Chapter 1

“Do I really need to do this, Mom?” I asked, my eyes glued to the mirror, watching myself in the white dress. I thought I would be happy or over the moon when I wore this dress, but right now all I feel is dread and regret.

Regret for not marrying my fated mate, but rather marrying my chosen mate.

We don't have any other option than me sacrificing my mate and my happiness for our pack, and I will happily do anything and everything for my pack.

“I'm so sorry that we are putting you in this tough situation, honey. If it is in our hands, we will never let you sacrifice yourself,” my sweet mother put her hands on my shoulders, hugging me from behind while I was sitting on the stool like a happy bride, but I was not.

“Why is he so cruel, Mom? Doesn't he know what mates are and what mate bonds are? Why did he choose me?” I asked, still in shock from the way my life had turned upside down.

“I don't know, darling. Rumors say he doesn't have a heart and is ruthless, but I hope the moon goddess always protects you from his wrath,” her voice trembled, but she is staying strong for me, but everyone knows what my life is going to be like.

Rhys Blackwood may not look like a literal monster, but he is a monster who is snatching me away from my pack and the mate who may come and whisk me away if I don't get married to him, but he does not let me have that moment.

We need his protection and help from the rogues who are going to ambush my pack and kill everyone, but as ruthless as he is named, he proved that by putting the condition of marrying me.

“I hope so too, Mom,” I whispered, feeling helpless and heartbroken, but at the same time, a relieved sigh escaped me at the thought that my pack was safe from those dirty mutts, even if I had to bleed for the rest of my life.

“Wow! You look so beautiful,” a feminine voice sounded behind us, startling both of us. When I turned around, a very striking and beautiful she-wolf was standing at the door with her eyes shining with admiration and a big grin on her pink lips.

“Um! Thank you,” I said, a genuine smile replacing my scowl.

“I am Vanessa, the female beta of the pack and Miles's mate,” she introduced herself with a proud glint in her eyes, making the jealous monster rear its head inside me.

Her Alpha snatched away my only chance at getting my mate. I shook my head to clear it as it was no one's fault but the man himself who was going to be my husband and chosen mate.

“Come, let's go. Everyone is waiting for you,” she forwarded her hand, waiting for me to take it, but the anxiety and dread I had felt since I heard about this marriage had increased tenfold, and my body was alert in flight or fight mode.

My mom nudged my shoulder slightly, pulling me from my dilemma, and I took Vanessa's hand with a small smile.

If she had seen my discomfort and sadness, she wouldn't let me know.

Three of us walked towards the doors and exited into the long hallway, which was empty and cold.

I'm getting married in an old church, which is located outside our pack. It screams old ghosts and vintage. I don't exactly know in which year it was built, but it's so old that it creeps me out.

We slowly walked to the end of the hallway where my father was waiting for me. His eyes seem sad and filled with regret.

I am the literal daddy's princess, and it's killing him to give me away to someone who is not my mate. He first rejected Alpha Rhys’s proposal and told him to never step foot in our pack, but I pleaded and begged him to think about our pack and made him agree to this wedding.

“You look beautiful, Princess!” He took my hand from Vanessa's and held it tighter like he didn't want to let go and wanted to hide me away.

“Thanks, Papa,” I gave him my brightest smile, but he could clearly see it was my fakest smile.

“There is still time, Felza. I can send you to my sister's pack, and I can still find some solution to our situation.” If we defy Alpha Rhys on the wedding day in front of the guests, then he will find me and hang me or will do worse than that.

“No, Papa! He will find me no matter what, and I don't want to risk anyone. Please let me do this,” I pleaded, knowing this was the only option we had because we were surrounded by every way, and we didn't have any other choice than to take Rhys’s proposal and his help.

“Your attraction towards him is a bonus point,” my Wolf scoffed in my head, and I could feel her anger and resentment towards me.

She is not at all happy or agreed to this arrangement, but she knows too that we need to do this in order to save our pack and our people. She is so protective over our loved ones.

I didn't acknowledge her taunt and just moved along with my father. We came to a halt at the large double doors, and my heart started picking up its beats rapidly, leaving me breathless. I can feel the sweat gliding down my back, and my feet cold.

The doors opened abruptly, making me jump in fright, but the hold of my father on me stopped me from face-planting in front of everyone.

“It's okay, I got you,” my father whispered, patting my hand and increasing his hold on me.

“Thanks, Dad!” I blinked back the tears threatening to spill through my eyes. I don't want to show weakness; I want to show how strong I am.

He guided me forward, and a slow song was playing in the background. I haven't looked around me yet. My eyes are unfocused, and my heart is aching so terribly.

With each step, my heart broke, and the dreams I had had with my mate shattered down my heels.

I slowly focused my eyes at the end of the long aisle, and my stupid heart stopped, and my breath stuck in my throat.

I shouldn't be having this effect at the sight of him, but I can't stop the reaction; it just comes naturally because standing at the altar is the most beautiful man I have ever seen, but his cold eyes! His cold eyes show his inner ugliness and a cold-hearted man.

He is towering over everyone in his six-foot-seven inches, his raven slicked back, his dark eyes raking all over my body, and his sharp jaw clenched showing his high cheekbones and plump lips.

Like a devil, he is wearing head-to-toe black.

Everything faded around me. My wolf is also so silent that I thought she was not at all with me.

My father walked through the aisle, and we came to a halt at the altar, in front of the man who easily snatched away my dreams of a mate and a happily ever after.

His cruel smirk made me clench my jaw and palms so hard with anger and hate.

If he thinks he has won, then I'm going to show him how much of an insanity he has brought upon himself.

I matched his cruel smirk, to which his eyes narrowed, but he took my hand, which my father was giving to him.

Let the game begin.