Chapter 4 - Survival

Jessica POV

                  As tears filled my eyes, I quickly pulled my dress up and secured the neckline.  I did not look at my father, nor the man who would be my chosen mate.  I was nauseous and could not guarantee I would not vomit on both of them for what I had endured.

                  My father wrapped his hand around my arm.  I could feel him bruising me, but it did not matter.  I knew my purpose at being here was over and that we would be on our way out of here.  The old Alpha left the room first, leaving me with my bastard of a father. 

                  “You did well.  Be sure to be that docile with the man when you marry him,” my father spit out.  I was bitter at his words, but could not help begging him, “Please do not do this,” I started to say when he cut me off.  “This is all you are good for.  You will do this for our pack, and you will accept your fate.  Nobody else would want you,” he responded, as tears rolled down my cheeks.

                  “Wipe your tears, we are leaving,” he said, as he tugged me towards the door.  I did my best to wipe my tears as he pulled me outside into the main hall.  “What do we have here?” I heard from behind us.  I felt my father’s body tense as he tightened the grip on my arm.

                  He turned, and plastered a smile on his face, “Alpha, it is good to see you,” he responded.  I glanced quickly to the man before us who was stunning.  He was a gorgeous man, like nothing that I had seen before.  “And who might this be?” he asked politely.  My father’s body remained tense as he replied.

                  “This is my daughter, Jessica.  Jessica, this is Alpha Trent,” he said as I looked briefly at the man.   He held out his hand to shake mine.  I knew my father would hate this, but I had no choice but to accept his hand.  His hand quickly engulfed mine.  While I knew it was a stretch, I had hoped I would feel sparks with this man.  But I felt nothing.

                  I quickly released his hand, as my father nodded to the Alpha, “It was good to see you again; we should meet soon to discuss our continued alliance,” he said to the man.  The man simply nodded, seeming to speculate what was going on between my father and me.

                  “Of course.  Another time,” the Alpha responded before walking away.  A part of me wanting to scream for help, but I knew it would be useless.  These people knew a different man than I knew.  My father was well respected by other packs.  We were not the largest pack, but he ran a tight ship, and that was considered something in our world.

                   We turned to walked towards the door when the Luna stepped in front of us.  “My dear, you look upset,” the Luna stated sharing genuine concern.  “I apologize Luna, my daughter has taken ill,” my father said as he tried to walk around the Luna.  “Oh my, please let me call our healer to look at her,” she replied as my father held up his hand, stopping her.

                  “That is not necessary.  She takes these spells on occasion.  She needs rest and then she will be fine,” my father responded.  The lies managed to slip through his lips with ease.  “Well, if you are certain,” the Luna stated uncertainty crossing her face.

                  “I am certain,” my father said, rudely cutting the Luna off.  He pivoted me and walked me out the door without a second glance back.  As we arrived at our car, he whipped me around, slapping my face.  “You just could not wait to embarrass me, could you?” he yelled, as our driver opened the door for my father to shove me in the car.

                  I felt the turmoil inside of my body, as I knew what was to come.  Before the door shut, my father was attacking me inside the car.  All I could do was cower in the seat, as I accepted my fate.