The Alpha King's Forbidden Mate

Ivy P.O.V.  

“Get out of my way, Poison Ivy!” My little sister Briell says, as she kicks to the bucket of soapy water and spills a lot of it. She snickers, while my stepmother Ashti scowls down at the spill on the floor. 

“You need to have that in order and be out of sight before the guests arrive.” She sneers, before walking along, not missing an opportunity to kick me while I twist the cloth over the bucket and get to work. Again. 

“Momma, how long is she going to be living under our roof?” Briell asks, looking down at me with loathing shining in her eyes. Ashti ponders fakely for a moment before a slow and cruel smile creeps onto her face. 

“Well, she is going to be of age soon.” And by soon she meant a week ago. “So, I would say we need to speak to your father about it. But I don’t think he wants to lose his favorite slave, even with how useless she is.” Briell laughs, as they continue their plans on my behalf down the hall. I roll my eyes. Hard. 

Ashti married my father after he had executed my mother in front of me. I was 4 when that happened, and he had just found out I was not his biological child. Mom wouldn’t tell me who he was and kept saying “another time, child.” Whenever I asked. She told me from the start, and asked me to keep it quiet. Which I did. Dad however was outraged and killed her in my nursery. He then promptly moved me out of my room and gave me a closet in the staff's end of the castle. My father is the King of the Fae court, and he is the most cruel and heartless man I have ever encountered. He soon married his mistress, and Briell was now officially the Princess of the Court. She is just one month younger than me, so they had her before he even got rid of my mom. And even when she was still alive he despised me. He never wanted me or mom. He wanted Ashti, who his parents had forbidden him to marry because she was not high bred enough for them. 

They also conveniently died right after mom. I sigh. My life has been a living hell since my birth, and sometimes I have to wonder why I was born all along. Maybe the Goddesses brought me into the world as a joke. 

My sister tends to call me Poison Ivy because I am not just a fae. I am a hybrid between wolf and fae, and when I turned 18 last week, I also shifted in the backyard. I made sure to be out of view when that happened, and my wolf Raven came to me. She is a badass, and she wants nothing more than to sink her claws and teeth into Ashti and Briell. 

But I have to make sure she keeps being hidden for now. No one here knows of my “tendencies” as my family calls them, no one besides the devils I live with that is. The Poison Ivy also represents how I was born first, but does nothing but bring misery and tragedy to everyone I come into contact with. Or so they say. 

‘They’re just jealous because we are awesome and special, and they are ordinary and boring.’ Raven says in my mind. I smile to myself, as I finish up the last of the spill of water. I stand up slowly, the movement making me hurt and dizzy all at the same time. I think back to the last time I actually had a meal and realize it’s been almost four days. Ashti is currently punishing me because one of the boys in Court accidentally asked where the pretty Princess was, when Briell was standing right in front of him. I wasn’t even there, and I have no idea where he had seen me, as they tend to hide me away at all times only bringing me out to do chores or torment me. But when Ashti told me my offense and why I was denied food, I laughed myself silly and got a proper beating on top of everything else - thank you daddy. 

“I need to show you how to respect your superiors, girl.” He had said, and when I answered I would when there was someone who actually was superior to me, he beat me even more before locking me in my room. I stayed there in the darkness for two days before they let me out. The cook snuck me some snacks, but I have not had a full meal in four days. 

I gather up my things, dragging the bucket of murky water back to the kitchen, where my esteemed father is waiting for me. He sneers when he sees me. 

“Why are you so dirty, huh? You know we have important guests and they have asked for everyone to be there when they arrive. And they have already arrived.” I give him a puzzled look, putting the bucket down. 

“I was told to disappear as usual. Maybe you should speak to your lovely drama queen and tell her how things are supposed to be. Or better, father. Tell me yourself in due time.” The slap to my face is prompt and hard. It doesn’t really hurt anymore. I am so used to slaps, kicks and beating, nothing really hurts anymore. Only the thought of them hating me so much, when I have absolutely no idea what I have done to deserve this treatment - well other than being a fucking bastards soiled bitch daughter, of course. 

“Watch your mouth, girl! Get cleaned up. If I play this right, you will be out of the Kingdom and our lives forever by the end of the night.” I raise an eyebrow. 

“So, you finally decided to sell me. Interesting. How will you explain that to the people?” 

“I will tell them nothing. You are dead to the world of faes, Ivy. You have always been dead to them.” 

“That is not what Ashti told me the other day. That boy wanted to know where the pretty Princess was. Someone actually has both eyes and brains out there.” He grabs my hair, slamming my face into the kitchen counter, possibly breaking my nose. 

“I changed my mind. You are staying here until you beg for death, girl. Just like that slut of the mother of yours.” He lets me go and I spit blood into his face. 

“Fuck off, father.” I tell him, and he grabs my arm this time. He throws me into my room, kicking and stomping on me until I am in and out of consciousness. I could just keep my mouth shut, but I don't really have a ‘stupid people’ filter, and my patience with morons such as my “father” has always been none. 

“I will make your life a living hell, Ivy. You are nothing, and no one will ever love you. You are a freaky accident of nature. An ugly monster. I hate you. And I will take pleasure in denying you dying or taking your own life. You are my slave.” He licks my face. “And since we are not related, I will begin something new. Soon. You need to heal, little slut.” I shiver at the prospect of this particular threat. 

He leaves the room, closing the door and locking it from the outside. I know I won’t get out of this one easily, but I still have Raven, who is already healing us. I put my nose back into place, and then lay down. I fold my legs to my chin, but gasp at the movement. He broke several of my ribs it seems. 

Would he really rape me on top of everything else? Well, he is a sick bastard, so the possibility is undeniably high. Tears stream down my cheeks. I close them. The image of the handsome young man I have been dreaming of for the last month is so vivid, I almost think he is standing beside me. The warmth of his body, the electric feeling on my own skin and the smile shining so bright. He is entirely too handsome for his own good, and he knows it. You see it in his eyes. Those intense deep green eyes, resembling emeralds. Oh how I wish you were real, my dream prince. I would follow you to the end of the world. 

That is the last thought before I furrowly pass out from the pain.