Body |
I woke way later than I had planned, but it was my birthday after all. I rolled out of bed and went a little too fast and landed on the floor. I was the outcast of my family, well, my adoptive family. My dad was the Alphaâs beta, and my mom was his mate. There was a rogue attack when I was one and they both died in it. Our pack actually lost a lot of people that day. The only thing that saved our pack was Alpha Walker and the Mountain Moon Pack.
The Alpha and his mate adopted me and have raised me as their own. They always made sure that I was made to feel like a part of their family and felt loved, but I was still treated differently than my adoptive sister, Ava. She was a year older than me. We always got along but weâre not super close. She was everything I wasnât: tall, blonde, someone all the boys wanted. I was short and has a mousy brown hair and eyes to match.
Finally, stepping into the shower, I quickly washed and shaved and stepped out. I would usually pull my hair up in a braid, but today was my birthday party. Normally a betaâs daughter wouldnât get one, but since I was adopted by the Alpha family, I would be presented today like my sister was last year. Itâs in hopes of finding our mates. Iâve never seen anyone actually find their mate when they are presented, but Iâve also only been to a couple of these parties. My parents always said there was no need to go since I wasnât old enough to find my mate yet.
Wrapping my towel around my body, I grabbed my hairbrush and hair dryer and started blow drying my hair.
âHey thatâs loud,â someone said. I almost turned around and looked when it realized it was my wolf. I was so excited to meet her.
âAre you, my wolf?â I asked excitedly, even though I already knew the answer to my question.
âSure am. My name is Alpine.â
âIâm so excited you're finally here.â
âIâve always been here. We can just talk now. Donât worry, I know everything.â
âWhat do you look like?â
âYouâll see on the full moon.â
âFine,â I huffed out and turned my blow dryer back on.
Finishing with my hair, I put it away and walked into my room. I let out a scream when I saw my sister Ava sitting on my bed.
âWhy do you have to do that? You scare me every time you sneak in here.â
âSorry. Dad wants to see you in his office, oh and happy birthday.â She said, getting up and walking out.
I threw on some skinny jeans and a crop top and a pair of vans and headed to my dadâs office. As I walked downstairs, I was greeted by multiple people with happy birthday wishes. I practically floated the rest of the way to his office. It always felt good to be acknowledged and given well wishes.
Coming to his office, I took a deep breath and knocked on his door. âCome in,â I heard, and I opened the door to just my father in the office.
âHi daddy,â I said coming into the office.
âHappy Birthday Celia. Please have a seat. We need to talk.â
âThank you, daddy.â I told him and sat down in front of his desk.
âYou know of Alpha Walker from the Mountain Moon Pack.â
âYes. There was the pack that saved us during the rogue attack and they saved me after my parents were killed.â
âThat would be them. When they came and saved us, I promised that I would repay the favor to Alpha Walker in whatever way he wanted, otherwise the entire pack would have been wiped out that night.â
âOK, and what does that have to do with me?â I asked, really confused as to why he was telling me about this.
âAlpha Walker has shown up today, ready to collect on that debt.â
âAnd what does that have to do with me?â I asked, and I watched as his face changed to one of sorrow and I knew this had to do with me in ways I didnât want. I wasnât prepared for what he was about to drop on me.
âAlpha Walker has a son who is in need of a wife and an heir. He wants you.â
âWhat are talking about?â
âHe is sick and there is no one to carry on their lineage. You are to marry him and produce an heir, and once he dies, you will be free to do what you want. They will raise the child and you will then be able to find your mate.â
I sat there and just stared at him. I didnât want this. I also didnât know how to tell him no. I really did owe my life to both of them, but they canât force me to marry a man I didnât know and also mate with him and give him a child.
âNo, I wonât do it,â I finally said, finding some courage, but it didnât sound very convincing.
âYou donât have a choice in the matter, Celia. We owe this pack more than that and this is all they are asking for.â My father said, standing up and looking down at me.
