Chapter 2

Lavinia's POV

"What do you mean by marriage?" I blurted, tears brimming at the edge of my eyes.

"Lavinia please calm down and listen to me carefully. All this is for your own good. Everything I've been doing and still doing is all for your own good……" He began but I couldn't let him finish.

"Stop! Just stop it already! I've had enough! You keep telling me that everything is for my own good but if it really is, why aren't I happy then? Stop lying to me. Everything you're doing is for your own self motives, I'm pretty sure you don't even love me at all. You keep telling me you're protecting me but you're only ruining my life. I've spent 18 freaking years in this place and when I finally have my freedom, you want to marry me off to some stranger? Do I really mean nothing to you? If you truly are protecting me, then what from? What are you so afraid of? I'm tired, I just can't do this anymore. I don't care if I have to die but if I can get just one week of happiness, I'm willing to die peacefully." I spluttered, tears copiously pouring down my cheeks. I couldn't take it anymore, my poor heart was hurting so badly. How can my own father, who I love so dearly, do this to me?

After I said that, he stood up with the speed of light and covered my mouth with his hand, stopping me from speaking any further.

He looked deep into my eyes without words for a few seconds and I could see that he was deeply hurt by everything I had just said. But how could he? Didn't he enjoy punishing me this way?

"Please don't ever say that again. You won't die, you'll live very long and see many generations of your offspring." He corrected and finally let go of me hesitantly.

"Do you think I'm happy doing this? Do you think I derive joy in being separated from my own daughter? It's a pity that you'll never be able to know how much I actually love you, I love you so much that I'm willing to do anything to protect you, even if it means being away from you and even having you hate me. I know I've not been the best father and I've been hiding things from you but I just want you to trust me, believe me when I say that I'm doing this all for you. If there were another way, I would take it but I'm helpless. When I look at you, my heart is filled with joy because I'm reminded of your mother and the love we share. I'm ready to give up my life just to keep you safe so please try to understand me." He pleaded and paused, I could see that he was holding back tears and I was genuinely taken aback. This was the first time I had ever seen my father like this. Could it be that I'm really misunderstanding his intentions?

My mind quickly sways to the last part of his sentence. He rarely ever talked about my mother and it made me assume that he hated her or something. This could be my chance to squeeze the truth out of him and at least make a little bit of sense of what could be going on.

"What happened to my mother? Where is she?" I asked softly. He looked at me with red eyes, a lone tear finally falling down his left cheek.

"She….. She's gone. She passed away. But before she did, she made me promise her that I would make sure that nothing ever happened to you. Lavinia, you're no ordinary wolf, you're special in so many ways and people will try to take advantage of that. I'm only fulfilling my promise to your mother so you'll have to forgive me." He explained and held both of my hands, kissing them softly.

"But what does that promise have to do with this marriage? If I'll be guarded and protected my entire life then don't you think that it's my right to be allowed to fall in love at least?" I asked the question that had been on my mind since the mention of marriage.

"Listen to me dear, I'll be completely honest with you. I'm against this marriage as well, I don't want to have to marry you off to a complete stranger but I'm helpless in this situation. You just turned 18 a few days ago so you're eligible for marriage, it's my wish to see you fall in love and get married to the man of your dreams but the goddess seems to have different plans for you. Our pack is on the verge of war with the Shadow Stone Pack and we absolutely cannot go to war at this time because not only are Shadow Stone's warriors twice the number of ours, we just won a war not too long ago and we're trying to recuperate from that. If we go to war with Shadow Stone, it'll be a complete disaster, lots of lives will be lost but that can be averted.

And there's where you come in. 

I was desperately looking for a way to avoid this war and your stepmother, my Luna, suggested we have a peace treaty with them but this treaty can only be upheld through marriage.

Coincidentally, the Alpha of the Shadow Stone Pack has only one son, Prince Rylan and he is unmated. You're my only daughter who is of marriageable age so it'll have to be you. 

I was strictly against the idea but when the sudden attacks of Shadow Stone on our people began, I was left with no choice. 

Listen to me Lavinia, I know I've controlled your life long enough so I won't force you into this. I'll let you make your decision since after all, the rest of your life depends on your decision.

But don't forget that you're the princess of the SilverClaw Pack and it is your duty to do what will benefit the pack.

I'll leave you to think about this. If you agree to the marriage, then we can proceed with things but if not, I won't force you, even if it means that we'll have to go to war with Shadow Stone. We'll fight fearlessly and with the goddess's help, we'll conquer.

I'll give you some time to think about it and make a decision, I'll come by later to hear your decision and I promise you that whatever you decide is right, I'll support you." He said and I felt like collapsing right there and then.

What kind of a situation is this? Why do I have to go through this? Agreeing to this marriage would be the right thing to do, I would be saving the pack by making this sacrifice but what about me? Marrying the prince of an enemy pack doesn't seem like a good thing for me, what if I'm mistreated there? What if I'm never happy?

But refusing this marriage would be the same as betraying my entire pack and I don't know if I can live with myself after that. 

What should I do? 

I'm in a dilemma right now and my head feels like it'll explode.

My father stands up and heads for the door, ready to take his leave but I stay still on the spot, scared and confused.

"The answer is right in front of you Lavinia. We're the princess of this pack and thus, duty comes first. We have to do the right thing no matter what it costs." Isis, my wolf echoed within me and right there and then, I took my decision without thinking about any consequences.

"Father, please wait." I called and he paused, turning back to me wearily.

"I've made my decision, I'm ready to marry the prince of the Shadow Stone Pack."