The Rise of the Alpha's Daughter

Kristen's POV “No!” My father's voice boomed across the living room and I could have sworn that the house shook as a result. My mother was present but she said nothing all through the argument I was having with my father over a topic that's been causing friction between us for months. He pointed his index finger at me. “Listen very carefully, you will get married to Jax and nothing will change that.” “No, Dad. I won't,” I fired back at him. I could feel my chest rising and falling rapidly. “You won't dare defy me,” my father said. He turned to mother. “Talk to her, Victoria, it would be better for her to listen to me.” My father was obviously not going to budge and I wasn't ready to either. Why does he feel like he could control everything in my life and I would willingly go along with it? He was usually the same way to my mother, too, but I wasn't going to allow it. Ever. “Kristen,” my mother said and I flashed her a furious look. It doesn't faze her and she says, “you should listen to your father. He knows what's best for you and you have to believe in that.” “Forget it, mother,” I lash at her. “I will get married to whoever I want, whenever I want.” “You're joking,” my father said. He moved closer to me and I took a step back due to the way his intimidating frame loomed over me. He placed his hands on my shoulders, his grip firmer than any I've ever experienced. “Jax is planning to come in a few weeks and you would be wise to be present for it. Don't test my patience, young one.” Young one. That's a new one. My father had used a lot of terms and nicknames for me but never anything like this. And the way he said it sent cold shivers down my spine. Knowing I have lost that argument, I nod gently, but only because I needed an escape as soon as possible. His hand lingered on my shoulder for a few more seconds before he let me go. I dashed in the first direction that came to mind and I felt so lucky to see it was the direction of the door. I could hear it slam shut behind me as I ran without looking back. I could hear my father calling my name in his usual authoritative manner but I didn't care. I just wanted to be somewhere I could breathe freely and that house wasn't it for me. My nightgown started interfering with my pace and I reached down and bunched it around my thighs. I could feel the wind in my hair and my face as I continued running. I felt a sudden urge to turn but I forced it away. The woods was the only place that appealed to me at that moment and I ran towards it. The faster I ran, the less angrier I felt and I continued increasing my pace until I was running so fast that I almost couldn't breathe. By the time I stopped running, I had gone deeper into the woods than I expected, but it was no trouble since I knew everywhere in the woods and everything about each place like the back of my hand. Finally free, I tilted my head towards the sky and shut my eyes, allowing the cool air to wash over me. I stayed like that for a few moments before I opened my eyes and started walking in the direction of the river. I found myself running again and I didn't stop until I was past the clearing that separated the woods from the river. That was when I saw him. Initially, I had noticed the faint movements in the water but I didn't really count it as anything because I couldn't imagine anyone being in the river at that hour. Ignoring it, I moved to sit on one of the rocks around the river. My anger had dissipated but memories of what happened with my father were still running around my mind. Damn him for trying to control my life. He had always been a controlling person but I expected him to do less of that as I got older. The argument we had made me realize that would never happen. We'd had many arguments like before but none were as heated as this one. And as always, my mother stood by and watched. She never stood up to him. Even if he was wrong and she had the chance to correct him. I caught more movements in the water out of the corner of my eye and I directed my gaze there. More movements came and I realized that something was in the water. I became alert immediately and I rose from where I was sitting. Whatever was in the water was moving without stopping now, and it was fast. Very fast. Could it be something harmful or friendly? Should I risk it and try to find out what it is? Making a quick decision, I ran back towards the woods and hid behind the nearest tree. Being able to see whatever was in the water without being seen in return was an advantage and it would make it easier for me to run if I had to. Peeking from behind the tree, I could see that the creature had gotten back to the river and was going to come out soon. But what came out was far different than anything I expected. I had to blink my eyes twice to ensure that the naked man I saw come out of the water was real and not a figment of my imagination. Indeed, it was. I gulped after scanning every visible bit of his body with my eyes. He was tall, but not up to my father's six feet. He was very muscular, much more than my father, and he carried himself so carelessly that made me wish I could be like him. Minus the naked part, though. The water dripping off his body added to his aura and I could feel a little tingle in me. He stepped out of the water fully and stretched until all his muscles and biceps were perfectly arranged. Who the hell is this man? And why is he here? He stopped moving, as if suddenly aware of something, and my heart raced as he stared in my direction. The few seconds that his gaze lingered for had to be the longest of my life. I had thought of stepping back and running into the woods but that would be useless because he would be able to see me immediately after I moved away from the tree that was providing me cover. I peeked out again after a few seconds to check if he was still looking in this direction but he wasn't and I sighed in relief. “Who's there?” A voice boomed and I froze. I could easily tell it was him and he sounded exactly as I imagined he would. “Come on out. I know you're there,” he said, after a few seconds. My body must have moved on its own accord because I surely didn't intend to step out from behind the tree and move forward, which was exactly what I did. I didn't stop walking until I was standing a few feet away from him. His eyes seemed to glitter and I swallowed unconsciously when I noticed something formerly limp becoming erect.