The Demon King's Conquest

CHAPTER ONE

AMETHYST’S POV

“Don’t you dare talk back to me, Amethyst! You might be useless, but you still bear my name.” My father warned, his voice making me flinch and I dug my nails into my hand beneath the sleeves of my dress, forcing myself to keep my head bowed.

His words should not have hurt anymore. Tonight wasn’t the first time he was uttering such hateful words, yet the sting was as fresh as ever.

I had heard worse from him growing up but the pain still came fresh every single time.

Tonight especially. Because tonight was Clara’s mating ceremony.

The entire pack house buzzed with excitement outside these walls. I could hear distant laughter drifting through the open windows, the sound of music echoing from the mating grounds, and the faint scent of roasted meat filling the air.

Everyone was happy tonight. Well, everyone except me.

I swallowed hard and risked lifting my eyes slightly.

My mother stood beside my father in a silver gown, her expression was very much cold and unreadable. Clara stood beside her, looking breathtaking in white silk that clung to her perfect figure. Her golden curls rested elegantly over her shoulders while diamonds glittered around her neck.

She looked every bit like the future Luna everyone adored.

And then there was me. The cursed daughter and the shame of the Tyler bloodline.

“Tonight is Clara’s mating ceremony,” Father continued sharply. “Important Alphas and eligible wolves from neighboring packs are in attendance. The last thing I need is for you to embarrass this family.”

The statement hit me harder than I could ever imagine. He only ever uttered painful words to me afterall.

“I understand,” I whispered.

“Do you?” Clara crossed her arms as her glossy lips curved mockingly. “Because you never seem to understand your place.”

I lowered my gaze again.

Father stepped closer to me, and immediately, my wolf whimpered inside me.

Even my wolf was weak.

“If you step out of your room tonight,” he said slowly, “I will execute you according to pack laws.”

“M-my room?” I looked up before I could stop myself. “But… Father, I just turned nineteen.”

Clara rolled her eyes dramatically but I ignored her and continued desperately.

“My mate could be among the invited males tonight. According to pack laws, I should be allowed to attend the ceremony too…”

He slapped me so hard on my face so suddenly that my head snapped sideways.

I felt serious pain across my cheek and I stumbled slightly, as my vision started to blur.

“How dare you call me your father?” Beta Dennison growled.

I noticed Clara giggle. Beta Dennison's reaction towards me calling him father must have made her feel joyful as my pain has always been a thing of joy for her.

I slowly looked back at him with my cheek burning badly.

The hatred I saw in his eyes nearly stole the breath from my lungs.

The look in his eyes was not a feeling of disappointment or irritation. Instead, it was pure hatred.

Like I was something filthy standing before him.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered, my hands and voice slightly shaking.

“Correct yourself this instant.” He stared at me, like he would a stranger. I could hear my heart shattering.

“I’m sorry, Beta Dennison.” I bowed my head, my voice small.

“Know your place,” Clara sneered from behind him. “Besides, who would even want you as a mate?”

Her eyes swept over me cruelly.

“With those dull eyes? That pale skin? You look sick all the time.”

A bitter laugh escaped her lips.

“You’d probably scare the men away before the ceremony even begins.”

“Enough, Clara,” mother finally spoke then.

For one foolish second, warmth bloomed in my chest.

Then she sighed and looked at me.

“Amethyst, don’t make tonight difficult for us. Stay in your room quietly. Just this once.”

Just this once.

I almost laughed.

Every day of my life has been “just this once.”

Don’t speak too loudly.

Don’t stand beside Clara.

Don’t embarrass the family.

Don’t attend gatherings.

Don’t smile too much.

Don’t exist too much.

And yet she could still say just this once.

I nodded in agreement because there was nothing else I could do.

“Lock her door from the outside,” Beta Dennison ordered the guards.

“W-what?”

The guards had already moved before I could even respond.

Clara smirked as they left the room.

“Enjoy your night, little sister,” she teasingly said to me.

They slammed the door shut behind them and then came the sound of the click of the lock.

I just stood there for several seconds before my knees finally gave out beneath me.

The moment I hit the floor, the tears I had been holding came out rushing.

I covered my mouth quickly to stop the sound from escaping.

Pathetic.

I was pathetic.

Why did it still hurt this much?

I wondered why I still hoped that they would love me someday.

Outside my window, I could hear the celebration get even louder and I could practically picture it too. The bonfires, the dancing, the elegant dresses, the wolves proudly showing off their strength. And Clara standing in the center of it all while everyone admired her.

Nineteen years old.

I was nineteen years old and yet I had never attended a mating ceremony before. Not even once in my life and that’s just because my family always hid me away.

I slowly crawled toward the mirror hanging on the wall. I simply stared at my reflection. I stared at my long black hair,pale skin, gray eyes, and thin frame.

I noticed that there was nothing extraordinary or even monstrous about me or my looks and yet they looked at me like I was cursed.

