Chapter 5: Why Did He Chose Me?

Esmeralda POV

Unpresentable.

That was the only word that came to mind when I looked at myself in the mirror.

Hell, after spending several minutes thinking about what I could possibly do to make the Beast King reject me, I'd finally come up with a plan. If I couldn't escape this marriage, then I'd make sure he was the one who refused it.

And as I stared at my reflection, I couldn't stop the small smile that touched my lips. 

For the first time since learning about my fate, I felt like I had some control over what happened next.

My hair was clean, but instead of allowing the maids to style it, I'd deliberately left it in a messy knot.

 I'd also rejected the beautiful dress Sofia and my father had chosen for me and picked an old, worn-out one instead. 

It wasn't exactly ugly, but it was far from the elegant appearance they wanted me to present.

The fabric clung to my body, revealing the curves I'd spent years trying to hide because Sofia and Clara constantly reminded me that those same curves were the reason no man would ever want me.

For years, I'd listened to them and covered myself whenever I could. But today, the very things they'd used to shame me would become my weapon.

Surely, the Beast King wouldn't want a bride who looked like this.

Though I knew it was crazy, and Father would probably lose his mind the moment he saw me. And I could already imagine the anger on his face and the disappointment in Sofia and Clara's eyes, but for once, none of that mattered.

Not when there was a child inside me.

My hand moved to my stomach, and although fear still sat heavily inside me, something else had taken root too. A strange sense of protectiveness that hadn't left me since discovering my pregnancy.

No matter what happened, I was going to protect my baby. And if making the Alpha King reject me was one way to do that, then I was willing to risk everything.

With that thought, I left my room and headed toward Father's study.

The moment I stepped into the hallway, I noticed the servants staring. Their surprise was obvious, and honestly, I couldn't blame them. They'd never seen me look like this before.

But unlike the old Esmeralda, who would have lowered her head and worried about what everyone thought, I kept walking.

Their judgment couldn't hurt me anymore. Not after everything I'd already lost.

By the time I reached Father's study, my confidence had grown enough for me to convince myself that I was ready for anything.

The large double doors were slightly open, and I was about to walk in when raised voices suddenly drifted through the gap.

I froze.

Father rarely raised his voice, and that alone made me curious. Instead of entering, I moved closer and peered through the opening.

The sight inside nearly stole the breath from my lungs.

A man sat comfortably in Father's chair, one leg crossed over the other as though he owned the room.

Meanwhile, my father, the same Alpha Gale who ruled our pack like a god and demanded absolute obedience from everyone, was on his knees before him.

"Please, Alpha Caspian. You cannot back down now, not when everything has already been arranged."

Alpha Caspian?

My eyes widened.

Slowly, I shifted my gaze back to the man sitting in Father's chair. When I finally got a proper look at him, I blinked once, then twice.

So this was the Beast King?

Honestly, I didn't know what I'd expected when I first heard that name. Perhaps someone covered in scars, with twisted features and a face that matched all the horrifying stories I'd heard.

Anything but this ridiculously handsome man.

I swallowed as I studied him. His dark eyes were striking, his jaw sharp, and his lips perfectly shaped. There was something effortlessly attractive about him that made my traitorous gaze linger longer than it should have.

But it wasn't just his looks that unsettled me.

There was also something familiar about him.

A crease immediately formed between my brows as I studied him more carefully.

 Maybe it was his broad shoulders or the way he carried himself with such effortless authority, but somehow, he reminded me of the man from that night.

My heart skipped at the thought, and I immediately cursed myself for being so ridiculous.

No.

That was impossible.

I'd been drunk out of my mind, the room had been almost completely dark, and I'd barely seen the stranger's face.

 Besides, plenty of men had broad shoulders and similar builds. There was no way they could be the same person.

I was probably imagining things.

"Well, I've already told you my decision, Alpha Gale." Caspian's voice pulled me from my thoughts. "You should consider yourself fortunate because not many Alphas receive an opportunity like this."

An opportunity?

I frowned, trying to understand what he meant.

"You should be grateful I'm giving you a way out of this without making things worse for you or your pack."

My brows drew together.

