ALTHEA'S POV

“Run little wolf, run." His lips curled up into a sadistic grin, his silver eyes gleaming manically. 

I wasted no time as I dashed across the forest, sharp rocks cutting into my feet, branches tearing into my clothes and skin as I fought my fear through despite my vision being blurred with tears.

I could hear pounding of paws behind me. He should have caught up to me already, I was running on foot. He was playing with me like a predator plays with his prey.

I stumbled on a fallen branch, my knees and hands supporting me as I fall. I bit back a yelp as I felt the skin on my knees and hands being scrapped.

I couldn't give up now, I was so close.

I stood up only to fall down again with a gasp as white hot pain streaked through my ankle. Seems like I had sprained it in the fall. I groaned.

The pounding of paws sounded so much clearer and nearer. My breath caught in a whimper. Oh no….

9 hours earlier… 

“Father!" I pushed the door open with anger pulsing in my veins. The door resounded with a sharp crack startling even me but never the man on the chair.

“Althea. To what do I owe the pleasure” His voice indicated that he was anything but pleased.

“Father, please tell me it isn't true! That you didn't actually promise my hand to that…beast!” My voice cracked at the last word.

My father pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed deeply, closing his eyes. When he opened them, his eyes were as hard as flint.

“It's true." He said simply as if he hadn't just turned my world upside down. I swallowed the lump in my throat.

“Father please." I pleaded. My voice coming out as a whisper.

“It is final." His face looked like it was set in stone, unmovable. I scrambled for words to change his mind.

“What about Astra? She was the one you actually promised him!" I yelled. A loud bang startled me out of my anger. My father had slammed his hand on his desk.

“Raise your voice at me one more time, I dare you." His voice was cold and laced with dangerous intent. I bared my neck in submission, tears of frustration dripping down my cheeks.

There was a moment of intense silence,then he sighed.

“Yes, Astra was promised but she found her mate yesterday and it is a taboo to marry a mated female to another man. The next option was…..you.” 

Something heavy sat on my chest, impeding my ability to breathe “But-"

My father cut in,”Look, we need this partnership,this marriage. We need the protection and the resources this marriage would give us and He needs a wife, nobody knows why.”

The man in question was Alpha Damien, the most powerful man in the werewolf community, even more powerful than the Alpha king but he hasn't shown any interest in being king.

And he was a monster. The kind that was told in stories when mothers wanted to frighten their kids into behaving.

Be careful where you peek,

Or alpha Damien would come for you in your sleep.

And that was the man my father wanted me to marry, I trembled in fear.

My father continued “of course he needs a wife, the moon goddess wouldn't bless such a creature with a mate bond. Anyways, it's a marriage of convenience. Everybody wins.”

" What about me? Am I to spend the rest of my life with that monster?” I cried. My father's eyes sharpened then smoothed out. He smiled cruelly.

" Well, it's not like you have a mate. With your….. condition, I'm afraid no man wants you.” 

His words struck me more fatally than a dagger and I flinched.

My condition, that was what everyone called it, just to hide the fact that it was a curse.

A werewolf had his two sides, a human form and a wolf form. I was born with just a human form, I had no wolf. I could smell as good as a normal werewolf or run almost as fast but I had no wolf.

And that meant no mate.

“Now, I advise you go and prepare for the arrival of your husband.” He settled into his chair again, dismissing me with a wave of his hand.

“We aren't married yet and we won't be." I lashed out. A resounding smash echoed in my head. I turn my gaze to the floor to see the pieces of what was once a vase, lying at my feet.

My father had thrown a vase at my head. It missed but only barely.

“You are really testing my patience. Leave." He growled. Without another word, I lifted my skirts and dashed out of his office.

—--------

I paced across my bedroom floor, anxiety pouring out of my pores.

“Gosh, I knew your father was cruel but not this cruel." My best friend, Maya, shook her head.

" I can't marry him, Maya.” I croaked, my voice exhausted from all the crying I had done. And even till now, tears still rolled down my cheeks.

“Of course you can't. The man is a monster. Once he gets a heir from you, he would probably kill you.” A horrified expression painted her face.

" I don't know what to do. I have thought of every possible alternative, Maya, my hands are tied.” My voice was small and defeated,just as I felt.

“What if you run away?" She suggested hopefully. I shook my head tiredly.

" Where would I go Maya? My father would hunt me to the ends of the Earth. I can think of only one option….” I trailed off, expecting her to understand.

Her eyes widened in shock and terror once she realized what I was implying. She hurried towards me and held me tight, tears pouring down her face.

“Tell me you don't mean it." She whispered.

“I do Maya, I rather die a dishonourable death by suicide than marry a man like Damien.”

" No, we’ll think of something. I just need more time.” There was a moment of silence where we just held each other and cried.

“Thea, I think I've got it!" She exclaimed, excitement laced in her words. I raised one brow in question.

“The mate hunt is today, right?" She asked. The mate hunt was a barbaric tradition in which unmated males entered to hunt and catch an unmated female.

It was basically for people that had no hopes of finding their mates or didn't have one anymore. It was also a way for fathers to match up their daughters with a strong alpha in order to get strong babies.

Like I said, barbaric.

“What if you entered without your father's permission and get caught by a male. Then your father would have no choice but to let you marry that man instead. It would be unlawful to separate you. “

"In other words, I still get married at the end of the day. “ I sighed softly.

"I’m sorry. But on the bright side, it's better than being married to Damien. “

" Yes, it is. “ I tried to cheer up. Bolstered by the hope of having a plan, I smiled genuinely.

There was a commotion at the front gate and with my room facing the gate, I was able to see what was going on down there.

I walked towards the window and peered down, trying to figure out what was causing the commotion.

Th first thing that caught my attention was a mop of black hair that curled at the end and tanned skin, with a body built like it was carved from marble. 

Tailored suit enhanced a body that put Adonis statues to shame. I could feel myself drooling already.

Goddess,this was one attractive man.

Maya whistled and his head snapped up. Silver eyes locked into my boring brown ones. Heat flashed within me and I felt my cheek start to redden.

“Thea….” Maya whispered. I hummed absent-mindedly, silver gaze still boring into mine. 

It was like he was the sun and I was the planet that orbited round him. Something about him drew me in like a magnet. He was definitely the most gorgeous man I'd ever seen and I had met a lot of people.

“That’s Alpha Damien.” My head twisted so fast, I almost got a whiplash. Maya's face was pale and drained of all color, her eyes round and big like she saw her worst nightmare.

I turned to look at the man below me. His eyes narrowed, then his lips curled upwards into a small, dangerous smirk.

With a swift motion, he formed a gun like shape with his hand and mimicked firing it, his lips silently mouthing the words 'boom’.

I sharply inhaled, I had seen this face before.