Chapter 1: My Life or My Father's?

[Dove]

"Nooo!"

A long piercing scream. One of a broken heart and shattered dreams. It could have been mine, but it wasn't. I watched on quietly as an angry finger shot at me like a silver bullet.

"Not her! Anyone but her!" A sweet voice that matches the beautiful face continued in its deafening shriek.

That face turned to me, its pretty features crushed in pure anger and disgust. "Cole is mine! You--."

She was pulled away instantly. Twisting and kicking, she screamed curses that echoed into the background. The names I was called behind my back were not being screamed in the open. 'Burden', 'b*tch', 'slut'.

Everyone heard but no one cared. They acted like I deserved them.

I knew about them all along. Beautiful face and her chummies didn't bother to hide their mocking expressions, sneaking half-covered smiles whenever I was near. Their private discussions were all about me - my background and my body parts.

Silence again. Except for the whispering amongst the pack. Someone whispered, 'Here she goes again. Ruining lives.' Their eyes were digging my grave. I could feel their sharp teeth and angry breath near my pale skin.

A familiar commanding voice boomed over the angry whispers. "So what do you say, Dove?"

I tilted my chin towards our leader, Abe, the oldest, fiercest and filthiest of us all. Despite all that had happened, I inhaled quietly and drove the confidence in my voice. "What about our agreement?"

"What agreement?" He sounded bored.

I refused to give in. "You agreed to let me serve the Moon Goddess. You agreed that I am of age now. I am ready."

The spiteful whispers erupted once more.

'What! Our priestess? She? Abe agreed to let her serve our divine Moon Goddess? We'll be doomed!'

'Who does she think she is? Is she crazy? She's just a cub!'

'Abe won't allow it! He can't allow it! He mustn't!'

'She drove her mother away! She will drive the Moon Goddess away!'

I clenched my fist tighter, feeling the bite of my nails to remind myself to stay strong. I must be strong. No matter what they say, we did nothing wrong. It was my mother who left us. She gave birth to me and left the next day, not wasting a second. Not a word from her ever since.

Father was soon demoted. Once the leader's right-hand man in combat and battlefields, he was suddenly reassigned to watch over the Omegas, toiling in the fields and going about their daily chores in the main house. No reason was given. No one knew why. And no one cared. They only bothered to name him 'Dan the mutt' or 'Dan the Watchdog'.

A cold hard chuckle and then a hyena laugh. "Dove," Abe looked at me, amused. "I'm sure you know what'll happen should you reject the marriage proposal."

My chest tightened. I knew they would gladly hand my father over to the Whispering Moon Pack and let them have their way with him. My father would rather die than to leave the pack - he would kill himself if he were banished. The pack is his pride, his everything.

But they don't care.

My nails cut through my skin. I could smell my blood and my resistance. I inhaled again. "But he did it for you, Abe." I shouldn't have said it, but something told me to.

"Lies!" The calm mask finally collapsed into its true ugly form.

"My father is not a cheater." I stood my ground. My nails drove through my flesh. Fresh anger boiled through my veins. Intense heat shot up my spine. My long hair instantly shone in pure silver.

The crowd pulled back and burst out of control. The sight of anything silver frightens them. To them, I am a walking curse - a bad omen - because of my silvery white hair. Anything I touch would go to hell. I used to wear a wig to avoid the unwanted attention. But the Moon Goddess encouraged me to embrace it. It is the glow of the moon and I should feel proud wearing it.

When beautiful face and her chummies dumped me into the icy waters that dark winter night, her comfort and strength pulled me out. I felt reborn. I felt loved and cherished. I knew then, I wanted to serve her.

That has been my only goal in life. For twenty years I waited. But tonight, my dream has shattered.

Abe's voice sounded again, this time heavier and colder. "There is no doubt your father insulted Cole Grey. The Whispering Moon Pack will not let this slide. Cole is their respectful leader. They will want to wage a war against us if they are not appeased."

As if on a cue, Abe's Beta folded his arms and sneered. "Our pack doesn't deserve this war. Your father started it. He should pay for it."

Abe held up a hand and interrupted, "Unless, of course, you agree to help him."

"I am not marrying some werewolf I know nothing of." I kept my chin high. "I only serve the Moon Goddess."

Mutterings broke out. 'Crazy b*tch' and 'She doesn't deserve Cole''. But I stared ahead.

"Then we'll have to hand Dan over." Abe sighed, then leaned back in his seat. "I can't afford to put the others in danger." With newfound confidence, he emphasized. "They are innocent."

Deep down I know he was right - this is the only chance of redemption for my father. He can finally recover his previous pride and glory. Those rumors may even disappear overnight.

At this point, Abe straightened up and said. "I will reassign him." I widened my eyes at him, lured by his words, and he bit on it. "He can return to combat." A slight pause and he added. "If he still has what it takes."

Another empty promise. Yet I really have no choice. I have to believe it. My father waited for years for this. I hate it. But, once again, I'm at its mercy. I'm at their mercy.

When I looked up again, I saw the smirking faces and my heart fell into the darkest depths. I croaked in defeat. "I'll do it."

Abe's serene mask was back in its place as the doors crashed open.

A towering figure stepped in.

The crowd divided in quiet obedience as he strode through, his dangerously handsome and arrogant eyes fixed on me. As he moved closer, his wild black hair rustled proudly against his firm broad shoulders, reflecting streaks of metallic blue in the moonlight.

And then I caught it - the scent of fresh mint and rain. It was the most divine scent I had ever experienced, yet it did not stop my shudder of fear.