The meeting.

I looked totally different, beautiful but still different.

The hair, the expensive clothes and heavy make-up was not who I was. Yes, I was a girly girl who liked to doll herself up when I have time, but I didn't go to this extend. They call the look natural but I have more makeup on my face than anything else.

How is that a natural look? Do they even know what natural mean?

My hair that was black, now looked brunette with highlights. My lips were painted nude, so were my nails. I was wearing a champagne off shoulder lace gown with sleeves that reached under my elbows. The dress was decorated with lace but had a silk skirt which didn't look bad if I say so myself.

I loved heels, heck I had bunch loads at my house even though I didn't pack any when I came to the Choosing but these silver pumps I was wearing now, were to die for, an inheritance I was going to keep for myself after this shitshow ended.

"Are you ready?" Ingrid asked from behind me. I was admiring yet hating on myself in a full length mirror.

"Are you?" I asked back. I knew deep down I didn't have anyone to blame for the circumstances I see myself in, but I couldn't help but take it out on Ingrid.

"Sophia, I am sorry for not telling you the whole truth but that was not my place. I was just doing my job, and don't ever forget how many times I asked you if you were sure.

It's not my fault you didn't read the contract. If you need someone to blame? Look at the mirror." She hissed after listening to me whine the whole time I was getting ready for this absurd wedding.

I wasn't even sure if the groom and his wife agreed to all this.

Did I care at this moment? I would think not but damn it. I did care.

I wanted him to fucken have a spine and say no, but again that little voice in my head reminded me that I would have to go back to my old pack and attend the Choosing yet again next year. I didn't know which thought scared me more.

"Whatever makes you sleep at night. But know one thing, you have destroyed someone's marriage. Took their happiness away and their relationship as mates." I poured salt on the wound to hurt her, and that's when I remembered the saying, but even then I was not going to apologise to her.

Hurt people, hurt people.

"That's where you're wrong, Sophia. Bryce and Laura haven't marked each other yet, and their marriage ended yesterday. As far as I'm concerned, they're just friends at this point." She told me.

Okay, I won't lie. That took me by surprise. What the hell shit show did I walk into?

Six years without a mark? Really? even a blind omega could see that something was wrong there.

Did the contract forbid them to mark? What else was in that contract I didn't know about?

My regret for not reading it intensified. I needed to find a copy of that contract Asap.

"I didn't know that?" I told Ingrid. My voice was lower now, and a little polite, which was suspicious since I was about to tear her a new one just seconds ago.

"What do you want?" She questioned my intention immediately.

I knew I wore my emotions on my face but damn it. This was not what I needed right now.

"Why would I want anything from you?" Even when I was lying through my teeth I was stubborn.

"Spill it or I'm walking you out of here and straight to the chapel without saying a word to you. I hate games. I have Queen Luna for that, and I am sure as hell not gonna play them with you." She hissed, which was fair enough.

"Can I get a copy of the contract?" I didn't beg per se, but I might have given her my puppy dog eyes.

"Is that it? Is that why you're suddenly being polite? What a waste of your breath. The Queen mother made sure I sent you a copy to your email the moment you signed it. She might be evil but she is not stupid.

The law states that both parties have a signed copy of the contract. She knows that, apparently you're the only one who didn't." She smirked at the last part. Mocking me.

Fuck her. My life didn't consist of such things. Without having a mate, I was even allowed to work because they were afraid I would seduce others.

Imagine that. How childish can adults be?

"Let's get this over with!" I said referring to the wedding since I had nothing more to say to her.

****

Have you ever bought a book because the cover is so beautiful, but you know it's not that good? Actually it was the worst book you have ever laid your hands on, but the wrapping is so beautiful you imagine it's the best book you have ever read?

Because that's what this feels like.

The double door from the chapel looks so beautiful, it makes me want to walk in happily but I knew what's inside was nothing but a facade. I was marrying someone else's, mate.

I was doing it against my wish, and for some reason I knew the groom was feeling the same way I did. I didn't understand his reasoning for agreeing to this but I knew his grandmother even if it was just for a few minutes.

