Chapter 002
1284 Words
Helen's point of view
My father leaned into my ear, "You look beautiful, my love," and extended his hand. The doors would open any instant now, and I prayed the Moon Goddess would change his perspective.
"Father, kindly assist me. I... cannot do this. I said, letting the tension in my voice leak through, "He is my mate." Perhaps—just perhaps— it would cause him to rethink things. We still had time to pull out. Time is still allowed.
"Then Helena, you have very little trouble at all." He remarked, happiness flickering in his eyes, "He won't hurt you." Did he not hear what I said? Did he not give a damn? I tried once more, more deliberately this time.
Gripping his arm, I begged, "But he is the Lycan King, Father." My limbs shook. Like a tightening rope, my anxiety about the future tightened around my chest.
"I know, baby child, but there is no other path. Helena, you are resilient. You will last. His whisper was like words scraped against his throat—harsh. The hair on the back of his neck stood on end. He realized what he was doing, too, was terrible.
"We started this and cannot back off right now. Regarding the pack, Helena, consider By this simple deed, you are saving everyone. I chuckled to myself. How modest was this? I was about to be offered as a sacrifice. I was going to be dropped onto the beast. My thoughts kept playing over the scene in Sofia's chamber. My hand moved naturally to my neck, caressing the area where her wounds once lay.
"You could ask Father and other Alphas for assistance. Please don't put me in this position. I am not going to survive." My speech faltered. I felt desperation biting at me. I had never felt quite tiny.
His vision clouded. "Remember that Alpha Rafael sought his help when you nearly killed his mate!" His voice thundered, and I cringed. I inhaled sharply, and tears blinded me. Sophia, sister of mine.
Tears came down my face, destroying the painstakingly applied makeup that was no more relevant. He sighed and lifted his hand to clear them. a fatherly gesture that seemed so inappropriate and frigid.
"You will wed him to forward our pack and our reputation. Finish of the conversation."
The tears came harder, and I battled to stop crying. Did he not know? Not caring was his attitude. The Lycan King was familiar with our little secret already. He was not idle. He was not compassionate.
Though I had always known my parents did not love me, I had misled myself into believing I may eventually win their confidence. But today the reality was clearer than it had ever been. To them, my life had never counted. I was not their darling daughter, their golden child. I was only a means to an end. Even though I didn't have any blood on my hands, they still considered me a killer.
"Stop now from crying already!" Sofia never brought tears to mind. She falls under the Alpha female classification. You are replacing her, so behave like her!" He snarled as the hall doors loomed in front of us.
Did he not know Sofia was bored with always being strong? Did he not know that Sofia was bored with always being strong? Surely, they did not see it. They seldom saw Sofia at all. Sofia was little more than a pawn in their game.
The air in the hall changed as the doors groaned open. Before my brain, my body knew. My pulse surged, my gut tightened, and my skin reddened under his sight.
How my body responded to him disgusted me. the devil herself.
I almost shrieked when my father let my hand drop. I wanted to seize upon him and beg him not to let go. My eyes darted around the assembly. The assembly was filled with thousands of innocent wolves. Not guilty, wolves. With one thought, he could give them instructions to die. He was so powerful. So merciless.
I willed myself to keep on. I headed toward him step by step. The person meant to ruin me.
His fingers raised my chin, demanding my attention. For everyone else, it might have appeared to be a lovely gesture. I did, however, see the reality.
Attachments.
An obsession with blood.
He also loved how I shivered.
"I will say my vows in her ear," he said. The audience whispered in agreement, believing it to be romantic. However, I knew better. The stupid Helena is praying for an impossibility that never would happen.
Haunted with fear, the priest nodded. Each of them feared.
His smile made me shiver as he leaned in, and his breath heated my ear.
"You and your dad ventured to play me for a fool. I will so break your wings for that. You will no longer fly as you wish. Though death will be distant from you, friend, I will make sure you wish for death every single day.
The priest spoke like a far-off hum. "Is anyone objecting to this marriage?"
I turned to check the door. Please save me, someone... anyone.
Not a thing. Not movement. Not sound.
My gaze turned to meet my parents. My last call to prayer. My ultimate wish.
They stayed low. They barely flicked.
I gulped the lump from my throat. I went by myself.
The priest kept on. "We shall proceed since there is no objection."
The blade went across our wrists. Our blood interacted. The last stages. No turning back.
"I say you are husband and wife now. The Moon Goddess seals your marriage and makes it difficult to untangle."
My gut went whirly. I became nauseous reading the words. I glanced at my mother, who for the first time in my life grinned at me.
Good gal.
I wanted to throw myself backward.
His fingers pushed on my back, and the illness disappeared. My body deceived me, identifying his touch.
"Only I am allowed to cause you to feel uncomfortable. Not even your folks, buddy, no one," he said as they neared.
My father remarked, "Congratulations."
"Stop now. I object, as you are making my friend uncomfortable. His voice was crisp and frigid. My mother passed. My father answered hardly at all.
He faced me. "We are walking out."
He hauled me away. I stayed silent.
"Can I have a word with my daughter?" my mother asked, following us.
"She does not want to." We are on our way out. His hold on me becomes more firm.
He is reading my mental state.
"Yes, I can."
Was he likewise a mind reader?
"No, I am not. You simply read somewhat too easily.
The car came to a stop before a tall skyscraper. My breath choked. His area? Now?
"This is a hotel," he said. "Do not be stupid."
The assistant gave him one key. One bedroom.
"Enjoy your honeymoon," she said, chirping.
I paused. Honeymoon: "Absolutely. People refer to this as the night spent together by newlyweds.
I had intended to be with him alone.
Indeed for tonight. What would happen if he choked me?
"Stop thinking out loud," he said sharply.
I put my hands tightly together. Tell me how you do it.
His eyes darkened, his hold squeezing me against his body. "You are not entitled to respond back to me. I will turn your life into a living misery.
He sneered. "And one last point. You will be totally naked when I leave the bathroom.
My heart stopped as I heard this.
"I wish to do my marriage duties."
I had preserved my virginity for the devil.
- Writer
