1; His Substitute Bride.

Camilla Castello.

“I, Beta Garret Winslow, reject you, Camilla Castello as my fated mate.” His eyes stared dead into mine, his voice unwavering.

I swallowed down a lump, my hand curling by the side. I managed to voice out a response, my voice surprising coming out stronger than I feel internally. “I, Camilla Castello, daughter of Alpha Derek Castello of BloodHound Pack, accept your rejection.”

I promised myself it wasn’t going to hurt, that I was going to suck it up and even be the one to utter those words, but he beat me to it. The fuckard. As if he wasn’t being an ass enough, he dared to stretch his hand and my sly snake of a sister, Anna, stepped into his arm, snuggling close to him, sporting a wicked grin.

She clearly enjoyed seeing me in pain, no doubt. She’s always been like that for as long as I can remember, ever since we were kids.

She particularly seems fond of making my life hell, she just enjoys it to no end.

But, I never thought she’d grow up on that very habit, and I never thought she’d take it as far as sleeping with my mate. I wouldn’t have believed it honestly if I didn’t see them with my own two eyes, and I could remember hearing my heart shatter into pieces.

I’ve known Garret since we were kids, we practically grew up together. His father was my father’s Beta, before he came of age and took over following his father’s sudden demise.

We have always been close, compared to he and Anna. The two of us had more things alike, while Anna was too caught up by the glitz and the glam that comes with being the Alpha’s eldest daughter—and I, his youngest daughter.

It didn’t come much as surprise to us when we turned 18 and realized we’re actually mates. We were the perfect mates, or so everyone else said. Even my parents came to accept it, because there couldn’t be a better pair than the two of us.

I don’t know at which point Anna took interest in him, and he in her, or how long it’s been going on but well, they ended up in each other’s arms and I happen to walk in to them.

Believe me, I wanted to reject him first but rejection isn’t an easy thing, my wolf and I were hesitating. I knew I wanted nothing to do with a cheater, but it doesn’t make it any less hard.

He beat me to the rejection though, the very next day. I’m honestly surprised by how easy it came to him. But, it wasn’t the only thing that came as a surprise to me.

“Camilla, you are to marry Prince Adrian in the place of Anna.” My father, Alpha Derek declared later that day.

I looked up, my hand halting the action of playing around with the food on my plate as I focused my gaze on him. “What?” I can’t possibly be hearing him correct, right?

His expression as dead serious though. His eyes, cold as I’ve always known them to be stared back into mine. “You will marry Prince Adrian.” He repeated, “Anna has backed out, and we can’t break the promise by handing over no bride.”

I blinked, my mouth parting as I stared between him, and then to my mother, Luna Bree whom sat beside him, calmly eating her food as if she is unaware of what’s going on. I know she is though; she just chose to ignore it unless it concerns Anna.

I’m the least favorite child in case you haven’t realized.

I’ve grown to accept that as well—that for some reason, they weren’t particularly fond of me despite being their daughter as well. There’s no qualm there, I share similar features with my father.

They don’t physically abuse me though, mentally I can’t say so. I just learnt to grow a thick skin to it, until I feel like I no longer could.

“Wasn’t it agreed that she will be the one married to him?” Arranged royal weddings weren’t new to the Alpha families across the Werewolf Kingdom. Even my mother and father were arranged. It’s norm really—I am the one that managed to escape…or so I thought.

I didn’t realize losing my mate to my sister—which they haven’t said a word about by the way, would result to me ending up as the scape goat.

“Well, yes, baby sis…” Anna’s voice came before she made an appearance, stepping into the dining room, sporting the widest grins out there. She came to sit beside mom, her gaze fixed on me. “…but I can’t marry someone like that, you know.”

“Someone like what?”

“Someone that’s useless, ugly, and disliked by the King—his Uncle. I mean, he’s not even the King’s son.” Anna snorted, shaking her head. “You know; the rumor says it all.”

I swallowed thickly, my hand fisting by the side. “You’re too good to marry a loser, but I can?” I gritted out, trying hard to tame down my anger. To say I’m annoyed would be an understatement. “He’s a nuisance, a worthless one.”

I know what the rumors say, the Prince is known to be a pathetic fool and a total loser—everyone knows that. All he does is party, spend nights with various girls and fool around, nothing more than that. No one in the royal court respects him. That much is obvious.

I don’t consider myself to be someone special, or someone that deserves to be with someone of a high position or anything, but at least, I know I’m better than ending up with someone like that.

And yet, they would willingly hand me over to him.

“Last time I checked, you’re one as well.” Anna threw back, quirking a brow that dared me to claim otherwise. “You never do as you’re told, and you’re never good at anything other than starting fights. The only good thing about you was your mate…oh sorry, the mate that rejected you.”

My hands curled into a tight fist, my teeth gritting. “You shut your mouth, Anna.”

She ignored my words, feigning a deaf ear to it. “You two are match made in heaven really. You’re the perfect bride for him.”

“You don’t have a choice.” My father’s voice came, putting an end to mine and Anna’s impending argument.

I hesitantly shifted my gaze from her, and fixed it on him, disbelief no doubt clouding it. I know I’m not loved by them, but why are they willingly handing me over like that?

Anna didn’t have a problem with it before, no doubt having the glitz of becoming a royal cloud her vision till she decided she wants my mate instead.

“But, Dad…”

“This engagement is based on a treaty, and you know that.” Of course I do. I may not be involved in Pack politics like my sister, or elder brother—Alex, set to become the next Alpha, but I know stuff as well. “Our Pack needs this, and the fate of our pack and family as a whole depends on this.”

I blinked, looking away.

He continued, regardless of my silence and obvious disagreement. “Do you want to prove yourself to me, that I gave birth to a child I should be proud of not some nuisance. Do you want to be accepted and recognized by I and the whole Pack, do this for us?”

I know he’s guilt trapping me, I know that well enough.

But, I still gave in.

“Fine.” I gritted out. “I’ll marry the useless Prince.”