A way out?

The words only confused me more because, instead of looking relieved, Father appeared desperate.

"Yes, Alpha. I understand, but—"

"I TOLD YOU ALREADY!"

Caspian's suddenly roar exploded through the room as his fist slammed against the wooden table.

I flinched.

A deafening crack followed, and fractures raced across the surface before the table split down the middle. Books, scrolls, and papers scattered across the floor.

My pulse quickened.

The calm man I'd been watching moments ago was gone.

Caspian sat there breathing heavily, his eyes glowing an eerie crimson as they remained fixed on my father. A strange chill rolled off him, raising the hairs on my arms even though the air around me somehow felt unbearably hot.

"I've told you countless times already, Gale," he snarled, his voice dropping into something far more terrifying than his earlier shout. "My answer isn't going to change. So why won't you just accept it and let it go?"

"Pl...please, Alpha..."

Father trembled where he knelt, his hands shaking against the floor. He looked as though he could collapse at any moment.

"I..."

"Enough."

That single word silenced him immediately.

I swallowed hard.

What exactly was Father begging him for?

I couldn't understand it, but whatever it was, Caspian clearly wanted nothing to do with it.

"F-fine. I beg your pardon, Alpha..." Father's voice cracked. "I'm sorry."

He bowed until his head nearly touched the ground, and somehow, seeing my father like that frightened me more than Caspian's glowing eyes.

But Caspian said nothing.

Instead, the icy pressure surrounding him seemed to grow stronger, filling the room like an invisible storm. Even though I was standing outside, I found myself rubbing my arms against the sudden cold.

Goddess.

The stories were true.

He really was a monster.

And the crazy part was that he couldn't even wait until he returned to his kingdom before showing his madness.

I swallowed and slowly backed away.

Whatever was happening inside that room, I wanted no part of it. Especially not when Caspian looked like he could wipe out an entire kingdom without blinking.

I turned to leave, but before I could...

Creak.

My arm accidentally brushed against the door, and the small sound seemed to echo through the hallway making both men turned toward me.

I froze.

Father's expression changed almost immediately. The fear on his face disappeared, replaced by pure shock as his eyes traveled over my appearance.

For a few seconds, nobody said anything.

Then, unexpectedly, Caspian's expression changed too.

The coldness in his face softened as he stared at me, and the strange pressure surrounding him seemed to ease.

I wasn't sure why, but somehow, it felt as though something about my presence had made him lower his guard.

Then he rose to his feet and started walking toward me.

My heart began beating faster.

With every step he took, I became more aware of how close I was to the man everyone called a monster.

 My body was still trembling from what I'd witnessed, but I straightened my shoulders and forced myself to remain still.

I wasn't going to let him know I was afraid.

Yet as he approached, something else happened.

Heat slowly spread through my body, starting somewhere low in my stomach before curling through me in a strange, unfamiliar wave.

It was almost as though my body recognized him before my mind did.

Seriously?

My brows pulled together.

Why was this happening?

Why did being near him feel the same way it had with that mysterious stranger?

God, if only I'd seen that man's face that night. Maybe then I wouldn't be standing here questioning my own sanity.

"You..."

Caspian's voice pulled me back to the present.

He was standing directly in front of me now, and before I could react, the cold tip of his finger slipped beneath my chin, lifting my face until I was forced to meet his eyes.

His gaze moved slowly over my features, almost as though he were searching for something.

"I don't know..." His brows drew together. "But you feel so familiar, yet at the same time, different."

I blinked.

What was he talking about?

"I don't understand."

"Of course you wouldn't."

His eyes remained fixed on mine.

"But those green eyes..." His voice lowered slightly. "I could swear I've seen them somewhere before."

"What?"

I stared at him in disbelief.

Had he lost his mind?

There was no way I could have met a man like him and forgotten him. He wasn't exactly the kind of man anyone could easily forget.

"I'm sure you're mistaken," I said, trying to sound casual. "I mean, there are plenty of ladies with green eyes out there."

I tried to add some sass to my voice, but it came out quieter than I'd intended.

The corner of his mouth twitched.