âPlease donât make me do this.â
âYou will do this and then you will be free to live the life you want. If you want to come back here, you can. You always have home here or if you want to stay there, I am sure you can.â
I went to say something, but the door opened up and my mother walked in with a man I had never seen before.
âAlpha Walker, I would like for you to meet our other daughter, Celia.â My father said and Alpha Walker came over to me and held his hand out. I stood up and shook his hand.
âShe has agreed to help you and your son.â My father said even though I never agreed to it, he was forcing my hand and now I couldnât do a thing about it. Alpha Walker looked me over from head to toe and turned to my father. âShe will do,â he said, and I instantly felt less than adequate.
âCelia, why donât leave your father and Alpha Walker to work out the details and we can go check on the ballroom for your party?â My mom said, pulling me out of my chair. As soon as we were in the hallway and the door was shut, I turned to her and let the tears that were building fall.
âMom, please donât make me.â
âCelia, our hands are tied. Itâs done and you will marry him. It wonât be bad. They are a good pack.â
I was done talking with her. She wasnât going to help me. I turned and went up the next flight of stairs and straight to my room. As soon as the door was shut, I slid down the door and sat on the floor.
âYou should run,â Alpine linked me.
âYour right, but where would I go?â
âI donât know. We can find somewhere. Get on a plane and donât look back.â
âI can do that. We can buy a one-way ticket once I get to the airport and never look back.â
âGood. We can find a new pack and start a new life.â
I got off the floor and went into my closet and packed a bag with the necessities. I grabbed a shoe box off the top shelf where I kept my money hidden. I pulled it out and had a thousand dollars in there. It should be enough to get a ticket and pay for a cheap hotel until I can find a job and minimal food. I threw it into the bag and then went and got stuff out of the bathroom. Once I had everything ready to go, I went and sat on my bed. I felt guilty for leaving my family like this. They did more than they ever had to, and now I turned my back on them when they needed me. I was really torn about this. Someone knocking on my door pulled me from my thoughts.
I got up and opened the door to my father standing there. âCelia, we need to talk more.â He said, and I just opened the door for him to come in. I was thankful that I left the bag in my bathroom where he couldnât see it.
âI am proud of you for doing this for us. It wonât go unnoticed. You will be compensated for doing this by Alpha Walker and his family. For marrying his son Zane, you will receive a million dollars immediately. Once you give birth to an heir, you will receive another million dollars.â
âGod daddy, youâre making me a harlot.â
âNo, honey, Iâm not doing that. I am making sure that you are taken care of for doing this. You will marry him next week in a private ceremony in their pack. We will go two days beforehand. Your mother and I will be there, and him and his parents. Thatâs it, no one else.â
âFine.â
âWhy donât you go get some breakfast and then I believe that you girls have a spa day planned to get ready for your party, donât you?â
âYes, daddy.â
He gave me a hug and walked out of my room. I wasnât going to be able to leave now. I laid back down on my bed and ignored the pleas from Alpine to go get my bag and run.
I donât know how long I laid there, but I had stopped crying, and my face didnât feel swollen any longer when my mom knocked on my door and walked in with my sister.
âAre you ready to go?â she asked, smiling.
âYa, I guess so, but I donât see the point in it anymore.â
âItâs still your birthday and we are going to celebrate.â My mom said, grabbing my hand and pulling me out of the room.
Once we got in the SUV and pulled out of the driveway, my mom turned from the passenger seat and smiled at both of us. Our Gamma Kade was driving.
âCelia, has your wolf shown up yet?â
âYes, she did this morning.â
âWell, what is her name? What is she like?â
âHer name is Alpine, and I donât know her well enough to say what she is like right now.â
âYes, you do. I am pissed off and hate your family.â She linked me, but I just ignored her.
âWell, I am sure that you guys will get to know each other in the next few days.â My mom said and turned in her seat.
It was silent the rest of the ride to the spa we were going to. I usually love going there. I always felt better about myself when I did. I wasnât the type that usually wore a lot of makeup or took the time to curl my hair every day. I was more of a simple kind of girl but feeling beautiful once in a while was always nice.
