6

I hated dinner before it even began and I loathed every single second of it after. Father made me sit next to Alpha Hunter and it took every single inch of my control to keep forcing food down my throat with his disgusting scent filling up my nose.

‘So Liana,” Alpha Hunter began, “Do you have any special skills?”

        “I always thought that people got to know each other before delivering marriage proposals or did I get it wrong?” I asked and I saw dad’s jaw clench but Alpha Hunter just laughed it off.

“Of course you didn’t but that is why I am trying to get to know you now.” He said with a smile that revealed his yellowing teeth, “So tell me Charlotte; what do you do?”

         “Nothing,” I replied with a shrug, “I stay home all day and do nothing.”

He looked shocked but father spoke before he could react, “Charlotte likes to joke around a bit too much sometimes,” he shot me a warning look, “She plays the piano, harp and violin, she is an amazing cook and she did a bit of ballet and gymnastics growing up.”

“You consider all that nothing?” Alpha Hunter asked and I shrugged, ‘Overly modest I see; play something for us.”

I choked on my water as he spoke, not just because of his words but because he placed his large, sweaty palms against my upper thighs. I tried to shrug it off but he moved his hand higher and gripped my thigh tightly.

“I haven’t played in a while,” I managed to say

        “I know you still have your violin upstairs so why don’t you go bring it Charlotte,” dad said but from his tone I knew it was an order.

I started to rise but Alpha Hunter pulled me back into my seat, “I’m afraid I’m not quite ready to let go of Charlotte yet; I’m sure Liana would be more than happy to help Charlotte get it.”

“She won’t know where I kept it,” I rushed out but Alpha Hunter sent me a feral smile.

       “Well then she will just have to check the entire room; however long it takes.”

Father nodded towards Liana and she rose from the chair. I sent her a pleading look but she kept her face carefully neutral and I prayed that she would find it in her ice, frigid heart to actually hurry up.

Father and Alpha Hunter continued their conversation and I felt him begin to slide my dress higher so I grabbed his hand to halt him. He turned to me and raised a brow and I pried his fingers off my thigh carefully.

“Don’t touch me,” I muttered under my breath and I saw surprise flash across his features.

       “Is everything okay over there?” father asked and I nodded. “You look constipated Charlotte.”

“It’s nothing, probably just some parasite under the table.”

Father didn’t have the chance to respond because Liana walked in with my violin and placed it on the sofa and I couldn’t have been more relieved. I started to get up but Alpha Hunter grabbed my wrist in a tight grip.

“What are you waiting for Charlotte?” father asked, “Play us something.”

      “I would but my hand,” I said gesturing to my hand and Alpha Hunter let go.

“Forgive me, I was just enjoying your company way too much.” He said.

The skin around my wrist was already bruising and it hurt to move but I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of knowing that he hurt me so I smiled and made my way over to the sofa and placed the violin under my chin and played.

I played a song about sadness and despair because that is what my life is right now. The notes were low and drawn out and you could feel the despair radiating from every pore in my body and every note. When I was done I placed the violin back in the case but no one spoke.

“Well that was a bit depressing don’t you think?” father joked.

       “Actually,” Alpha Hunter said, “I think it was exquisite.”

For the rest of dinner Alpha Hunter kept his hands to himself but I had already lost my appetite so I didn’t really eat much. The moment father finished eating I flew to my feet and started clearing the tables, anything to get me as far away from there as possible.

Father and Alpha Hunter went to the study to talk while we females did all the clean-up.

“You must feel so proud of yourself right now Charlie,” Liana began and I shot her a confused look, “I’m sorry, I forgot that you go by Charlotte now.”

         “What has gotten into you Liana?”

“Now every one of us must bow to your whims,” she said, “How does it feel to be able to hold that power over us?”

       “What are you even talking about? What do you mean bow down to my whims?”

“You couldn’t even get up to go get your own violin,” she said with a short laugh, “You sat there like a queen, while I your humble servant went through your mess of a room to look for it.”

        “You think I didn’t want to get my own violin? You think I wanted you in my room?” I asked incredulously, “You know what? I’m not having this conversation for you.”

“Of course, when her highness says it’s done then it is done.” She spat, “Just because you’re going to be whoring yourself out to an alpha does not mean that you are in any way better than me.”

       “I never said I was better than you.”

“Then stop acting like a spoilt stuck up,” she began but Carmen walked in.

        “Enough! Both of you,” she said and after she made sure we were quiet she turned to me, “Your father wants you in his study Charlotte.”

“Of course he does,” Liana spat and Carmen shot her a hard look.

I gave her one last look and made my way to father’s study. I knocked on the door and let myself in but was surprised to see that father was nowhere to be found. It was Alpha Hunter instead.

“I’m sorry, I thought my father wanted to see me,” I said, “I’ll be going now.”

       “I’m the one who wanted to see you,” he said and I stopped, “Please Charlotte sit down.”

“No, it’s okay, I would rather stand.” I said but then I noticed he was standing in front of me. He grabbed my elbow hard and pushed me into a chair.

       “I said sit,” he said in that same calm tone and all I could do was swallow down my fear, “It would seem like you aren’t pleased with this alliance am I right?” I didn’t give him the satisfaction of answering and he gripped my elbow tighter, “I asked you a question.”

“No I’m not,” I finally said.

      “Well that is sad because I want you and I will get what I want whether you like it or not,” he said, “I think it would be a lot better for you if you at least tried to hide your irritation better, it irks me. Am I understood?”

“Yes,” I said and he smiled then pulled me to my feet and to the door. Just as I opened it I saw father standing there. His eyes fell to the forming bruise on my upper arm but he looked away as if he didn’t notice it.

     “We were just finishing up here, isn’t that right Charlotte?” Alpha Hunter asked and I nodded, “Now go up to your room.”

I didn’t need to be told twice. I ran upstairs without looking back and slammed the door and made sure to lock it. I can’t believe I’m getting married to a monster.