Offered To The Supreme Alpha

CHAPTER THREE

Turning to my father sharply, “No," I whispered, then louder, "No, Father. You can't do this to me again! First, you approved Gideon and Fiona's marriage, and now you are shipping me off there again?”

My father's smile hardened. "This isn't a request, Amaranth. The agreement has already been made. You will marry Thorne in two weeks' time."

The room spun around me. First Gideon's betrayal, and now this? Being sold off like a prized mare? To a blind man with a bad reputation?

I had even heard that his father hated him and sent him to live far away. Despite his blindness, I had heard… I had heard he was a beast in human form.

"Why me?" I demanded, looking from my father to Beta Damon. "Why not one of your more beautiful and legitimate daughters? Is it because they are far too precious? Or because the man in question has been disowned? Or because he's blind, and damaged goods deserve damaged goods?"

Gasps echoed through the room.

“I will not have you insult our Alpha's son like that,” Beta Damon said in anger, banging his fist on the table.

“What son? If he is really your precious Alpha's son, why choose someone like me to marry him?” I pointed to my other two sisters one by one. “Why not her or her? Why me?”

Luna Bellamy stood up from her seat and stepped forward, either to quickly quench Beta Damon’s anger or to make me stop recommending her precious daughters. She raised her hand as if to strike me, but Beta Damon's laugh stopped her.

"Spirited," he commented. "I like that. And I also think that Thorne needs a strong wife like her for them to be able to get along well. I think we have made the right decision here."

"I'm not strong," I countered desperately. "I don't even have a wolf. Everyone knows that. I'm weak and unworthy of a match like this."

“Well, that’s even better. Thorne also does not have a mate, and he hates every woman who tries to act strong. So, you are still perfect.”

What? Is this man really serious?

I quickly moved closer to my father and went on my knees. “Please, Father. I have never asked for anything from you before. Please, just don't do this to me. You are sending me to my death. How do you expect me to live in a cold place where it is nothing but a desert? I will not return alive.” Tears streamed down my face. “Please.”

I could see my father's expression softening. I held his hand tighter, hoping he would really go back on his decision.

Then Luna Bellamy moved close to us and whispered something to my father, but loud enough for me to hear. “We need this alliance now. The Blood Moon Pack has offered us protection, resources, and more territory. In exchange, they just want your bastard. Do not forget how generous I have been all these years towards her and her mother. So finalize this immediately.”

Then she turned to me and whispered, “Henry has been kind to you all these years. How about doing one good thing for him and securing this good deal for us? We are on the verge of losing everything. There is a war looming over us, and he was supposed to lead it. Do you want him to die there? This is the only way to stop it, so pay him back what he is owed, you ungrateful bastard.”

I bit my tongue harder as tears slipped down my eyes. Slowly, I let go of my father as I remembered my conversation with Henry yesterday.

It seemed he was already aware of this. That's why he wanted me to run away, but I refused, thinking Gideon would really marry me. So he didn't want to use me.

But how could I? Not when he…

But still, I can't do it. I can't marry that blind, ruthless man.

I shook my head. “No, I don’t…”

"You will do this," my father cut me off, his voice hard as steel. "For the pack."

"For the pack?" I echoed incredulously. "The same pack that's treated me like dirt beneath their feet for twenty-two years? The same pack that mocked me tonight when Gideon chose Fiona instead of me?"

My father's jaw tightened. "Enough!"

"No!" I shouted, no longer caring about protocol or respect. "I won't do it! I won't be sold off to a stranger because it's convenient for you!"

"Guards," my father said quietly. "Take her to her room and make sure she stays there until she remembers her duty."

Two burly security moved toward me and began to drag me off while I kept screaming, but no one paid attention to me.

My wedding day dawned clear and cold. As the pack's stylists fussed over my hair and makeup, I stared at my reflection, wondering who the stranger in the mirror truly was. The elegant ivory gown, with its intricate beadwork and flowing train, seemed to have been designed for someone else entirely—someone whose marriage was a celebration and not a sentence.

My father walked me down the aisle with a smile on his face, but my own was more than a grave—like a funeral. Definitely not a wedding.

I wasn't even in my right mind, so much so that I didn't realize the altar was empty. There was no groom to place my hand upon.

"Where is he?" I hissed to Beta Damon as we reached the altar. "My... groom."

Beta Damon smiled that predator's smile. "The Alpha of the Blood Moon Pack sends deepest regrets as his son finds large gatherings... difficult."

What?

Disbelief and humiliation washed over me. "You expect me to marry a man who isn't even present at his own wedding?"

"I expect you to fulfill your duty, Amaranth," Beta Damon replied smoothly. He then produced a phone, dialing quickly. “Thorne will participate... remotely."

I stood there, trembling with rage and mortification, as the ceremony began. This is pure humiliation.

I could see packmates—who called themselves guests—laughing and taking pictures of me. My stepsisters' mocking smiles were impossible to miss.

I reluctantly faced the altar while the officiant spoke of unity, of the joining of packs, of bonds that would strengthen us all. Behind me, I could hear Fiona's distinctive laugh, could feel the weight of pitying gazes and amused smirks.

When the time came to exchange vows, Beta Damon held out the phone. From the speaker came a deep, resonant voice which seemed to belong to Thorne's, I presumed—repeating the traditional words with neither warmth nor reluctance.

More like, let's just get this s**t done.

Then it was my turn. I stared at the phone, at the faceless man I was binding myself to, and considered refusing. But the memory of my mother's bruised face held me in place.

So I spoke the words, each one like ash on my tongue.

"By the laws of our kind and the blessing of the moon, I declare you husband and wife," the officiant announced.

There was scattered applause, more awkward than celebratory. Beta Damon pocketed the phone, nodding once at my father.

"The alliance is sealed," he said. "We'll take her now."

And just like that with no reception, no celebration and not even the pretense of joy. I was to be whisked away immediately, like cargo being delivered.