Kade pulled in and parked and hopped out, opening my car door up for me since I was sitting behind the driverâs seat. âHappy birthday, Celia.â
âThank you.â I told him as we all walked inside.
âItâs the birthday girl,â Austin yelled out as soon as I was in the door.
âThank you,â I told him. The salon was owned and run by wolves but also services humans.
âCome on, we have the massage room all set up for you,â he said, pulling me away with him.
âEnjoy Celia,â my mom yelled out as I disappeared around the corner.
...
Zaneâs POV
âDad donât do this,â I said as I sat in his office.
âZane, itâs done. Youâve now lost your wolf and wonât be able to sense your mate. We need to have an heir to take over the pack one day.â
âIâm not going to just take a wife I donât know and have a baby with her.â
âYou will. We wonât lose the blood line because of the curse. You know your time is limited. A yearâs time, maybe a year and a half. You want to see us lose everything?â
âNo, I donât, but I also donât want you to arrange a marriage for me, either. I want to love the girl.â
âYou had your chance. You didnât find your mate and didnât find someone to marry and have a child with, and so you left me no choice.â
âJust give me a little more time. Six more months.â
âNo, Iâll be leaving in just a little while to secure you a wife. You donât have to love her, but you do have to have a child with her.â
I was done arguing with him. It was no use. I got up and went to my room, where at least I could sulk by myself. Since my wolf disappeared six months ago, he has been hell bent on finding someone for me, but too many people knew about our curse. Well, the alphas did, and they wouldnât subject any ranked single she wolves to that.
I flopped down on my bed cursing my great great great great grandfather for being an idiot. He was mated to a witch and back then, wolves and witches didnât get along. Hell, they still donât really get along, but they just leave each other alone now. Anyway, he took his mate back to his pack and made her all of these promises, but instead, he threw her in the dungeon and tormented her. Leaving her weak, almost dead. He then rejected her and left her for dead in the woods. Well, she didnât die and made it back to her coven, where she recovered and came back and placed a spell on him. The spell states that any males in our family have until their twenty-second birthday to find their mate. If not that night, their wolf will disappear, making it impossible to sense her. The only way to break the curse is to lose your wolf and still find your mate and make her fall in love with you, but you wonât know itâs your mate. If the girl truly loves you and kisses you before your twenty-fourth birthday, then bam curse lifted, and your wolf is back but if not then you die when the second you turn twenty-four. It wasnât a fast thing. After you lose your wolf, you just gradually become weaker and weaker until you can no longer get out of bed and then death. You have until your twenty-fourth birthday.
I turned twenty-two six months ago, and I can tell the difference already. Itâs been slow, but I donât have the energy I used to, and I canât keep up with training. I mean, it would help if I had a wolf, but I donât. I still try to hit the gym every day and help my dad with Alpha duties. Although I am not sure why, itâs not like I am ever going to get the chance to be Alpha.
I laid there until I fell asleep for a few hours and when I woke up; I had a text from Jay telling me to text him when I was ready to meet in the gym. I sent him a text to give fifteen minutes and I would be down there.
Throwing on my gym clothes and grabbing a protein shake I kept stocked in my room, I headed down. I was pretty much human now and had to actually do some research to know what they did to help them before and after workouts and how best to keep their energy up.
Walking into the gym, Jay was setting up the weights for us. He worked out with me every day. He was set to be the beta as soon as his dad retired. That was a normal thing. Having kids at the same time, so that way they could be raised together, and you can forge a bond from childhood. The gammaâs son ended up being a couple of years younger than us, so we didnât hang out with him very often.
âReady?â He asked as I down the last of my protein shake.
I nodded at him, and we both set up doing our normal weight routine.
âSo, my dad is off to yet another pack to try to find yet another alpha that has a daughter who they can con into marring me and forcing to have a baby.â
âGod, what if she is ugly or a horrible person?â he asked as we kept lifting.