"Yeah," he drawled. "But I know a rare one when I see it."

Before I could respond, his thumb brushed the corner of my mouth, making my breath hitch.

The strange warmth inside me intensified, and my knees almost weakened beneath me.

God... why was my body betraying me like this?

I quickly turned my face away, but his hand remained beneath my chin.

"Yeah, whatever you say," I muttered, refusing to entertain whatever delusion he was having. "Now let me go."

I tried to pull away, but he didn't release me. If anything, his fingers tightened slightly.

"Not yet."

Two simple words, yet they sent another shiver through me.

I glared at him, wondering what exactly he wanted, but before I could ask, he tilted my chin to the side.

My eyes widened as I realized what he was doing.

Before I could react, he leaned closer until his nose brushed against my neck.

"But tell me..." His voice dropped to a rasp as his warm breath touched my skin. "Why don't you have a scent?"

My heart slammed against my ribs.

"Why can't I smell you?"

"Huh?"

I swallowed, pretending not to understand, but his voice suddenly hardened.

"Answer me."

He demanded an answer, but I couldn't give him one. Especially when he buried his face deeper against my neck, inhaling again. His nose brushed my skin, leaving behind a strange tingling sensation that made my entire body stiffen.

For one terrifying second, my mind went blank.

I forgot everything.

I forgot that I was supposed to hate him. I forgot that I'd deliberately made myself look unattractive so he would reject me. Most importantly, I forgot that I was supposed to push him away.

Instead, I almost leaned into him.

Almost.

But then his other hand moved to my waist. His grip wasn't rough, but the moment his fingers pressed against my lower waist, a sharp sting shot through me.

I flinched the pain pulling me out of whatever strange spell I'd fallen into.

My baby.

The thought struck me like lightning.

No.

I couldn't let this man hurt my baby.

Instinct took over before I could think. I reached for the nearest object and grabbed it.

A vase.

My fingers closed around it, and without giving myself time to hesitate, I raised it, preparing to strike him.

But before I could bring it down, his hand shot up and caught my wrist midair.

A sharp gasp came from Father's direction.

I froze.

Caspian glanced at the vase before looking back at me.

"Hmm..." The corner of his lips tilted into a smirk. "Quite interesting."

I stared at him, expecting anger, but there was none. If anything, he looked amused.

"A scentless, wolfless Omega with this much fire and fight..." His eyes narrowed slightly as he studied me. "That's something."

I narrowed mine in return.

"Well, not everybody who appears weak is actually weak," I retorted, the words coming out sharper than intended.

For a moment, he simply stared at me. His jaw shifted slightly, and his eyes narrowed as though he were trying to figure me out.

Then that infuriating smirk returned, amusement dancing in his eyes as though my defiance had entertained him.

I hated that.

"Who is she?"

His attention finally shifted from me to Father, who immediately straightened.

"She's Esmeralda, my daughter. The one you insisted on rejecting." His voice became pleading again. "Please pardon her misbehavior..."

I stared at him.

Seriously?

Even after everything, he was still begging this man to accept me?

But before I could say anything, Caspian spoke.

"Well, change of plans, Gale."

Father's eyes widened, and so did mine.

"Prepare a wedding right now."

For a moment, I honestly thought I'd heard him wrong.

A wedding?

Right now?

Father's entire body stiffened, but the shock quickly disappeared from his face, replaced by something that looked suspiciously like excitement.

"Really, Alpha?" he asked. "I thought you said you wouldn't accept her, so why did you choose her?"

The moment those words left his mouth, Caspian's expression darkened.

He slowly turned his gaze toward Father.

"You."

Father immediately stiffened.

"Do. Not. Question. Your. King, Gale."

He emphasized every word, and Father quickly lowered his head.

"Yes, my King."

But I barely heard him. My father's question was already echoing inside my head.

Why did you choose her?

Shock, confusion, and disbelief crashed through me all at once.

So Alpha Caspian had planned to reject me.

And I'd gone out of my way to make myself look unpresentable. I'd deliberately dressed badly, ruined my hair, and even tried to hit him with a vase.

Yet somehow...

He'd still chosen me.

But why?