∘˚°｡☆*.✧∘˚°｡✩Everyone's Benefit.
Ever since the moment I got marked, I've been deprived of the right to have a mate. Today, I sat in front of my mirror. I'll be getting married to the supreme Alpha of the Amazonite Pack, Alpha Silas.
I had no other choice. It was all I could do to prove to my parents that I was still useful, even in my unfortunate state. This marriage would earn my father a higher, more powerful rank and authority over all the rest of the pack under him.
I didn't have personal maids, so some random ones, Nana and Kathy, styled my hair and did my makeup. It wasn't heavy.
I changed into the teal gown. An emerald necklace was clasped around my neck. It looked simple yet expensive.
Father had to go to this extent to make the other party satisfied with me. He had never even bought me clothes before. All the ones I had been managing were from what my mom got me before she passed away.
After they were done, I was led to the room where I would meet Father and Stepmother.
This wasn't the kind of wedding I'd always wanted, but since this is what they want, I'll give it to them.
"Good morning, Father." I bowed. He nodded. I raised my head after a while.
Father closed the gap between the two of us and held my hands in his. I finally felt his gentle touch after such a long time. He looked deep into my eyes. His dark brown eyes looked lighter from up close.
"You should know the reason why I'm doing this," he said, and I nodded. "It's for you." I nodded again at his words. They were funny to me, because he wasn't doing it for me. It was for his own selfish reasons.
"I understand, Alpha," I replied sharply, remembering my position. My emotions almost got the best of me. My stepmom walked into the room, her gaze studying me. She faked a smile as she walked toward me.
"Novalyn," she called slowly. I turned to look at her. "You should act your best when you are with him," she said, caressing my cheeks. "This should be one opportunity you won't be willing to lose, right?"
Dad left the room not too long after, leaving the two of us alone. Her look changed. The palm that caressed my cheek now hit me gently but harshly. I bit my lips not to talk back.
"You idiot. Do you think you are doing this for us by cooperating with all these arrangements?" she hissed, pulling her hand away from me. "You must be a great fool to think so."
I took a step away from her, crossing my arms. "I'm doing this for my father and Luzzatto, not for you." I glared daggers at her. Why did she even slap me?
Isabelle rolled her eyes. "He doesn't value you. All these things you're doing are just part of the game to him. Well, it's a good thing you're doing this for your father, it's for the benefit of us all."
I turned and walked toward the door.
Isabelle laughed. "Why be so arrogant before the wedding? Do you think he's accepting you as his mate? Don't forget, he also has vampire blood running through his veins. He is a hybrid."
Her words brought back the memory that scarred my life. Walking closer to me, she pulled my hair to the other side and shifted my dress sleeve slightly.
"And you are the girl who got marked by a vampire," she smirked. "He's sure to leave you like the others who rejected being with a marked mate. It isn't hard for someone like him to get another wife in place of you. In fact… you'll soon be replaced by tonight."
I closed my eyes. A tear rolled down my cheek. She was right.
"This opportunity wasn't yours to take in the first place. It was meant for your sister, but your father gave it to you. I won't forget to tell His Majesty to feel free to take my daughter once you disappoint him."
Isabelle patted my back before walking past me out of the room. I couldn't act strong anymore. I let my tears flow freely. No one hurts me physically as much as they hurt me mentally.
I walked out of the room after adjusting my makeup. Luzzatto was standing just outside the door. I smiled at him as I walked out. He's my elder stepbrother. Although my dad married my mom first, she wasn't his mate. Isabelle is, and she bore me late.
"You've been crying, right?" he asked, and I nodded. He'd find out the truth even if I lied, so what was the point of hiding it?
Unlike his rude and spoiled sister, Lizette, he is a kind man and a caring big brother.
He placed his huge palm on my head. "You don't want to get married to him, right? You don't have to do this for anyone." I smiled at his words.
"Let's not keep the groom waiting." I pulled his hands away, but instead of letting go, he enveloped me in a hug. I chuckled. "I'm not leaving forever." There was a high chance of me coming back. I wanted to say that, but I swallowed it. "You can still come to visit me anytime you want."
Luzzatto buried his head in my nape. "I'm missing you already. Who would defend you if you get bullied over there? You don't have to give in to this. I can help you escape."
My eyes widened. I hit his head playfully. "Don't say such a thing. You know death is the consequence of such an action," I said, disengaging from the hug.
He didn't look happy, nor did I, but I forced a smile like it was a blessed day. "I don't like the idea of you getting married to him. He's a dangerous man, and I'm afraid he would harm you, and worse still…"
"It's okay. It'll be fine," I said. The fear Isabelle had already buried in my heart was still fresh. I didn't want to get a panic attack and mess things up.
"We should get going."
The sacred blue moon had refused to show up since that night of my disaster. It didn't appear three times consecutively. That was none of my business. It couldn't even protect me from evildoers.
I've lost interest in anything called a mate. All of them are only after their mates because of the bond, not because they love them. Now I'm starting to think those heartless humans are even better than these inconsiderate werewolves who care less about emotions.
Before I knew it, we were already at the hall. It wasn't a big event. In fact, this was only between my family and his family. The only outsider among us was the priest.
As I walked into the room, my eyes darted around in search of the groom. I found no one.
"He's over there," Luzzatto pointed out. My heart started to beat fast against my chest. I had the urge to back out, but I couldn't. I took the rest of my heavy steps toward him.
His jet-black hair was packed in a ponytail. He had natural dreads, I guessed. He was dressed in a nicely ironed teal suit. No wonder Father got me a teal, above-knee-length net gown with long sleeves and an emerald necklace.
Father and Stepmother were sitting beside each other on one side of the hall. Lizette had an angry look on her face, she wasn't happy. Luzzatto left me to join them.
I thought of my uncle and aunt. If they were here, they would have represented my mother's family. But they were all dead. I didn't want to remember any of it anymore, so I shook my head, bringing myself back to the present.
On the other side of the room, there were only two ladies and two men. I wondered who they were.
When I got to the groom's side, I sat in front of him according to the seating arrangement. I was breathing heavily, my hands fidgeting with the hem of my dress, but I had to remain strong.
"We shall proceed now that everyone is present."
I took a peek at him to study his expression. His dark eyes were firm and serious, boring into me. That was enough for me to look away.