CHAPTER 1
Ava's POV
My heels clicked loudly on the cold, hard floor as I walked into my father's study followed by the sound of the large double doors slammed shut behind me with a loud bang.
I paused in my tracks, my heart racing and my eyes fixed on the broad back of my father, who stood facing away from me wondering why he had suddenly summoned me into his study room.
As he slowly turned to face me, my breath caught in my throat as I heard his next words. "A servant?" My dad's words cut through the air and into my ears, his words were filled with anger and disgust.
My eyes widened in shock as I fell to my knees, my eyes flying downwards not being able to look him in the eye again, somehow I knew that this day was coming but I didn't expect it to be this soon, my palms suddenly got sweaty. I needed to be brave.
"To me he is more than just a servant, Father. I love him…" My words were barely out of my mouth when a loud slap from my father's palm struck my cheek, making my head snap to the side and my eyes water at the stinging pain that danced through my skin.
"How dare you say such words to me, Ava! You are a princess, for heaven's sake! You represent me, you represent the kingdom!" My father growled, his hard voice echoing off the walls of the study room and I felt my Lycan whine in my head in submission, as it sensed my father's anger.
I remained kneeling, clutching my hands in mine, my heart heavy with fear.
"Only the heavens know what kind of rumors have been flying around..." He said, stalking away to the back of his study table and plopping down in his chair with a thud.
"You are to end whatever is going on between the both of you immediately." My father gave a final order, and my head snapped up to stare at him, my eyes locked on his face.
"Father, I…" I stammered, fearing to voice out my words as I came in contact with the dark, angry face of my father, his eyeballs now glowing red, showing that his Lycan was just beneath the surface.
My hands clutched hard at my gown and the fabric bunching up in my fists.
"You seem to forget that you are already betrothed? Ha!" My father laughed, the sound was cold and made my back get stiffer, as his hands clapped against each other.
The doors behind me slammed open, and the guards barged in, their footsteps sounding loud on the floor.
"The guards will see you off to your chambers to get ready for your wedding tomorrow by nightfall." My father's words to me felt like I was pushed off from a cliff and my eyes widened in horror.
"No, no, no, Father! I don't want to be married to Prince Allude!" I cried out, immediately rushing to my feet and rushing towards him.
"Take her away." My father's order was curt, and I felt the hands of the guards wrap around my arms, stopping my movement and dragging me effortlessly towards the door, even as I protested, my claws snapping out of my fingertips and snapping at their hold on me, but it was useless against the elite guards.
"And that servant…get him locked up." I heard my dad give his last order just as the doors to his study slammed shut behind me with a loud thud.
"No! Please no! Don't hurt Thane! I will do as you say!" I screamed and pleaded, tears streaming down my cheeks as I suddenly felt genue fear.
My heart felt heavy as I slumped against the guards' firm hold, feeling defeated as they pulled me down the long, cold hallway filled with family portraits.
Why did I have to be a princess? I was more like a caged pig, only brought out to satisfy its owners' taste buds. My body grew cold as tears continued to stream down my cheeks, wetting my face and clothes.
I was left on the cold, marble floor of my chamber as the door slammed shut behind me, and I heard the sound of the lock being shifted into place with a loud click.
I remained seated on the cold floor, knowing that struggling now was useless and a waste of energy.
Time seemed to fly past me and I barely noticed the servants pulling me like a lifeless doll, getting me ready for the wedding with care. Then, I was escorted out with a large number of guards on either side of me, making escape impossible.
I was feeling something worse than pain at the moment as I was walking down the aisle, the slow music sounding bland and hollow in my ears as the audience stood to usher me in with polite smiles on their faces.
The wedding gown seemed to weigh heavily on my slender frame, and all I was focused on was blinking back my tears, all so Thane could be safe and sound. Only the heavens knew what my father would do to him if I messed this wedding up.
I was left alone at the altar to face my future husband, who had a calm, collected smile on his face and looked averagely handsome in his white wedding attire to match mine.
"You look breathtaking as usual Ava." He said softly with a gentle smile as he took my hand in his, but I couldn't help myself from shivering in disgust as he took my hand with a firm grip.
"Princess Ava Moon of the Moonlight Kingdom, do you take Prince Allude of the Red Wood Kingdom to be your husband?" The priest asked, and I could feel the whole room quiet down as my eyes scanned through the audience just to pause on a particular pair of cold blue eyes that I was always excited to see but now his eyes were filled with betrayal and pain as he watched me get married to another man.
"Thane…" I mouthed his name as though that was an apology, a silent plea for him to understand my situation.
"Princess Ava?" I heard my name being called again and then the hard, cold stare of my father from behind as his eyes boring into my skin like daggers.
"Yes I do." I replied, my words blank and my voice holding sorrow as I resigned to my fate.