âI donât think that matters anymore. Iâve got a year and a half and then Iâll be gone, and she will be free of me. I just have to knock her up so that our lineage can carry on.â
âWhat if she is your actual mate, and she breaks the curse?â
âI highly doubt that. Iâm doomed. I should have taken things more seriously when I could. I mean, I did look just not that hard. Everyone has always found their mate, so I didnât think it wouldnât happen to me and well now here we are.â
He didnât say anything, and we finished with our weights and moved on to sparring. Well, he held gloves for me. I wasnât going to take a punch from him. He was stronger than me anymore.
After our workout, I went back up to my room and took a quick shower and then went to talk to my mom. I was hopeful that she could talk some sense into my dad when he came back.
I went to their room and knocked on the door, but she didnât answer. I pulled my phone out and sent her a text asking where she was. She quickly replied and told me she was in her office. That was weird because she never used that thing. I wasnât really sure why she even had it. If she needed to do anything that required an office, she would just use dads.
I turned and left the Alpha floor and headed down to the main floor. When I got down the stairs, I ran straight into Kimmy. Her and I dated in high school and when we turned eighteen and we learned that we werenât mates she fine with things but when she found out about the curse, she left saying she wouldnât have a child that could have the curse and risk having them die at a young age. I understood, I wouldnât want to put that on a kid either, but at the same time there was no one to take over the Alpha role after my father and our family line would cease to exist.
I knocked on my momâs office door and walked inside. She was sitting at her desk looking at things on her laptop.
âHey son, whatâs going on?â
âI wanted to talk to you about dad.â
âWhat about him?â
âHeâs being unreasonable. Trying to marry me off and force me to have a child.â
âZane, you knew that was the deal if you didnât find your mate.â
âI know, but I still have some time to find someone on my own to have a child with.â
âNo, you donât. What if it takes a while to find someone and then what if she has difficulties conceiving? Time is of the essence.â
âI donât want to do this. I am sorry if it means that our family lineage doesnât continue.â
âDonât say that.â She said, with tears spilling over her eyes.
âWe love you so much and the last thing we want is to lose you, but if we have to, then at least we have your child to raise, which means we have a piece of you.â
âMom, thatâs not fair. You canât guilt me like that.â
âIâm not trying to guilt you. Iâm just telling you the truth.â
âWhat if she hates me and refuses to have my child?â
âShe wonât. This is an agreement and nothing more. There is no love involved. She is being paid and once the agreement is over, she is free to leave.â
âGod, you guys sound awful. I hate this, and I donât want any part of it.â
âIâm sorry, son. Your father and I have talked extensively about it, and we refuse to let the family lineage die out because of the curse. It will continue and hopefully your child can break it.â
âWhat if she canât get pregnant? Did you think about that?â
âThat we just have to leave in the moon goddessâs hands. We have to give her some faith and hope that it doesnât happen. Now Iâve spoken to your father, and he has found someone. Your wedding will be next week here. It will be just her family and ours. What do you think she would like for her room?â
âSeriously. You guys are the worst. Why do we have to get married in the first place?â
âBecause the child canât be born out of wedlock, you know this.â
âRight, that part of the curse, I tend to forget about it. You also expect some women to just up and leave her child in your hands when I die? If she is anyone with any values, she wonât do that. Then you are stuck with her, and what if she finds her mate after Iâm gone? Hell, what if she finds her mate while she is married to me?â
âYou are overthinking this way too much. We want you to just live your life and have a wife and child by your side before you go.â
âGod, you guys are ridiculous. Iâm not doing this and that is final.â I basically yelled at her, and the look on her face when she looked at me broke my heart. They were looking at the future and not what they were doing to this girl and me right now. I knew I could fight it all I wanted, but in the long run, they knew I would give in because they were right. I wouldnât leave them without an heir, as much as I hated it.
I left her office without another word and went back to my room and grabbed my car keys. If there was one good thing about not having a wolf, it was the fact that I could get drunk like a normal human. It was still a little early, but I would be able to get a booth at the bar that I liked to frequent.
I pulled into the parking lot and went straight inside and found an empty booth. The bartender saw me, and I saw him grab the whiskey off the top shelf and start pouring me a drink. He brought it over and set it on the table, and I handed him my credit card to open a tab.
