Chapter 1 EMOTIONAL BLACKMAIL

FEDORA’S POV

“Please wait, Caroline, I know you’re excited about this party but let me at least turn on the computer first.” I sighed, tired of her nagging already about this online sale.

I had no idea how she could do it. Cheering to be a piece of meat for those lustful males at the Ball? But I still did as she required before she bombarded me with her not so beautiful curse language.

Then I saw the link to the dress.

“Fedora, why are you so slow? The sale will start in two minutes and I want that dress!” She yelled on the phone and I had to pull it away to save my ears.

"For goddess' sake! You can also pick another dress!" I retorted angrily. For a ball that despised she-wolves, how could she be so excited? I absolutely hated this.

"No! Either one of us has to book that dress before anyone else, it's a limited-edition b*tch!" She intensively reminded me again of the importance of the dress.

Well, Caroline was still my best friend and I knew her temper well. So I still held my patience while staring at the countdown timer of the link.

With two minutes to go, so I guessed it won't be a big problem to check my mailbox. However, the email pop-up alert made me drop the mouse in my hand.

[Dear Fedora, Congratulations! Your application for our Annual mating hunt and Ball has been approved! May the Goddess bless you to find your soulmate this year! Stay tuned!]

WHAT?!

I was at a loss when I quickly read the email again. How could this happen?!

I meant I remembered well that I had deleted it when I received their invitation before. Even a thousand years more, I would never want to attend that damn hunting ball.

How the hell could they receive my application and contact me?

Something must be wrong. The Ball was held this year by Grey Glory, the most powerful pack, and this couldn't be a technical mistake.

So, it's a problem on my side.

I know my brother and my mom won’t do it. They always try their best to understand and support my choice.

So that means, it could only be Dad who did this.

This is a crime!

How can he forge my signature like this?

“Hey Car, I think I am going to call you back in a few minutes,” I said to the phone when I came back to my senses.

“No! You can’t leave me hanging like this, it’s important Fedora.”

“I am sorry but I really have to go,” I said and hang up.

I rushed downstairs to discuss this with my father.

How can he do this to me?

He knew I didn’t want to go.

Hell! Everyone knows I hate it!

Why?

Because of its biased rules.

Everyone like to consider this a chance of finding their true soulmate, but what they don’t see is how they are being unfair to the females.

First, females are not allowed to reject as long as their mate caught them in the hunting. They are forced to mate after the hunt with or without their consent.

And lastly, the media has touted for years how females need to dress up in full regalia to impress their mates if they hope to find a perfect soulmate; but in reality, what in the end they get is a male who only wants a breeder or maid to fulfill all their needs without offering anything in return.

Others called it tradition, but in my eyes, it’s just pure oppression against females.

According to their rules, women don’t even deserve to choose their own destiny.

It's so damn unfair!

I heard my father’s voice coming from the backyard so I reached there after checking their bedroom but stopped short when I heard he was on a phone call and from my understanding he was discussing something about the hunt as well.

I peeked outside and my ears perked when my name was brought up.

“Of course sir, we are honoured-”

“Oh no, not at all. She was just sick last year but I am proud to announce that both my kids will attend the Ball this year.”

My eyes widened when I caught the confidence in his voice, he was not at all guilty about betraying me. He was just happy to send his daughter to a hunt where she could get killed or worse, r*ped!

“Yes, absolutely. Thank you.” He hang up and turned back.

I walked out and stopped him before he could avoid me. I was fuming from inside and wanted to break something but he is not only my father but my Alpha as well.

“How could you? You knew I didn’t want to go.” I snapped at him.

“I did this because I can and I don’t owe any kind of explanation to you.” He answered without any remorse.

“Really dad? Well, guess what I also don’t need to explain to you why I will not attend the Ball or the hunt this year as well.” I declared in anger.

"So you're going to disobey me?" His voice was deep and cold, and I knew it was a precursor to his anger.

I knew how horrible it could be but I couldn't stand his tyranny anymore. I love my father but he is totally a tyrant. In the name of what's best for me, he always ignored my own feelings. He just wants to make everyone under his control, my mother, my brother, and me! I am so sick of this!

"If you really intend to force me, I don't mind doing that!" I gritted my teeth and glared at him, ready to shift my claws!

"Then do it to me, Fedora." His voice was full of chill. "Speak up and say that you choose to cut your bond with the Blue Moon pack so that I don't have to make you."

He paused as his eyes filled with red fire. "But I will bite your head off because the Blue Moon pack doesn't welcome any rogues!"

"Alpha! What are you doing?!" My mom ran out and stepped between me and my father and then she turned to my brother. "Take your sister and leave, now!"

My eyes turned red. I knew I couldn't defeat my father but maybe I should at least have a try. Sooner or later, he would definitely send me out as a piece of meat to those arrogant males. With anger roaring in my chest, I showed my teeth.

"Please ......Fedora! I will convince your father!" My mother begged me while holding my arms. Mom rarely begged me for something and I could see the worry in her eyes. Clenching my fist, I stepped backward and ran out after my brother.

I swore I didn't give in because of my father's majesty! I did that only for my mom. She had already done enough for me and I don't want to see her heartbroken.

I soon shifted into my wolf leaving the shreds of my clothes behind. I didn’t have the time to change. I just needed nature and peace to calm me.

I increased my pace when I realized that my brother has also shifted and was trying to mind-link me. I blocked him out.

I ran until my paws started hurting and I reached the edge of the forest, if I cross this line from here I will lose my pack and everything.

I find the situation tempting at this moment and I swear I wanted to.

“Fedora wait! What the hell are you doing?” I turned to see my brother in his human form and I frowned.

I shook my head and shifted.

We were werewolves and it was normal for us to roam around naked but my brother offered me his jacket which was big enough for me to hide my important parts.

“Were you trying to leave our pack?” he questioned and I shook my head.

“I am not gonna lie, but for a moment I wanted to. It would have been easier to escape this hell for a moment.” I answered.

“You’re crazy. The life of a rogue may look free but it’s not. They pay a lot more for that freedom you think they have and you don’t.” He said and we stood side by side staring into nothingness.

“But isn’t it worth it? At least then I won’t have to attend this stupid ball.” I answered.

“It might be stupid for you but for others, it is a chance to find their soulmate.”

“Oh I see, it is a chance for women to sign up for their life sentence only because they were born with a va*ina.” I retorted as I sneered.

“It is tradition Dora. You need to accept it.”

“I don’t want to be tied down. And what pisses me off even more is that Father expects me to accept this shitty tradition,” I said and this time my voice held vulnerability that made him sigh.

“I know, Dora. But we can’t change that, especially this year. This year is special because Alpha Lorcan’s pack is organizing the Ball. It is the most powerful pack and Alpha Lorcan? He is not someone we can afford to offend. For once, think about your pack and….and mom.” He pleaded.

“Mom?” I frowned and asked.

“Yeah, she is not doing well, Fedora. The previous fight with the hunters weakened us, it affected Mom as well and Dad is afraid. Don’t you see it?"

He held my shoulders while making me face him, "That’s why Father is desperate this time. He wants us to attend the ball so that we can make more allies."

"Allies?"

"Yes, I know you may sound offended. But if you can find an Alpha mate by chance, it will gain a big support for us." His tone was rare and serious. "Father is doing this for Mom and our pack. This pack soon needs a new Luna and more resources and warriors.”

He paused and took a deep breath. “Look I am not going to stop you from crossing that border, but I want you to think about this properly. Please.”

He nodded at me and walked away, leaving me to think alone.

Where should I go?