1: An announcement to remember

Veeryl Pack

Heather's POV

I hastened my feet down the stairs heading towards the dining area. I knew I was very late and everyone would probably be waiting for me. Almost tripping on my gown, I took a deep breath, grabbed both edges, and continued with my walk. Anyone who saw me right now would think I was being chased by someone but all I wanted was to get to the dining area on time to avoid my step-sister and step-mother's wrath.

The only person I had always known and referred to as my mother was my stepmother. I never knew my biological mother. I heard she passed away shortly after birthing me. I had never seen any portrait of her and I knew nothing about her. It felt like inquiring about her was a sin of the highest order. No, it was forbidden. Probably because she was my father's mistress; if you could hold having a one-night stand with an unknown woman in such regard. And I was the result of that one-night stand no one expected. As soon as I got to the door, I took in a deep breath and fixed my hair before gently making my way inside.

They were all already sitting at the gigantic table. Father, on the highest chair in the middle, and my step-mother and step-sister sitting by the right two seats away from him.

"Look who finally decided to grace us with her presence," my stepmother said sarcastically.

"I'm sorry I'm late..," I started trying to take a seat next to them.

"Sit somewhere else. It's so hot in here. I need air," she cut me off without glancing at me. I slowly let go of the chair and moved to sit on the left side of the table.

"Do I need to tell you before you realize that you will be obstructing our view if you sit there? As if arriving late and starving us wasn't enough, why do you have to stress me out?" my step-sister asked irately. So much for not incurring their wrath.

"I apologize. I didn't mean to," I replied politely walking towards the right side of the table again and sitting about seven sits farther away from them. I glanced at my father but he didn't say a word.

"Good day Father," I greeted with a smile. He hummed and made a gesture with his hand in response. If it wasn't already obvious, my family wasn't exactly fond of me. My father has always been a bit cold towards me since I was a child. As the illegitimate child that I was, I knew it had to do with the fact that I was a stain on his reputation. A stain he could never get rid of.

As for my stepmother and stepsister, it wasn't their fault that we didn't get along. We had misunderstandings at times but it didn't mean that they hated me. Besides, the backlash I got today was partly my fault. I delayed them from having their meal because the time skipped my mind. The maids began to serve our meal when I settled in my seat.

"I have an announcement to make," Father said speaking for the first time that evening.

"What is it? Have the dresses I ordered arrived from the other pack already?" my stepsister asked excitedly. I grabbed a glass of water to quench my taste.

"Your marriage has been fixed, Debra. It will take place in three days," he said with a straight face staring right at my stepsister. Debra stared at him speechlessly.

"Marriage taking place so soon? To whom?" my stepmother asked coming to her rescue.

"To the son of the Alpha king, Prince Keith of Devontae," he replied calmly.

"What!" Debra screeched. I spat out the water from my mouth in utter shock. Debra glared daggers at me.  I shook my head trying to explain that I didn't mean it but no coherent words could come out from my mouth.

"Prince Keith? Are you serious right now?" my stepmother asked in shock. I was just as shocked as they all were. Devontae was a prosperous and powerful kingdom led by the Alpha king who ruled over smaller packs like ours. Anyone would jump for joy if they were opportune to get married into such a family or even become acquainted with them but getting married to Prince Keith? That was a totally different thing.

Prince Keith was the last son of the Alpha and a cripple but despite being disabled, he was rumored to be cruel, useless, and disliked by the king. The Alpha king even had him outcasted to a part of the palace where no one frequented. Father was going to allow his favorite daughter r marry such a man? It was unbelievable.

"I will not marry Prince Keith, father. He's the worst out of all the Alpha King's sons," Debra said shaking her head vehemently.

"That's my final decision and you shall obey me," he declared. Debra turned towards her mother in panic.

"Mother, did you hear that? Father hates me. He's going to make me marry a disabled man," she cried out.

"Don't say that Debra. Father doesn't hate you," I muttered softly but she glared at me so hard that I thought her eyes would pop out of their sockets.

"You can't do this to our only daughter. You are ruining her life. I won't allow that s happen," stepmother retorted.

"The marriage has been arranged to take place in three days. Start getting prepared," Father ordered firmly. I was surprised to see him acting so coldly towards Debra. This had never happened before. Debra stood up angrily pushing her chair aside. It fell onto the floor with a loud crash.

"I'm never getting married to Prince Keith. Never!" she yelled and stormed out of the room.

"You have to reconsider this," my stepmum said to my father as she hurriedly followed after Debra. The room fell into total silence. I gently stood up, my chair screeching against the floor.

"I will check up on them," I said before leaving. He stared at me without responding. I quickly walked towards Debra's room. The door was open so I just stepped in.

"Don't worry my darling. I won't let him do that to you," I heard my stepmum assuring her.

"Debra," I called out softly. They both looked up at me.

"Are you okay?" I asked walking towards her.

"Don't you dare take another step forward!" she growled, her eyes flicking between green and a golden hue. Her wolf threatened to come out.

"I was only trying to check if you were alright," I said startled by her attitude.

"You pathetic liar! You came here to mock me didn't you?" she asked pointing her finger at me accusingly.

I shook my head taken aback by the accusation. "Of course not. I would never do such a thing. If this is about my reaction at the dining table then I'm sorry. It wasn't on purpose."

"I bet you are rejoicing deep down. You are happy this is happening to me!" she screamed.

"Sister, how can you say this? I truly came here to console you..."

"I'm not your sister! I forbid you to ever call me that!" she yelled.

"Calm down sister. I understand how you must be feeling right now. You are angry and upset. You don't mean what you are saying," I said calmly. She must still be in shock to speak in this manner.

"I told you I'm not your sister and I can never be! Your mother was a whore and you are nothing but an illegitimate child. We are not related," she spat viciously. Her words stung but I still tried to compose myself. Anyone who heard this kind of news would react in the same way if not worse. I tried to move towards them again but my stepmother stopped me.

"Do not come closer to my daughter. Remain where you are," she warned. I nodded and remained rooted in my spot.

"I won't take a step further if that would make you feel better. I'm sure Mother will do everything in her power to make everything alright," I replied.

"How am I your mother? Your wretch and home breaker of a mother is dead and in hell where she belongs," she deadpanned.

"How can you say such a thing to me?" I asked in disbelief. Were they really that upset that they would both take it out on me in this way?

"That's right. I will make sure you join her soon but before that, I'm going to make your life miserable. Every second you live, every breath you take will be filled with pain and misery," she swore. I stared at her speechless and in shock.

"Did you hear that? I'm going to put an end to your miserable life! Get your pathetic self out of my room!" she growled furiously. I glanced at my stepmother and she stared at me with disdain. I turned around, making my way out of her room slowly. I couldn't fathom what she meant by making my life miserable. Was something going on that I didn't know of?