Chapter 1

Maria 

“Pack your things this instant! You’re leaving the pack for good!” My father announced, his voice cutting through the air.

My chest tightened and my lips parted in disbelief, he wasn’t one to joke about things like this; he was serious. “Leave the pack to where?” I asked, my face etched in confusion. 

“You’re getting married, do yourself some good and start packing. You leave at noon.” He replied, barely looking at me. 

A lump formed in my throat as I let the words sink in. 

Marriage? 

I knew he wanted me gone. That much was obvious from the day I was born but marriage wasn’t what I expected. 

Not even close. 

It landed heavier than exile, heavier than banishment and I couldn’t figure out if that meant I was safe or if I was in more danger than before.

I shook my head, trying to find some semblance of balance. “I don’t understand? What about my duties to the pack?” I asked, hoping he would have a rethink after remembering all the things I do for the pack. 

He scoffed, waving his hand dismissively. “Oh I’m sure the pack would survive without some wolfless omega.” He replied and my eyes fell to the ground in defeat. 

“But I’m your daughter!” I cried, my voice cracking.

“I never wanted you and you know it! You’re useless to me.” He clapped it. 

I knew. Goddess, I always knew. Every day I woke up was another reminder that he never wanted me, his wife died when I was born and he never got past it so he hated me instead.

I nodded, accepting my fate as I held back the tears fighting to fall, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing me cry. “Of course Father, I’ll get to packing.” I muttered. 

I turned around and walked out the study not stopping until I got behind the closed door of my room. 

My body crashed into the bed and I finally gave myself the permission to cry. 

To be honest I wasn’t going to miss this pack where everyone hated me and had no regard for me despite being the Alpha’s daughter; so what was I crying for? 

I wiped my tears, ready to face the music. My eyes fell on the only suitcase I had and I folded all that was left of my clothes inside it. 

I was a huge mess, but at least I’d be far away from a place where nobody respected me. 

By noon, I was already sitting at the back of a carriage and on my way to my new life. Nobody came to say goodbye. Everyone just went about their day like it was just another regular day. 

After two long and tiresome days on the road, we finally arrived at what was supposed to be my new place. The streets were filled with people but not nearly as noisy as where I was coming from. 

It almost felt like everyone had a specific limit to how loud they could be. The carriage finally stopped for the last time and I helped myself climb down from it. My hair was frizzy and in a mess but I managed to pull my hood over it just to look a bit presentable. 

“This is a palace?” I asked as the coachman helped me bring my suitcase out of the carriage. He glanced at me and nodded but there was something else in his eyes. 

Fear. 

“You didn’t know?” He asked, incredulous, and I shook my head. 

“You’re getting married to Alpha King Jordan..” he gasped and my heart dropped into my stomach. 

The Alpha King?! How did my father manage to pull this off?

“Welcome!” Another voice yelled and I turned to the direction, “right this way my lady.” He said, smiling widely as he led me into the main house. 

I didn’t look back for once, this was my new life and whether I liked it or not, I had to start getting used to it. 

The man led me to the throne room and seated up there with his face in his palms was the most ethereal figure I had ever seen. 

His broad shoulders, the way his hair fell through his fingers like water, his glowing skin…. The Alpha King was breathtakingly beautiful. 

“Your majesty!” The man who led me in called out and slowly he lifted his face from his palms and I clenched my jaw. 

His face was even more glorious than the rest of his body. The long scar that stretched from the top of his left eye to the corner of his lips made his face even more beautiful. 

“I present to you, your bride from Thornville Clan!” 

Deafening silence settled inside the courtroom. Servants who were passing by when the announcement was made paused and watched. 

I could feel everyone’s eyes on me and in the midst of all this silence, my heartbeat doubled; its loudness almost taking away my ability to hear. 

“I don’t remember asking the chef to prepare a wife. I asked for broth!” His voice rumbled like thunder as his face rumpled up. 

My fingers wrapped around the sides of my dress and I tightened my grip, everyone stiffened merely at the sound of his voice. 

“Your majesty, an agreement was made already and she just arrived today after two long days on the road..” the man continued, like he was pleading on my behalf. I felt like an artifact on a display shelf with the agent begging someone to buy me. 

King Jordan didn’t even look at me. He just shook his head and climbed down from the throne. 

“Keep her somewhere. She’ll eventually get bored and go back to wherever it is she was spawned out of.” He spat. 

“Your majesty….” The man began but one stern look from the King was enough to shut him up and he bowed his head defeated. 

The King stood up. “Never show up in front of me with such a claim!” He fumed and brushed past me, leaving a trail of his scent lingering in my nose. 

Have I been rejected already? 

I watched his back as he walked away, still in disbelief.