JADEN AND I

Keren's POV.

"Ouch!" I wince and raise my hand to my head.

The maid my stepfather, sub-Alpha Streams, hired had just pinched a hairpin into my hair, except it prickled my head in the act.

She is about to apologize when my stepfather enters the room. He looks annoyed, as is his voice when he shouts, "What in heaven's name are you still doing? Get ready now!" And then he shuts the door after him.

I am already ready, but it's not like he sees that or cares. I stare at myself in the mirror for a few seconds before I hurry down the hallway to the outside.

Scoffing sadly, I give the home I have known since I was little a soft smile. I have to leave now, to a place where I no doubt would suffer.

My stepfather is already inside the carriage, waiting for me with all his impatience.

I am almost entering when I hear my name called "Keren," and turning my face, I see my best friend, Alsie. She is also Alpha's Stream's daughter, except she is the opposite of the personality her father portrays.

"I am so sorry. I wish I could come along."

As much as I understand her, it would not change a thing. I would still suffer where I am going, as I have been sold out by my stepfather.

I am about to speak when sub-Alpha Streams yells at us, "Alsie, get away from her. Now!"

"Father. You're being..."

"You are a good person, Alsie. Always remember that." I want to stop her from rebelling.

She nods at me and sniffles. Seeing she is about to cry, I shake my head and fake a smile.

The carriage soon began to move. I close my eyes, not wanting to see the look on Alsie's face as she sees me leaving her—by no agreement of mine, of course—and imagine my life being crushed just like the iron wheel crushes the stones on the ground.

We are now hours into the journey, and there has been no discussion between sub-Alpha Streams and me.

I remain stiff in my position, and that is because of the material I am sarcastically gracefully embroidered with. The chemise is punishably tight, pressing against my body such that I feel as though I am being pinched continuously, and the sleeves with contrasting colors make it hard to shift even my arms.

"We have been on this journey for four hours. Do you care to say anything?" Speaks sub-Alpha Streams in his Scottish accent.

I have just been sold out, meant to be used however the most powerful, cold-hearted, barbaric Alpha King wishes, to serve him for the rest of life, my life's goal now useless, and yet I am suffocating in this stupid gown that I would never wish my enemy to wear. All of my hear complain can not even be said so, there was no need.

However, I have to smile and say, "Well, I cannot wait to see the Alpha King with this beautiful dress you have picked for me, sire."

He scoffs and smiles. "I knew it would look nice on you. We need it to reveal your bosom, do we not?" He says it, and I agree with a nod. He continues, "Now, remember. You must be obedient when we get there. You are not to speak unless spoken to and asked to talk. You must do everything you can to claim the Alpha King's attention. I know you have gotten his mother's, Queen Akki, and that's why we have been called; however, I need the King to marry you. You're doing this to save my pack." Yet, I am not included in his pack.

Regardless, it hurts. I am a twenty-three years old She-wolf, who is yet to change into her wolf. I think things wouldn't be different even if I had.

His lectures continue, subjecting his stepdaughter to what and what not to do.

The doorman helps me get out after my stepfather. We have arrived. My nerves haven't spiked up as much as they are now.

My stomach hurts more, and it is as though I might faint.

My stepfather takes my hand, and we walk inside the castle.

Presently, I stand in the middle of a silent room. There are guards around and maids scurrying past as they come and go as silently as they can.

As the door opens again, a strong aura whirls into the room, and instantly, I bow my head, as too, my stepfather. It is Queen Akki, Alpha King Aarav's mother.

Stopping in her tracks, she stutters for a second, asking, "Wh... what is the meaning of this?" Her British accent sounds so clean.

"Queen Akki," my stepfather begins, still bowing, "I have brought my stepdaughter, as requested by the crown. The union can now be blessed."

She scoffs, "I have seen her many times enough. Get her to her room, and you," she directs at my stepfather, "can leave the castle. The crown shall hold to their promises." She finishes and goes to sit in front of the piano.

As she begins playing, the softness of the tune settling into my ears, a guard I didn't see next to me comes to direct me on the path I am to follow.

My eyes shift towards my stepfather, but he isn't even looking my way. He is smiling and concentrating on Queen Akki.

I feel betrayed.

With a swollen heart, I make my way up to a seemingly long hallway that seems as though it doesn't have an end. When I entered, I noticed every other maid stopped by the door except for the guard from earlier. He remains behind me.

"What are you doing?"

"I am an escort. I am to protect you and practically be your shadow."

I want to talk, but I shun my lips. This must be a normal thing here.

I take a step forward, and he looks me in the eye. "Tell me about the Alpha King." I demand.

"He is the Alpha to all sub-Alphas, Betas, sub-Lunas, and all werewolf species." He gives me the most knowable information.

I shake my head. He's probably not entitled to tell me certain things. I hate him already. "What room are you going to take me to?"

He doesn't want to talk again, so I say, "I am about to become the Luna to, well, the Alpha King." It sounds like a pain in my lips to state that devil's title: "And if you don't tell me what I need to know, you'd become my enemy. Do you want that?" I ask and he shakes his head.

It takes him a few seconds. "It is Alpha King Aarav's wing. There, you'd be prepared for the wedding tomorrow."

"Wait, what? The wedding is tomorrow?" I think I might die. I need space to think, so I did one thing that would distract this pest. I tore a part of the bosom. In shock, he turns to the opposite side, and I run.