It didnât take long for a long-legged blonde to come sit down in front of me.
âThis seat taken?â
âIt is now,â I said and smiled at her. âWhat are you drinking?â
âSomething wonderful,â she said, and I motioned for the bartender and pointed at her. He nodded his head and grabbed a glass to start making a drink.
âNow that sounds miserable. All the sand,â I told her.
âIt is. I prefer it in my bed.â
âMe too.â
âWell, we can get out of here, if you want,â she said, smiling, and I wasnât going to argue with her. If I was supposed to get married next week, I would have to be faithful to her, but weâre not married yet. Tonight, I had the attention of a beautiful blonde, and I planned on enjoying every second of it.
Ava's POV
We were leaving the spa, and I knew my sister had given in to daddy's demand that she marry this man. She was quiet all day here and not her usual cheery self. I really didn't care though. I wasn't going to marry anyone but my mate. I cried and pleaded with daddy about it and used the excuse of his retirement and that if Celia found her mate the pack would go to them. Since he didn't have a son, the first daughter to find their mate would get the role of Alpha and Luna and I wasn't losing that. It would be me.
I had looked hard for six months but wasn't able to find him and then I got lonely looking and gave into temptation. I could have fun and still look for my mate. That fun came in a muscular package, with these gorgeous hazel eyes and lips that were so full and soft. Joey wasn't my mate, but he did fill the lonely void I had. We had been sneaking around for about three months now and no one was the wiser.
"Hey sexy, I haven't seen you all day," Joey linked me as soon as we pulled into the pack grounds.
"Sorry, I had a spa day with my mom and sister for her birthday. I can meet you now."
"Perfect, meet me in my room in ten minutes." He said and then cut our link. I knew exactly where this was going, and my body became sensitive just by thinking about it.
As soon as the car was parked, I jumped out and went inside. I sent a link to my best friend Brittany to cover for me. She knew what we were doing and always covered for me.
I slipped through the pack house and didn't run into anyone. I went straight to Joey's room and opened the door, and he was standing by the door.
"God, I've done nothing but think about you all day. I need you right now," he said right before kissing me.
I broke the kiss. "This is going to be quick because you have me all worked up."
Sure enough, he reached his peak before I could reach mine.
I was still laying across the bed, catching my breath. Joey came back over and pulled me right into his arms.
"Thanks, baby. I've been needing you all day."
"That was great, but now I have to go get ready for the party tonight. Supposed to be with my mom and sister, but I need to talk with Brittany first."
"Save me dance tonight?"
I just kissed his cheek and walked out of his room. Making sure the coast is clear I hurried down the hallway and straight to the ballroom. I knew Brittany was still there.
Walking into the ballroom I took a look around and while it looked nice it didn't compare to what I had last year. Where Celia had white roses and red lilies, I had white and pink roses. I had twinkling lights that blinked and made the whole room look like it had sparkles and she had red and white Christmas lights and honestly just didn't look good.
I made a beeline for Brittany as soon as I saw her. "Girl, we need to talk." I told her.
"If this is about the fun you just had I don't want to hear about it. I'm not getting any right now and so I don't need to hear about your amazing sexcapeds."
"No, it's about my dad." I told her and she turned and was all ears now.
"He tried to marry me off to some Alpha. Well, he's not an Alpha but he would have been had he not gotten sick and also he is going to die."
"What? Why would he do that?"
"Well, it's Alpha Walker's son from the Mountain Moon Pack and they are the ones who saved us from the rogue attack years ago. My dad says we owe him, and this is the least we can do."
"You told him no right?"
"Of course. I tricked him into making Celia do it. She has to marry him and have his child before he dies. Apparently, he has like a year and half to live."
"That's horrible. Why are they wanting to marry him off and force someone to have his baby?"
"Because they had no other kids and no one to carry on their lineage. Which is the excuse that I used to make Celia do it. She isn't technically blood related and so if she happened to find her mate while I was married to this guy then the pack would go to her and her mate."
