Chapter 2 Wedding Alliance

“There is something else in the letter that you must know.” My father muttered, his eyes fixed on me. “Me? What is it?” I was confused. He took a deep breath. “Alpha Zander seems to be interested in having another wife…and you have caught his attention.” I couldn't believe my ears, my eyes glued at my father, hoping it would turn out to be a joke. It should be a prank or so because there is no way I am getting married to that devil. “This is good news for our pack. We will be a pack to be feared because we now have the Alpha King on our side as family. We will really benefit from this!” Amelia chirped with excitement in her voice as she smirked at me. I knew she was only happy that I would be gotten rid of. Her hatred for me knew no bounds, and I'd wonder what wrong I had done to her. “No, Father, I don’t want to die,” I begged, my voice trembling. I’d heard all the stories—every woman he slept 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 Zander,” 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. He might love you then… unimaginably.” “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! You can't be your father's heir!” Amelia snapped in confidently, resting on my father's shoulder. “You may be different and give him a child. We will keep praying to the moon goddess for that. I am sorry you have to face this.” He shrugged before they walked away. 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. My 18th birthday was in a few days. He could have waited till then, when I must have found my mate so I wouldn't be an option. 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 the deep, cold voice from the hall and could tell immediately it was that of Zander. "She will be here in a few minutes. 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 of Zander responded with arrogance. How could my father promise such a thing? "If she gives me a child, I will come back with another bag of gold, and we will be friends. So where is she?” I heard him ask. “She can even possibly bore you twins. Just give her time.” 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, what do you mean?!!" 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.