This can’t be true....!

I barely held back a moan, full of unexpressed desire and agony, which would only increase with each passing hour. Only the three of us remained in the room: me, dad and Reign. The latter turns abruptly and looks at me, sniffing the air, making his nostrils flutter. His eyes roll back as if in pleasure, and his pants are suddenly tight.

I lower my eyes and see an impressive mound, demonstrating that everything is fine with this man’s equipment. I feel my face turn red with shame, but I can’t do anything with the physiology. I can see from the scabrous grin on the man’s face that he noticed my reaction, and he was flattered by it.

“I would like to sign the transfer of rights as soon as possible,” he said to my father in a hoarse tone, turning around and sitting in the seat occupied by Mr. Deegon.

And as soon as the attention of my future temporary husband turns to my father, I can finally breathe freely. The grip that had gripped my chest loosened, and the throat-cutting tear lost its power. It was easier to breathe, but the irreversible processes of approaching my first estrus were still going on inside my body.

“By the smell of heat, the estrus will enter full strength only by tomorrow evening,” dad said, turning his nose up and sniffing at the unfolding notes of my scent.

I feel my neck blush. It’s a shame that the fragrance touches the nose of a parent. Too intimate, too unpleasant. I lower my head, only listening to what the men are talking about.

“I have one condition, Mr. Hellhound,” Dad clears his throat.

“Just Reign,” the redhead insists, exuding self-confidence.

It’s impressive that he doesn’t address my father in an arrogant way, as one would expect from a member of the nobility. Warmth spreads inside me. Maybe everything in my life will not be as bad as it could be. Still managed to get rid of the encroachment of the Beta, whose cruel glory goes far ahead of him. But his words-promises do not give rest. 

It is difficult to escape the attention of such a predator. Anxiety beats like a tocsin in my head, pouring out into fear that Mr. Deegon will not calm down and take revenge on me through my father. After all, today, I humiliated his dignity by rejecting him and choosing Reign Hellhound.

Everyone in the city knows: Deegon Wolfhound does not tolerate and does not forgive humiliation. Even beautiful women.

“My condition, Reign, is that: you cannot sell my daughter to another wolf. If she does not turn out to be your Luna or fated mate, and you want to resell her to another man, then you must come to me. I will buy my blood back. This will be written into the contract.”

My father’s words make my head flip up in shock. I knew that he loved me, and for him, I was the only beloved daughter, despite the fact that I was only a half-breed. But I never thought that he would even take care of me in this matter, and he would not let any man hurt me.

“You are a good father, Rehan,” Reign tilted his head to one side with respect, already looking at the head of the Whitehead family with interest.

And I feel so pleased and proud of my family and my father that I straighten my back, straighten my shoulders and raise my chin high. I have something to be proud of. And although there have been no men of the Whitehead surname in the army of the leader for many decades now, the worthy representatives of the family have not yet died out.

“Prepare the document, I’ll be back in an hour, and we will sign an agreement between us,” the red-haired man nods, and rises, holding out his hand to my father. This is a sign of deep respect; it is a great honor to receive a handshake from a relative of the ruler. “When can I pick up my wife?”

I bite my lower lip, a little tingle in my chest as I hear Reign call me. His deep, velvety voice rippled through my skin, intensifying the already sensual response of my body. My legs tremble, and I grasp the tabletop with my fingers and again try to hold back the moan ready to escape from the new wave of heat that rises from my toes to the top of my head. The frequency of manifestations of agony increases, which indicates the approach of estrus.

“Tomorrow morning, Reign. I would like my daughter to spend her last night under the vaults of her own home,” Dad smiled sadly, making me bite the inside of my cheek in longing. 

I felt a longing for my father’s home. And although I still had not left here, for some reason there was a feeling that as soon as I crossed the threshold, I would not return here again. Never.

“Tomorrow, darling,” the redhead leans toward me as he walks past me toward the exit. His fingers caress my waist, burning my skin even through the seemingly thick fabric. “I can’t wait to be between your sweet thighs.”

His lips weightlessly touch my temple, and then my body is blown over by a breath when he passes further. I come to my senses when the front door slams shut. I look at my father sitting at the head of the table with a dull look. I blink, and then he gets up and walks over to me, kissing me on the forehead.

“It’s a pity that it didn’t work out with Clayton, daughter,” he shakes his head, tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear in a fatherly gesture. And then his eyes sparkle, “I know about wolves, so don’t worry. Reign is a good man; he will be able to take care of you. Now go to your room and rest. Let’s talk in the morning, and I have a message for you.”

I raise my head, looking longingly into my father’s sad eyes. The era of childhood is inevitably gone, bringing change into my life. We both knew this day would come. But how hard it is to let go of family.

