The Alpha’s Regret

My life growing up was a completely lonely one, void of happiness. You would think being from a Pack as big as the Black Howl Pack and being the Alpha’s daughter would make your life worth living. Maybe having a brother and a sister would make life easier and I would never have to be alone. Sadly the reverse is my story. My father, Alpha Thorn has never bothered to take a second glance at me once in his entire life, all I can remember is my older brother being his priority since he was supposed to be Thorn the second after my father's reign and had come of age. My father always took my little sister Princess Aurora on jolly rides, he instilled this enmity in my sister's heart, and just like that Aurora hated me, more because we weren’t biological sisters, and her mother couldn’t stand me. I would always get into trouble with her and whenever I tried to explain to my father, he quickly shuts me up and takes his wife’s side. I stopped having to explain myself, I took whatever was dished out to me quietly after all no one was going to listen to me. My brother couldn't care less about me, his eyes were more fixed on the price as he was believed to be better than me. I can’t say otherwise, he has always gotten the best treatment, our stepmother continually feeds him with tales about becoming the pack heir, he didn’t have to work twice as hard to gain any sort of respect, and he was father's only son. Let me introduce myself, my name is Raven, my mum told me she gave me this name because of my purple eyes and she somewhat believed I was mysterious, independent, and had a rare strength. Something I would never understand. She said the first time she looked at me, there was a flash of Amber in my eyes and my hair was as dark as the night sky, almost like I was straight out of a fantasy story, but she couldn’t tell anyone but me as all that toned down in a flash. She said I was special, and warned me to keep this to myself. The Pack had prophesied the abilities of a Dark wolf, whom they believed possessed unethical powers and must be killed on the spot once discovered. My mother believed this to be me and warned me to be cautious and quiet for my safety. I couldn’t understand her at the time but I’ve always had a voice in my head nudging me on and repeatedly reminding me that I had a purpose even if I couldn’t quite understand my purpose. Until my mum explained that it was my wolf Ava and she was my spirit guide. I had her as early as 8 years but was forced to keep her a secret. My mother, Luna Sandra, was a battle lord. Always at the forefront of battles as she could foresee an already lost battle or vice versa but on this day she was wrong, there was a malfunction in her power and all the entire soldiers were wiped out while some fled to safety. She was killed brutally in the rogue attack. Just a few days after my mother’s demise, my father appeared with Selene and Aurora, she was only 5 at the time and he introduced her as our little sister and his biological child, which could only mean one thing: he had been cheating on the mate bond with mother for years. He publicly announced the arrival of Selene and marked her as his mate making her the new Luna within a week of her arrival to the Pack. Many of the Pack heads were unhappy with this but no one dared to question Alpha Thorn. They feared for their lives even though they knew Selene did not possess any supernatural gifts to aid the pack, they couldn’t question the choice of the Alpha. Slowly, everyone came to accept her, and I was pushed father and father to the sidelines, as Aurora replaced me. The Pack members grew scared to be seen talking with me from fear of what Luna Selene and Aurora might do to them. Selene was ruthless in her reign, urging the Alpha to spill more blood than he had in the past 5 years. Aurora and her mother would torment and torture me both physically and mentally. My dad would sit back and watch it all happen, at first he tried stopping them. He tried defending me but he got tired and just let them treat me as the jealous and unworthy child. He believed their lies about me and soon joined them in this ill-treatment. I wasn’t allowed to train with the Pack, I was left alone to train myself not knowing the do’s and don’t until the previous Gamma took pity on me and trained me secretly for years until I was strong enough to defend myself. He was amazed at my strength, but I lied telling him I train sometimes after our sessions and that has made me stronger. Not sure if he bought it but I was thankful that Ava my wolf had continued to mask her scent even after my 18th birthday. I thought of running away so many times, I had no reason to stay, I am well trained, capable of even taking down their soldiers but I just hadn’t gathered the courage I needed so I stayed put knowing that if I didn’t succeed at first strike, I would be punished severely. “You’ve been called for a family meeting.” One of the guards echoed as he walked into my room without knocking. I stare at him, irritation gnawing at my throat. Still, the news had thrown me off balance. A family meeting? I was never invited to things like this, so this should be good. Without hesitation, I make my way to my father's office oozing a little bit of confidence as I have been invited for the first time, I feel my foot dashing against a door and notice Aurora’s foot too late as my body collides against the cold marble floors making me cry out in pain. I hear Aurora’s mocking giggles and a cloth of shame envelops me. “For heaven's sake, you can’t even compose yourself? Walking properly is a big deal? We can’t have any parts of you injured now, that won’t look good at all.” My father growls. A part of me felt good, just knowing that he cared about me even in the slightest. “Aurora tripped me with her foot, I am not clumsy and you know it.” I retort. “She just wasn’t looking, it wasn't intentional, Dad,” Aurora said, innocence laced in her voice. “You wish. What was so funny then?” I asked, my brows furrowed in disgust. “Enough!” Father says with the raise of his finger.” Get up and take a seat now, Aurora, let's be more careful, we do not want her