Arranged to the Alpha

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Annoyance was all Issy felt as she began packing.

Sitting on her bed with one leg hanging off, she folded a few belongings she would be taking with her - her favorite dress, a short yellow summer dress with matching heels, her underwear and toiletries.

When she was done with the arrangements, she zipped the travel bag and hoisted off her bed to the floor.

Satisfied with her packing skill, she stood in the room with her hands at akimbo.

The sunlight glinted on a picture frame and her grin on her face drooped.

She took slow strides towards her dressing table where the photo was taken. Her eyes filled as she stared at the people in the picture – her father, dressed in a white singlet over khaki shorts with a cream coloured summer hat on his head was flanked by her on the left and Ivy on the left. It was the summer of 2010. Ivy had insisted on going on a vacation and their father had given into her demands.

She traced her fingers on their faces. Lines deepened in both sides of Ivy’s cheeks as she stared at the camera, bright-eyed. Their father equally had the same dimpled smile with his hands on his daughter's shoulders but her – Issy wasn't smiling. Her lips were set and stern and she glared at the camera.

She recalled feeling uncomfortable that very day at the beach, wanting to return home but Ivy wouldn't let her be and their father was just the same.

Issy turned her gaze to Issy’s face. Even as an 8 year old, she was the prettiest daughter, the better daughter, the one everyone loved, with her perfect straight hair, dazzling smile enough to turn heads and her facial features sharp enough to kill.

Ivy and their father looked like the perfect father-daughter duo while Issy on the other hand, looked like a tag-along, a third wheel everyone's always pulling to complete the group.

At that time, she had wished their mother was alive so she wouldn't have held Ivy's hand.

But her mother was gone. She never got to know her.

A bitter rage bubbled within her and she hurled the frame at the wall, watching as it shattered into several shards.

The sound echoed in the small room, but all she could hear was the voice of anger in her head.

Why was she going to Ivy’s wedding?

Why was she even thinking about it?

Why was she even packing her stuff?

They never showed up for her never, why should she do that for them now?

They had never cared about her. Never wanted her. Never loved her.

“Stupid imbeciles!” she cursed aloud.

Her mind screamed as she paced the room restlessly, her thoughts spiraling over the place.

She slumped on her bed and looked at the ceiling, searching for some invincible dirt.

What was she looking for? Some kind of approval? A sign from the universe? She scoffed, glancing up at the ceiling as if expecting an answer, but there was nothing, just the empty silence of a room surrounding her like a plague.

A gentle knock on the door tore her away from her thoughts, pushing her back to the present.

The second knock came louder, as if daring her not to open the door. Issy’s eyes narrowed, the hairs on her stood as her sixth sense kicked in. She instinctively braced herself before slowly exhaling when she recognized who was outside the door.

“Come in,” she said, trying to relax as she adjusted her curls in front of the mirror, quickly checking if anything was out of place.

The door creaked open.

“Hiii, Issy!” the voice said as it giggled. It was Nicole, her best friend, stepping into the room with a wide smile on her face.

Nicole’s human scent filled the room, and Issy, for a moment, felt her tension ease. Of course, Nicole didn’t know about her real self. About her nature. No one did. No one should.

“Hey. How are you doing, babe?” Issy’s voice was casual, as if she didn’t just go through a mental breakdown.

“Emm…Issy, where the hell are you going? You’re packing your stuff! Are you leaving?” Nicole’s eyes widened as she took in the sight of the travel bag on the bed.

Issy laughed softly, watching her friend’s face turn bright red in confusion. “I’m going home, Miss Curious George.”

“Home?” Nicole blinked twice in confusion. “What’s the occasion? You never go home.”

Issy’s smile fell. “My sister’s getting married.”

Nicole blinked again, her voice faltering. “You…have a sister?”

The words hit Issy like a punch in the stomach. She realized she had never mentioned her family to Nicole. Not once. She had always kept them hidden, kept away in the darkest corner of her heart. It wasn’t her fault. Not really. She didn’t have a choice.

“Yeah, I do,” she said quietly, the word feeling strange on her tongue. “She’s my only sibling. And…yeah, she’s getting married.”

