The Alpha Family’s Lie Chapter 01
After my Alpha parents died, the Beta seized control of the Pack and saddled my brother and me with a crushing debt that ran into the millions..
To pay it off, we crossed into Human Territories. He became a haunted property tester, while I played corpses on film sets.
For five years straight, I never dared take a day off. Yet the debt remained.
By year’s end, only one hundred and thirty thousand dollars was left. Desperation drove me to sign up for clinical trials at the Pack Medical Center.
Afterward, I rushed to my brother, Jakub Petrova, clutching the cash.
Crash.
I froze outside our door. His low voice carried through the thin walls:
“Relax, Mom and Dad. Anya’s doing fine. Just enjoy Hawaii.”
“She’s learned her lesson. We can end this punishment next year.”
What? Our parents weren’t dead? Our Pack wasn’t lost?
These five years of suffering were all a lesson about my spending?
That’s ridiculous!
My smile vanished.
Nausea surged up my throat. A metallic taste flooded my mouth, and blood spilled onto the floor.
The Pharma Corp agent had warned me during the trials.
“Have you thought about it? Once you sign this contract, we take no responsibility for any consequences.”
He repeatedly stressed that the signed contract was legally binding.
After taking the medicine, there was a five-hour observation period.
If no immediate complications occurred, I would have no right to hold the company responsible even if I died later.
Back then, I’d signed eagerly to free Jakub from debt.
But now?
Staring at the cash I’d traded my health for, bitterness choked me.
I wiped my bloody lip with my sleeve and pushed inside.
Jakub hung up hastily.
His eyes locked on the blood staining my shirt.
“What happened?”
He rushed over, gripping my shoulders.
I shoved him off and replied calmly, “Stage blood. From a shoot.”
“Thank goodness. I thought you were hurt.”
Relief flickered in his gaze until he noticed the money bag. His Alpha aura spiked, suspicion hardening his voice.
“Where did you get this, Anya Petrova? Did you steal it?”
My chest tightened. Suddenly, I realized I didn’t know him at all.
Steal? Was that truly his first thought?
Clenching my fists, I forced calm.
“Director’s bonus. Crew welfare.”
His frown deepened. “Cash bonuses? Since when?”
“Since today.” I met his stare, exhaustion sharpening my tone.
“You said we need thirty thousand dollars. Here it is. Or should I return it?”
He looked straight at me, then snatched the bag.
“I’ll deliver it to the creditors tomorrow.” Changing the subject, he asked, “Dinner? I’ll cook.”
I scanned the cramped apartment. A bed, a wardrobe, a bathroom, that was all. No kitchen just a secondhand hot pot bought from a flea market by fifty dollars, its frayed wires patched with black tape.
Suddenly, I asked, “Aren’t you tired, Jakub?”
He turned, smiling faintly.
“Not really. My job’s easy, just lying around. You’re the one who’s endured so much.”
What I really wanted to ask was whether he ever got tired of pretending.
He, an Alpha, heir to billions, slumming here to punish me was it worth it?
Unfortunately, he hadn’t understood. So, I pressed harder, locking eyes with him.
“Jakub… do you really think I’m wasteful?”