CLAIMED BY THE COLD HEARTED LYCAN

"You promised me to who?" Ashina’s heart skipped a beat as she heard her father’s words. The room felt colder, the air heavier, and she could hear her own breathing growing shallow as her mind raced to process what she had just heard. Had she misheard him? Did he really trade one of his own daughters to the ruthless Lycans? As her father’s words sank in, the pain of betrayal and hurt swirled inside her. She had always been close to her father, trusted him with her life, but now, she felt like she was just another piece of property to be traded away. How could he do this to her, his own flesh and blood? Questions flooded her mind as she struggled to comprehend her father’s actions. The scent of fear and uncertainty hung heavy in the air, and she could feel the tension in her muscles as she braced herself for what was to come. The thought of being handed over to the Lycans, to be at their mercy, made her want to scream and cry at the same time. Her father’s response did little to ease her concerns. “I had no other choice, Ashina,” he growled, his voice low and menacing. The sound reverberated through the room, sending shivers down her spine. Refusing to meet her gaze, he continued, “Our people’s safety is at stake, and this was the only way to ensure it. Don’t question my intentions.” As her father’s words trailed off, Ashina’s hurt and anger boiled inside her. She wanted to lash out, to scream and tell him how much he had hurt her, but she knew that wouldn’t change anything. The alpha of the Ridge View pack was met with approving growls from the surrounding pack members, confirming their loyalty to his decision. But for Ashina, the weight of her father’s actions bore down on her like a ton of bricks, crushing her spirit and leaving her feeling alone and abandoned. Ashina looked up at the wide, cloudy sky and felt a small drop of rain roll down her cheek. She didn’t know what to think as she stood in the middle of the forest, surrounded by tall trees that towered above her. The air was cool and damp, the leaves rustling in the wind, and the sound of birds chirping in the distance. She took a deep breath, feeling the earthy scent of the forest fill her lungs. Her head was reeling, and her limbs were turning numb. From being prepared to be wedded to the Alpha of the Moon Stone pack—one of the most powerful packs in their neighborhood—to being sold to the f*****g Lycans. She didn’t know how things could change so drastically, but she refused to accept this fate that her father had declared for her. She had to fight back. As she looked around, she noticed the familiar sights and sounds of the forest. The ground was covered in a thick layer of damp leaves, and a small stream trickled nearby, its gentle murmur mixing with the rustling of the trees. She had grown up in this forest, learning to hunt and track with her pack, and now she was being torn away from everything she knew. “All the pack members have given their consent,” her father said, breaking her from her reverie. “What?” The more her father spoke, the more her head threatened to explode. The pack she had known her whole life, the people she had grown up with, were they ready to sacrifice her without a fight? “Why are we giving up so easily?” Anger rose through her chest while her veins bled with new burning courage. “Why don’t we fight back?” “You don’t fight a war that you’re destined to lose,” The Beta Dromon’s voice cut through the tense atmosphere like a sharpened blade, his words echoing in the dense forest. Ashina could feel the weight of his disapproving gaze on her, and she bit her lip to keep from snapping back at him. The rain had picked up now, and the droplets were splashing heavily against the thick leaves of the trees around them. She couldn’t help but feel a pang of longing for the safety and comfort of her pack’s territory, where the forest was dense but familiar. Her father’s silence was heavy, and for a moment, Ashina thought he might be second-guessing his decision. But then he spoke, his voice hard and unyielding. “We will not let that happen to our pack,” he said. “We will do what we must to protect our people, even if it means sacrificing one of our own.” Ashina felt a surge of anger at her father’s words. How could he be so callous, so willing to give her away like some piece of property? She clenched her fists at her sides, feeling the rain-soaked earth squelch beneath her boots. “You don’t understand,” she spat, turning to face the Beta Dromon. “I don’t want this. I won’t stand by and let you all decide my fate like this. I have a right to fight for my own future.” The Beta Dromon’s eyes narrowed, and he stepped forward, looming over her. “You don’t understand the danger we’re in,” he growled. “These Lycans are vicious. They won’t hesitate to attack us if we don’t agree to their terms. And if we do fight back, we’ll lose. We’re not strong enough.” Ashina’s heart sank at his words, and she looked around at the pack members standing around them. They were all looking at her with a mixture of pity and contempt, and she felt a lump form in her throat. “You call them monsters. And yet you’re ready to marry me to one of them?” The audacity of these people. f*****g hypocrites. Ashina’s father’s growl boomed through the forest as he rose from his seat, causing every pack member to bow their heads in respect. As he approached her, Ashina’s heart sank lower and lower, leaving a void in her chest that had nothing to do with the enemy on their borders. She felt a shiver run down her spine as he grasped her small face in his large hands, forcing her to look into his bloodshot eyes. The rain continued to pour down relentlessly as he spoke, “It’s not just any Lycan, Ashina. It’s the Alpha of their clan, and he wants you before midnight.” Ashina’s thoughts were racing at lightning speed, struggling to process the grim reality of her situation. The idea of being forced into a loveless marriage with a Lycan, just to ensure the safety of her pack, was suffocating her with its sheer weight. What about her own safety? What about her own desires and ambitions? Why did nobody care about her consent? Her eyes scanned the faces of the pack members she had grown up with, the ones she considered family. And yet, they were ready to sacrifice her on the altar of their own selfish interests. Her heart felt like it was being ripped apart by an invisible force, and her fingers curled into fists, trembling with anger and hurt. How could they betray her like this? The very people she trusted and loved were now the ones she wanted to scream at with every fiber of her being. The rain beat down harder as Ashina’s father embraced her tightly and whispered an apology in her ear. “I had no choice, my dear. It was for the greater good of our pack.” Ashina pushed away from him, her heart shattering with every beat. “And what about the good of your own daughter? What about my happiness?” Her father’s voice softened as he ran his fingers through her drenched hair. “I understand this is not the path you envisioned, but sometimes sacrifices must be made for the good of all. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten…” Ashina clenched her fists, unable to bear his justifications any longer. She turned on her heel and walked away, needing to be alone with her thoughts. If they were going to force her into this, the least they could do was leave her be for a while.