We Met Again

Chapter 2

Isabella’s POV

The lights were blinding and my vision felt blurred as I struggled to open my eyes. I groaned and slowly blinked them open. I squinted trying to adjust to the light and looked around.

I thought I had died, so how was I still here?

When my eyes could finally focus, cold blue eyes stared at me, causing me to jump up.

“Father…” I gulped nervously looking everywhere except his face. It was only then I noticed that my wrists were wrapped in bandages.

Father surprised me by walking over to where I sat before his hand connected against my cheek with such force and strength that I fell back on and screamed.

“What do you think you're doing, Isabella?!” he growled at me, his hands still raised above his head. He looked livid. “Do you understand what will happen if someone finds out? You could jeopardize our alliance with the king, Isabella! How dare you try to kill yourself?” he continued, his tone rising every moment.

He had gone too far. I opened my mouth to speak, my words getting stuck in my throat.

“You can't do anything right! f*****g useless like your parents!” His hand connected with the wall, as I gasped in fear, staring at the mark he made on the wall after the punch.

I began to whimper in trepidation, scared that I could be the next to receive a hit.

“You listen here you little s**t! If you don't want to end up like my brother who was your father did, then you'll marry him. And listen, no one must know that I am your uncle! You are not my niece, no one should know that. You are my daughter, understand?”

I tried to reply, but I was too scared to speak, I dreaded what he will do next, so I kept quiet.

He turned around and started to walk out, without sparing another glance at me.

“Father please, wait! Father!” My voice was hoarse and weak as I tried to stand up and reach him.

He glanced over his shoulder and smirked “Do not make me repeat myself young lady! My decision is final!”

I shook my head and collapsed back on my bed, whimpering and sobbing. The pain was too much. What did I do wrong?

My fate was sealed.

I don't know how long I sat there crying, but the door of my room creaked open and Father was back with a maid.

“Dress her up. I'll be back in thirty minutes”

“Yes, your Majesty” she nodded and Father left.

No one told me that I needed to pay attention anymore, I obeyed, pulling the dress over my aching body.

I understood why my father chose it. Its selves were enough to conceal my slit wrists.

And just like Father had said, he was back, he grabbed me roughly by my uninjured arm and hauled me outside. I was shoved forcefully into a corner.

“Now listen to me carefully. We have visitors waiting downstairs for us. You will listen and not say a word. You will only speak when you are spoken to. Do you understand?”

I nodded numbly, afraid to utter a single word.

“Good” He smiled menacingly “Let us go down.”

We descended the stairs to find several men standing and I kept my eyes on the floor.

“Your Majesty,” one of the visitors called out to Father. “It is nice to see you again”

“King Julius, nice to see you too,” and everyone hurried to the table.

Father held me close, and I followed obediently.

I felt uncomfortable. My Wolf was howling on the inside begging to be freed but I knew too well that it wouldn't change anything. It might cost my head.

“The vow ceremony is after tomorrow and I hope this one won't run away like her sister did,” King Julius asked Father.

I didn't need a seer to tell me how much that statement must have bruised Father’s ego. The look of anger on his face, his clenched fist as he sat silently for a while proved it.

“Not at all, King Julius, this one is going to be perfect” Father let out a stiff laughter.

The man continued and asked a bunch of questions. I didn't catch most of the words but the ones I heard sounded very similar to the things I overheard Father say before.

Finally, they had finished talking and Father was the first to get up. It was only then I noticed a man who seemed like the youngest among them.

Tall with jet-black hair. When his eyes met mine, they were the deepest pair of green eyes I have ever seen. Why was I staring at his eyes?

I snapped out of my trance and averted my gaze from him immediately feeling guilty for staring at him for that long. When I dared to peep back, he was staring at me with the coldest glare I had ever received. I quickly averted my eyes again and focused on the men in front of me. I had never met any of them before. Not even once.

They had already begun discussing how they should proceed.

I could still feel his cold gaze boring holes into the side of my face.

I didn't dare move, not wanting to give him more reason to continue staring at me.

But my insides began to shake in the craziest way. My stomach twisted and turned with strange excitement; my wolf howled joyfully inside of me but I couldn't understand the feeling. I could sense that whatever it was, it was extremely strong and new.

Goosebumps formed on my skin. It wasn't just a simple shiver. I felt as though electricity were coursing through my veins. The way his eyes pierced into my soul sent chills running down my spine.

Was it just that? What was happening? Why was my heart pounding very fast? Just when he was about to walk out the door, he stopped and glared at me again.

Suddenly, I heard my Wolf whisper in my head “Mate”.