Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Isla

"Was this what you wanted?" The voice rang from behind.

I stared at my reflection in the mirror, perfectly styled hair and a silver necklace hanging on my neck.

I sighed. Did my opinion even matter?

"I don't have a choice." I whispered to myself, and the door was pushed open, light shone on the dimly lit room.

My maid walked with a wide smile on her face.  "It's time."

I sighed. Today was supposed to be the best day of my life. Everyone was happy for me but I wasn't.

I was getting married to a man I had never heard of and it was my duty to keep the peace between the two packs. I was simply prey to both sides.

My maid, Silva moved to my side, raising me to my feet.

"Let's go." I pressed her fingers tightly and she pulled the veil over my head.

Silva guided me out of the room into the hall but she suddenly stopped in her tracks. I raised a brow, squeezing her hand.

"What's wrong?" I asked, but she didn't answer, she freed her hands from my grip.

I searched for her but she only shifted further backwards, my vision was blurry through the veil and I could hardly see anything.

"Silva." I called but before I could say more, I heard her shrill from behind me, and she scrambled away.

"Silva?" I rushed forward, and the veil fell to the floor in my hurried steps. The sound of the fallen silk echoed in the room like a pin-drop in silence.

I squinted, how would the hall be so silent. I turned, and my eyes widened immediately.

My knees buckled beneath my feet. I let out a shaky breath, and stepped forward. I shook my head violently.

My eyes seemed to be playing tricks on me. Someone hung from the beam of the ceiling, his hands dropped and his head hanging low. No, not one but two people.

I forced a smile on my face. "Is this a joke?" I asked, laughing nervously.

"It's not funny, you can come out now." I said, even though I knew fully well that my dad wouldn't try so hard for a laugh.

"Dad." I called but got no reply. I circled the room, heart throbbing hard against my chest.

“Dad!”

I called again, my eyes twitching. Why does it have to be today? I had waited so long, this was my chance at freedom, what is all these that's happening?

My legs pushed me forward, and with a hand on my chest, trying to steady my heart beat, I approached the body.

My eyes were shut tight, still hoping this was some prank but when I snapped my eyes open, I couldn't help but stumble to the ground.

Tears welled in my eyes as I moved forward on my knees. “Dad?” I called, the tears starting to fall.

My dad's face was pale, hands dripping with blood, and his throat slit. “Dad!” I called again, my ears ringing from how high I pitched my voice.

I tugged at his legs, my fingers trying desperately to pull him down. Maybe my vision wasn't clear enough, but I knew for sure I was wrong.

Beside my dad, hung my fiancé’s body, the way for me to escape scrutiny of the pack's elders.

He was also dead.

My hands balled into a tight fist. “Who? Who did this?”

I screamed at the top of my lungs, I rose to my feet, trying to pull my dad down, I scanned the room, trying my best to find something that could help me bring his body down.

Sighting a chair nearby, I hurried there, I hurled it to the spot, climbing onto it. My father's face was clearer now.

His usual cold, and unreadable face now looked calm. Calmer than I ever wanted him to be. Sure, he forced me to do things that I didn't want to, but I know he loved me. He just wanted the best for me.

Hot tears streamed down my face as I rested my hands on his face. My dad's body was now cold.

I hugged him close, trying to warm his body with mine. “Dad. Please wake up, I'll do whatever you want, okay?”

I say, trying to delude myself further but his cold body said otherwise.

I pulled apart from him, cleaning my tears. I stood on my tiptoe, trying to untie the ropes.

Even after tugging several times, the ropes didn't budge. I sighed heavily, the tears falling at the corner of my lips. I leaped higher but I didn't manage to untie the ropes but I rather fell to the floor.

My hands absorbed the impact, and it had already blistered red. I looked up to his body, about to climb again when I heard a cold laugh coming from behind me.

A voice I thought I would never hear again. My heart sank to my stomach when I heard him speak, confirming my suspicion.

“It seems you liked my surprise.” He said, his voice cold, sending a chill down my spine.

Axel. Why was he back?

I snapped my head back, my lips quivering. He smiled seeing my face and snapped his fingers.

A loud thud came from behind me. My eyes widened, I turned back, my father and fiancé's body were now on the floor, I rushed to them, scooping my father's body into my hands.

Processing his words and actions, I turned towards him. “You did this..?”

I muttered and he grinned. “Good. My efforts didn't go to waste. Your dad was a little easier but your fiancé was quite a struggle. He actually tried to live.”

Axel laughed, sending chills down my spine. I gritted my teeth, and launched forward, aiming for his neck.

"I'll kill you." I screamed, my blood boiling with rage but before I could hold him, his companion tripped me over.

I raised my head slowly to catch his gaze, his companion moved forward, her hands raised but Axel stopped her. He crouched down, his fingers rested on my chin, lifting my face up to his.

"Nice try. You are still as feisty as I remember you to be. But don't worry, you'll still be having your wedding.”

Axel rose to his feet, tucking his hands into his pockets.

“The groom will be me.”