My Savior

*Annabella's POV*

"Mom, please....." I begged, tears brimming in my eyes as I searched her stoic face for even the slightest glimpse of sympathy, but as usual, I found none. "Dad...." my croaking voice softened with grief as I looked over at him. The dam broke as the tears fell, pleading to be acknowledged, to be understood, my pained heart aching to be comforted. But it seemed like my hot tears weren't enough to melt their cold indifferent exteriors. "Why...?" I choked out, my throat tightening with every passing second. "Why can't I just live my life the way I want?"

Mom's cold blue gaze darkened causing me to shiver as her brows dipped. "Live your life the way you want?" She scoffed "After all we've done for you!? You ungrateful little brat. "

"But mom–" I tried to reason, but she cut me off, raising her hand to silence me.

"I don't want to another word!" She roared, punctuating the finality of her decision. "Now go and get dressed, Your party starts in an hour." And with that, both she and Dad turned and left.

My party was a day that should bring me joy. I was now 18. Rightfully an adult, ready to be free but instead, I was still a prisoner, a scapegoat, no doubt only tolerated by some because I was the Alpha’s daughter. I was a means to unite packs, with no say in the matter. This wasn't just a party for me, but a contracted arrangement where I'd be forced to ally with the neighboring pack through marriage.

The rumors preceded him– cruel and brutally ruthless, which were enough qualities that made me look past his wealth and achievements. I had never seen him, though I heard he was handsome, but judging by his rumored character, he was probably the devil in disguise. I could never love a man like him. I've dreamed of the love that comes before marriage. I wanted that, but.....

My eyes burned as a dull pain shot across my chest– my future was already planned for me. I was doomed.

*******

"Annabella Cindy Forde! I'm not going to tell you to hurry up again." Mom's voice boomed up the stairs, my full government name an indication that it was my final warning.

I wiped the back of my palms across my tear-stained cheeks while sniffing, trying to calm my erratic breathing. What good would continuing to cry be anyway? It'd just cause me to have puffy red eyes which would lead to pathetic pity stares from uncaring people the whole night.

I sighed as I walked out my bedroom door smoothing down the red silky halterneck dress that Mom insisted I wear even amidst my protesting whines. It was not my style, too much showing and the length kept me feeling like I needed to pull it down, though it could go no further than above my knees.

The silver heels clicked against the white tiled landing as I descended the stairs to where both Mom and Dad were already waiting.

"Please...." I whispered once last time, hoping either of them might reconsider, but instead, they turned a blind eye to my cry and walked on ahead to the car. I struggled to fight back the tears threatening to fall.

"Deep breaths, Anna, we can do this" My eyes widened for a brief moment, my wolf was here.

"I'll try." I reassured her, finding the first reason to smile since discovering my parents' plot to marry me off to some barbaric stranger, a man who no doubt has broken many hearts. I shudder at the dreaded thought of my heart being one.

"We'll be fine. I'll be here with you.... always."

I clung to her promise like a raft boat in the storm-tossed sea. She'll be with me. Always. My wolf. Stella.

Despite the evening drive to the celebratory center being spent in anxious silence, I tried to use the moments to relax my mind and my thoughts. As Stella called it 'speaking positivity into my life.'

"We're here." It was all Dad said as he got out, his words being my signal to get out. They both led the way as I followed a considerable distance behind them up the stairs to the finely decorated center.

Dad didn’t say a word to me, he just looked at me then nodded his head towards the stage and walked ahead, expecting me to follow. He mounted the podium and gave a speech about me, which wasn’t much because none of them knew me all that much.

“Please everyone let's welcome Princess Annabella Forde.”

The claps were all superficial and the smiles plastered with smiles that never reached their eyes. It was all for show, but what else could I do but smile and wave, which was the only thing required of me. To be seen and not heard.

When it was over and the cheers died down, Dad motioned towards the stairs with his hand. He acted like a real gentleman allowing me to walk off the stage before him.

It really bothered me how perfectly they appeared in front of the public when the reality was vastly different. They talked with a few people and smiled acting like the ideal Alpha and Luna and then there was me, quiet, obedient, well-behaved– the picture-perfect family.

I took to the corner of the room, taking a samosa from the tray of one of the waiters walking around with finger foods and champagne glasses.

Suddenly, the chatter and laughter circulating the room died down to a whisper.

"Oh my gosh, Blood River's Alpha’s here."

"I can't believe it.... he's so hot."

He was here, my heart skipped a beat as my nerves took control. Persons were rushing towards the entrance to get a first-hand glimpse of this notoriously charming player, while I was repulsed by the idea.

Just then, the wooden double oak doors were pushed open, and Dad's commanding tone rang together with the clinking of his silverware against the champagne glass. "Alpha Ruso, from Blood River's Pack." My father announced as a strong, overwhelmingly powerful aura permeated the room.

The sea of people vying for his attention hid him from my view, but soon, we'd meet, it was enviable, though I wasn't looking forward to it. The stories told about him were enough to pray for a miracle to escape.

“He's here!" Stella suddenly exclaimed, much to my confusion.

"Who? Alpha Ruso."

"No! That scent... our mate. Follow the trail."

I took a long deep breath, and that's when it hit, like an upcoming train, colliding with my nose at full force. His scent. My mate.

I needed to find him this instant.

The people began to part like the Red Sea for Alpha Ruso to pass through, and it was in that moment of movement, that I made my escape, through the crowd and out the door, in search of the one truly meant for me.

My breath caught in my throat the minute my eyes landed on him. He was standing beside a tree under the cover of darkness, yet he sparkled like a rare gem in the moonlight.

He was simply breathtaking, his striking blue eyes found mine, and for a minute the world seemed to stop to commemorate this auspicious moment.

"MATE!!" Stella squealed.

I had found my fated mate. My Savior.