Chapter 2 Wedding Alliance

He took a deep breath. "Alpha Zander seems to be interested in having a wife...and so he is visiting us."

My eyes widened in disbelief. A wife from our pack? What did that even mean? Who would be the unlucky she-wolf?

"That's the perfect opportunity for us-and for your otherwise useless daughter to finally bring something of value," Amelia said sharply, her words making my brows furrow and my heart race. Then she added with a smug smile, "If we have the Alpha King as family, we'll be a pack to be feared. We'll gain power, protection... everything!"

Her voice was dripping with excitement, but her eyes were locked on me like I was the sacrifice already chosen.

"No, not me, Father," I begged, my voice trembling. " I don't want to die."

I'd heard all the stories. Zander Blake was a beast-a bloodthirsty monster with a feral, untamed wolf. Every woman he'd been with ended up dead.

And I didn't want to be next.

I didn't want to die at the hands of a monster.

"No one challenges Alpha Zander. We have to offer him a suitable bride," he said coldly. "He'll be here tonight to take you."

His tone was final. No room for argument. Then he turned and walked away.

"There is something you can do!" I cried out, panic rising in my chest. "You can save me from this, Father! You have to."

He paused, then slowly turned to face me.

"I can't do anything," he said, his eyes empty. "But you can save yourself from his wrath-by being obedient. Be a perfect Luna. Give him a child."

"You know this is impossible, right? He seems impotent! He is cursed! It doesn't matter who is with him. No woman can give him a child, and he would rather die than take the blame. Father, we both know he will kill me at the end like every other woman that has married him."

My lips trembled as I blinked out tears, hoping he would feel a bit of love for me, but it seemed he had made up his mind.

He exhaled heavily, casting a glance at Amelia.

"This is the first and only time you could be of importance to your pack; why not do it and stop being selfish!" Amelia snapped in confidently, resting on my father's shoulder.

My legs wobbled, giving up on me as I crashed under my weight, sobbing hard.

I thought of running, but that was totally impossible with the amount of security in the building. Tears poured freely down my cheeks, the thought of being with Zander Blake making my stomach churn.

The stories I had heard about him were scary, and what I read in books was even scarier. His inner wolf Lyon was untamed, uncontrollable, and wild. Zander had grown so powerful, with wealth, authority, and power.

He was feared and infamous among every neighboring pack, but without a child, his legacy would be gone and everything he built would be scavenged and ruined.

He had been going from pack to pack looking for unmated virgin she-wolves to give him a child. I never believed it would be our turn so soon.

Crawling back to my room, I slumped on the bed, burying my face in the pillow.

What have I done to deserve this? Mom, please come take me away. Come save me from all this. Moon goddess, please don't allow this to happen to me.

I prayed with a broken heart, sinking into the bed as though it would swallow me and save me from my terrible fate.

I didn't know when I slept off, but the moment I woke, it was evening, and the silence in the building was kind of eerie.

Something seemed off, as though the mouth of everyone had been sealed.

My eyes darted at the clock and it was almost 8pm.

Then it flashed back into my mind, the visit of Alpha king Zander Blake. Was he here already?

I asked myself as I sat up from the bed. Almost immediately, my door was flung open and five maids rushed in.

"We were sent to get you dressed up and perfect for your husband. He is in the pack already."

"No. I am not getting married to anyone! I..."

"You have no choice, dear. Zander will kill you if you decline. You know he never takes no for an answer," one of them said in a warning tone, and I became calm, knowing full well that she was right.

*

The maid led me to the grand hall, holding my hands and lifting the end of my long gown off the floor. I was dressed in a red royal robe.

As we got to the door, I could hear the conversation from inside, and every word was like a knife in my heart.

"Where is the so-called daughter of yours?! Is she even worth the alliance?!" I heard a deep, cold voice laced with quiet authority from the hall.

"She will be here in a few minutes, Alpha king. If you meet her, you will like her. She is pretty and has been training to be a good and perfect Luna. She would be a perfect wife and mate. She is a pure virgin, a very calm and obedient girl," my father implored, and I couldn't help but wince at his words.

He sounded like he was advertising a product to be sold, and I was that goods.

"I heard she is wolfless. I hope it doesn't affect her ability to bear me a child. You promise me she is fertile; that's why I am finalizing this alliance. I hope you aren't lying to me!" The same deep, husky voice responded with arrogance.

How could my father promise such a thing?

"She is in perfect health, Alpha king. Trust me. She can even possibly bore you twins. As many children as you want." My father replied out of greed when he knew how almost impossible it was.

I couldn't remain outside anymore as I barged in furiously. "Father, you know it's impossible!" I called out angrily and everyone's gaze shifted toward me.

"Selena!" My father's brows furrowed as he shot me an annoyed glare.

My gaze fell on Zander at that moment, seated before my father with two hefty guards, which he may never need because of how powerful he was-his broad, muscular body adorned in a black tailored suit immediately caught my attention.

This was the first time I was seeing him in reality, and I could swear the book description didn't describe him any better. He exuded an aura of dominance and intimidation, and his gaze at me sent shivers down my spine as though I was enchanted.

"Selena, meet His Highness, Alpha King Zander Blake," my father introduced, a flattering grin on his face.

I already know. There was no need for the introduction.

As his sharp blue eyes locked with mine, my world seemed to come to a standstill. I was both scared and mesmerized, causing my heart to skip a beat. I felt breathless, and my lips parted in a gasp as I was caught in the intensity of his gaze.

He was incredibly handsome, but the bloodthirsty beast in him was already reflecting in his eyes as he peered deep as though he was seeing through my soul.

He seemed displeased. He always appears angry, his face maintaining a stern and cold countenance.

"That's my daughter, your highness. I hope she is beautiful enough. You won't regret giving her the chance to bear you an heir. The family bond will be the strongest relationship between our pack." My father said in elation, grabbing the bags of gold.

"I don't want to marry him! I don't want to be killed. I can't give him a child and you know that! Father, please don't sell me off. I am not even a virgin." I sobbed out, falling to my knees, hoping lying about not being a virgin would save me from this horrible fate.

Dead silence fell in the hall as my father stared at me in rage. He couldn't believe my last sentence.

"I will marry her," Alpha King Zander declared, regardless, leaving me speechless and shocked. I thought he only accepted virgins.