CHAPTER ONE: DENIED

CHAPTER ONE | DENIED 

AVA HAYES 

“Oh, come on, Daddy. Don't be like this. I really love Dante and you know he loves me too. Getting married to him would be the best thing in the world." I say, folding my hand across my chest and stomping my feet on the ground like a bratty 8 year old pup asking her mother if she could have a makeover. 

“No, Ava. It's still a no. I know you love Dante and I'm sure he loves you very much but getting married to him wouldn't end well. Sooner or later, you'll find your mate and your marriage with Dante will become complicated. I don't want you doing something you'll regret, princess." My dad says with a tired sigh. 

I know he is exhausted because of the rogue attack we've been getting but I don't care. I want something and I want it now and nothing else matters until I get what I want. “I will reject him whenever he shows up. I'm madly in love with Dante and not even the moon goddess can stop me from being with the man I love with the toxic mate paring shit. Can't you see the damage that system has caused? I think it's time to break the circle and I'll make sure it starts with me." 

My father rolls his eyes and doesn't even try to hide the fact that he thinks my opinion about the mate bond is stupid. “No, baby. I won't let that happen. At least, find him first and if you don't like him after...which I'm sure would be impossible since the moon goddess would mate you with the perfect man, then, you can reject him and go ahead with your marriage. Dante should be your backup plan, my dear." 

I don't try to stop the water works that drops down my face in bulk after my father's reply. “I don't need to find my mate before getting married to the love of my life. I don't care how perfect he'll be, I'll reject him because I will always love Dante Rivers and he'll always be my first choice. Even if the moon goddess sends Cupid to shoot me so that I'll fall for my mate when he finally shows up, she wouldn't find a heart to penetrate because I've already given my heart to Dante." 

For the millionth time this week, my Daddy says  the heavy words ‘no' again. Before now, my Daddy has always given me everything I wanted, even when it seemed infeasible to others. 

When I was ten, I watched the movie, Aladdin, I became fascinated with tigers. My fascination came with an obsessive desire to have a pet tiger and my father got it for me the moment I asked for it. 

Giving my father the best puppy dog eyes I could muster in my rage filled state, I tried my luck one last time. “Pretty please, Daddy. Just do this one for me." 

My father takes his gaze from his paperwork, stares at me eyeball to eyeball and whispers a “No." 

“And that is final, Ava Bianca Hayes." He adds and goes back to his work. 

I knew there was no going back when he addressed me by my full name. 

I am going to get married to Dante with or without his help. Deep down, he knows it, he knows I'll go through with it with or without his blessings. 

Dropping the already printed invitation card on the table, I watch in satisfaction as he picks it up, reads its contents which causes a frown to appear on his face. “Oh, I see. You've already printed out the invitation card. You didn't need my permission. You just needed my money, didn't you?" He states in a question-like manner. 

I know it was a rhetorical question but I give an answer anyway. “Yes but since you've refused, I'll be doing a low-key wedding. The invitation is for whenever you change your mind and decide to come around. Small wedding or not, I'll really love it if you walk me down the aisle." 

My father shakes his head, rubbing his hands over his face in frustration. “I won't let you get married to Dante, Ava. Over my dead body." 

I clench my hand in fist, my teeth clashing together in a somewhat painful manner to stop myself from letting my anger get the best of me. 

I try not to do or say something I'll regret but the words come falling out of my mouth before I could stop myself. “Then get ready to die, father, because I would be getting married to Dante Rivers." 

As if I hadn't done enough, I place my hands on his table filled with paperwork and without thinking, I sweep everything off. “And maybe try paying full attention to your daughter the next time she tells you something important. It's the first step at becoming a good father, something you haven't been much of for as far I know." 

I don't wait to see the hurt or rage on his face. I storm out of his office, not looking back for anything in the world. 

I knew I'd break my tough act and apologize for my words if I saw his face. I didn't want that to happen. I wanted him to feel the pain and heartbreak I'm going through and I'm sure he did. 

Everything I said was a lie though, my Daddy is the best father anyone could ever ask for. Not only has he always made sure all my needs are provided for, he also supports me and acts as my best friend and confidant. 

I go over to Dante's  apartment after leaving my father's office, needing to cool my temper down before taking my anger out on another poor person. 

“He said no again." I say, storming into his bedroom. 

“Shit! What the hell are we going to do now? You know we can't afford shit without him." 

With a sadistic smile on my face, I pick up Dante's pistol. The same one he uses whenever he goes hunting in the forest. 

Like a crazed villain, I stroke the gun, cleaning every part of it. “We are getting married, Dante. Let him do whatever he wants to do, I am fully prepared for whatever he brings my way." 

“What the hell do you plan to do? Murder your father to be with your lover?"