Nicole’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Wooooah, that’s huge. When's the wedding?”

“Today.”

“WHAT?!” Nicole’s voice was a mix of shock and surprise. “And you’re just going now? Won’t you be late or something? Is it past 11? ”

Issy laughed. Werewolves, late? That was a concept she had never heard of. “No, I won’t be late. Trust me.”

Nicole shook her head in disbelief. “Girl, you’d better bring me something back. A souvenir or something! Don’t come back here empty or I’ll skin you alive, you hear me?”

Issy forced a smile, hugging Nicole tightly. “Loud and clear, Momma.”

Meanwhile, back at the castle, Ivy paced impatiently, her bright red wedding gown swirling around her feet.

Her father, Dimitri, wasn’t helping, his own anxiety visible as he went around supervising and looking over at the final preparations.

“They’re going to be here any minute, Ivy,” Dimitri growled, his deep voice laced with panic. “What if she doesn’t show up? What do we say then? Everything’s planned, and we can’t afford to screw this up. Call her again!”

Ivy rolled her eyes, growing more irritated with each passing second. “Calm down, Father. She’ll be here.”

“When?” he demanded, his eyes darting to the door. “The wedding ceremony has already started, and the bride isn’t here! What will people think of me? I am an alpha, and you know we can’t afford to anger the king!”

“Father!” Ivy’s voice snapped through the air, her fists slamming against the wall. “Have I ever been wrong before? No! I know she’s coming. I can feel it. So stop panicking, or she’ll sense something’s off the moment she steps through those doors.”

Dimitri stopped, catching his breath. He looked at Ivy and smiled, his trust in her unwavering. “You’ve never made a mistake,” he admitted, though impatience still hung around in his tone. “But when will she—”

“Your Highness, Princess Issy has arrived,” a maid’s voice interrupted, her small frame bowing at Dimitri’s feet.

He straightened, his eyes gleaming as he exchanged a knowing look with Ivy. “It’s showtime,” Ivy whispered.

Issy stepped into the grand hall of the castle, the memories crashing down on her like a tidal wave. Everything was the same. The scent of the ancient stone walls, the familiar faces that greeted her with hidden disapproval. She could feel their stares burning into her, whispering without words.

“Why is she here?”

“Why did she return?”

“Isn’t that the cursed child?”

Issy clenched her fists at her sides, her heart racing as she searched for a familiar face. She wanted to disappear, to retreat into her room, but the sound of Ivy’s voice dragged her back to reality.

“Princess Issy!” Ivy’s voice rang out like a bell, and Issy turned to see her sister gliding down the hall in her flowing gown, every inch the perfect bride. Ivy’s radiant smile was suffocating, her beauty unmatched, her every movement graceful, no wonder everyone loved her.

Issy forced a smile, though her heart twisted in her chest. “Hi, Ivy.”

“That’s not how you greet your sister on her wedding day!” Ivy laughed, her arms outstretched. “Come here. I’ve missed you so much.”

Issy stepped back, avoiding the hug. “I don’t want to ruin your dress. It’s your big day.”

Ivy’s smile faltered for a moment, but she recovered quickly. “Don’t be silly.”

Issy’s eyes flicked toward her father, who had now entered the room, his imposing figure flanked by guards.

“Hello, Father.”

“My daughter,” Dimitri said warmly, pulling her into a tight embrace. But even in his arms, Issy could sense something wasn’t right.

The guard’s voice cut through the moment. “My lord, the Cartels have arrived.”

Dimitri released her, his smile vanishing. “Go get dressed, Issy. It’s time.”

Before Issy could respond, Ivy clasped her hands, her voice sugary sweet. “I got you the best dress. You’ll look stunning, even better than mine. Now hurry, you’re walking me down the aisle.”

“But it’s your wedding. Why would I wear better clothes than you?” Issy whispered her eyes narrowing towards her sister’s face trying to pick the slightest discomfort but she saw nothing.

And with that, Ivy swept gracefully out of the room, avoiding any other questions Issy could ask.