3. From now on, you are my slave

Analyn POV

"I...I don't understand," I murmured.

"You heard me, Ana. You will marry Ambrose. And as the future alpha, he will..."

"NO!" I screamed.

My father frowned. I hardly ever opposed my father or yelled at his face, but I'll make an exception today. "What do you mean no?"

"I mean, I won't marry that monster!" I said. Okay, maybe I was being a little harsh. All the rumors might be false, and maybe he didn't kill random innocent people, but that didn't change the fact that he was cold and arrogant.

"You don't have a choice. It's been decided," dad declared.

"Oh, you've got to be fucking kidding me!" I cried.

"Watch your mouth, young lady," dad warned.

This was terrible. A total disaster. I should be excited about graduation and about being free from everything, not plan my wedding! Especially not to the person who may or may not eat me on our wedding night.

"Daddy. This is just all so sudden. Couldn't we think about it?" I decided to take the pleading route to try and soften him up. I was kind of a daddy's girl, so I hoped he'd see the error in this terrible decision.

I was born into power as my family had always been heavily influenced by politics. It didn't bother me at first, but I couldn't stand the paparazzi following me around and taking pictures of my private life when I became a teenager. But then something happened. The attention diverted away from me even after my father became the president because us humans weren't as exciting.

What happened, you ask?

Werewolves happened.

They demanded not to be treated like animals and wanted to live in the society as they were somewhat like humans. Some humans agreed with them, some too terrified to deny them and the others wanted them gone. So it has been a long and tiring battle between us humans and the wolves.

"We don't have much time. A lot of the packs are starting to get aggressive, and a group of humans wants them destroyed. A marriage might calm everyone down for a while," he insisted. "I'm worried about the future of mankind. Werewolves think we are beneath them, and I could feel a war coming."

"That sounds stupid!" I exclaimed.

"Analyn! That's enough. I need you to grow up and take responsibility. He goes to your school, so he must not be a complete stranger, so that's good, right?" dad sounded hopeful.

That was the problem. I knew too much about him. And after today, I have seen too much of him.

But I knew I had no choice. I was going to be sold off to the wolf's den.

"I called Alpha Marquise and arranged a meeting between you and Ambrose. Then you two can discuss your future," dad said decidedly.

There was nothing to discuss. Ambrose hates me, and he would probably puke all over dad's oak floor when he realized his bride is me.

***

The next day, I anxiously waited for them to arrive. According to dad, Alpha Marquise is a nice guy, but knowing that didn't give me any comfort. So what if he was a nice guy? Ambrose wasn't.

"They are here," our housekeeper peeked inside my room and announced.

Dammit.

I had on my best dress, as per my father's request. It was a sky blue, short dress with lacey sleeves and back. I tied my long blonde hair into a fishtail braid and threw it on the side. I looked at myself in the mirror and got annoyed. I look more feminine than I've ever looked before. Who was I trying to impress really? This marriage was the last thing I wanted.

I let out a deep sigh and headed to the dining hall where my father usually entertained special guests.

Our eyes met as soon as I entered the room.

He was sitting directly in front of the door, so it couldn't be helped. He furrowed his eyebrows, and his jaw tightened as he recognized me.

"You," he simply said.

"Oh good, you two know each other already," a man spoke, so I diverted my eyes from Ambrose.

I looked at Alpha Marquise. He was about my father's age and had specks of grey in his hair but was still incredibly handsome. Ambrose must've inherited some of his good looks.

"What a lovely young lady you are. I am Marquise Vikander of the Lightbridge Shadows pack. It's very nice to meet you, Analyn," he said.

I met his eyes nervously. "The pleasure is all mine, sir."

"Please, no need for formalities. We will be a family soon. Unless you have any objection, young lady," Marquise boomed.

Was that an open invitation to deny this marriage? So I thought, but my hope died once I saw my father's face. He was glaring at me not to mess things up.

