Chapter 1 Prologue

Amelia

"You Amelia Sheffield, will be marrying Alpha Woodson, the leader of the Zenith pack" The man next to Woodson said with Woodson's hand extended out to me.

I took it without hesitating.

It finally kicked in.

My heart stopped. My mind spiraled into a never ending anxious state as the reality began to unfold in front of me.

I was getting married to the ruthless alpha.

This was going to be my life and there wasn't any going back.

Few hours earlier

The door burst open with a thunderous crack that rattled the thin walls of my bedroom. The bad scent of Lucy, my step-mother-a nauseating mixture of cheap perfume, and vodka-overwhelmed my nose, making me jolt up from my bed.

"You better get your butt downstairs right now if you want to get to school," she sneered at me, her voice hoarse from years of smoking. Her face, once possessing the beauty of an angel but now, because of the constant alcohol living in her system, had been reduced to an emaciated one.

Checking the time on my battered alarm clock, I had about 15 minutes left until the school bus would arrive.

She left the room with the door open. The scent of her lingered, making me wrinkle my nose in disgust. I sighed out and pulled the covers off me. I went into the bathroom and brushed my teeth, the minty paste doing little to wash away the bitter taste of another morning in this house.

I took a quick shower as fast as I could, the lukewarm water-never hot, Lucy made sure of that-cascading down my back. I dressed up quickly, my fingers fumbling with the buttons. I put on some black rompers and a sweater with my converses, the fabric soft against my skin,and my hair in a neat bun, a few stubborn strands falling around my face.

"Look what the cat dragged out of the room, mum," Ashley, my step-sister, mocked with a high-pitched laugh, and my step-mum joined in the laughter.

My heart broke again, and I reminded myself that I would not cry in front of them.

Ashley, dressed in her very, very conservative outfit (sarcasm intended)-a skirt so short it barely covered anything, a top that plunged so low it left little to imagination, and makeup caked on so thick it was a wonder she could still move her face-glared at me with her icy blue eyes before finishing the last toast, crumbs falling from her glossy lips as she chewed loudly.

There wasn't any other food left for me, my stomach growling in protest, a hollow ache that I had become all too familiar with.

"I'm leaving for school now, mum," she said to her mother, her voice sweet as honey, a stark contrast to the venom she spat at me. She flounced out of the door, her heels clicking against the hardwood floor, the sound echoing in my empty stomach.

"Have a nice day, sweetie," Lucy yelled after her, her voice dripping with affection, before meeting my eyes and rolling hers, the disdain in them clear as day.

Ashley's car zoomed off, the engine roaring to life before fading into the distance, and then I finally realized something was wrong.

Ashley never leaves for school before me. I always leave before her.

I checked the time at the clock on the kitchen wall, and it read 8:00 am.

"My clock wasn't correct," I stated, adjusting my backpack as I looked at my step-mum.

"You changed the time on my clock," I accused her absent-mindedly, the words slipping out before I could stop them. She dropped the smug look and walked over to me. Before I could react, her hand connected with my cheek.

"How dare you accuse me of that, you stupid girl?! Get out of the house now!" she screeched, pushing me out of the house.

I started my 20-minute journey to my high school, the backpack heavy on my shoulders The sound of my tears were my only company as I walked the semi-empty streets of my neighborhood.

It hadn't always been like this. Lucy and Ashley were a tolerable step mother and step sister when my father, Bill Sheffield was alive. My mother left us after she gave birth to me and my dad had been in a bad place. Lucy had been the one to fill that hole and he had been happy. He was happy up until he took his last breath, cancer taking him away from me.

Lucy had liked my father but never me and so after he died , she mourned his death and blamed it on me.. that it was my fault he died and ever since then, she and her daughter had decided to make my life a living hell.

My mind was brought back to reality as I heard the scrawny bell ring for the first class, just as I was stepping into the hallways.

I quickly started heading to my locker, my footsteps echoing in the empty hallway, when I tripped over someone's feet and fell face flat on the floor.

"Watch it, loser!" Anna, the girl who had been my best friend before I lost my dad, said to me. She was now a popular girl, going around with Ashley and her other minion.

I don't say anything and just get off the floor and reach my locker. I get my books and start heading to my class in a haste.

"Miss Sheffield, nice of you to finally grace us with your presence," Mrs. Green, my calculus teacher, mocked me, her voice dripping with sarcasm, making the whole class laugh at me.

My cheeks reddened in embarrassment as I scurried off to my seat.

My mind never being in class and always day dreaming makes time feel so short and that is how my classes went by in a blur and it was time to go back to the place I called home.

