Chapter 01

Zorina's pov

"Father, this is—"

He raised his palm, gesturing for silence. My bottom lip quivered, my eyes stung, my posture faltered, and my feelings were hurt.

"You will get marked by him," His tone held no room for argument. 

But I had to persuade him, 

It was bad enough that my own father believed that I was cursed, even though I didn't blame him. 

But I wouldn't allow this.

"Give it time father," I begged, clasping my palms together, "maybe the moon goddess has greater plans for me."

He leaned back on his throne and scoffed in amusement. 

"You're so deluded that I sometimes question if my blood truly runs through your veins."

My eyes shut tight, 

"Do you think that the moon goddess still has plans for you?You are twenty five and you haven't tasted a mate bond. You are royalty, you have a bloodline so powerful pulsing through your veins and yet you can't even shift."

"Alpha Hurbis—"

"Silence, not even a word from you." 

He never raised his voice at Aunt Lucille, but now, he stared down at her, at me, like I meant nothing. Like once upon a time I wasn't his little girl.

Aunt Lucille retreated into the shadows, giving me an apologetic look. There was nothing she could do about his temper, except to avoid further triggering it.

"You are a disgrace, Zorina." He continued, "My daughter, the most beautiful girl in all of Blade pack, is wolf-less and mateless."

"It is not my fault," I tried to urge him to see reason.

"I don't care whose fault it is, whether you are broken, cursed, or abnormal. I will fix it, you will get married to Dame Hurbust. Whether you like it....or not."

"He is a tyrant, he is a man full of oppression, I understand that you want to form an alliance with him. But selling me off like a dog won't cut it." I was talking back at him, my tongue unbridled.

"He is a man that knows how to wield what he has." 

"He is a self acclaimed narcissist with nothing but a false facade." I held my head high, even within my shame. "I refuse, I will not marry Dame Hurbust."

He rose from this throne,

"Then you will be banished from this pack. No offspring of mine will defy me."

Banishment?!

My eyes widened and I stepped forward,

"Would you banish your own daughter, because she doesn't have a mate?."

He scoffed,

"Don't make me seem like an awful parent, even before your mom died I have been nothing but a good father to you."

He had,

He had really been, but now...

"Whatever I do, I do it in your best interest. I do not want you to be a topic of ridicule any longer." 

His eyes softened, carrying less hostility. He stood in front of me and placed a warm hand on my shoulder.

But it didn't feel as comforting as it used to.

My throat ached, but I still forced my plea out nonetheless.

"I beg you, Father. Do not do this to me, I do not want to be part of an arranged marriage. Please"

"Zorina, I am your Father. It is my job to tidy your loose ends and fix your flaws. I am only trying to put an end to your misery."

I felt like my entire body was burning,

I wanted to lash out, to say something.

But father had already made his decision, and as he handed me the box containing the ceremonial wedding dress. I came to the realization that I was without choices of my own.

~

I accepted my fate, quietly. I didn't speak to my father after then, didn't say a word to him. On the inside, I had silently hoped that someday he would come around.

But the ease at which he fixed the whole ceremony proved that it was just a far-fetched wish.

"Lady Zorina, is it too tight?"

The corset felt like it was squeezing my innards, but Dame had requested that the waist of his bride appear extra thin.

"Not at all, you may proceed." I bit my lip and softly whimpered as the dress tightened around my waist. 

"What about the necklace?"

I was referring to my heirloom, an accessory worn as the daughter of an Alpha. She had taken it off my neck to put on the heavy chain that now sat there.

"My apologies, my Lady." She whispered, brushing her hands through my golden coloured curls.

"For?"

"Your father has said that you shouldn't be allowed to wear the heirloom until after the wedding ceremony is complete." 

I stilled.

Until after the ceremony?

That necklace was the last piece of my mother I had. The crescent-shaped pendant engraved with our crest, was more than just an heirloom.

And now, stripped of it, I felt more like a bride being prepped for slaughter than a daughter being honored.

"I understand," I murmured, though I didn't. Not really.

The maid curtsied and stepped away, leaving me with my reflection.

The mirror showed a stranger.

My hair had been curled into perfect waves, cascading down my shoulders like golden ropes. My skin had been powdered, my lips tinted dramatically with crimson dye. 

The corset gave me the fragile, delicate form Dame preferred, his version of beauty, carved and bent into submission.

I looked flawless.

And utterly imprisoned.

A soft knock interrupted the silence.

It wasn't Father, or any of the maids.

It was Dame.

He entered without waiting for permission. The guards didn't even try to stop him, afterall.....he would be claiming me in front of everyone. In a matter of minutes.

His eyes swept over me slowly, like I was a merchandise he'd purchased. "There, looking like an expensive cup of porcelain," he said with a smirk.

I clenched my fists behind the folds of the dress.

"You'll make a fine Hurbust," he added, walking closer.

"I'm only quiet because I have no choice," I said coldly, lifting my chin.

He smiled like I had amused him. "Good. Keep it that way. Brides are prettier with their mouths shut."

Then, he leaned in, his tacky fingers brushing my jaw. "After tonight, you'll be mine in more ways than one, Zorina. I have waited a long time for this. Even whilst my mate was still alive."

I could hear the bell ringing in the distance as a psychotic grin stretched on Dame's face.

It was time to give up my freedom.