The Vampires Torment

Chapter Two

Seraphina POV

Wait! What?

"No," I murmur, my voice barely more than a breath as I jerk my hand away from my father. "He is not my mate."

The wolves surrounding us erupt in whispers. It’s an unspoken rule—no one, not even the daughters of alphas or betas, dares to say no.

My father's growl, echoed by my uncle, reverberates through the trees, causing the lower-ranking wolves to shrink back, eyes wide with fear.

"This is not up for debate," his voice, thick with disbelief, cuts through the murmurs. His eyes, now glowing gold, lock onto mine. His wolf is present. Despite his title as beta, he is still the second son of an Alpha.

"What’s done is done," he says, his tone unyielding. "The Lycans have agreed to fight for us only if we seal our bond. They have kept their part of the bargain. You are the gift from the last Luna passing day. This is your duty. This is your fate. The union is fate."

**Fate!** How dare he reduce this betrayal to mere fate?

I stare into his eyes, my world tilting on its axis. This is anything but fate. How can he hand over his flesh and blood and call it destiny?

"My apologies, Father," I say, my voice steady, though my heart races. "But your idea of fate is twisted." Oops. That slipped out louder than intended.

The crowd gasps collectively, their shock palpable. I open my mouth to apologize, but it's too late.

His growl pierces the air, his Alpha aura slamming into me, forcing me to my knees. Pain radiates through my body, every nerve screaming. His power seizes my wolf, threatening to rip her apart, demanding submission.

Tears blur my vision, my breath coming in shallow, desperate gasps. "Stop! You're hurting her!" I hear Celine's voice, but I can't see her. My vision is blank, white noise ringing in my ears. Then, abruptly, it stops, and I gulp in air.

I turn to my father, my own eyes now glowing. How could he? He has never used his Alpha aura on me before. The betrayal stings sharper than the pain.

He hauls me to my feet, his face unreadable. "As I said, this isn’t up for debate. You will accept this, one way or another. I’ll give you time to decide how you want to accept it."

I want to scream, to run, to never see him again. But I am better than that. I shouldn’t have disrespected him. My father has only ever protected and provided for me. I am not a wolf who bites the hand that feeds her.

I look at my people, all on their knees, terrified. My selfish outburst has affected everyone, even Kaya and her mate, kneeling in sweat-drenched agony. Kaya's tear-streaked face will haunt me. She doesn’t agree with this forced union, nor does Celine, who pleads with her eyes from where she's restrained.

This union is a burden I must bear alone. The Lycans have aided us in the war. To refuse would be to put my people at risk.

After a painful silence, the Lycan Prince, Mathews, steps forward, his sea-green eyes fixed on mine. "Do you accept this bond and union?" he asks.

"No." The word is silent, dying on my tongue. "I do," I whisper.

"Good," he nods, approval in his gaze. "Our mating ceremony will happen within the next two moons. You will be taken to the northern border where it will occur. I must return to my kingdom to make preparations. I’ll see you soon." He walks away, indifferent to my humiliation.

Each step he takes crushes my heart. The ride to Northern Village Quebec is dreary. Two Lycan warriors came to escort me and Farrah to a white truck with tinted windows. I didn’t even have a chance to say goodbye to Celine, Aunt Elena, or Kaya. They didn't allow me to gather my belongings. Neither my father nor uncle bothered to say goodbye.

Alpha Luke, the only one who spoke to me, apologized for how I was handled and told me to stay true to myself. But when I asked who else would travel with me, the Lycan guards cut him off and dragged me away.

I don’t even know if my brother is coming. It's traditional for two family members to spend time with a she-wolf before her mating ceremony. In these times, many don’t have that luxury due to the war. I should feel lucky, but I don’t.

My father and Alpha Luke are likely heading back to the Western territory. I won't see them again before the mating ceremony. I wonder what Alpha Luke truly thinks of this arranged mating. He had expressed his interest in me two moons ago. But now, everything has changed.

I sigh. "Are you okay, Seraphina?" Farrah asks, sitting across from me, lost in thought.

"Yes, I’m fine," I try to smile.

Farrah gives a soft smile back. "Your smile doesn’t reach your ears. It’s fake," she says, knowing me too well.

