Beth’s POV

I sensed the pack’s growing nervousness and anticipation through our connection. I watched as a procession of cars approached the pack house. My heart raced as I caught sight of these sleek, modern vehicles, unlike anything I had ever seen before.

The pack members stopped in front of the pack hall. My jaw dropped in admiration. The cars were sleek and modern, and my curiosity grew increasingly at that moment, as I wondered what type of person this was.

I wasn’t disappointed as a tall figure emerged from the first car, coming toward us with men dressed in black suits trailing after him till they stood in front of us.

Suddenly, the air was filled with a strong, domineering aura, immediately I heard the whining of the omegas behind me, baring their necks, the Alphas bowing their heads in submission to the powerful man, I alone stood tall amongst them, my back straightened, and my eyebrows arched in amazement, I fought the urge to submit to his aura, the reasons not clear to me.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” my father whispered, his eyes filled with fear. I turned to face him, confused as to what I did wrong.

“Do you want to get us all killed? Bow down,” he said, seething, tugging my dress when I refused to budge to his demands.

Instantly, I bowed my head. A man approached me, his eyeball darkened, full of fury. Surprisingly, my father stepped in front of me, blocking the man’s path. I had not expected that from him.

“Is this how you treat your guests here?”

“Alpha Aspen,” the mysterious man growled, his voice filled with an intimidating edge, as he forcefully pushed my father aside and commanded, “Hold your ground!” With a menacing glare, he warned, “Don’t you even think about standing in my way.”

“Forgive her insolence, Lycan Killian, she meant no disrespect,” he said, trembling tremendously.

The minute I heard his name I knew I was in deep trouble, the brutal Killian, who has not heard of Lycan Killian, the royal Lycan who ruled the werewolf world with an iron fist, ruthless in his dealings as no one dares cross him, leaving destruction in his wake to his enemies, seeing that my father and other Alphas trembling in fright made me understand what the fuse was all about.

“You speak when you’re spoken to, Aspen,” he growled. “Do you know what I do to those who speak out of turn? I cut off their tongues.” he scowled at my father while turning his face to meet mine.

He beckoned to me, his words clipped and short, and my legs instantly moved in urgency to obey his order, as though I had been hypnotized.

“Raise your head,” he barks in his Alpha’s voice, dripping with a dominance that brooks no argument.

I raised my head, and I found myself staring into his face. His features were chiseled and angular, his brows thick and dark, his nose sharp. A few strands of black hair fell across his forehead, giving him a roguish look. His eyes were wide with rage. I could feel his gaze burning into me. He looked at me with so much hatred and anger that I felt a shiver run down my spine, and I forced myself to hold his gaze. I had to be strong, and I had to show him that I wasn’t afraid of him. But it was hard to withstand his gaze.

“What are you called?” His voice was low and dangerous as if he was struggling to keep his temper under control. Before I knew it, he already held my neck, cutting my air intake.

“PL.... Let me go,” I tried to shout, but it only turned into a whisper. My eyes started watering, and I struggled with him, scratching his arm as he held my neck.

“Do you think you can defy me, omega? I demand answers when I ask you a question.” His face held anger as his grip on my neck tightened. He looked at me with sheer hatred etched into his features, and tears rolled down my cheeks.

“Am I understood?” I tried to nod to answer the question, but it was difficult. All I could manage was a small, jerky movement of my head. “Yes,” he smirked, as he let go of my neck.

I collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath. I tried to calm my racing heart and steady my breathing.

“I’m so sorry, for what transpired here, accept my apologies, the moon knows I’ve tried my best to rein her, but she’s a wily thing, please accept my apologies,” my father said bowing down in respect to the Lycan.

“I understand she’s your daughter. I will be delighted to clip her claw and train her to my taste,” he said.

Wait a minute, what does he mean by training me to his taste? What exactly is going on here? These questions ran through my dazed mind.

“I trust you will let’s proceed into the Hall. We have a business to discuss,” my father said, his arms stretched in motion to the entrance of the pack house. Before leading the Lycans into the pack house, he barks orders at Laura. “Don’t just stand there, clean her up, will you?” He shouts at Laura, the head Omega. “Such a disgrace,” he said, shaking his head in disapproval.

“Let’s get you cleaned up,” she said, dragging me to my feet. I could hear the giggles of other omegas. I sneered at them and kept walking to my room.

“I don’t understand why you keep defying your father at every turn. Can’t you spare yourself the beatings, shame, and anguish?” Her eyes were filled with pity.

“I’ll get you a pain reliever since you heal like a human,” running her hands through my hair.

This is a normal occurrence that I have gotten used to over time. I don’t get why they blame me for my mother’s death. I didn’t kill my birth mother. It was unfortunate that she died during childbirth.

I understand that my father lost his fated mate, and the pack lost their Luna, but it still isn’t my fault. I got the losing end of the bargain here; I lost something too. ‘I lost my mother’.

After I took the pain relief, I decided to stay in. “Come down my foot. I’ll stay in here where there’s less trouble. I’m not needed anyway. According to them, I’m a waste of space and an embarrassment,” I huffed.

I closed my eyes, wishing the pain away, when a knock on the door echoed through the room. “The Alpha requests your presence in the hall, now,” the voice behind the door said, and walked away before I could respond.

I changed into a flimsy dress and went downstairs to the gathering hall, where the meeting was held.

I met them in the middle of the discussion and took my seat beside my father at the round table

At first, I wasn’t interested in their negotiation, as they kept talking about the reinforcement and strategies for the war, passing papers around, and I continued to play with my fingers under the table. Till they started talking about the wedding, ‘Wait a minute, who’s getting married?’

“This concludes our negotiation. I propose a toast…” he stood up, raising his glass, “to prosperity, love, and allegiance,” clicking his wine glass with others at the table and the Lycan.

 “The wedding is tonight,” Lycan Killian said in a tone that is low and intimidating, “But...” My father tries to argue, but a look from the Lycan shuts him up. “Of course, that settles it then. Tonight’s the wedding,” turning to address the crowd.

“My beloved daughter is to be mated to his royal Highness, spread the word.” He announced to the crowd, turning to Laura, “Make preparations, the wedding’s tonight!”

“Cheers to their union.” The sounds of clinking glass, loud cheers, and howls filled the hall.

I stood up in shock. “What? No, I don’t consent to this arrangement, Father.”