injured now unless you are willing to take her place.” He orders. “Yes, your grace.” She says calmly. I rush up to grab a seat, my mind racing. “What in the world was going on? I tried to read everyone’s faces but they all had expressionless faces except the joyous smile spread across Selene’s lip and that wasn’t a good sign. “I will cut to the chase now,” Father says with a short pause, I stare at him. “You will be leaving the Black Howl Pack in two days to marry Alpha Damien Kaegal. We need to give him our daughter as an alliance so we can protect our Pack. We have no one with supernatural abilities to foresee the future.” He blurts out. “What!? W-why me? I can’t marry that man! He is ruthless and heartless, above all, he is a womanizer. How would I find my mate being under this terrible man?” “Why can’t your favorite daughter marry him, she’s doing it for the Pack and most of all, her beloved father. I’m sure he doesn’t want a wolfless girl for a mate.” I said, slightly raising my voice. “Don’t you dare?” Selene shoots back.”My daughter is not marrying that evil man. You will do it. You are the sacrifice, look around you. No one wants you here. Don’t be selfish now. Do it to carry on your mother's legacy. It is her fault we are where we are now if she had foreseen this. We wouldn’t be here.” “Don’t you ever mention her name in that filthy mouth of yours?” I retort my voice audibly as intended. “Why should I care about this pack or do anything for this pack? No one cares about me, why should I sacrifice myself to save you?” I spit. “Enough of this Raven, you are my daughter do not have a choice. I have made my decision and it is final.” “Hahahaha” I laugh out loud, unable to contain my shock. “No, father. If I can even call you that. You lost the right years ago. Over ten years you’ve not had a proper conversation with me. You never cared, they beat me up, starved me, mocked and laughed at me. And you cheered them on. I do not consider myself your daughter, you should marry off your actual daughter.” I sneer. “Mum would be so ashamed of you, but you wouldn't mind, would you? since you were already sleeping with her replacement even before her demise.” I scorn. “Now, that's it. I've had enough of this nonsense. You know absolutely nothing about your mother and me.” Alpha growls, lifting his hands in an attempt to strike but I do not flinch. “Look, Raven. I know I haven't been the best brother, but we all need this, we need you to do this. The safety of the Pack rests on your shoulder. I promise to make it up to you.” Zayden pleads. I throw my head back and cackle, the sound sharp and full of mockery. “You? Make it up to me?” I scoff, my lips curling into a cruel smirk. “That’s rich. Tell me, brother, when has your word ever meant anything? And how exactly do you expect to make it up to me?” I ask coldly and he flinches. “You have no say in this, Raven. I have tried to talk some sense into you but you keep proving that you are nothing! You will be taken to the dungeon and tortured if you fail to comply.” My father yells. My lips curl into a cold smirk.“Yes, there he is. There is the Alpha I know. Almost lost in the pretense of love to bend me to his will. I know I have no choice and will eventually do what you want but hear this old man, if I get this chance I will make sure the alliance is null and void. You all will suffer and I must get revenge for every loss and ill treatment over the years. My father steps closer, his voice dropping into a dangerous growl. “You dare defy me, girl? Mark my words, if you so much as breathe wrong, I will make you watch as I burn you down, and this precious little rebellion—nothing will be left.” My eyes darken with fury, fists clenching. “And mark mine, father. If I ever find a way out of this, I will make sure I kill everything you hold dear. Slowly, Painfully. And I will smile while I do it.” “Dad, do you think we are doing the right thing? Raven is right, I'm not sure Mum would have liked this.” Zayden says. “Too late to think about that now, the deed has already been done, the wedding is in two days. Raven will be locked up to avoid her playing any silly games or getting hurt.” I hear my dad say firmly. “Yes, Dad,” Zayden Says, relieved and happy. “I'm doing this for you too. This is a strong alliance that will help you when you are ready to take over as Alpha.” My nails dig into my palms, my body trembling with barely contained rage. “A wedding?” I spit, my voice laced with venom. “You think chaining me to some stranger will fix everything? You disgust me.” But my father doesn’t flinch. “You will do as you’re told, Raven. It is your duty.” He says sternly. I let out a hollow laugh. “Duty? You mean my punishment for daring you and your wife? You can lock me up, you can force me into that ceremony, but hear me well, old man—I will never be tamed. And when the time comes, I will tear this alliance apart from the inside.” Zayden shifts uncomfortably but doesn’t speak. Father sighs, rubbing his temple. “Enough. Take her away. Make sure she is well-guarded—no one in, no one out.” Zayden nods, as he walks me out of the room, when we are finally alone he speaks to me In a low tone. “Raven, I'm so sorry about this, when I'm Alpha I will do everything in my power to get you out of this situation, I just need you to hang in there. I couldn't stick up for you before 'cause there was nothing much I could do for you as it would only make things worse, but once I'm Alpha, I can protect you better.” He says and I stare wide-eyed. I thought you never cared about me? I asked sadly. “I begged the Gamma to train you, I've been watching and also appointed Nyla to be taking food to you. This was the only way I could help. Dad is an i***t, he doesn't know what he's lost, Selene is selfish and Dad is just a pawn, he's been blinded.” “I know that, thank you for telling me this, I've felt so alone for the longest time, it's great to know you're on my side. Now, I can leave knowing you care about me. I love you Zayden. I say, giving him a tight hug. I'm sorry I would have to lock you up now, I wouldn't want to give anyone ideas. I hope you understand. I love you so much, Raven.