"Really it would?"
"I don't know but that's what I told him, and he went with it."
"I feel bad for your sister but glad that you're not leaving me."
"I wasn't going to do it. I had to pull out the big tears and practically beg him. He first said that she should get the same year I did but I wasn't going to do it. Celia isn't blood and doesn't deserve to be Luna of this pack. That is my job. Always has been and always will be."
I heard someone running out of the room and when I turned to look, I saw Celia running from the room. I really hoped she didn't hear me. I mean we weren't close, but I didn't want her to know that I did that and basically forced her hand.
"I need to go make sure that she didn't hear me." I told Brittany and walked out of the ballroom and straight up to our floor. I listened at her door but didn't hear anything, so I knocked, and she didn't answer.
"Ava, in here," my mom said, poking her head out of her room.
I took a deep breath and walked to my parents' room. My mom had left the door open. I hesitated before going in. I was preparing myself for the tears of Celia if she heard me but when I walked in Celia was sitting in a chair touching up her makeup. Something she wasn't very good at. She never wore it.
"Would you like some help with that?" I asked walking over to her. Getting close I could see her eyes were slightly red. I wasn't sure if it was from crying
"Thanks, I'm not good at this stuff."
I just smiled at her and picked up the makeup brush and got started on touching everything up. It didn't take long, and it was done and then I moved on to her hair. I fixed a few curls and put some more hairspray on it.
My mom stood back and took some pictures of us as I worked on her. Turning her in her chair, I wrapped my arm around her shoulder and we both smiled for the camera.
"You girls look so beautiful." She said look at us with tears in her eyes.
"Mom, don't cry. It's just a birthday party."
"It's not that. It's that you're both grown up into such wonderful women. I couldn't be prouder to call both of you, my daughters."
Celia let out a snort but covered it up with a cough and then got out of her chair. "I need to go get dressed." she said and walked out of the room.
"Ava, you know your sister is going to marry Alpha Walker's son next week and it's going to be hard on her. Please be extra nice and when she leaves maybe try to stay in contact with her. Make an effort to have a better relationship with her."
"I will mom. Now I need to go get dressed as well. I'll meet you guys down there."
"Are you sure you don't want to be up on stage with us?"
"No, it's Celia's birthday and the attention should be on her only." I told my mom. While I did want to be up there because there may be an Alpha here that wasn't last year and maybe my mate would be out there, and he could see me and easily find me.
I walked out of my parent's room and went straight to my room. Opening up my closet I pulled out my dress. I took the bag off it that was wrapped around it. It was a simple satin pearl color dress. It went all the way to my feet with a slit up the right thigh, almost to my hip, and had a scoop neck showing off my ample cleavage and was completely backless. I loved it the moment I saw it. I slipped the dress on and made sure that it still looked good and then put on my white sparkly heels and buckled the straps. Giving myself one last look in the mirror I was ready.
I walked into the ballroom and Joey was standing there talking to Brittany and the second he saw me his mouth dropped, and he walked over to me. He kissed my cheek and whispered, "you look mouthwatering."
"Thank you, but someone might see you so play it cool." I told him and he stepped back slightly, and we walked over to where Brittany was standing.
"Holy sexy," she said looking me over.
"Thanks. Your dress is pretty amazing as well."
"Was your sister OK?"
"I think so. Her eyes were slightly red, so I don't know if she was crying or if she heard us and she didn't say anything. My guilt got to me, and I touched up her makeup and her hair and then she left."
"That's good. Maybe nothing will come of it."
"My mom did tell me to be extra nice to her because she is the one who has to marry him and that I should try to stay in contact with her after she leaves."
"I mean it's better than being the one who is being sent away."
I went to say something, but the lights dimmed, and the spot turned onto the stage making everyone stop talking and pay attention to the speech my father was about to give.