I didn't want to go back early. I wasn't ready to deal with Lucy and Ashley, and besides, it's not like they gave a shit about where I was. They would even prefer if I was dead, their words, not mine.

But then there would be no one to cook their meal.

I decided I would use the longer route to go home, and not many people used that part. It was just 4 pm in the evening, so I didn't think anyone would be using that place.

The forest was alive with sounds-birds chirping, leaves rustling in the gentle breeze, twigs snapping under my feet.

My mind wandered about as I thought of how life would've been if my mother had never left and my father was still alive. Maybe I wouldn't have to be thinking of the beating that awaited me because I came home later than I should've and did not make dinner.

You don't have to cook for them anymore.

I let out a gasp, whipping my head around. The voice had been clear, as if someone had whispered directly into my ear.

"Who said that? Who's out there? Show yourself," I said loudly, my voice echoing in the quiet forest. I got no response except the tweeting of the birds and the rustling of leaves.

Maybe it had just been my imagination.

It's far from your imagination, Amelia.

Okay. I clearly heard that now.

I looked around again, my heart racing.

"Who's out there?!! Don't be a coward!" I picked up a branch as my weapon, the rough bark digging into my skin as I held it tightly, showing it off to no one as I spoke, my voice trembling with fear.

"Show yourself!!" My voice wavered pathetically, betraying my fear.

You don't know how pathetic you look right now.

"Shut up!! Show yourself!" I demanded, my voice breaking, tears threatening to spill from my eyes.

No response once more. Instead, a bird flew away, its wings flapping loudly in the silence, the sound making me jump.

And to think I have to get married to you.

I realized what was happening. No one was here actually. It was all in my head, a manifestation of my stress and exhaustion. I was losing my mind.

Oh. Maybe you aren't as pathetic as I thought you are.

"You asshole!! Show your freaking face! Who the hell are you?" I screamed, my voice echoing through the trees, scaring away the birds perching on the branches.

Wait.

What was I doing?!

Why am I talking to myself in the middle of the woods? Get it together, Amelia! I shook my head to rid myself of my thoughts, the motion making me dizzy.

I am real. I am in your head.

I ignored the voice. My voice. It wasn't real. It couldn't be.

Don't ignore me.

Ignored. Again. I refused to give in to this madness.

I hastened my steps, the leaves crunching under my feet, preferring the house now instead of the crazy dialogue I was having with myself.

"I said don't ignore me." A male voice. Behind me.

I stopped walking-the sound of my heart beat filling my ears, a sense of dread washing over me as I turned my head to the owner of the voice.

No one was behind me.

Okay. Don't freak out, Amelia.

As if.

I picked up my speed and started running to my house like someone was pursuing me.

My breaths came out ragged and shallow once I sighted my house, the familiar structure looming in the distance, and I took a moment to get myself together.

I looked back to see if the person had followed me, but no one was behind me, thankfully.

The sun was already preparing to set, casting long shadows across the ground, the sky painted in hues of orange and pink. I quickly entered my house.

A slap in the face. That was what I was welcomed with.

"Where were you? Where have you been, you slut?" Lucy sneered in my face, her breath reeking of alcohol, her eyes bloodshot and wild.

"I got lost in the woods," I replied in a small voice.

"That's a lie. Why use the woods to come home in the first place?" Ashley added to the fire, her arms crossed over her chest

"You dare lie to my face?! I am going to teach you a lesson, you good for nothing-" I awaited another slap in the face, bracing myself for the impact, but it never came because of the disturbing, loud sound that came from outside.

Ashley moved to check through the window what was going on, and she screamed afterwards, the sound piercing my ears.

"My car!!!" She shrieked and opened the door, running outside with her heels.

Lucy let me go and rushed towards Ashley, her concern for her daughter overriding her anger towards me. I also went outside to check what had happened and gasped at the sight.

The car had been totaled completely, the once-shiny vehicle now a mangled mess of metal and glass. The smell of burnt rubber filled the air, making me nauseous.

Standing beside it were two men, each of them strikingly handsome, their presence commanding and intimidating. But the one on the right sparked my interest, a familiar feeling washing over me as our eyes met.

He had gray eyes, piercing and cold like a winter storm, and olive skin, smooth and flawless. He was dressed in just jeans and a polo shirt, yet he looked like he just walked out of a 'playboy' magazine for the ladies.

I couldn't help but wonder who they were.

"Who are you guys? Was it you that did this to my baby?!!" Ashley yelled, tears streaming down her face and her mascara running down her eyes. She literally looked like a witch.

I noticed the guy by the right hid a smile, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly. It was as if he had heard my thoughts, found them amusing.

Because I did hear you, you fool.

Oh my God.

