Chapter 2 The Binding I Never Wanted

I stormed away from Jasmine, my anger propelling me forward as I searched for Hannah and Sarah. I wasn't going to stand and let them make such decisions about my life.

As I was about to step out of the hall, Sarah's voice cut through the air, halting my movements. "The bride isn't supposed to leave the ceremony before the wedding is conducted," she said, her tone firm yet playful.

I turned back, fury bubbling up inside me. "You bitch!"

"Come on don't call your mother a bitch!"

I scoffed "You are not my mother."

"Yes I'm not and I'm thankful for that. Anyways, don't you just adore your wedding decorations?" she replied, gesturing around at the lavish setup that had been arranged.

"It's not my wedding, it's Hannah's," I snapped, frustration evident in my voice. Just then, Hannah piped up, "How is it my wedding when your name is on the banner?"

"You fuckin..." I started, but she cut me off, her voice rising. "Oh please, don't start with the ramble. Your name is on the banner, which clearly means you are the bride."

"I'm not the fucking bride, okay? I have put up with a lot of your nonsense, but not this," I retorted, my heart racing.

"Oh darling," Sarah said, a teasing glint in her eye as she tugged at a loose strand of hair that had escaped my bun. "You talk like you have a choice."

I swatted her hand away, scoffing in disbelief. "I do, and I've already made up my mind."

She let out a light chuckle, her eyes narrowing playfully. "Well then, in that case, I've made up my mind not to pay for your father's surgery. It'll be a win; you don't listen to me, and I let your father die."

"You can't do that!" I growled, my voice low and filled with anger.

"Yes, I can. I can do anything I want, Eli, and you know that better than anyone."

She was right, I did. Sarah has pulled up so many taunts on Dad risking his life so many times.

"You're playing with his life, Sarah! You think this is a game?"

Her smile faded, replaced by a cold, steely gaze. "This isn't about a game, Eli. It's about choices and consequences. You need to understand that your decisions affect more than just you."

I clenched my fists, frustration overwhelming me. "If you think I'm going to back down just because you're trying to manipulate me, you're wrong."

"Manipulation?" she scoffed, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "I'm simply showing you the reality of the situation. If you want to be stubborn about this then fine. But don't expect me to bail you out when everything falls apart or when your father is at the edge of dying."

I could feel a burning pain inside me as I said, "But he's your husband, how could you do this to him?"

"Just like he married me without loving me. You need to stop judging me because your father isn't as good as you think he is," she shot back, her eyes flashing with defiance.

"I hate you!" I ranted, frustration bubbling over.

She scoffed, "I don't like me either." Then, with a shrug, she posed a question that hung in the air like a dark cloud. "So tell me, would you get married to Alpha Malik and save your father or do you want to keep being stubborn?"

I couldn't answer her; my mind was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. I didn't want to marry Alpha Malik, but I knew Sarah was capable of letting Dad die considering she already took away everything he owned.

As I struggled to find clarity, my phone suddenly started ringing, I looked at the screen to see that it was Dad's nurse calling. I instantly answered the phone "Hello."

"Miss Eli, I'm sorry I had to call again but it's important. Mr. Baldwin's health is getting worse, you have to get payment ready before the end of today." She said, her voice filled with urgency

My heart instantly sank in my chest as my breath went numb "What's going on with him?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper

"His blood pressure is rising, his heart rate is high and we are just trying to get him to stay awake so his condition doesn't get worse. Please get the surgery payment done Miss Eli otherwise you might lose him."

Her words tore me apart, I can't lose Dad. Tears welled up in my eyes as I spoke "I'll do everything, please, just make sure he's fine."

"I can't assure anything right now Miss Eli, but I'll do all I can to make sure he's okay."

Before I could respond to her, the call abruptly ended leaving me in tears.

My attention moved to Sarah who had her eyes on me with a smug expression on her face. "I see his condition is getting worse."

"He needs the surgery otherwise he'll..." My words broke up as the thought of Dad getting hurt ripped me apart.

She scoffed "Well then get married to the Alpha Malik. It's that easy Eli, do as I say and I'll do as you wish."

I couldn't give a response immediately, my life and Dad's life depended on this. My mind began to wander on what to do and just then,

the wedding song shifted to a chorus that echoed the urgency of the moment.

It was time to get the ceremony started. Sarah looked at me and said, "Are you in or not?"

I knew I had no choice, Dad means a lot to me so I agreed "Yes, I'll marry him."

"Great," she grinned as she held my hand tightly and began leading me down the aisle.

With each step I took, tears welled up in my eyes but I didn't let it slip away as I tried to maintain my composure.

As Sarah and I neared Alpha Malik, his intense gaze locked onto me as anger burned through his expression "This isn't my bride, who is she!"

I could feel the intensity of his anger but it didn't scare me, though I can tell that everyone else was scared, including Sarah.