My fingers trembled as I touched my reflection slowly.

“What’s so wrong with me?” I whispered brokenly.

My wolf stirred weakly inside me. Sadness. That was all she ever felt lately.

A loud cheer echoed from outside, followed by music.

Something inside me snapped.

I couldn’t stay here. At least not tonight.

Not while the entire world celebrated outside these walls.

I stood abruptly and wiped my tears away.

The window. I saw that they had forgotten the window and I immediately rushed toward it without a second thought whatsoever.

I knew that the drop from the second floor would hurt, but werewolves healed fast enough.

Well… normal werewolves did.

I hesitated briefly before climbing out carefully.

Cold wind brushed against my skin instantly.

Freedom atlast. Freedom felt so sweet to finally experience even though I knew very well that it was going to be short lived.

I dropped to the ground with a painful grunt, stumbling slightly when pain shot through my ankle.

Still, I felt relieved.

I quickly straightened and glanced around nervously. There were no guards around since they were probably also enjoying the ceremony like every other person.

Well, good for me.

The pack house was brightly lit in the distance while most wolves remained gathered near the mating grounds.

No one noticed me slipping toward the forest. Then I ran before anyone could.

The deeper I moved into the woods, the quieter the celebration became.

Soon, only the sound of crickets and rustling leaves remained.

The cold night air felt so soothing.

This was the only place I ever felt slightly at peace.

The forest didn’t judge me.

It didn’t whisper behind my back.

And neither did it look at me with disgust.

I finally slowed near a clearing, while panting heavily.

For the first time all day, I could breathe.

Moonlight spilled beautifully across the grass and it was a good sight to view.

I thought maybe shifting would help calm me.

My wolf was weak, but running always made the ache in my chest easier to bear.

My wolf stirred faintly. It wasn’t exactly strong but was just enough.

A sad smile touched my lips.

"At least you're still there."

The sensation disappeared almost immediately which was typical.

I continued walking and soon, I reached a small clearing where the moon hung high above. It was beautiful and peaceful to sight.

No one was here so no one could hurt me here.

I untied my cloak then glanced around carefully again before reaching for the zipper of my dress. Then I removed my dress.

If my wolf cooperated, perhaps I could run like a normal wolf.

Just once.

I felt the night breeze against my skin.

I closed my eyes, reached inward, searching and calling but nothing.

A familiar disappointment settled over me.

Of course.

Why had I expected anything different?

A branch suddenly snapped nearby and I froze.

My eyes opened wildly and my heartbeat skipped.

I knew someone was there. A figure emerged from the shadows and a branch suddenly snapped nearby.

“Who’s there?” I asked nervously.

“Well, well.”

A man stepped out from behind the trees.

It was a male. Young at that.

I immediately recognized him. He was one of the wolves from the ceremony. I saw him when he attended Clara’s ceremony earlier. I remembered seeing him beside the northern pack Alphas.

He stood tall, broad and smirked. His eyes slowly went down my body in a way that made my stomach twist.

“So the cursed Tyler daughter really exists,” he mused.

I stepped back immediately.

“I should go.”

“Why?” He asked as he moved closer. “You ran away from the ceremony, didn’t you?” he continued, his smile widening unpleasantly.

I didn't respond.

“That means you’re lonely too.”

I got scared.

“I said I should go,” I finally said.

I turned quickly only for his hand to grab my wrist and I gasped sharply.

“Let go of me!” I screamed.

“Relax.” His grip tightened painfully. “You should feel honored that I’m even touching you. I heard no male in your pack wants you.”

This made me feel extreme humiliation. I tried pulling away, but he was far stronger.

My wolf cried helplessly but he refused to let me go.

“Please—”

“You smell good,” he whispered, leaning closer to my neck.

I fricked out.

I shoved him with all my strength and managed to stumble free when he lost balance slightly.

Then I ran.

Behind me, I heard him curse loudly.

“Get back here!”

Tears blurred my vision as fear consumed me completely. I didn’t know where I was going. I just needed to get away and the forest got even darker around me.

The trees got strangely tall and twisted. All at once, the wind died down and the bugs stopped making noise. Something about the air also felt weird.

I slowed down eventually, my chest panting violently. The man’s footsteps had disappeared and relief flooded me briefly. Then lightning suddenly cracked across the sky. Thunder rumbled violently afterward and I jumped at the sound.

And just then, I noticed it.

The ground beneath my feet.

It was a strange glowing symbol stretched across the forest floor, half-hidden beneath dirt and dead leaves.

What…?

Before I could move away from it, my foot flipped and accidentally pressed against the center of the symbol.

The ground shook as a sudden, terrifying, massive gust of wind blasted through the trees.

The glowing mark beneath me burst into blinding crimson light.

I screamed out loud as a huge burst of power hit me.

Then… a deep male voice echoed through the darkness.

It sounded cold, ancient and deadly.

“At last.”