“Everything will be fine, daughter. Go,” he hugs me, gives parting words and pushes me to the door.

And I, with my head down, walk along the corridor with small steps, practically not seeing anything in front of me. And right now, it suddenly seems that the dancing reflections of the shadows on the walls smile ominously at me.

***

All night I had nightmares, a couple of times, I woke up completely in sweat, and the sheets got wet from my tossing and heat. I attributed everything to estrus because I knew the signs of it only from other people’s mouths. I would soon have to find out how estrus works in half-breeds.

Only in the morning I managed to fall asleep fully, but I was sharply pulled out of sleep by someone else’s scream and then a knock. I was surprised and frightened, and I burst out of bed, breathing heavily and trembling my whole body. I focused my gaze and looked at the open door, where my aunt, Uncle Elion’s woman, was standing on the threshold. There were tears in the corners of her eyes, her hands trembling and clasped to her chest.

“Your father, Danika,” she stopped, sobbed, and I went cold inside, feeling that something terrible and irreparable had happened.

“What happened?” I freeze in place, afraid to breathe.

“Rehan tonight…”

My hands felt cold, the blood draining from every limb. I opened my mouth like a silent fish, beginning to gasp for air, only a hiss coming from my mouth.

“W-what?” I burst out, and when I finally came to my senses, I ran toward my father’s bedroom.

I pushed away Dalila, who was standing on the threshold, and then I saw the doctor hovering over my father.

“Dad!” I scream angrily, rushing to him.

I shake his body and touch his face, trying to wake him up, but in vain.

“He is in a coma,” the doctor shakes his head.

I look at him with an uncomprehending look and then at Uncle Elion, who stands at the window and frowns at the motionless body of his brother.

“But why? Yesterday, everything was fine,” I sob in confusion, covering my mouth with my hand so as not to burst into tears completely.

“This is often the case with wolf fever. Unfortunately, he asked for help too late, and the disease entered the fourth and final stage.”

The doctor’s voice is quiet and sad, ringing in my ears.

“Can’t it be cured?” I ask him hopefully.

I don’t know much about werewolf diseases. My father had never told me about his illnesses, always trying not to worry or upset me. Except now, when I was alone with his coma, I felt like a child thrown off a cliff.

“The cure for wolf fever has not been found. There is a possibility that he will come out of a coma. It can happen that the body fights the disease itself, but one percent... I don’t even want to get your hopes up...”

“We understand, Darkhound,” my uncle interrupted the doctor rudely, looking at him with pursed lips and an unhappy look.

At that moment, voices began to be heard from below. The hum grew as the swarm approached the room.

“What’s happening?” I asked with fear, feeling that everything was changing at a great speed.

Three wolves appear on the threshold. Strangers hitherto, in black business suits.

“Mr. Whitehead?” the man standing in the middle of the Trinity immediately caught my uncle’s eyes.

“You arrived quickly,” my uncle exclaimed with delight, unable to contain his emotions, and then assumed a serious look.

“We have come to observe the incapacity of the oldest man of the Whitehead family,” the head wolf introduced himself, throwing some strange look in my direction for some reason. “Let me pass.”

The last sentence was addressed to Dalila, who continued to block the aisle, staring wide-eyed at the new arrivals.

I, on the other hand, was filled with bitterness, pain, and indignation.

“What’s going on, uncle?” I ask with anguish, not believing that all this is the inevitable truth.

“Go to your room, Danika!” He yelled so hard that the walls shook. “As long as your father can’t make decisions, I am the main head of the family. Do not dare to interfere in men’s conversations and go to your place. Dalila! This applies to you too!”

My sister and I flinched at his loud voice. And if Dalila was at least familiar, then I felt uneasy. Horror seized all my insides, but I didn’t have time to leave. At that moment, the front door slammed again. Hasty footsteps were heard up the stairs, and then the familiar imposing figure of Reign appeared in the doorway.

“What’s going on here?” he frowns around everyone, leading his nose around.

Uncle shrinks for a second and then abruptly squares his shoulders. And I rush to the only one who can protect me. After all, my father said that Reign Hellhound is a worthy wolf.

“And who are you?” This a lazy question from one of the trinity wolves.

The redhead’s arms wrap around me, pulling me close, and I relax, allowing myself to shed tears.

“Husband of Danika, daughter of Mr. Rehan,” he nods at the bed where my father continues to lie unconscious.

“Lies!” Uncle lifted his chin and grinned slyly. “The documents were not signed. And the girl was promised to the respected beta Deegon, gentlemen, I ask you to witness the transfer of the half-breed to Mr. Wolfhound when he arrives.”

And I freeze, feeling Reign’s tension. And when the meaning of Elion’s words dawns on me, I swallow the viscous saliva. This can’t be true...