Chapter Two: The Unexpected Choice

Cassidy POV 

I woke up to sunlight streaming through the window, its warm glow contrasting with the cold dread settling in my chest. 

As my gaze swept across the room, I took in the luxurious furnishings, the designs carved into the furniture, and the rich fabrics draping the windows. This was no prison cell.

It was the incessant howling that told me I was in another pack.

The last thing I remembered was the soldiers closing in, my wolf growling in fear before I slipped into unconsciousness. Now I was here in a place far too luxurious for a prisoner.

I tried to sit up, but a sharp wave of dizziness forced me back down. My head pounded, my thoughts scattered. How did I get here? Who brought me? Why wasn’t I dead?

Or maybe I was dead and this was heaven? 

"Is this some kind of trick?"

My adoptive parents had forced me to marry a brutal man Alpha Draco.

I had suffered with him; I closed my eyes, clenching my fist.

No, I don't want to think about that. Not yet.

But what if .....this was just a trick by him?

Had I walked into another trap? Another place filled with terror?

Before I could piece anything together, the heavy thud of boots echoed from outside. The door creaked open, and a tall, imposing figure stepped in.

I recognized him instantly as the black-haired man from before.

His piercing blue eyes locked onto mine, amusement flickering in their depths.

"Good morning, missy," he greeted with his hands moving in precision, his voice deep and thick, sending an unsettling shiver down my spine.

I said nothing, trying to ignore the sudden heat surging through me, the unnatural pull of the bond humming between us, golden energy crackling in the air. I clenched my fists. No. I wouldn’t accept this.

"I know you're injured, but get some rest. You'll need it."

I met his stare, forcing down the unease. "Why do you care? What do you want from me?" My voice was steady and controlled.

He chuckled, his smirk widening. "You already know, mate."

The word sent ice through my veins.

I lifted my chin. "First off, I am not your mate. Don’t ever call me that. Secondly, try again, I’m not in the mood for guessing games."

He tilted his head, studying me before a slow chuckle rumbled from his chest. "Well, aren't you a smart mouth… mate."

I growled low, and Rina, my wolf, only laughed in amusement.

His expression darkened. "You can fight all you want, but you're in my territory now. And my pack isn’t kind to outsiders. If you don’t submit, I won’t stop them from treating you like one.”

My heart skipped. Was he serious? Was this a warning or a game?

"Are you threatening me?" I scoffed. "Who the hell do you think you are?"

"Your mate and the new alpha."

"Over my dead body!"

He didn’t respond; he just watched me with the quiet patience of a predator.

Then, he leaned in, his lips brushing dangerously close to my ear. "You will submit to me, Cassidy. You know you will."

A slow, knowing smile tugged at his lips as he pulled back, watching the way I flinched.

Fury burned through me, masking the flicker of unwanted attraction. "You are a cocky bastard." I wanted to get up, but the dizziness was still there, and I lay back down. 

"Calm down Cassidy, you are going to hurt yourself. I wouldn't want that."

I froze. Hearing my name from his lips caught me off guard. 

How did he know it?

My breath hitched. "How do you know my name?"

He didn’t flinch and didn’t hesitate. Just let me finish my question before dismissing it entirely.

"Just focus on recovering. We have plenty of time for your questions later."

His tone was softer now, his expression unreadable and indifferent. And with that, he stepped forward; if there was a way I could push myself to the bed, I would.

He stood there staring at me with an intense gaze. It annoyed me because he didn't answer my questions. He just stared at me like a predator would its prey.

He knew exactly who I was and that made me curious.

Did he know where I came from?

The question was, would he break something that's already broken?

I gulped as he paused by the bedside gently reaching out to stroke my hair.

"Mine," he signaled with his hands moving at ease, the gestures sharp and clear.

He removed the strand of mhair that had swept across my face.

He leaned down and inhaled my scent. Goosebumps filled mskinki a shivers ran down my spine. My heart was beating fast; our faces were so close that no one would think we were going to kiss.

" Enjoy your stay"

He smiled and leaned back.

And then he was gone, leaving me frozen. Sitting there looking at him.

Holy fuck. " What was that?

Before I could fully catch my breath, a line of attendants ushered into the room, each carrying a tray filled with exquisite items.

"Good morning, miss," they greeted in unison and bowed their heads as a sign of deep honor towards me.

"We are here to help you dress up," the chief maid said upon noticing the worry etched on my face.

" Help me dress up? Why? " I hesitated.

" I am sorry, I am not handicapped, I can handle myself thank you, " I told them, trying to wave them off, but they didn't budge and stood still.

