Chapter 1
Sapphire.
The Alpha is throwing a party for his daughter?”
“Really? What’s the catch?
No catch it’s her eighteenth birthday.”
I lurked in the shadows and listened to the maid’s gossip. My heart flipped when I confirmed the rumors. My father was throwing me a celebration.
Ways
He barely acknowledges me as his daughter so something else must be going on then.
I stepped forward, startling the maids.
“Oh! You scared us.” They exclaimed.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to. What is this I hear about a celebration?” I asked. It wasn’t uncommon for me to ask the maids questions, they were the only ones who acted like I mattered so I felt more comfortable speaking with them.
“Your father asked us to prepare you for tonight, it’s your eighteenth”
Really? He is throwing this party for me?” I asked, and they bobbed their heads in agreement.
“I have to go see him, this is wonderful.”
“No, he asked you not to bother him.”
“It won’t take long, I will be back soon.
With that. I headed in the direction of my father’s study.
I paid no attention as I wandered the halls to my father’s office. I must admit that It took me by surprise when I heard the whispers from the servants rather than my father.
A part of me was happy that my father remembered that it was my birthday and wanted to surprise me. That’s why he didn’t inform me. This is the nicest he has done since my mother died.
He always seemed to blame me for my mother’s death, but I never really understood why he did that. I had done nothing but serve him and be the good daughter he wanted but that seems to fuel his hatred for me.
I appeared invisible even though I was the alpha’s daughter. The pack members detested me for something that was out of my control. They all believed their alpha and allowed him to treat me like a piece of gum. Hell, they bullied me as they saw fit.
I got closer to my father’s office, eager to thank him for remembering my birthday today. I heard loud voices coming from his office.
What could be the problem?
I inched closer, aware that I would be punished if I were to be caught eavesdropping.
“I told you it would work.” My father gloated.
What would work? I strained my ears to listen even more.
“I can’t believe you are this cruel to betray her like this.” The beta growled.
“Relax, she is my daughter, not yours. I can do whatever I like
I frowned, I didn’t like the direction this was going. How did my father betray me?
I was about to storm in there regardless of the punishment and demand answers. I raised a hand to knock when his voice came next, shocking me.
“When they arrive, she will be sold and off my hands. I don’t care what happens to her then.” My father declared.
A gasp rose to my throat but I clamped it down by covering my mouth. Backing away from the door slowly in order not to give away my presence, I
ran up to my room.
I flung myself onto the bed, my sobs echoed around the room.
My father wanted to sell me, offer me to the highest bidder. My eighteenth birthday celebration was an auction.
I knew he hated me because of my mother but the extent of selling me off like I was a piece of property baffled me to no end.
I closed her eyes, my resolve steeling for a moment. I wished it was my father who died instead of my mother. Everything would be so much easier
for everyone.
A maid knocked on the door. “Princess? It’s time to dress up.” The maid announced.
It was at the tip of my tongue to tell her to get out of my room but I couldn’t, not if I wanted to live.
“Okay, I muttered quietly.
I faced the vanity mirror, wincing at the sight of my bloodshot eyes. It was swollen from crying.
“Are you okay, miss?” The maid asked in fake concern.
Setting
18:05
Chapter 1
I knew the minute I said anything, the maid would go squealing to my father like a pig. So I straightened my spine and looked straight ahead.
“Yes, I am fine.”
I was told to sit down and be still so they could dress me up for my birthday. I almost snorted at that. More like they were preparing to offer me to the highest bidder.
God!
I can’t believe my father would try to do such a thing, especially on a very important day in my life. The day I meet my mate and connect to my
wolf.
It a memorable like other people would say but it will be forever burned in my memory as the day my father tried to sell me.
“I am going to make you so pretty.” The maid cooed.
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes, pretty for whom?
Someone my father just picked out? For pack politics?
I wouldn’t put it past him to do that.
“There, all done.” The maid said proudly, I looked into the mirror she provided and frowned, that didn’t look like me. I had so much makeup on, I couldn’t recognize myself.
I opened my mouth to answer but a voice stopped me, ‘Yeah if we are going for the clown type of look.‘
I stared at the maid wondering if she heard it too but she stared back expectantly like she was waiting for my answer.
I wanted to laugh but I couldn’t, not if I wanted to expose my secret.
“Yes, it is pretty. Thank you.” She beamed at my compliment and rushed out the door.
I sighed to myself, today is officially the worst birthday ever.
Other times were not recognized but it was better than this. The tears threatened to fall but I held them in. It wasn’t worth it.
I should have known he didn’t do it because he loved me, he did it because he wanted to get rid of me.
My chest constricted with so much pain that I found it hard to breathe.
‘Breath,‘ the voice came again, this time ever so gently.
I did as the voice said till I felt calm enough.
“Thanks, Onyx,”
‘You’re welcome, human.‘ My wolf said. ‘Now, toughen up and go down there.‘
I straightened my shoulders, I couldn’t let them see me as weak.
I wore the dress they picked out for me, it wasn’t my usual style but I have got to admit, it fits me perfectly.
I raised my chin and took the stairs one at a time. The epitome of elegance and perfection I portrayed made me more confident.
I halted just before the last step, my wolf was going crazy and my senses were following her.
“Onyx, what is wrong with you?” I asked, ‘Mate, mate, mate.‘ She kept chanting.
1
“Who?” I asked, I tuned into my senses and I was blessed with the sweet smell of cinnamon and wood spice cologne. It dominated my senses making it difficult to stop thinking straight.
I followed my wolf as she led me to him, I stood still as he seemed to realize that I was his.
“Mate,” he whispered, The look on his face made me so happy that I forgot the purpose of the celebration, it looked like I’d found my hope at the end of the tunnel.
Everything went back to being colorful.
His gaze flitted over me like he was studying me, we said nothing but drank each other in. I inhaled deeply as I took in more of his delicious scent, he seemed to be doing the same, his nostrils flared as he caught my scent.
His eyes darkened as he breathed me in. I stood there in my happy bubble that no one could take away from me.
My mate.
Mine.
He opened his mouth to speak but flinched halfway from the interruption.
“Your father has requested your presence, princess.”
I sighed, my moment was over.
I looked back to my mate just to see his countenance had changed, he looked disgusted by me.
The earlier admiration in his eyes had vanished like it was never there at all. I didn’t interpret the situation but I wanted to get to know him more so I
went first.
“My name is…” I flinched when he growled lowly. He took a threatening step toward me and I moved back, what is happening?
“You are not my mate. I have a fiancé.” He said.
9/3
Setting
15.06
Chapter 1
And without a second glance, he walked away leaving me to stare at his back.
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15:06
