CHAPTER 3

SONIA’S POV.

I could not stop worrying about Micheal’s warning. I wondered what he meant when he said I shouldn't trust my Uncle and soon to be husband. My uncle was a strange man but surely I could trust him, afterall he had always wished for the best for me.

The lady who tailored my dress returned to my room with my veil. “The wedding will commence in thirty minutes. You need to be fully dressed for your big day.”

“Do you know anything about my husband?” I asked.

The lady dropped the veil on the chair and came to face me. “I heard he is a kind man,” she said, her tone sounding generic. I could immediately tell she was lying.

I tried again this time using a softer tone.

“I’m just nervous,” I confessed softly, keeping my gaze down. “I wonder if he would like me. I have only spoken to him twice, and I’m not sure if he fancies me.”

The lady softened, placing her hands on my shoulders. “Oh dear, I understand how you feel. I was a bride once and was equally nervous. But you, dear, have nothing to worry about.”

“I don’t think so,” I countered.

“Well, I heard Kelvin was the one who asked your uncle for your hand in marriage. He even paid a huge bride price for you. Rumors have it he gave half of his kingdom for you,” she said, smiling brightly.

Half of his kingdom for my hand in marriage? Something wasn’t adding up. Kelvin and I had barely exchanged any words since we met, and he was always busy, often missing out on our two-week courtship period as required by tradition.

“Hold on,” I said, lifting my gown and stepping out of the room.

“Where are you going? I don’t have time for this. We have so much to do,” she called after me.

“I will be back soon. I need to pick up something important,” I said, determined.

I walked faster, heading towards my uncle’s office. I needed to know why Kelvin had paid such a ridiculous amount for my bride price, especially since our marriage was one of convenience to help me ascend to the throne as Alpha.

As I approached the office door, I heard voices inside. It was my uncle’s and unmistakably the voice of my future husband, Kelvin.

“When are you going to tell that dumb child that she would not be Alpha?” Kelvin hissed, annoyed.

“Soon, Kelvin. Soon. You just have to be a little more patient,” my uncle answered.

“I’m tired of hearing her announce to everyone that she would be an Alpha soon. Just because she went to a school for warriors doesn’t mean she is worthy of that title. Alphas are born, not trained,” he scoffed.

“Sonia is just a little girl, trust me. She is easy to manipulate,” my uncle said confidently. “You need not worry; she would not disrupt our plan.”

My eyes widened as I listened to them speak, my anger boiling. I couldn’t believe he would say those things about me.

“We have to get rid of her fast, or else I will withdraw from the contract,” Kelvin warned.

My uncle laughed. “Relax, Kelvin. You are an Alpha, and no one, absolutely no one, will take it from me. That I can guarantee you.”

Feeling dizzy and nauseous, I turned away from the door. I felt like I was about to collapse and die. All those years I spent training to prove myself were just for a dream. I couldn’t believe my uncle, my father’s only surviving relative, could say such things about me.

I collapsed, resting my hand on the wall, thinking of all the times I endured the cruelest punishments, promising myself it was for my good, for the future of my pack, and for my parents.

I wondered what I was supposed to do now. I couldn't fight him. I knew that I was alone, and he had managed to buy all the loyalty to himself while I was away. Sending me to a boarding school wasn't for my benefit, but for his own. It was a tactic to buy time before I grew any wiser. I was just a pawn in this game

******

I went outside to catch my breath, letting the tears flow freely. The last time I cried was when I first came into the boarding school . Throughout my time there, crying was frowned upon; it was seen as a sign of weakness, and the punishments were severe.

During my first year, I endured constant bullying from other students due to my small frame and unique silver hair, making me an easy target. Eventually, the bullying became unbearable, prompting me to seek refuge in the principal’s office. However, instead of help, I was met with condemnation, as she screamed at me, deeming crying a waste of time and an insult to the institution. I was deprived of food and water for a week as punishment for being weak.

Now, at twenty one, tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. I could almost envision Madam Claude shaking her head disapprovingly, but I did not care. I had been strong for too long, always doing the right thing, yet I still felt inadequate, as if my efforts were never enough.

I was weak, a disgrace. No amount of training could change that. Maybe that’s why they never thought I was good enough to be Alpha.