Chapter 1 Prologue

The atmosphere inside the car was heavy. I resolutely kept my gaze out of the window, not wishing to talk to my father, not that he had anything to say. My eyes burned as I tried my best to hold back tears. The huge high rises and concrete houses had long disappeared. Trees and uneven roads had replaced that. My chest tightened at the thought of what awaited me. "At least be useful for once," mother had hissed, unmoved by my tears. "Kiara, please," father had said. His request sounded more like a reproach, as if he wanted me to stop being a nuisance. I surreptitiously glanced at father. His eyes were straight ahead. A frown had marred his brow, as if he would be anywhere but here in this car. I let out an inaudible sigh, gazing at the white gown that I had been forced to wear. I envied everyone in my pack at the moment. They didn't have to go through this...this heartless and idiotic ritual. Why did the ministers target our pack? We are a small pack, after all, comprising of not more than 100 wolves. "Father," came a subdued reply. I felt bad for Astrid, my wolf. She has been quiet ever since the decision had been finalized. even though I was certain that this was my father's idea, I refused to believe it. I refused to tarnish the image of a righteous alpha whom I looked up to, I refused to marr the image of an ideal father who loved me with his everything. Loved. I wanted to laugh suddenly, at the ridiculousness of the situation, at the sorry state of my life. And yet, I felt the familiar burn in the corner of my eyes. I remember last night, how we had a formal dinner, and my mother cooked some of my favourite dishes, but not before asking me what they were. It was like a painful slap, for being forgotten by one's own mother, for being neglected and treated like a stranger. My sister hadn't returned home last night. Mom and dad had not said a word, always lenient towards her, always more protective. the love that they had for me had evaporated long ago. I swallowed thickly, not wanting to shed another tear at the painful thought. All that love and adoration was a figment of the past. Now, I was an abomination to them. A symbol of shame that needed to be discarded. The trees grew thicker, canopying the light, and I knew we were near. Soon, we will reach a place that would be more like a prison than a new home and I will be bonded to someone who is not a human, but a beast.