Celiaâs POV
I walked out of my parentâs room. I knew what she did, but I tried to play it off. I wasnât sure what to do about her, but she always made sure that she came first and that I got the leftovers. I never really complained because while I was treated fairly, I was always second best because Iâm not theirs by blood. They never made it so loud and clear as they have now. I wasnât going to let that affect me right at this moment. I would square my shoulders and not show how upset I was and pretend that this was the best night of my life.
I went to my closet and pulled out my dress and took the bag off it. It really was a beautiful dress. I hung it up on the back of the closet door and looked it over. It was strapless with jewels and beads that decorated the top and moved down the bodice all the way to the top of my hips and the skirt flared out and had some poof to it. The back was also tied like a corset and when I put it on and laced it up it gave me some curves. It also didnât hurt that it was just a few shades darker than lavender and my favorite color. I went to the bag that I had bought when no one was with me, and I hid it in the back of my underwear drawer. I pulled the most vibrant set of underwear I had. If she had known I had such treasure, she would throw a fit. I originally had high hopes of meeting my mate tonight. Now I wore it because it made me feel confident and for no one else.
I took my top off and put on my magic brassiere. I needed a little help in that department. Never had much up top and I would love to change that one day. Maybe after my soon-to-be husband dies, I can take some of that money and have it done.
âI love our dress,â Alpine linked us.
âMe too, I just need to get mom to come lace up the back.â
âYou can mink link her now. Just think about her and say in your head what you need.â
I did what she said and a few seconds later I heard my momâs voice come through my head telling me she would be right here. I stepped out of my closet and into my bedroom and my mom came into my room.
âHoney, you look so grown up. I canât believe you two are all grown up.â She said coming up behind me and starting to tighten up my dress.
When she was done, she spun me around to face her and she hugged me before I had any time to react to anything. âYou look absolutely gorgeous.â She whispered in my ear and as she pulled back someone started knocking on my door.
âItâs your dad. Itâs time. Go get your shoes on.â she said as she went to the door to let him in.
I ran to my closet grabbing my shoes and slipping them on. They were tall high heels, and they were white and sparkly. I loved them when I saw them, and I had to have them. I knew they were going to kill my feet but it was totally worth it.
Taking one last look in the mirror in my closet and smiling at myself happy with how I look, and I feel ready to get this party started. I opened my door and stepped out of my closet. My parents were in a heated argument and whispering about something when I stepped out and instantly stopped but I could tell by the look on my momâs face that she wasnât happy.
âDarling, you look much older than eighteen tonight and I donât like it, but you do look beautiful. Are you ready?â
âYes.â
He held out his hand for me. I looped my arm through his and my mom did the same on the other side of him and we walked out of the room. We went down the four flights of stairs and down the back hallway to the ballroom. There was a door that led to the stage. My father kissed my cheek and then grabbed my motherâs hand, and they walked through the door onto the stage. I stood waiting by the door that would lead me out there when it was time. I listened as my father started his speech.
âLadies and gentlemen, tonight it is my honor to present my daughter to you. It is her eighteenth birthday, and she has grown up in front of most of your eyes and you know how special tonight is not only for me but for her as well. I am proud to present Celia Dawn.â My father announced and I walked on stage. I wasnât as nervous as I thought I would be. I smiled and waved to everyone that was here. They were all clapping and cheering for me. My father grabbed my arm and led me down the stairs as the music started and people began to mingle and eat.
I walked over to the table that was set up for my family and I sat down. My feet were already killing me.
âI got you,â Alpine linked me and my feet instantly felt better.
âHello Celia, Iâm Tyrell, can I offer you a dance?â he asked, standing in front of me. I nodded my head to him. I was required to dance with anyone that asked. It was a long-standing tradition.
He led me to the dance floor and as soon as we got there, he pulled me close to him and placed one hand on my lower back and held up my other hand and began to lead me around the dance floor. He didnât say one word to me while we danced, and it was just a little awkward.
I had two more dances before my father cut in and took me back to the table to eat. I was thankful. My feet were killing me again. As soon as I sat down, I took a deep breath and could feel Alpine, making my feet feel better.
âCan you do that while I am up on my feet?â I linked her.
