1. The Dark King

Amara POV

“Wh-what do you mean?” I asked my Father. My heart was thumping erratically in my chest as my fear perfumed the air. Am I going crazy, or did he just say what I think he did?

He’d pulled me aside to tell me something urgent. Something he says may change my life forever.. and the words he’s saying only makes me believe that it’s true.

“You’ve been chosen as one of the two girls from our pack to attend the Dark Kings Royal ball.” He said. He clasped his hands together and sat back in his chair as he watched me.

“But.. why?” I asked with wide eyes.

“He’s choosing a wife. He went through every packs list of unmated females over 18, and he selected you and Lola from our pack.” He said.

A wife? Another.. wife? I couldn’t believe my ears. Surely, I must be hearing my Father wrong.. am I hallucinating? Am I dreaming or something?

I pinched myself.. but nothing happened. Then I dug my fingernails into my palms, cutting through the skin and letting blood seep out.

Nothing happened.

This is real life..

“Me?” I asked as I wiped my bloodied palms nervously on my training pants.

My Father nodded his head and sighed, clearly getting irritated with the fact that I’m still not grasping it completely.

“Yes, Amara. You. There are 40 girls in total, and you are one of them. If this turns out in our favor.. you could be the Queen. We will be wealthy, and because of that, the pack will flourish.” He said, pointing out that I’m only doing this for the well-being of the pack. How could he? How could he allow this? I’m supposed to be waiting for my mate!

I may be 24.. but I still have time to find my mate. Yes, it’s very rare to not have found your mate by now, but here I am.

If I were to be picked.. I wouldn’t be able to be with my mate. The King would force his mark on me, and my mate would never be found. The idea made my heart sink to the pits of my stomach.

“H-how will he choose?” I asked nervously. I fiddled with my fingers in my lap as I stared at him, waiting for his response.

“He will observe each of you during the ball. I’m sure if he takes interest in you, you will know. He will likely spend most of his time with the girl he plans to pick.” He said. I let out a breath as I took in all of the information.

The Dark King is choosing a wife.

He only just lost his chosen mate a few years ago.. no one knows exactly what happened, but there are rumors that he went mad and killed her, himself. The man is a beast.. all he knows is death and destruction. He’s killed so many men.. including his parents and his siblings. That is why they call him the Dark King. The Dark Lycan King.

“Father.. I don’t think-“ he cut me off with a glare, forcing the words right back down my throat.

“You have no choice. He picked you. The ball is this weekend, so I will have a gown made for you.” He said. I tucked my hair behind my ear nervously, trying hard to fight back the tears that threaten to fall.

I am the only daughter of the Alpha of Black Forrest pack. Not his only child, but his only daughter. His youngest child.. the child that is the cause of his mates death.

During childbirth my mother passed. He has always been.. indifferent towards me. Deep down I know he despises me with every fiber of his being. He’s never been kind to me, always treating me as if I’m some disobedient child. He has always been cruel man.

It doesn’t help that my two older siblings don’t like me much either. They blame me for the death of my mother, as if I had any say in that. They act as if I’d taken a silver blade and rammed it straight into her heart.. but all I ever did was be born.

“You will be on your best behavior. Do you hear me? If you mess this up for us, Amara.. I swear to the Moon Goddess you will pay.” He growled those last words in such hatred, I swear I felt it pulsating off of him.

“Yes, Father. I will, I promise.” I swore to him.

Despite the urge to to scream and curse at him, I will be quiet and do as he asks. Not only because I’m afraid of what he’d do, but I’m afraid that if I make the wrong move that the King would take my head. I prefer it where it is.. so I will try to be on my best behavior.

“Have you finished your training for today?” He changed the subject. I nodded my head once as I looked away.

“Yes, Father. Beta Jamie has posted this weeks scores.. if you’re interested in seeing them.” I said. He nodded and handed him the sheet of paper that was laying in my lap.

He snatched it from me and examined it closely.

“You’re the top, again.” He said, still unimpressed.

Beta Jamie trains all of the warriors. We each train in different combat skills, a new one each week. At the end of the week, we hold one on one competitions where we fight each other. Beta Jamie then scores us from best to worst. I, always end up at first place.. but it never seems to impress my father.

“Yes, Father.. I’ve been training extra hard lately.” I said. I was aiming to become one of the head warriors, but every time I ask Father, he turns me down. The only time I’m ever allowed out of the pack-house is to train.. so I don’t see him allowing it ever, but I still try every time.

“That won’t be necessary now. Especially if the King chooses you.” He said plainly. He tossed the sheet on his desk and folded his hands together.

There was several moments of silence.. each second feeling like a knife to the skin. He leaned over and picked up the glass that smelled heavily of whiskey.

“Good, that is all I needed from you. You may go now, Amara.” He said. I closed my mouth and lowered my eyes as I stood.

Once I was away from his office, I let out a breath.

Goddess, what am I supposed to do? Theres a possibility of me being picked. I’m glad that there are at least 39 other women, but somehow that still doesn’t ease my nerves.

I made my way to my room, listening closely to my surroundings. The last thing I need is to run into one of my siblings. If they have heard about this, I’m sure they’d rub it in my face without hesitation.

I rushed up the stairs and sighed once I’d made it to my room, walking in and closing the door behind me.

I’ve never felt so afraid in my life. I’m going to a Royal ball to be offered to the king.