Marked By The Vengeful Lycan

Chapter Two

Rhea's POV — Fifteen Years Later

"Does it look okay?" I whispered.

The seamstress didn't answer. She just yanked a pin out of my side, drawing a tiny bead of blood.

"It's fine," Mother said, not looking up from her list. “Just don't ruin the lace with your sweating, Rhea. Lucas expects a bride tonight, not whatever that is…"

"I just... I want him to be proud of me when he sees me," I murmured.

“Well, he’s an Alpha's son so don't expect too much. He’s already paying off your father’s debts after all.”

My father was an Alpha as well, but he's gotten into some gambling habits that's buried him deeply in debts. And Lucas’s pack was going to help us but it required a mating to seal the business. It was easy because Lucas and I had been dating for a while now.

And tonight was our mating ceremony.

“Yes, Mother…”

My mother hissed. “We are just lucky he found you worthy of all of these troubles.” then she shoved a tray of gold into my hands.

“Elara needs these. She’s been waiting ten minutes. Honestly, Rhea, try to be useful to your sister for once.”

I sighed. “I’ll take them right up.”

As I walked upstairs, my heart did a little hopeful leap thinking of Lucas. I loved him, he was the one person who'd truly looked at me and didn't see me as the “uglier daughter” and I couldn't wait for tonight so we could belong to each other forever.

In front of my sister’s room, I turned the knob without thinking, a smile already forming on my face.

“Elara, I have the…”

The tray slipped but I managed to catch it just before it hit the floor, the jewelry clattering

Lucas was there. He was shirtless, his tanned skin glowing in the lamplight as he leaned over my sister on the bed.

“Oh,” I breathed. My heart felt like it had been squeezed by a cold hand. “Lucas? What are you…”

He sat up slowly, a look of irritation flashing in his eyes. “Rhea, why are you here?"

“What?” I looked at Elara. Her robe was slipping off her shoulder, and she was watching me with a look of annoyance as well.

“Uhh, what is going on?…”

Elara cut me off with a bored sigh as she flipped her blonde hair over her shoulders. “Don't be so dramatic, Rhea. We were just talking about the ceremony. Lucas was helping me understand the pack traditions.”

I looked at Lucas, waiting for him to come to me or explain but he just stayed where he was sitting, dangerously close to Elara.

I swallowed and set the tray on her dresser. “Mother said to bring your jewelry.”

“Whatever,” Elara scoffed. She stood up, her silk robe fluttering open just enough to show she wasn't wearing much underneath.

“Lucas, come help me with this necklace.”

Lucas didn't even look at me as he approached her, his hands already reaching out to touch my sister.

I turned and walked out, my heart hammering against my ribs. Something felt utterly wrong.

I made my way back to my room and the next few hours I was swept up in dresses and makeup, and I completely forgot all about Lucas and Elara, eventually chiding myself for being worried over nothing.

Lucas loved me. And tonight, we would be mated, that was all that mattered.

When the bells rang, I walked down the carpet and into the Great Hall, my heart hammering and a feeling of pride swelling in my chest.

Lucas was already standing and he looked so good in his crimson colored outfit.

My father was seated next to his on their high table.

Finally, I reached him and I could feel my hand trembling as I stretched it to hold his.

Lucas roughly pulled his hand away.

“Lucas?” I called quietly but he wasn't even looking at me, his eyes darted to where Elara was standing. She folded her hands across her chest and gave him a cocky smile.

“I apologize, Father, but I cannot mate to one sister when I am in love with the other!” Lucas said.

Gasps ricocheted through the hall and I felt my entire world shatter. I glanced around the room, shock traveling through me. What was he saying? Was this a prank? What was happening?

Lucas reached out and Elara stepped forward, sliding her hand into his as if she’d been waiting for this her entire life.

“The woman I love is Elara!” Lucas declared. “I won't force myself to be tied to a weak and pathetic wolf like Rhea. It would've helped a bit if she were at least easier to look at.”

And the sound of laughter filled the room. Even my own father chuckled, shaking his head.

I opened my mouth in shock, tears rolling down my face.

“I reject you, Rhea Garrick!” Lucas said with a tone of finality.

I hit the floor, pain slamming into me. I looked up at my father, waiting for the Alpha to roar. Waiting for him to kill the man who had just insulted his bloodline.

“Well then,” my father said, clapping his hands excitedly. “It is no problem to us. Elara, Rhea... as long as you remain my son-in-law, welcome to the family.”

“Yes, of course.” Lucas’s father said, chuckling. “Now can you get the other one to move? It is a sore sight to see the tears in her eyes, no?”

Another round of laughter.

My father got up and gulped the content left of his cup while I was still shaking, too stunned to even move.

“Lucas, please, tell me this is a joke…” I begged

“Shut up, Rhea!” Elara snapped. “Just go find somewhere to sit, will you? You're ruining my mating ceremony with your mess”

Her mating ceremony? How could she be so cruel?

My father cleared his throat. “As we can see, this unfortunate event has left my daughter, Rhea, single,” he said, his voice casual. He let out a dry, rasping chuckle. “And honestly, I would rather not have her return home in that state again. Who would want her now? She's likely going to die as an old maid after tonight.”

The laughter that echoed through the halls felt like pins to my skin. I was a joke. I was the entertainment for the night.

“A waste of a good dress,” someone shouted from the tables.

My father held up a hand, a greedy look suddenly entering his eyes.

“In light of that, I hereby invite all eligible men available here to please go ahead and bid for my daughter,” he announced. “Rhea will be given as a mate or concubine to the highest bidder tonight.”

I let out a soft gasp just as men began standing up and grinning, looking at me like I was a piece of livestock.

“Five hundred gold!” a man with yellow teeth yelled, his eyes greedily roaming over my body.