âI can try harder to make them feel better while youâre up.â She giggled at me.
My mother had fixed my plate and had all of my favorites on there. Ham, potatoes, mac and cheese and rolls. Thatâs all I wanted tonight. We had other sides, but I didnât care about those. I watched as people danced and talked while I ate my food. People came to the table to speak to my father, but no one ever acknowledged me. I knew somewhere close to my age and others were older. Finally pushing my plate in front of me and sitting back taking everything in.
âCelia, may I have this dance?â Joey from our pack came and asked me. I slipped my shoes on and stood up and walked around the table.
Joey grabbed my hand and led me out to the dance floor and swung me around the whole time, making me laugh. I caught the look on my sisterâs face, and it wasnât a happy look either. I knew she and Joey had a thing going on, but I couldnât help it that he asked me to dance.
âThank you for the dance,â I told him and stepped back and ended our dance quickly. He gave me a little look of disappointment and then saw Ava and he knew why.
I turned to go back to the table but was asked again. This happened several more times before I was able to slip away and get a drink. Most of the night went this way and I was exhausted and ready to call it a night when Alpha Walker came up and asked me to dance.
Once out on the dance floor he led me around for a few seconds before he began talking.
âI will make it very clear that you will have specific responsibilities to my son. You will appear to his loving wife and as he gets sicker you will care for him and play the part. If not, there will be consequences.â
âSuch as?â I asked not that it mattered. I wouldnât have anything else to do.
âYour pay will be docked.â
I didnât say anything to him but nodded my head in understanding. He continued to lead me around for the remainder of the song and just as it ended another person came up behind him.
âCelia, may I have this dance?â He asked, giving me a smile that made my heart rate pick up. I thought for just a moment maybe he was my mate by the way he had me feeling by just looking at him, but Alpine quickly squashed that idea.
âNo,â Alpha Walker growled at him and I was taken back a little.
âIâm sorry Alpha Walker, it is mandatory that I dance with anyone who asks.â I told him stepping into the stranger. He smiled again, wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me closer to him than anyone had and started to sway us to the music.
âI knew Alpha Ryan had two daughters, but I didnât know his younger daughter was this beautiful.â He whispered in my ear.
âThank you. What is your name?â I asked him back.
âAlpha Tyler,â he said so close to my ear that I could feel his breath fan across my neck making me break out in goosebumps.
We didnât break apart for three consecutive dances and when we did, I noticed that the ballroom had really emptied out and people had started to head home or to their room.
âCan I interest you in a walk?â Alpha Tyler asked.
âThat would be great,â I told him and stepped back, but he didnât let go of my hand leading me outside.
As soon as we were outside, I took my shoes off and carried them in my other hand. We walked towards the edge where the grass meets the tree line.
âAlpha Walker is a little old for you,â he said.
âIâm supposed to be marrying his son in a weeksâ time.â
âAre you mated to Zane?â he asked quickly.
âNo, just marry him and produce an heir.â
âAre they forcing you?â
âYes.â I said, sounding way sadder than I had intended.
He didnât say anything for a long time. He finally pulled me to a stop and pulled me close to him. He looked down at me and smiled and ran his hand up to my neck and to my jaw and lowered his lips to mine. I had kissed several boys, but this felt different. I could feel an achy feeling and butterflies in my stomach. He pulled back and was thankful that it was dark out so he couldnât see how red my face was.
âCelia, have you ever been with a man?â He asked and caught me off guard. I looked down slightly embarrassed by his question. He brought his hand under my chin and forced me to look at him.
âNo,â I said but it was quiet. I wasn't sure if he even heard me.
âI make this offer to you because I find you so beautiful and I would make things so good for you. Would you like to get out of here and leave pack lands for the night?â
My heart started beating quickly and I could feel my palms getting sweaty and I wanted too so bad. I had always thought I would save myself for my mate but that wouldnât matter anymore, and I didnât know what it would be like with my soon-to-be husband, and I wanted a night of someone who truly wants to be with me.
âYes,â I whispered and smiled at him.
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