Prologue
Two weeks after a brutal rogue/hunter attack Adira’s father called her into his office. She knew by the tone of his voice and the look in his eyes that she wasn’t going to like where this particular conversation would go.
“The pack is weak, this will be a way for us to strengthen our pack. Most of the other packs have joined your brother and his wife, the Sea Oasis Pack is one of the only ones left. Jake has agreed to join the packs if you marry his son. We need this, Adira. I am counting on you.” Dean Blakesley told his only daughter. He said it in a way that made it seem like she had a choice, but Adira knew she didn’t have a choice. She would have to marry Jake’s son. It would either be to marry his son or be disowned by her father. She knew Dean wasn’t above disowning his children. He disowned her older brother after they went against him.
Adira hated the idea of marrying someone she barely knew. She wasn’t a romantic like her two older brothers but she was still iffy on arranged marriages. Luca Baker was alright, but honestly, he seemed like a total prick. He wasn’t particularly hard to look at but would she really be able to make an arranged marriage work? She knew that the Sea Oasis pack had lost a lot of their members when the hunters attacked the wolf packs of Silverport, just like her pack, the WestBeach Pack, had. She knew they, as a pack, needed the numbers since her dad refused to join her brother’s pack, The Jaded Anchor Pack, but could she really marry a man she barely knew? Who the hell was she kidding, she knew she would do anything her dad asked her to do. She tried so hard to not disappoint him as her brothers had. Adira, as her older brothers liked to say, had some major daddy issues.
“I won’t let you down. I will do what it takes to bring some stability back to this pack. You can tell Luca’s dad that the marriage will happen.” Adira promised knowing every word was true. She’d do anything he wanted her to even if she hated it. The decision was a little easier for her since she had no real romantic attractions towards anyone I particular. All the guys she dated in the past had been far from serious. Maybe Luca wouldn’t be so bad. He was hot…
“That’s my girl. I knew I could count on you unlike those brothers of yours. I’ll call his father to confirm the arrangement.” Dean patted her on the back and left her sitting there in his office alone like he hadn’t just given her away to strengthen his pack.
Adira quickly chastised herself for the thought. Her dad loved her. He was only doing what was best for their pack, and that included her. He wouldn’t have forced her into the marriage. He had given her the option. Even if that option was to get married or get the hell out of his life.
“He knew you wouldn’t say no. You’ve never said no.” Adira mumbled out loud to herself. She had said the words but she heard her brothers’ voices when she said them. Rowen and Coen, neither one of them understood her need to please their father. They teased her often about being a daddy’s girl. Someone had to make him happy, her brothers sure as hell made it hard on her. Always pissing him off. She had to jump through fiery hoops to stay in his good graces.
