“Father,” I mutter, hoping it sounds respectful.
“Daughter,” he answers, a wide grin spreading across his face.
Oh no. I know that face. What the fuck does he have planned for me?
He enters the kitchen, a cruel gleam in his eye, and his lip tugged to the side with a smirk.
“Where have you been?” Melanie snaps. “You’re late.”
“With good reason,” Father says, his voice smooth and cultured compared to hers. He holds my eye as he approaches the table, and real terror sparks to life deep inside me.
“Spill it,” Melanie says, stuffing a biscuit into her face.
“The alphas from the neighboring packs are on their way here,” he says, his smirk growing. “They are going to appoint one of their own as alpha, which means they are going to be wanting a local bride.”
No…
“Ha!” Melanie laughs. “Who’s the unlucky bitch?”
Father doesn’t take his eyes from mine as the room falls silent. Melanie looks between the two of us a few times before she bursts out laughing.
“Her? You’re fucking kidding me.” She’s laughing so hard, she can barely get the words out. Father’s men pick up on the vibe, so almost everyone in the room starts cackling their heads off.
Except him and me. Even though Father’s grin is wide, there is no mirth in his eyes. Cold light glitters there, like the essence of cruelty itself.
“Father,” I gulp. “No—”
“Don’t,” he growls, taking two steps over to the table and grabbing my hand, yanking me to my feet. “You’re doing this, and you’re not going to fuck it up for me.”
“Wait, please—” I gasp as he drags me forward, almost pulling me off my feet.
“What?” he asks, pausing. “You’d rather I throw you to Bruce, Axe, and Rafe here? I was thinking of marrying you off to one of them, but I like this plan far better.”
I can’t think of a single thing to say to that, so I just stand there trembling, willing my tears away.
How awful that marrying one of Father’s goons is slightly more attractive than marrying a man I’ve never met!
“Listen to me,” Father says, bringing his face very close to mine. “You’re going to do this, and you’re going to get all nice and cozy with this new alpha—do you understand? Please him, seduce him, get under his fucking skin, and make sure I can control him. Got it?”
“What?” I gasp. “How am I supposed to—”
“Use your womanly charms!” Father spits. “For once in your fucking life! I’m sure you can offer him something if you try hard enough!”
Melanie laughs out loud, cackling like a hyena. I look down at the floor, trying to maintain my dignity as the laughter swirls around the room.
Father—and the rest of this town—have never let me forget that being plump was the worst crime I could commit.
Melanie is still laughing, throwing out every fat joke she can think of. Father’s men guffaw louder on every punchline, and Father is trying to hold in his laughter.
“Alright, alright,” he says, waving at them. “We’ve had our fun. I know it’s going to be hard to convince this dude to take her with the way she looks. But if anyone’s marrying the new alpha, it’s my girl. I need the leverage. And that’s why I told you, sweetie, find something you can do to please this man. If you don’t, I really will throw you to my dogs.”
Bruce makes a little growl. “I don’t mind a bit of meat on the bone, every now and then.”
“Let’s hope her new husband feels the same,” Father snaps. “Come on, they’ll be here any minute, and I want to be there to greet them.”
He drags me out of the house, keeping such a firm hold on my arm, and I stumble and almost fall flat on my face. I want to protest that I’m still filthy from my day’s work, but I end up keeping my mouth shut, hoping this might actually deter my new husband.
But what happens if he rejects me? Will Father throw me straight to his men?
