Chapter Four

Giselle’s POV

“What are you talking about?” My stepmother spoke first. She wanted to defend herself, but Alpha Darven’s hardened glare made her slam her mouth shut.

“Just three weeks ago, you and your mate approached me, claiming to have a cure for me. I knew you were rulers of a pack. I smelled your blood, but I couldn’t tell if you were Lycans or pure-blooded wolves.

“Claiming to be magicians while requesting a huge sum of money to get me a breeder. I politely told you both that I was going to think about it, but you did the unthinkable.

“You hired a slut to stay by my side all through the night, knowing fully well that I was in heat. Then you got my sperm only to implant it in your daughter. You wanted to trade her so she could be my breeder. Now you beat her for something you both committed.”

Alpha Darven snarled. His guards surrounded my parents like predators lurking around their prey. Just one snap of his fingers was enough to end their lives.

“Let… us… speak in the office,” my father whispered, feeling embarrassed by his actions. “No, there is no need to go to the office. Rather, I’ll let the entire pack know the kind of king you are,” Alpha Darven snapped angrily.

“Why didn’t you do it to your daughter? Is it because you didn’t want her mated to a cursed Alpha? That was the sole reason you killed her mate and blamed it on her.” He spoke, staring straight into my stepmother’s eyes.

So she was the one. She was the one who ordered my mate to be killed and had the pack council take something precious from me.

“She was useless anyway. She had to go,” she whispered to herself. Due to how silent the pack was, we all heard her.

“I will sign a contract and prepare what you requested, but in exchange, you offer me your daughter and never ask for her again,” Alpha Darven said finally.

My stepmother nodded shamelessly while my father stood frozen on the spot. “Prepare my bride. We are having a wedding ceremony immediately. I can’t let a woman carry my child out of wedlock,” he said plainly, some of his guards moved away from my father toward me.

“What if I say no? I don’t want a wedding ceremony with you.” My voice suddenly became bold. Who was he to force me into a wedding? “I never gave you an option to choose, Giselle. Did I?” he asked with a daring smile.

“How am I so sure that you are indeed my pup’s father? I guess you have to prove to me that you are my mate and the father of my pup. If not, I am not agreeing to the wedding ceremony,” I blurted out.

He let out a throaty laugh. “Like I said, Giselle, I never gave you a choice.” “Would you like to know which part of your body bears my mark?” He chuckled, narrowing his beautiful grey eyes at me.

“You bear my mark, Giselle, in the most intimate part of your body.” His rough hands brushed my skin, sending sparks through my body. I stood frozen. How did all of that happen without my knowledge?

“Or would you like me to remind you of everything that happened that night? Trust me, it would be a shame if you don’t remember any of it. You begged for it. How do you expect my wolf to deny a young innocent girl like you?” His cocky smile widened.

He was openly flirting with me in front of my entire pack— in front of my father. “Fine. We will have the wedding ceremony, but on my own terms,” I squared my shoulders.

“Whatever you choose, as long as the mating ceremony holds tomorrow,” he replied, his voice final. “I need the ceremony to be held in two days. I’m not really a Luna; I need to prepare for the role.”

“I never asked you to perform Luna duties. You will be my mate and the mother of my pup.” His eyes fell on my stomach as if he could see our child. That was it. I was nothing but his breeder.

“The ceremony holds tomorrow. You can’t disobey your Alpha, your mate—can you?” he taunted, an evil grin plastered on his face.

“Prepare my bride. Force her if you must, but make her stunning for her mate tomorrow,” he ordered the female gamma before kissing my cheek.

“Let’s go and finalise things. After all, I have what you want, and you have the solution I’ve been searching for,” he said calmly to my father. Strangely, my father followed him out of the hospital like he was being controlled.

I was doomed. He was cocky, but somehow I loved it. His presence was commanding. He was certainly the kind of man Melissa feared. Somehow, I didn’t care if I was only going to be his for nine months. I was happy that my prayer was finally answered by the Moon Goddess. I had a mate to call my own.

“You will suffer for what that beast did to me,” my stepmother fumed as she walked past me.

**In Giselle’s Room**

I stared at the cemented walls of my room, my heart racing from how cruel my father could be. Who knew if he had a hand in Damien’s death or approved her actions?A soft knock came from the door. The head pack maid entered with five others behind her.

“Princess, the King asked us to get you ready for the ceremony,” Clara muttered, bowing her head. I looked at her in surprise. This was the first time in months she called me princess.

My stepmother had turned me into a slave in my father’s own house. This same woman once made me scrub the kitchen floor for seven nights straight.

“Tell my father I’ll be ready shortly,” I said dismissively.

“I’m sorry, Princess. The order wasn’t from your father,” she replied softly.

Things just got interesting. “Tell him I’ll be ready,” I said, turning away. “You must come with us now. He threatened to rip our heads off if you don’t,” she whispered fearfully.

“Fine. Let’s go.”

I stared at my reflection in the mirror. My white pearl dress hugged my hourglass body perfectly. My auburn hair was styled flawlessly. This was the first expensive thing I’d ever worn.

My mind raced. My life would end if I lost the child in my womb—my only connection to Alpha Darven. “Giselle,” the seer called as she entered. “Am I going to die like the rest?” I asked tearfully.

“You’re not going to die, my child,” she said gently.

“I’m crippled,” I sobbed. “You are not crippled. Your stepmother made Uma crippled,” she revealed.

“She did what?” “Yes. Your father knows. That’s why he rejected you. She threatened him.” “With what?” “The death of your mother.”

My heart froze. “I can’t tell you more now. You’ll learn the truth in time,” she said before leaving. Everything made sense. “If I am going to die, I’ll accept it,” I whispered sadly.

“Let me help you fix your dress, sis,” Sophia’s sweet voice interrupted. “Leave!” I snapped. “You were chosen because of what you carry,” she sneered.

“That’s not the only reason. My wolf recognizes him,” I lied. “You have a wolf?” she laughed. “Yes, I do.” “You and that crippled beast will be dead soon,” she smiled.

She lunged at me, yanking my dress and hair. “You’ve always taken what was mine!” she screamed. “Please,” I begged. “I won’t watch you live while I suffer,” she said, tying my hands.

She pulled out a syringe. “You think I’ll sit back and watch you have everything?” she hissed. “Bye, sis.” She injected me. My legs gave out. My vision blurred.

Then everything went black.