I knew that woman got whatever she wanted no matter the consequences and I was afraid this time, I might pay for her wrong decisions.

"Ready?" Ingrid asked, holding the door nobs.

"Ready as a deer being hunted by wolves would be." It was an insane metaphor but I didn't care. Even though I was the hunter myself, at that moment I felt like that deer.

Ingrid didn't even bat an eye at my words or give me a second to take a deep breath, okay I lie I have been standing at the door for about fifteen minutes now, but even then. I still needed more time.

A week maybe or more.

But nothing can ever prepare you for that walk

I knew everyone was going to stare at me, and you didn't even know their judgy faces.

There were about ten people on the left. The groom's side, and one sitting with a sad smile on his face. That was my father sitting on the bride's side. Even though I knew this wasn't real, I wished my mother and sister were there for kural support.

My father was not even allowed to walk me to the alta, as the Luna Queen said. Father's don't have any rights to their daughters. Daughters are born to be only raised by them. From the moment they were born father's knew their daughters were going to get out of their houses, when they became of age, and my father should have made his peace with that and said his goodbyes at home before we left.

Evil, evil woman.

The song for the bride was playing on the piano, and I tried to calm myself but my heart was beating so loud that's all I could hear. I tried hard not to look at anything but feet but there he was.

The man that was supposed to be my husband in a navy blue tied fitted suit. He looked handsome without a doubt but he was not mine. His blue eyes stared at me with hatred, but I didn't mind or blame him at that moment.

His brown hair was combed neatly to the side, and his pink lips were set into a frown.

It didn't take me long to reach the alta with the elder as an officiator standing by. I didn't know what to say but now my head when I reached there, and without a waste of time the ceremony started.

"Ladies, and gentlemen." Said the elder. "we are gathered here to celebrate.." as she said the word I could hear a scoff and that's when I saw her. Laura in the front seat wearing a nude dress that brightens her features.

The moment our eyes met, she glared at me. Again, who could blame her?

I averted my eyes quickly, abd looked at my hands.

"Without a waste of time. Alpha Bryce, may you repeat after me?" He asked politely and my soon to be husband nodded with haws clenched. The elder said the words and he almost followed them.

"I, Bryce Bane next Alpha King take thee, Cursed girl. Ow I am sorry Sophia Stademan right?" The elder nodded and the crowd laughed. The idiot didn't even respect my father.

I knew I would have things easy but this, I didn't expect from someone was preparing to be the next leader.

"To be my legal wedded wife as Luna Queen requested." Yes, that was his vow to me. There was nothing wrong with that vow since she was considered above all next to Selene.

The elder asked me to the same, and boy the stupid Alpha wasn't ready, shame.

"I, Sophia Kathlyn Stademan. Take thee spineless Alpha Bryce who couldn't even fight for his chosen nate, to be whatever the Queen Luna requested him to be." I said proudly, and if looks to kill damn it.

I will be six feet under, but I knew he as much as he wanted to murder, he couldn't.

"How dare you?" He growled at me, his eyes changing yo yellow, the color of anger. "I am your Alpha, you should address me with respect you mutt."

"How dare me? I dare you. You may be an Alpha but you have no right to disrespect my father like that. The title doesn't mean you're beyond manners. Remember one thing Alpha Bryce, marrying you I wasn't not my choice either but doing so doesn't I am going to be your slave." I hissed.

How dare he?

"You riff raff, daughter of a nobody.." I didn't even wait for him to finish the sentence and I slapped him. He was not going to take about my father like that.

As I did it. I knew it was a mistake I was going to pay for but I didn't care.

He growled his eyes turning red. He was furious. I bet nobody has slapped him before, but he was not the only one upset. His friend-wife was on her feet ready for a war, but before things could escalate the double doors opened and we will stopped immediately at the sight of the Luna Queen.

Her glare was enough to shut us up, abd kill the anger in Bruce's eyes but we both knew this wasn't over. It was just the beginning.

But damn it, I was ready.

Being desperate, doesn't mean I was stupid nor timid.

Bring it on, Alpha Bryce.