you, I will abandon her." Ashara sighed and then smiled. As Aetheria gracefully made her way through the bustling crowd, her adoptive father, Luiz, called out to her. "Aetheria, would you find your sister Ashara for us?" Though it sounds like a gentle request for anyone listening, Aetheria was well aware that it was a command. "Certainly, Father," Aetheria responded, gently placing the tray she was carrying on a nearby table. She started looking for Ashara. As she made her way through the halls of the Frostborne estate, the sounds of the party gradually receded into the background. Then she heard a voice she could recognize, pulling her towards one of the guest rooms. A captivating glimmer of light invited her, enticing her to approach. The unexpected scene that greeted her through the narrow gap left her completely taken aback. Quinlan, the person she cherished most and sought solace in, was embracing another woman. To her surprise, it was none other than her own sister, Ashara, the one she believed would always be her protector. Just as Aetheria was trying to make sense of the situation, the door suddenly swung open, revealing Ashara and Quinlan in their most intimate state. Quinlan, undeterred by the attention, stood with a calm composure that concealed the chaos he had stirred. Aetheria's eyes filled with tears as she asked, "Why?" Ashara, pretending to be innocent, jumped out of bed and tried to hug her, saying, "Aetheria, it's not what you think." Aetheria, however, pushed her away with force after feeling a wave of rage. Ashara's act continued as she dramatically fell to the ground, prompting Quinlan to rush to her side, assisting her onto the bed with a protective hug. Quinlan then fixed his gaze on Aetheria with a stern and commanding expression. He emitted a fierce growl, a sound that carried the authority of his dominant position. Aetheria quivered, sensing the power of his control. "You've always acted so pure, so untouchable," Quinlan taunted, his disdain for her apparent in every word. "You never allowed me the opportunity to form a close bond, consistently keeping me at a distance as if I were a lesser being in your eyes. A human declining a future Alpha of the most powerful pack? What a shame!" Quinlan sneered. His hand instinctively reached for her neck, grasping it with authority and contempt. "And that's what you are, Aetheria—a human with limited strength and vulnerability who believes they are superior to someone like me. But you're merely a prey. A pawn!" The harsh words stung, and each one Quinlan spoke caused Aetheria's heart to ache. She had adored and confided in him. Yet here he stood, an unfamiliar figure towering over her in a very horrifying way. Aetheria, overcome with emotion, fought to regain her composure. "Quinlan, you meant so much to me. "I trusted you. You loved me, you said," she whispered, her voice filled with disappointment and hurt. Quinlan's response was a dismissive chuckle, lacking the warmth or affection he had once displayed towards her. "Love? Who would trust such words? Those words hold no value, Aetheria. And you, my dear, are the most foolish of them all. Aetheria was left devastated, her entire world collapsing in on itself. The tension in the room escalated as the door swung open, revealing Shezafera and Luiz standing on the doorway. Upon first glance, they noticed Quinlan, who was barely dressed, Ashara, who was holding the comforter tightly to her body, and Aetheria, who was gasping for air as tears streamed down her face from the trauma she had witnessed. "Mother," Aetheria gasped, her voice a mixture of desperation and hope, seeking an ally in her adoptive mother. Shezafera cast a detached, icy gaze over Aetheria. "Fix yourself, Aetheria." She walked by Aetheria to tend to Ashara, lovingly adjusting her clothes with compassion, those emotions she had never shown Aetheria. "You look awful, all tears and despair," she whispered dismissively. The words sliced through the thick air, striking Aetheria's already shattered heart. Turning to her father, Aetheria's voice broke as she uttered, "Father, please. I'm in pain," she tearfully whispered while clasping her clothes right above her chest. But Luiz remained silent, his eyes void of the warmth Aetheria was seeking. With a stern voice, he directed Quinlan, "Follow me," and stormed out of the room after throwing a cold glance at her, his departure marked by a chilling coldness that left Aetheria feeling more isolated than ever. Quinlan, after hastily dressing in his suit, paused to cast a final glance at Aetheria, slumped and defeated on the floor. "You see, Aetheria, no one cares for you. You're nothing but a human, too weak and insignificant to matter in our world," he sneered, his voice low yet laced with poison. "I hope you realize now that your so-called family sees you as nothing more than an inconvenience." With those parting words, Quinlan left, following Luiz out of the room, leaving a trail of silence in his wake. Shezafera, now done with her pretense of motherly concern for Ashara, guided her out of the room. Ashara cast a cold, intimidating glance over her shoulder at Aetheria, a look that spoke volumes of disdain and superiority. Aetheria was left alone, her sobs echoing in the emptiness of the room, a reminder of her solitude in a family that had never truly been hers.