Sold To The Devil: Betrayed by my Family and Lover

Carissa's POV “What beauty!" I exclaimed, admiring my beautiful ceremonial dress. I had the best makeover. I can still remember how I couldn't sleep the night before my mating ceremony. I was finally going to belong to Alpha Aestine. "Bride to be?" I heard the maid call from outside. "Everything is in readiness; the elders need to see you," she said before walking away. I sprang to my feet in excitement, holding up my big dress, I darted out of my room. Alpha Lucifen has increased the offer," I heard my brother's voice say. "If we make sure Carissa doesn't run away, he will double the price for her." My eyes popped open, and I felt my heart miss a beat. Alpha Lucifen," A gasp escaped my mouth; fear washed over me. "What was my family's business with the devil?" "The price is very attractive; I will kill her if she tries to run away." My own father, the one I had called Sweet Papa my whole life, declared. My eyes welled up with tears, and I felt a lump in my throat. "Your daughter must understand she has to sacrifice herself for the benefit of all of us; after all, she's just a girl," one of the elders said. "But how will we tell Carissa? I've been thinking of a way to convince her; you know how stubborn she can be." tears rolled down my cheeks as I heard my mother say. My entire family was there; I couldn't believe my eyes. I took a deep breath, trying to process what I was hearing. "Alpha Lucifen will soon arrive. We don't have time to convince her, she doesn't have a choice!" My brother thundered. "It is a do-or-die affair," my father said. I watched them through the slightly opened door. "the deal has been sealed, and it is final!” I swung the door open and all of them cast me a piercing glance; they weren't surprised at all, and I was amazed by the look on their faces. Had they always hated me and had hidden it behind a false pretense? "What...?" I widened my eyes in question, and my father's eyes met mine, for the first time since I'd known him; I saw indifference in his eyes towards me. "Yes, Carissa, your family has sold you to the devil." My eyes popped open in disbelief. Was the elder joking, or was this some kind of test? "Carissa, it is true," my brother said. "You must accept the fact that you will bring us a greater deal if you become Alpha Lucifen's mate. There's no big deal in sacrificing yourself for the good of many.” I took a step back, my mind couldn't process anything. Sold? I'd been sold, that too to the devil? "Forget everything and focus on a new life with him," my father said, before leaving the room; the others followed behind, except for my supposed mother. "Carissa, do not even think about ruining this," she said through clenched teeth. "The consequences will be severe if you try to run away or do anything foolish. Like you heard, you're 'just a girl,' and this is the good you can bring to us. Pull yourself together," she said, clasping my shoulders firmly. "If you come out with a face like that, I will pluck out your eye. Compose yourself and accept your destiny.” “What about Alpha Aestine …?” I managed to ask. "Oh," she scoffed. "Worry not about Alpha Aestine. From now on, pretend Alpha Lucifen is your Aestine. I hope I've made myself clear!" She barked. Had I been adopted?" I asked, breaking the silence, and her eyes popped open in disgust. "Oh, Carissa," a growl escaped her chest. "Do you really think we would raise an adopted child the way we had raised you?" "Am I an orphan?" A tear rolled down from my eye. "Orphan?" she scoffed, as if the mere idea of my being an orphan was absurd. "You're my flesh and blood, Carissa." She said, cupping my face in her hands, and I flinched. "It's alright, you belong to the devil now, so I won't take offense." She said, wiping her hands with a tiny towel as if she had touched something that never belonged to her. "How can my own family sell me off to the devil, a hideous beast?" I asked with a shaky voice. "How can they not, when the price in question will change our lives forever?" she scoffed. “But…” I tried to speak, but she cut me off. "No, Carissa, you are a weak wolf with no chance of bringing greatness to us. We had always thought you would never amount to anything, until the devil came to us." These words pierced the deepest part of my heart and soul. I felt a huge lump form in my throat, and my head stung with pain. My family really thought that of me? I could've sworn my family loved me for who I was. I broke into bitter sobs. “What did I say about composing yourself?” She shouted, pinching my arm. I felt her long nails pierce through my skin, and before the blood gushed out, she caressed it, and the wound healed. “Now, imagine what your father will do to you if you try anything stupid, my Carrissa? We will be waiting downstairs. The devil will soon be here,” she said with a glare, and walked out. I couldn't believe it! I couldn't process anything. I was lost and wanted to disappear into thin air. I knew Alpha Aestine would save our love. He had promised to do anything for me. Yes, that was who I needed, so I ran frantically to the garden, where I knew I'd find him. "Carissa, you must be foolish to think I would be your mate!" he said sternly, before dismissing the beautiful lady who, although I saw it myself, my mind refused to believe was kissing him passionately. "You are weak. I would never deign myself to make you my mate! You are just a pawn in my little game." The air felt thick, and darkness washed over me. "How can you do this to me?" I asked with a shaky voice. He cast a glance of disdain at me. "Ask your pathetic family, not me!" he hissed. "They offered a great deal to keep you sane until this day. Oh, how I've waited for this day, so I can finally get rid of you!” "But…” I tried to speak, before he violently grabbed my shoulders. "Carissa," he said in a low growl, his deep blue eyes gazing into mine. "If you ever loved me, then do this! Just as everyone has sold you to that devil, sell yourself to him. If you have any idea how much we stand to gain from this, you won't mess it up! Now, be a good girl and do as we want.” I couldn't say anything; all the words and thoughts died within me. I couldn't process the fact that I was being treated like some piece of garbage by my own family and lover, they had betrayed me. The devil? I'd read many dark tales about him and his pack, and the generations before him. He was said to be the most wicked and notorious of them all. What did he want with me? "At least now you know why I've never even kissed you," he finally said. "I've never loved you." And with that, he left. My world fell apart. What was the deal? What would the demonic wolf do with me? And what was the price? I was consumed by fear; my body shook with bitter sobs. My mind felt foggy as I tried to process everything. But one thing was certain: I had to run away. But how?