"I must warn you, sweetheart. My son is a temperamental brute, so you'll have your hands full trying to tame him." Alpha Marquise chuckled.

"Then I prefer you as my husband!" I blurted out.

What the actual fuck is wrong with me? Why do I always blurt out the most awkward things!

Alpha Marquise threw his head back and laughed out loud. His booming voice almost vibrated our walls. "Oh, you are a funny one. I was wrong. It looks like it should be Ambrose who will have his hands full," he said and smirked.

Someone kill me now.

"I would like to talk to Analyn in private now," Ambrose stood up and spoke for the first time.

"Of course, son," my father said enthusiastically. I've never seen someone get so excited about pushing their only daughter into the fire.

Ambrose grabbed my wrist like he already owned me then dragged me outside on the patio.

"That was rude. I was in the middle of wooing your father," I complained.

"Listen, girl," he hissed.

"My name is Analyn, but you can call me Ana," I corrected him.

"Girl, I don't want this any more than you do," he barked.

He doesn't? Oh good. We can both convince our parents not to do this then.

"But we are going to do this, and for this whole pact thing to work, you'll have to behave," he finished.

"I object!" I cried out.

Ambrose winced. "I didn't say you had a choice."

"You said you didn't want this, then why..."

Ambrose leaned closer to me, forcing me to look him in the eyes. It was as if he could see through me. I felt goosebumps all over my body.

He took my hand in his and trapped it inside his fist. His nose scrunched as he stared hard. What is he...trying to control me with his mind? Do wolves have that power?

"Um, what are you doing?" I said in a hushed tone.

"Shh...I'm trying to concentrate," he snapped.

Eh? Concentrate on what?

"You will agree to this marriage and do everything I tell you to do," he said in a robotic voice.

Okay, he is starting to creep me out now.

"Haha, no, I won't," I said.

He furrowed his eyebrows. "Yes, you will, human girl. From now on, you are my slave."

"That's hilarious, but I don't think so," I said casually and yanked my hand free. What is this guy smoking?

His green eyes glinted with shock. He stared at me without saying anything and blinked a few times. "It didn't work? I don't understand...."

"What didn't work?" I looked at him curiously. Why is he acting so strange?

He looked down. "Nothing."

Okay...something was weird about him, but I didn't feel like prying him for more information. I had bigger things to worry about. "Anyway, I think we should tell our family this marriage is a bad idea."

"No!" Ambrose growled. "My father threatened to exile me if I didn't agree to this. So we will go through this even if it kills us."

"But I will never like you!" I exclaimed.

"And neither will I you. Humans are weak and pathetic. They repulse me." he said and waved his hand dismissively.

"Excuse me? Well... werewolves are hairy and gross. And I bet they smell like dogs!" I pointed my finger at him and said. How dare he insult my kind.

"You want to say that again, pup?" he roared and stood over me. His eyes were glowing amber again. I guess I managed to insult him.

"Sure, I'll say it again. You probably have dog breath."

Good one, Ana. I must've woken up with a death wish this morning.

Ambrose suddenly grabbed my shoulders and lifted me up until my feet were a few feet off the ground. It was as if I was as light as a piece of paper. He could easily throw me across the room like a rag doll. He drew me closer to his face as if he was about to kiss me. I felt his hot breath on my face as if he was huffing and puffing like a big bad wolf.

Classic.

"Apologize before I fling you across the room," he said with gritted teeth.

I weighed my options. Insult him some more and choose death or apologize. I decided to choose the latter.

"I'm sorry. Your breath smells lovely like the ocean breeze," I said.

He must not have smelled my sarcasm because his eyes returned back to their original color, and he stopped breathing heavily. He put me down gently.

"I'll spare you for the sake of the peace treaty," he said.

"See, I'm terrible. I might piss you off like this for the rest of your life. How about we find an alternative solution, so we don't have to marry each other," I chirped.

Ambrose let go of my shoulders. "No. Get ready for your new life. It won't be easy for you, so be prepared," he said and stormed out of the room.