My father traded me like a coin for a dying woman's breath.
That was how I found out I was getting married to Alpha Aiden, the feared Alpha, the ruler of the Silvermoon Pack, a warrior who had fought many battles for the kingdom, built an empire of wealth due to his merits and a man who would never love me. I closed my eyes, swallowing the burn in my throat. I had heard of Aiden's love for another… Athena. The woman he was meant to be with. His true mate.
And now I was going to become the obstacle standing in their place. The other woman.
While he was with my father begging for his mother's life, I was supposed to be in the garden, sipping tea, but something had felt… off.
So I went inside the estate until I found myself behind the half-closed doors of my fathers study chamber.
And that's when I heard it.
"I can save her," My father said, his voice calm and steady.
Aiden's wolf stirred, restless. "Then do it, please—save my mother. I will forever owe you this favor." But my father didn't move.
"You misunderstand, Alpha. I am not offering a favor. I am offering a deal."
A muscle in Aiden's jaw ticked. "What do you want in exchange? I will do anything to save my mother." Daniel took a slow step forward, his hands clasped behind his back.
"My daughter, Bella. You will marry her in exchange for my healing."
I didn't stay to hear the rest. I waited until he left and then went inside.
I stood at the edge of my father's study, heart racing like it wanted out of my chest. "You promised you'd never use me like this," I whispered, my voice barely audible.
He didn't even flinch. "I didn't use you. I secured your future."
I laughed in a cold and bitter way. "You secured a future where I'm married to a man who hates me."
"He won't hate you," Father said. "He just doesn't know you yet. He would grow to love you if you both spend a little time with each other, trust me. Stay a year with him. Then tell me, if you still want to leave."
A year. With a man who wanted someone else. A year, knowing I was a consolation prize for a heartbeat.
"Father, I don't need a man to marry me. I'm fine on my own," I hissed.
Father sighed, finally meeting my eyes. "No, you're not.
You're ot a child anymore, either. This world doesn't wait for weak wolves, Bella. Your power hasn't come. You have no mate. This was the only way. I don't know how much longer I'd be here. You need this, Bella."
I wanted to scream. To not listen anymore and just run away.
Needed?
No. This wasn't what I needed. This was desperation, cloaked in love. This was manipulation. And the worst part?
I wasn't even surprised.
My power hadn't awakened. My wolf had remained silent since the day I turned eighteen. I was the healer's daughter, the disappointment dressed in lace.
My father had waited long enough. Now he was securing my future the only way he knew how. I couldn't even blame him for that.