Chapter 1: A Sensational Period

Eleanor’s POV

“Eleanor! You were deadly focused, staring at your appearance in your gigantic mirror for about 15 minutes. I've gossiped a lot to you, yet only silence was the only factor I got as a response!” My best friend Mia called me out for staring into naught.

“Why is my life utterly boring? It's just me constantly following Dad's countless demands. Nothing new is happening in my life. I want something to occur!” I faced her with a complaining attitude.

“I noticed too. You are living the life of a princess.”

“For now, I am simply waiting for dad to teach me how to deal with our business since that is what he said. For the meantime, he told me to just live my life, which turns out to be uninteresting for me."

“Don’t be such an impulsive needy! Be pleased because your life is in a standard—wait, let me rephrase that… above-average state and you can afford to eat even more than three times a day. You can simply ask for big bucks from your dad and buy a new luxury bag!” Mia teased me.

“You know what? That is what I am bored of, seriously.” Her jaw dropped. “One word for you, ungrateful!”

“Excuse me! Of course, I am beyond grateful because my dad can afford my needs and wants. But sometimes, I just want to make a profound decision for myself. He even told me not to get a job because he has better certain plans for me. How old am I? 20 years old! I do love him, but he is an extravagant, strict father.” I murmured.

“You have a point. He is extremely strict.”

“Maybe because I am not a full-blooded werewolf just like everyone here in our place. I am just a mediocre half- blooded werewolf. You obviously know how they discriminate against half-blooded werewolves here. Maybe dad is just keeping me away from them.”

“You are indeed right, but don’t say that you are just a simple half-blooded one! I am full-blooded, but look who got skills! You! Your left arm is immensely powerful. You could defeat three werewolves in a one-time fight. You even have a photographic memory with your crystal eyes. Besides, why don’t you try to contradict him? I mean, you can defend yourself anyway.”

“That’s my dilemma, I can’t. My body automatically depends on and varies based on what he says.” I know that my father is only concerned with my well-being. Since I came to this world, we were the only persons to each other. My mom died right away after she gave birth to me, which is the most disheartening point in my life.

“Yep, for a decade that we’ve been best friends, I've noticed that a lot. You are being jailed by your own father's words, and you have badly complained about it several times.” She pisses me.

*Ring! (2x)

“Eleanor! Can you get the gate, please? I am busy at the moment!” I heard my dad scream from his office.

“I guess it is time for you to go as well.”

"I'm about to, by the way, I had a great time at last night's sleepover."

“Yeah, keep in mind that you are always welcome here, specifically in my room.” I winked.

“Let’s go! My work misses me already!” She pulled me along and we went together until we arrived at the gate.

“I hope I also have a job to worry about.”

“Girl! If I could just swap lives with you.” She rolled her eyes.

“Ms. Eleanor Stein?” A mailman asked with a long brown envelope in his hand. “Yup. Standing right in front of you.”

“This is primarily for you.”

“But I do not expect anything from anyone,”

“Maybe this is the occurrence you have been waiting for when you were staring into nothing a while ago! Anyway, I’ll go ahead!” Mia annoyed me and then left.

“Thanks for this!” The mailman had already left the vicinity of the mansion.

Out of enormous curiosity, I began opening the envelope since it is a surprise for me to obtain one. Is it normal to feel anxious about this?

I grabbed the file inside it and to a massive shock, my eyes widened as well as my jaw dropped. Is this really mine?!

I rubbed my eyes to evidently see it for the second time and check if it is a valid one. What?! I think it is!

It is a marriage certificate of me, and someone named Zayn! How could I be married to a stranger? I do not know anyone named Zayn and how did this happen? What's worst is that it is indicated that he is an Alpha! Gosh, am I having a bad dream? I quickly put it back inside the envelope before Dad notices.

I gazed outside the gate of the mansion, maybe somebody is just joyfully pranking me. I don’t recall marrying someone from the past. I don’t even have a boyfriend! They were simply bygone suitors, but I had no intention of responding to them.

“Eleanor! What is that?” My fast heartbeat pounded faster and stronger when I heard my father's voice over the mansion's speaker, which covered the ground. I turned my back and looked at him from his office. He is completely watching me.

“Uhm, n-nothing, dad! It is just a silly article sent by Mia. You know her, she is an unsystematic person.” I shouted and reasoned out. But what kind of reason was that, Eleanor?! It is too obvious that you were dishonest!

“But she just left, and you received mail from her?”

“She s-sent this weeks ago. It just arrived.”

Ugh! I ran inside before dad sees this mess. I was too fortunate because dad is busy at the moment. Naturally, he personally collects the mail from the mailman and does not let any staff members of the mansion receive it. Gladly, he is extremely busy right now!

I proceed directly to my room and replenish myself with random negative thoughts.

I don’t have enough courage to open the envelope and see that certificate one more time. My knees are trembling. How can I say this to my dad? He would be incredibly mad and disappointed at me! Maybe he would even outcast me at this mansion!

Eleanor, chill yourself. This is not the right thing to do, do not overthink. But how can I not overthink in this kind of situation? I am legally married to a stranger!

*Knock (3x)

“Eleanor, please open the door. I have to discuss a very important and sensitive matter with you. This generally involves your whole life from the present until the future.” My nervousness even smashed me harder when I heard dad’s serious tense voice. Did he already know it? How? I was the only person who saw the file.

Take deep breaths and relax, Eleanor.

Inhale… Exhale…

“Eleanor?” He called me once again which made me jump off the bed without a doubt. I quickly snatched the envelope and hid it in the innermost part of my cabinet. I fixed myself and temporarily removed the tension inside me as I opened the door and saw my dad.

“It took you five minutes to open the door. Is something wrong?” He looked inside my room, suspiciously.

“Nothing! I was just in my bathroom doing some girl matters.” I tried to be as calm as I am.

“Anyways, can you please come and visit my office? I need to speak with you, and it’s very important. Follow me,”

“Right away, captain.” We started walking until I tripped and almost fell to the floor. This is because of my trembling knees! Dad stopped and watched me.

“Are you sure, you are fine? It seems like you are not in your normal state for this day.” He worriedly asked.

“What? Of course, I am. I just stepped on the swollen part of the carpet. Don't mind it, it is just a little concern to be talked about.”

We finally reached his office, and both of us sat in front of his wide-ranging table full of busy documents.

“S-so, what is this all about?” I am incessantly nervous because he seems to know about the marriage, somewhat.

He simply smiled at me. Strange, so he does not know it, because if he knew, he would undoubtedly get furious with me.

“Listen carefully, my daughter, I know that this could be entirely outrageous to you, and you have the right to react badly. But I just want you to precisely listen to me first.”

“Just be straightforward, dad. You are truly making me extremely nervous.” I chuckled to just laugh it out.

“You probably don’t have any boyfriends, especially a husband, right?”

"Of course not, dad! You know that. Why would y-you ask such a silly question?” My stuttering response.

“I was just checking if you are still a good girl. You know, a lot of young adults are sneaking out on their secret relationships with their parents. Also, I was just having a good introduction to our topic.” He chuckled.

“Why would you implicate me to a husband? Does a marriage involve?” I asked nervously.

“I have arranged a marriage for you and an Alpha. This marriage would be advantageous to your life in various ways. His name is Dylan. Attractive name, right?” He grins.

Completely speechless. What he said left me hanging. Am I hearing it right?!