5

I didn’t speak throughout the entire time I was getting ready, being silent is my form of defiance. Liana painted my fingers and toes a simple nude color while Carmen did my make-up and hair. I felt like a prized cattle being taken off to an auction except the auction was already complete and I have been sold to the highest bidder and while a cattle knows its death would be swift, mine would be a slow and painful breaking of my spirit and soul.

Carmen went through my closet and brought out a white dress that I didn’t even know I had. I rose from the chair and she helped me put it on then led me to the full length mirror. I looked beautiful I won’t deny that but the reason why I looked this beautiful brought bile to the back of my throat.

My make-up was completely natural and it made me look like a young, pure innocent little girl. My hair was in simple curls that hung to my waist and it was pinned behind my ears so only a few strands framed my face.

It was an A-line dress with a huge slit that reached up to my upper thigh. There were no bra cups attached to the dress so if I get cold then my nips would be on full display. The spaghetti straps also did nothing to hide my skin. I felt so disgusting.

“Thank you,” I forced out and Liana left but Carmen stood with me. “It all looks really beautiful.”

        “You are not going to cry and ruin my masterpiece,” she warned and I nodded, “It really isn’t as bad as you make it out to be.”

“Being sold off like an animal isn’t as bad as I make it out to be or is it the fact that I’m going to get raped by my supposed mate if I refuse him.” I asked and she rolled her eyes. “Or maybe it’s the fact that he might hit me if I do as much as disobey him.”

      “It’s no different from when your father does it to you,” she said, “This is what life gave you so you might as well just suck it up and make the best of it instead of whining like a spoilt brat.” I didn’t respond so she sighed, “You should come down; I assume your father would want to talk to you before Alpha Hunter arrives; tell you your dos and dont’s.”

She left the room and after an hour I finally left as well. I was giving Liana and Carmen enough time to get ready as well so I wouldn’t be left alone with my father. Sure enough when I got downstairs they were already there. They always carry full faces of make-up so they didn’t have to spend as much time getting ready as I did.

Father looked me up and down and he let out a grunt of approval, “I guess you look presentable enough, let’s hope that Alpha Hunter agrees.”

Liar I look beautiful. I wasn’t in the mood to pick a fight with him so I just gave him a simple smile.

“Alpha Hunter wouldn’t care if I was wearing a sack; he just wants his child bride.” I muttered.

     “What was that?’ he asked and I shook my head.

“Nothing,” I said quickly but I know he didn’t believe me but apparently he had more important things to say rather than handle my little outburst.

“I have a few rules before Hunter gets here. He should be here in a few minutes,” he said, “It is your job to make sure that he is well received.”

      “Is that your way of saying you want me to fuck him because I won’t.” I deadpanned and his jaw tightened.

“You’re lucky that Hunter is on his way,’ he said, “Don’t ever think that you will get away with saying something like that to me again am I clear?”

     “Crystal.” I said just as the doorbell rang and dad smiled and ushered me towards the door.

Carmen was the one who opened the door for him and I could hear the fake warmth in her voice as she welcomed him in. He pulled her into a hug and she stiffened for a second but hugged him back awkwardly.

Whenever I imagined Alpha Hunter I never actually had a picture in my head but what I’m seeing is definitely not it. His mid-section was beginning to droop and even from where I was standing I could smell the faint scent of cigarettes and beer on him. His hair was salt and peppered but his most deceiving feature would be his eyes; they’re a beautiful shade of brown.

He greeted Liana with a smile and a kiss on her cheek which made her beam then walked over to father. They embraced each other with an air of fondness and I couldn’t stop the disgusted look that grew on my face.

When they finished their greetings father led him over to me. He isn’t tall by any means; he just has a few inches on me. I gave him a forced smile but made sure to keep my hands and body parts close to my side but personal space doesn’t seem to be a known concept to him.

He grabbed my hand harshly and pulled it to press a kiss to the top of my palm. The kiss lasted a lot longer than it was supposed to and the more I tried to tug my hand away the tighter he held it. After an antagonizing few seconds he let go of my hand and I pulled it to my chest while rubbing the red and bruised skin.

“You look very beautiful Charlotte,” he said but I kept my face perfectly neutral and ignored his words.

       “Alpha Hunter is talking to you,” father said and a sarcastic retort was at the tip of my tongue but I bit it down.

“Relax Marcus, Charlotte is probably just a bit shy,” Alpha Hunter said to him then turned to me, “Right Charlotte?”

         “Right but thank you for the compliment,” I forced out still refusing to meet anyone’s gaze.

        “May I borrow the girls?” I heard Carmen ask, “We have to get the table ready.”

Father just waved us off and I hurried after Carmen but I still couldn’t shake off the feeling of Alpha Hunter’s eyes on me, not even after I got into the kitchen.

“Thank you,” I whispered to her but she shot me a scathing look.

       “I didn’t do it for you,” she said then lowered her voice, “And you would do well to the irritation off your face; it only excites them more when they know you don’t want them.”

I nodded and picked up a dish, Liana left without even looking at me and just as I was about to leave Carmen held onto the crook of my elbow and leaned into my ear.

“Another important fact Charlotte,” she began, “Watch what you say and where you say it; they’re alpha’s and their hearing is better than any of us can dream.”

She didn’t wait for me to reply, she just walked out of the kitchen leaving me to ponder over her words.