What betrayal is this?

Fiona’s POV

“What?” I asked, clearly shocked before a sting of betrayal enveloped me.

“He'll come for you soon so go make yourself look presentable” My father dismissed me like he hadn't just given me the biggest news of my life. How could he just sell me, like some property? What the heck is my life for then? Simply nothing. A thing to be discarded.

My mind was spinning in all directions. I wanted to escape and run but in my current condition, I wouldn't get far before my father would drag me back into the house.

“Go now!” His voice startled me and I forced my battered body to get up. I wore a baggy sweater over my clothes as my head continued to spin. I didn't know what to do and I didn't have enough time to think because there was soon a knock at our door.

The blood drained from my face as I stood frozen in my room fearing my fate. My stepmother barged into my room with a mocking smile on her face. Then she grabbed me by my neck.

“You're finally going to be out of our lives you little witch”

“Please, I don't want to go. Please don't let them take me” I begged. I didn't expect any pity from the woman who'd abused me for years but I couldn't think of anything else.

“I'm glad I could finally convince your father to sell you off” she cackled like the evil queen herself.

She practically shoved me out of my room, pushing me forward till we reached the living room.

My father was standing in the corner with a tall man whose back was turned to me. Eunice seemed to be gawking at the man like she'd never seen one before in her life. From what my father said, he was a werewolf after all. The Alpha King. The name gave me chills. And he looked unapproachable now, he looked like a shining beast that I could only look at from afar

“Ah, yes. There she is” My father pointed towards me as the man turned around. It was a motion that really only took two seconds in reality, but it felt like twenty minutes.

I was face to face with the most handsome man I'd ever seen before. He had dark hair and the most piercing blue eyes. His face looked like God had specially taken time to chisel it out.

I understood why Eunice had been gawking. He was absolutely breathtaking and what was more insane was that I'd met him before. The man who'd nearly allowed a rogue to kill me just to prove a point.

I was at a loss for words as he approached me, staring directly into my eyes. He had an overwhelmingly strong aura. I didn't need a psychic to sense just how powerful he was. Of course. He was the alpha king after all. The king of all other werewolves.

He didn't seem to recognize me as he looked me up and down like he was scrutinizing an object he was about to purchase and then he held onto my arm to pull me close. I winced in pain as his fingers wrapped around one of the many marks my stepmother had recently inflicted on me.

He released his grip and gave me a quizzical expression. I remained mute.

“What's wrong with her?” He asked.

My father and stepmother kept quiet but Eunice spoke, quite stupidly. “She's very stubborn so she's always getting in trouble” My eyes went towards my stepmother who was giving Eunice a death glare.

The Alpha king stared at me so intently, that I felt like I would pass out under his hot gaze.

“Take off your sweater,” He said. That brought me back to reality.

“What?”

“You heard me. Take it off”

I looked at my father and then back to the man. I was wearing a long dress with a short sleeve so I put on a sweater to cover up the rest of my marks.

My hands reached for the bottom hem of the sweater as I slowly pulled it up my body till it was completely off. His eyes examined every mark on my body and I saw something break loose within him.

His beautiful eyes blazed with fury as he leaned in, his voice low and rumbling. “Little one, how do you envision their deaths?” he asked, his words dripping with power and command. I swallowed hard, my mind spinning. Their deaths? I had never thought about that, despite the way they treated me.

“I...I don't know,” I stammered, my voice barely audible. Fear constricted my throat, making it hard to breathe.

His expression softened as if he could feel my fear. “Take your time, little one,” he whispered, his voice gentle. “Their fate is now in your hands.”

I looked around at my father, my stepmother and my stepsister. Deep down I felt a satisfaction seeing the fear slowly making its way to their faces. The realization that I had their lives in my hands.

“Oh, come on Fiona. You know I was only trying to discipline you. It has always been for your own good” My stepmother babbled but I wasn't paying attention.

In my head, I thought about all the injustice they'd done to me. All the beatings, the cruel words, treating me like a slave… I couldn't bring myself to see past that anymore.

I thought my decision was clear and easy, to make them suffer as much as they'd made me. All I had to do was give this man the go-ahead.

But I couldn't bring myself to. And I hated it. They didn't deserve my mercy yet I was about to give it to them.

All eyes in the room were on me. I shook my head slowly. “I… I don't want to” I looked at the man, understanding in his eyes before he turned to my family.

“I'm not known for showing mercy. None of you lots deserve to be spared. But I did put your fates in her hands and she has made a decision, however wrong it is”

“Oh thank you dear” My father had never used such a term of endearment with me since my mother died. I knew it wasn't genuine. If this savior of mine left me with them they'd punish me again just for thinking I could decide their fates.

“All of you on the floor, chest to the ground, and thank her for sparing your pathetic lives”

They all exchanged looks, hesitating to follow his command.

“I don't repeat myself. The first time is the warning the second time will be with your heads rolling on the ground”

They immediately fell to the ground begging my forgiveness, while I just stood there unsure of what to do.

“Go get your things. We leave now”

I didn't have anything to get. My father and stepmother had made sure I never owned anything and the few things I'd gotten from my mum had been given to Eunice years ago.

I left the house with the man, never looking back. He was my savior.

“You'll never have to fear anyone again little one” When he said that to me, Olivia believed him.

“What is your name?” I asked him

“Marcellus”