Mated to My Ruin

Cressida's Pov. “You're eighteen,Cressida,” he spat,his voice cold as usual. “And still no sign of your wolf. Do you understand what that means for you and our family?” My father,Alpha Marcus Wolfgang was seated in the chair behind his study's desk,his sharp eyes bearing holes into mine as if he could see my hidden flaws I swallowed hard,keeping my hands clasped in front of me. “I…I understand,Father,” I whispered,my voice trembling despite my efforts to stay composed. He sighed,shaking his head. “Your sister’s wolf emerged at sixteen. And it was strong, fierce,ready but you? Still nothing. You're just a weak disappointment.” I flinched,my chest tightening at the word ‘Disappointment’. The word was suffocating,burning my chest like hot coals. I wanted to argue. I wanted to tell him it was coming,I wanted to tell hrm I wasn't Larissa,I was different but the words remained stuck in my throat. I had never disrespected my father before and I couldn't start now. Larisa stepped forward slightly, her presence was calm and reassuring. “Cress,don't listen to father,” she murmured softly. Our father turned to her. “Larissa,stay out of it.. this is between your sister and I.” I took a step back from Larissa,trembling slightly. The tone of his voice left no room for me to argue with him as he continued speaking. “You will understand your place,girl. You're not an Alpha. You're not my strongest. You're not.. enough. And Fenrick..your mate,if the moon Goddess wills it..he will need a strong Luna by his side. And you? You may not survive what's coming.” His words struck me harder than I had expected,hammering into the part of me that was already used to feeling so small and unseen. My hands were trembling and I tried to hide it by digging my nails into my palms. “I'll…” I tried to speak but my voice failed me,cracking as I tried to push back the tears in my eyes. “Enough!” He barked at me,dismissing me from his sight like he always did. “Go.” I turned around and began storming out the door, almost knocking a chair over,the chair screeching against the floor. The room blurred with tears from anger and humiliation that welled up in the pits of my stomach. Larissa reached for me, her hand brushing my arm. “Cressida,wait..” “Let her go,” Father interrupted sharply. “ I have something important to discuss with you.” Larissa hesitated,torn between following me and obeying our father. I didn't wait for her decision. My steps on the marble floor echoed in my ears and my heart thudded in rapid,uneven beats as I stormed down the hallway. Each step carried the weight of years I had tried to shrug off,years of being the “weak one” the one who couldn't measure up. By the time I reached my room, I leaned against the doorframe,breathing hard. My chest ached from everything I had carried inside for so long,fear,shame, longing and the faint stubborn hope that Fenrick would see me as more than what my father said I was. Tonight was Fenrick’s 21st birthday. A full moon night,a night sacred to our kind where bonds could be sealed and destinies set. I couldn't think of the reprimand from my father anymore. I need to prepare,to be seen. Larrisa's voice echoed softly in my mind, her quiet support tugging at me as I dressed. “You're stronger than you think, Cressida. You just don't know it yet.” I wanted to believe her. I needed to believe her. The Beta,Killian's house smelled of roast meat, spiced wine and unmistakable tang of wolf musk. The music throbbed through the floorboards,laughter spilling into the high ceilinged hall. Wolves milled about in glittering attire,some of their tails flicking with excitement,their fangs flashing with laughter and conversation. Beta Killian was my father's beta,a well respected man that although never looked at me the way the rest of the pack did,never looked at me kindly either. Fenrick had his sharp eyes, after all they were father and son. I stood just inside the doorway, nervously. My heart was pounding and my fingers trembled at the hem of my dress. Everyone looked so alive and confident…so Alpha-ready. And there I was, Cressida Wolfgang,the weakest daughter of the Pack's Alpha, finally feeling the stir of my wolf,yet still trembling with every glance and mocking whisper aimed my way. “Look at her,” one voice hissed just behind me,a female wolf with silk hair snickering. “The little weakling thinks she belongs here amongst Alphas”. I swallowed hard,clinging to my courage. I do belong here. Tonight could change everything. Fenrick is mine. I can feel it, my wolf knows it. Another wolf tossed an acorn carelessly in my direction. It thudded against the floor near my boots. Really? I straightened my shoulders and forced a smile, walking past them as if their small jabs didn't matter. My pulse was a drumbeat in my ears. I could smell him…Fenrick. His scent was strong, certain and undeniable. I moved through the crowd, following the pull of my wolf like a compass. Every laugh and June that brushed past me stoked the fire in my chest. I am his. I am his. Finally,I found myself near the top of the stairs,drawn by something I could explain but had known all my life. The scent was stronger here, almost tangible, making my chest ache with longing. I took a deep breath, gathering every ounce of my courage with me. This was the moment I had dreamed of for years,since we were kids. I reached the door at the end of the corridor,my heart hammering so loudly I feared it might betray me. My fingers trembled as I pushed it open. And there they were. Fenrick…My Fenrick. His body was pressed against my sister's,his hands in her hair,his lips trailing kisses down her neck. Larissa's laughter was soft and intimate,filling the room. A sound that should have brought me comfort as my sister's closeness had often done…but now it was poison in my chest and ears. My wolf cried out inside of me, aching and howling in my chest. My stomach twisted with pain and anger into a knot that made my knees go weak. “Larissa,” I whispered but they didn't hear me. My voice trembled slightly. “No…this isn't…” They didn't notice me yet, my feet stayed stuck to the ground unable to move. My heart was beating faster with the sight in front of me. The two people I trusted the most,they had discarded that trust and broke my heart. my wolf growled violently,thrashing inside me. I wanted to scream at them,I wanted to rush in and tear him away from her,to claim him,but I couldn't. I turned around and walked out,quietly,closing the door behind me. I leaned against the wall,shaking and trying to pull myself together. The party downstairs was still alive,oblivious and going as if nothing had changed. The music and the laughter from downstairs… all seemed too cruel now, a mockery of my own shattered heart and yet…my wolf remained urgent, insistent, telling me he was mine, that the bond was real. I slid down against the wall until I was crouched on the floor,my knees drawn to my chest. I could feel the power surging through me,unformed,raw, a force that had slept for eighteen years and now demanded to be acknowledged. Fenrick,my fated mate…and my sister? The thought twisted in my chest bitter and painfully. I covered my face with my hands, trying to block out what I had just witnessed. But the image refused to leave my head. I pressed my forehead against my knees,my wolf howling silently inside me.