Alpha Kyor's Curse; Bound by fate.

Asteria's POV “You're getting married tomorrow, Asteria.” Over supper, my father's steel-like voice made my muscles go numb. I choked over the cheese in my mouth, my eyes bulging as my head jerked backwards, “ I'm getting ma…married?!” “You heard me.” My father flipped his attention to me, his cold gaze piercing through the defensive walls I'd built to shield my fragile heart. It shattered with a single sentence, “You're getting married to Alpha Leonard tomorrow. It's your sacrifice for the safety of the pack.” My heart squeezed, my facial muscles going slack, “I…” I took a sharp intake of air, trying to catch my breath, “Father, Alpha Leonard has concubines across kingdoms. He has a tarnished reputation. He's—” “I know.” His sharp voice cut me off, rendering me completely speechless. After a while, he placed his spoon on the table, “It's your duty, your sacrifice for the safety of your pack.” A soft chuckle escaped my lips. I pushed my chair backwards, the screeching sound filling the space, “my sacrifice?” I turned to my mother and sister, watching as they continued eating their meal like they'd heard nothing. I clutched my dress, tightening my grip on the soft fabric as I took a few steps backwards, “Father, make me do something else this time. I…I can't give my dignity as a woman away!” “Did you just raise your voice at your Alpha?!” My father's voice thundered as he slammed his fists on the table, spilling some wine on the wooden floor. A wave of shivers ran down my spine, my eyes burning as tears blurred my vision. It was happening again. Slowly, my sister's soft giggles settled in my ears, “Father, Asteria's being naive; please be gentle.” she then turned to me, her hazel eyes a reflection of the dimly lit torch, “dear sister.” she began, calmly placing her cup on the table, “getting married to Alpha Leonard is for your own good. You can't continue lazing around in the pack house. You're aware of the constant rouge attacks. Our numbers are decreasing with each passing day.” there was a hint of fear in her voice, a chilling glint in her eyes, “ Your marriage with him would strengthen our pack, help our father. Don't you want to be the ever loving daughter?” My sister, Anastasia, had always loathed me. She was like the venom in my system, constantly poisoning me until I could take no more. She'd bully me, humiliate me, emphasize on the fact that I was a loser—all because I couldn't shift. Yes, my father's pack, the Mundane pack, was on the verge of collapsing due to the constant rogue attacks, but why was I chosen as the sacrifice? My shoulders dragged low, my arm losing all its tension as a tear slipped down my cheeks, “why don't you marry him instead?” I whispered, feeling my heartbeat in my throat, “You've always wanted to explore the world, why won't you travel to the Blackwoods pack for Alpha Leonard?” “Your marriage with him is only for a few years—just to birth him an heir.” My mother's calm voice rang out as she elegantly wiped her lips, “there's no harm done. You can always return here once you've birthed him an heir.” My heart ached, my limbs tingling with fatigue. I held unto the chair for support, “mother..” my voice broke, my gaze lingering on the woman who'd birthed me. My mother had never gazed at me with warmth in her eyes, she'd never sung me lullabies. She'd always pushed me aside like she regretted my existence. Most times I wondered why she loathed me so much. I placed a palm over my mouth, my tears blurring my vision, “If I get married to him, I might never meet my mate.” “Have a mate when you can't shift?” Anastasia sneered, “sister, that's impossible. Get married to Leonard, birth him an heir and save us all. Be our saviour.” I shook my head, raising my dress as I took a few steps backwards, “I'm not doing this.” I blurted out, taking a swift turn as I dashed for the door. However, my father's next words made me halt. “You want to do this again?” The familiar juggle of some chains made my heart ache. With my fingers around the doorknob, tears dripped down my cheeks, my chest caving in as I fell to my knees. He walked towards me and wrapped his arms around me, “since you don't want to be punished tonight, how about you go get prepared for your wedding?” I swallowed hard, pushing his arms away, “why me? Why must I be the sacrifice? Why do you hate me so much, father? Why?!” Just before I could take my next breath, I suddenly felt the cold touch of the iron on my wrists. I lowered my gaze, staring at the silver cuffs, “I'm being chained like an animal again? Father, I'm your daughter too!” “You're a disgrace!” My father snapped, weaving his hands through his hair as he let out a frustrated sigh, “you can't shift, can't fight, you're weak. My pack is crumbling but you've done nothing all your life!” My gaze shifted, landing on my elder sister, who continued feasting on her meal with no care in the world. It's always been like this. Anastasia did nothing as well. She was stronger, prettier, stronger—but she was practically a domestic pet. I nodded shakily and wiped my face on my shoulder, “take me to the dark room. I'll spend the night there like I always have.” My mother's soft chuckle lingered in the air, “Not tonight, darling. Throughout the whole night, you're going to learn the art of seduction.”