He was in my head. He was the one from before. Who was he and how did he get into my head?

I am your husband, Amelia.

What the-

"Answer her now, or I call the police!" Lucy threatened them.

"You are calling no one. We are just here for Amelia, and we will be on our way," the guy by the left side of stalker guy said. He had pale skin and pretty blue eyes, bright as the summer sky. He was also a looker, his features chiseled and perfect, like a statue come to life.

You look at nobody else but me, or they end up dead.

What in the world?

I whipped my head immediately to stalker guy, but his face remained passive, his expression neutral, as if he didn't just threaten me with his friend's life.

"What do you want with Amelia?! And who cares about that whore?!! Look at what you did to my baby's car!!" Lucy screeched, her face red with anger, spittle flying from her mouth.

"Did you just call Amelia a whore?" I was inside the house, yet stalker guy's deep voice rumbled through me, sending shivers down my spine.

"I did. What are you going to-"

"I don't think you should finish that sen-"

Crack.

Her arm was now facing the other way. The wrong way... with stalker guy holding it like it was a useless piece of paper, his grip firm and unrelenting. The sound of bones breaking was sickening, making my stomach turn.

Lucy screamed out loudly, wailing in pain, her face contorted in agony. Ashley was also screaming, even if nothing had happened to her yet, her fear palpable in the air.

"-tence," pale guy finished with a sigh, as if he had expected this to happen, as if it was a common occurrence.

"Let her go!!" Ashley yelled and rushed towards stalker guy, her movements frantic and uncoordinated. There was another crack, the sound echoing in the quiet neighborhood, followed by another scream.

It was Ashley's arm. Oh my God. He had broken Ashley's arm, and he held it like it was another useless piece of paper, his face showing no emotion, no remorse.

She was full-on screaming now, the sound piercing and continuous, filled with pain and fear. I was surprised no neighbor had come to know what the whole commotion was about or, better yet, call the police.

Weren't they terrified? Because I, for one, was.

"Please stop! You're hurting them," I finally spoke up, my voice small and trembling, my heart feeling like it was going to burst out of my chest any moment. Stalker guy looked up at me, his gray eyes meeting mine, still holding my step-mother's broken arm and my step-sister's broken arm.

Even though they treat me wrongly, they were still family. I couldn't stand to see them in pain, couldn't bear the thought of being responsible for their suffering.

"Come with us right now, or they continue to get hurt," he said to me, his voice calm and collected, as if he was discussing the weather, not threatening to hurt my family.

"Why should I come with you?! I don't even know you!" I protested, my voice stronger now, fueled by fear and confusion.

"You are to get married to Alpha Woodson. The leader of the Zenith Pack."

"What?" I must have heard wrong. Heard really wrong. My mind refused to process his words, refused to accept the reality they presented me with.

Married?

To an Alpha? A pack? What was I hearing? Was he trying to say that wolves were real?

"Yes, you fool, and you are to get married to me, or they continue to suffer," he said, his voice hardening, his eyes darkening with anger.

"I'm not getting married to you. Who do you think you are to just come to my house and ask that of me?!" I yelled, terrified nonetheless, my voice cracking with emotion.

He growled lowly, the sound inhuman and threatening, sending shivers down my spine. Then I heard another crack, the sound making me flinch. This time, it was Ashley's other arm.

She screamed out loud, the pain too much for her to bear, and then passed out, her body going limp, her screams finally ceasing.

I let out a horrified gasp, my hand covering my mouth, tears streaming down my face.

"Please stop!! How can you be so ruthless?!!" I yelled, terrified, my voice breaking with sobs.

"You agree to marrying me right now, or they die," Woodson said, his voice cold and final, leaving no room for argument.

"I don't even-" He was already moving to break Lucy's second arm when I yelled out, desperation filling my voice.

"STOP! I'll go with you! I'll marry you!! Please just stop hurting them!!" Fat tears were running down my cheeks as I realized what I just said, the implications of my agreement hitting me like a ton of bricks.

He immediately let go of Lucy and Ashley, and they both fell to the ground with a thud, their moans of pain the only indication that they were still alive.

He walked slowly towards me, each step deliberate and measured, like a predator stalking its prey. I stood still as a dead person once he's in front of me, too afraid to move, to breathe.

"You Amelia Sheffield, will be marrying Alpha Woodson, the leader of the Out pack" The guy that had been next to him says and Woodson extends his hand out to me.

I took it without hesitating and then I let out a big gasp.

It finally kicked in.

My heart stopped. My mind spiraled into a never ending anxious state as the reality began to unfold in front of me.

I was getting married to this ruthless alpha.

This was going to be my life and there wasn't any going back.