Tiffany Viaje Del Cargador stood before the Alpha Council, her face resolute despite the swirling doubts in the room.
The black cloak that draped to her ankles covered every inch of her skin, yet it failed to shield her from the six pairs of cold, predatory eyes staring at her. Lust and disdain radiated from them, meant to intimidate her. But her father had told her this day was special. If she wanted a seat on the council—or to replace him—she had to stand against these men.
So, she stood firm, knowing these predators would devour her if they could.
“Gentlemen of the Council,” her father declared rigidly at the podium. His voice echoed through the chamber filled with the portraits of distinguished billionaires who had ruled the world for centuries, each tied to this syndicate where Alejandro Viaje Del Cargador, her shrewd 57-year-old father, was now Don.
“Today, we celebrate the 18th birthday of my only daughter, Tiffany. As my heir, she inherits everything I own, including my position in the Alpha Brotherhood.”
As expected, the council exploded with outrage.
“Impossible! She’s a woman, Don Alejandro! No female has ever led this brotherhood!”
“I’ll never accept it! If we allow a woman to lead us, what does that make us?”
“Besides, she’s just a child!”
Tiffany pressed her lips into a thin line. She had anticipated this. No matter how many accomplishments she threw at them, these greedy councilmen would never be satisfied.
It was true—only men had ever led the brotherhood. Her generation, however, had produced no sons. That’s something that had long disappointed her father. He had even called her an abomination once. But, like it or not, he had no choice but to send her to an elite assassin academy for the children of billionaires. She was a Del Cargador, after all, and only a Del Cargador could claim such a legacy.
“She is my daughter, my own flesh and blood,” the Don replied. “She’s here because I have no son. But Tiffany is prepared to meet any challenge the Alpha Council presents after her initiation. As agreed, if she fails, she will be dismissed from leadership obligations and will be married to a man of the council’s choosing. Her husband will assume control until a rightful heir is born. But Tiffany does not want this path. She is here to prove her worth as my heir.”
Tiffany’s jaw tightened as the councilmen’s protests grew louder.
“I believe there are better options, Don Alejandro,” a wealthy member piped up. “You should just marry her off to one of our sons—”
“Or to one of us!” another chimed in, earning laughter from the others.
Fury rose in her chest as she listened to their crude suggestions. She had enough.
“Gentlemen,” she began, keeping her voice steady despite the storm within, “I’ve already made it clear—I will not marry until I’m ready. This isn’t a joke. My gender will not hinder this brotherhood, especially not when I was raised by the Don himself. I’ve trained my whole life for this. I am a Del Cargador, born and raised in this lineage. Our family always rules. Even you, Alpha Council, can’t—won’t—take my birthright away from me.”
Silence followed her words, broken only by the clatter of a pen hitting the floor.
“All right, young miss,” a council member finally conceded. “You’ve made your case. Now, the next step...”
“Let’s hear it,” her father commanded.
“If she truly wishes to lead, we want her to hunt down and kill the leader of the Dragon Brotherhood.”
Tiffany cocked her head slightly. She had heard the name. The council had struggled with this enemy for some time. It was ironic—these men flaunted their masculinity, yet couldn’t take down their greatest foe without handing the task to a young woman. Sighing, she nodded. “I accept the council’s challenge. But when I succeed, you will give me the loyalty and respect I’m owed.”
She scanned their grim faces, including her father’s. She hated these men. Even as they offered her a chance to claim her place, the situation still felt demeaning.
“Then it’s settled,” the council said in unison.
A ledger was passed around, each member signing the documents with human blood as ink.
Finally, she said to herself. The initiation had begun.
Afterward, Don Alejandro signaled her to step onto the platform. Again, she felt their eyes on her, sizing her up, passing judgment. But this time, she felt more determined than ever.
“We give nothing freely,” her father said. “We honor the society our ancestors built, and the Alpha Council has spoken. Are you ready to accept your fate, my child?”
The room fell into tense silence. Smirking, Tiffany met her father’s gaze. “Yes, Papa. I am always reminded by our family’s motto: we take what is ours.”
With that, the council circled her, chanting. Her father remained beside her, drawing a knife. He sliced both his palm and hers, and Tiffany barely flinched at the pain. She had endured far worse at the academy.
After the blood compact, clasping their bloodied hands together, her father guided her to the next step. “Now, child, take off your cloak,” he commanded as the chanting intensified. Tiffany obeyed, letting the cloak drop to the floor, her skin glowing under the dim light. By this time, only a thin garment covered her most intimate areas. She could feel their stares again, but she was unmoved. She would never let them touch her.
“Receive the seal, Tiffany,” the Don instructed, pulling her back to the present. Then, he guided her to kneel. “This will mark your commitment to the brotherhood.”
Two council members grabbed her arms roughly as a glowing iron seal was brought forward. “This is just like a tattoo,” she told herself as she eyed the red-hot metal. “Just without ink…”
The searing heat pressed into her shoulder. Tiffany blinked hard, forcing back tears.
“You are the heiress,” her father whispered. “Welcome to the Brotherhood.”
Before Tiffany could fully process his words, he drove the burning iron deep into her flesh. The agony was immediate, shooting through her entire body, tearing a scream from her lips.
As the Alpha Council’s chants echoed in her ears and consciousness began to fade, her father’s cold voice lingered: “Now prove to us you won’t die out there, little girl…”