"I’ll be fine. How can I bond with someone other than my mate? And how could Dad do that to me?"

Farrah's hazel eyes meet mine. "You just have to accept it, Seraphina. Maybe your true mate isn’t out there. I don’t agree with how Dad handled you, but you did disrespect him."

She’s right. A forced mating is unnatural, but I was caught off guard. I don’t know much about Lycans beyond what wolves know. I'm unsure how a mating between a Lycan and werewolf would work. "Lycans force mate all the time," Farrah's voice interrupts my thoughts.

It’s true. Lycans don’t have mates or beloveds like other supernaturals. They have promised destinies, which are rare. They force mate to keep their bloodline pure. But why would a Lycan prince agree to mate with a she-wolf?

"Why me?" I ask Farrah.

"Because you are special, born on Luna Passing day," she replies.

I'm tired of that superstitious nonsense. "Plus, you are beautiful, worthy, and loyal. He would be a fool not to mate with you." Farrah's golden eyes show her wolf is present, speaking from the heart.

"Thank you," I say. "I’m sorry for cutting your time with Beta Gideon short."

"Don’t worry about him. I broke it off last night."

"Why?" I ask.

"Because he is a beta and my mate," she replies. My head snaps to her. Beta Gideon's mate was given to the Moon Goddess, which means Farrah is his second chance mate. For that to happen, she must have been rejected.

"My mate was killed," Farrah says, reading my thoughts. My heart sinks. "Farrah, I’m—"

"I don’t need your pity. It's life," she says. "This is the life vampires forced us to live. Survival matters, not mates. If my mate couldn’t survive until we met, he wasn’t worthy. No use crying over spilled milk."

"That’s harsh, even for you," I say.

"Life is harsh," she retorts.

We sit in silence, our relationship strained. I wish we were closer.

"Why didn’t you say anything about Beta Gideon being your second chance mate? We should celebrate your mating, not prepare for my funeral," I joke, trying to lighten the mood.

"You aren’t dying, Seraphina. I’m not mating with anyone. Second chance mate or not, I’m not committing to a beta."

"Dad is a beta with Alpha blood, a Blackwood. Beta Gideon is just Beta Gideon," she says, staring at the snowy trees. "Stop acting naive, Seraphina."

"I’m not naive. A mate bond is a gift from the Moon Goddess. You should—"

"No one asked for your opinion, Seraphina," she cuts me off. "You have enough to worry about."

She’s right. Farrah has her reasons. I can only hope she finds peace.

We pass the time in silence, the scenery blurring by. I love nature; it’s my peace. But today, everything feels wrong.

We finally arrive. Northern Village Quebec is beautiful, with a river, snow-covered mountains, and an enchanting forest. Any wolf would be honored to call it home, but it’s not my home.

I’m a Western girl, used to California’s balmy weather, palm trees, and beaches. I love bonfires on the beach, running through the Redwood forest with my sister, and dreaming under the stars. That’s my home, even if it’s out of reach now.

Two moons. That’s all I have to adjust.

The car door opens, revealing my brother Amaruq. His intense blue eyes give nothing away. He helps Farrah out first. She struts away without a word, heading to the Lycan warriors.

"Are you ready, Princess?" he asks, his tone curt.

"Thank you," I say, taking his hand.

"Don’t lose that side of you, Seraphina," he whispers.

"I won’t, Ruq."

His words tell me he doesn’t agree with this mating either.

"I’m starved," I say.

"You’re always hungry," he replies with a rare smile.

I smile back as we head to the village center. The wolves bow, showing respect. It’s overwhelming.

An older she-wolf approaches. "Welcome," she says. "I’m

Amelia, the village healer. I’ll guide you to your lodging. You must be tired."

"Yes, very," I reply.

She leads us to a cozy cabin. Inside, a fire burns, and the scent of cedar fills the air. It's warm and inviting.

"Get some rest, Seraphina," Ruq says. "I’ll be back tomorrow."

"Goodnight, Ruq," I say, watching him leave.

Amelia shows me to my room. "If you need anything, just ask," she says kindly.

"Thank you, Amelia."

"Rest well, Seraphina."

As I lay in bed, exhaustion overwhelms me. Tomorrow, my new life begins.