Alpha King's Unfavored Mate

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ndest term my family ever

ike a mausoleum than a home. The call to dine with my family was as rare as an eclipse, and I couldn

g silver and crystal. My family was already seated, their expressions ranging from indiffe

his voice holding the same tone he'd use

of the table, noting the empty chair beside me. The absence of my moth

began, his gaze sweeping over

e my ascent into full adulthood. And with

echoed, my fork pausin

y mother quite seriously and would not be questioned for it,

e to be

y ribcage. The joy of being includ

wh

lene's son announced, as though speaking of

of the ruthless leader filled my mind: his cold, calculating eye

strength to our pack,"

shot back, pushing my plate a

with it," my father inte

, feeling the weight of their s

Refusal wasn't something my family dealt with

an option," my

mix of fear and defiance. "Because I have someone else in

slamming his fist on the table

e the Alpha's daughter by blood, but in that moment, I felt more like a stranger-or worse, a pawn in a game of power I wanted no part

ey carried the weight of years of feeling like an outcast within my

command cut through

g was futile; my parents saw me as nothing more than a vessel for t

I said quietly, my resolve h

. I braced myself for the onslaught I knew would come. Th

nt that felt like an eternity. His calm

ach coiled tighter. I knew this was far from over. They would never let me

tempest of defiance and fear. The grandeur of the family manor, with its polished stone floors and ancestral portraits lining the walls, felt more like a prison tha

lene's voice rang out behind me, sharp

ness?" My voice cracked, revealing the we

mother' replied, as if reading from an ancient scr

ening. I could almost feel the cold walls whispering secrets of countless oth

y. My eyes fell upon the small photograph on my nightstand – a candid shot of my boyfriend and I, laughing under t

't let them steal my future," I vowed, my determination r

ude and rejection. Tomorrow, I would face my father again. But tonight, I all

ing room, with its polished silver and crystal chandeliers, felt like an ornate cage. I could sense the e

lk tablecloth, yet devoid of warmth. It was a perfunctory greeting,

d into my chair, the fine upholstery offering little comfort. My fingers traced the intri

ntinued, casting a pointed look towards the head of the table

ighteenth year marks not only your passage into adulthood but also a new chapter for our pack. It is with great pride th

allen over the room. "Father?" I echoed, my voice barely above a whisper. Yet

ion in his tone. "This union will solidify our al

n the bitter laugh that escaped my lips. My

kened, his patience fraying. "You will address him

d to be extinguished. "And I refuse to marry a man known for his cruelty. I already have someone I love, someone who

line. I knew the consequences of my words, yet I stood unflinching,

w growl, a warning wrapped in velvet. "This i

. I looked around at the faces of my family, searching for an ally

oom. "You will do as I say. You are my daughter, and you will follow my d

final words, I turned on my heel and strode from the room, leaving

ce that would change everything. My heart pounded in my chest as I hastily retreated from t

the heavy doors that led to the manor's gardens, a

bitterly, my breath forming small clouds in the cr

me. I felt betrayed, cornered by the very people who were supposed to protect my desires and drea

down my spine. I remembered the stories that circulated among the packs, tales of his ruth

" I answered my own question, my hands ball

oul, whose touch ignited stars in my darkest nights. The thought of

m. "I refuse." No matter how much I tried to assure myself that standi

'eyes widened as I recou

ongs to you alone." I pleaded as though Philips was a powerful man wi

rhaps we could settle there, get mated and start our own family where no one knows us." His s

around my beloved's neck as we

g the constellations that had always seemed like silent guardians. "