  "It's the protocol, ma'am," the chief maid explained with a firm voice.

My objections were ignored, no matter how hard I tried to push; all my attempts were futile, so I just had to give in to their demands.

I looked at my reflection in the mirror and saw how haggard I had become; my face was pale, and my hair was messed up, with shadowed eyes. that stared back at me. A wave of shame washed over me because I looked like a ghost.

I felt a wave of dizziness wash through me as I stumbled backward. My body aches, and my head spins with every step. I let them assist me 

I followed them obediently to the bathroom, knowing that I could not keep up with my appearance right now; otherwise, I would become a laughingstock here.

I was led into the grand bathroom, with a bathtub that was filled with many scents. The fragrance was nice and the bathtub smelled like delicate rose petals. Their hands slowly brushed against my gentle skin, moving at ease washing away the dirt that seemed to have settled on my skin. 

The scent of rose petals lingered in the air, wrapping me like a blanket, which helped to relieve the tension that was accumulating in my body.

As I stayed underneath in the water, I closed my eyes and was drawn into the memories of what had transpired between me and my mate.

His voice kept ringing in my head.

" You will submit to me, Cassidy"

I shivered, Deep inside me, a part of me worried about my fears coming true.

"Is this my fate"

"Will I be claimed by the very man whom I solemnly swore I would never accept "

These thoughts were still lingering in my mind as I had forgotten I had been under the water for so long.

Just then, I heard someone call out to me.

" Miss, are you alright?" I was startled. The attendants were watching with concern, and I just replied with a small nod, casting my thoughts aside.

I rolled my eyes open and forgot I had come here with those attendants who were interrupting my thoughts.

They helped me from the bath and guided me to the dressing room where I will be duly taken care of with adequate preparation.

I was dressed in a royal blue gown adorned with diamond stones which had a golden dragon embroidered into it.  

The clothing had a nice texture and was heavy as it slipped down my shoulders. But I just watched as they styled my hair making it into a ponytail using golden hairpins to hold it in place. 

They added a little makeup to my face to make my appearance perfect.

I straightened myself managing my composure as I carried the burden which hung heavily on my shoulders.

I could not question them because I was obviously a stranger in this place who did not know about their rules.

" You are so beautiful, miss," the maids complimented my beauty after seeing my overall appearance.

"You have done a great job " I appreciated their efforts in dressing me up.

As I looked at my reflection in the mirror, I was dazzled full of admiration for myself with the new look, but I couldn't ignore the ominous feeling that I felt something was bound to happen tonight.

" It's time to go now," the chief maid said, instructing her subordinates to be careful not to ruin my dress.

As I was escorted outside my chamber, I was surprised to see a royal carriage already waiting outside for me.

It was beautifully decorated with balloons and luxurious designs which made me fall over heels for this magnificent carriage.

For a moment, I felt speechless. The carriage was rare and one of a kind which was every girl's dream.

" Hop inside, miss," the chief maid said as she gently helped me settle down into the carriage.

I settled into the plush seats with dread knotting in my belly.

  As the carriage strode forward, my heart thumped harder, and I experienced tightness in my chest as we arrived at the hall, which was an unfamiliar serenity to me.

I got out of the carriage and forgot to breathe for a moment.  

The surroundings were breathtaking, and I was in awe of the beauty.

We strode towards the large hall, and I saw many heavily armed bodyguards outside, earnestly waiting for our arrival.

" You are welcome, miss. Let me quickly inform them about your arrival," he ordered one of his subordinates to go, who hastily went to deliver the instruction.

" You can enter, miss," he said, and he opened the doors, ushering me to go in.

  As I walked gracefully into the hato, all eyes were on me with murmurs erupting through the crowd.

"Who is she"

"How come I have never seen her before" they whispered to one another.

I didn't mind the noises coming from the crowd as I was cautious of my steps because I was not going to be an object of ridicule before these people.

As I walked closer, I noticed the black-haired guy, who was the alpha, sitting in the farthest corner of the hall.

" Come and sit, he beckoned to me, signaling with his hands, and I felt startled, unsure of what to do.

I obeyed and went to sit over with him while they all stared at me.

" This seat is for the Luna of our pack Alpha Damien," one man spoke up, but the alpha just signaled to the beta, who understood the assignment pretty well.

 The beta cleared his throat as he looked at everyone.

" Good morning, everyone. You must be confused about the new lady in court," he said.

My eyes widened.

" She is the Alpha's mate. Our new Luna"