"1"

A bond placed between two individuals is a paradox, a promise of forever that could either mend two souls into one or destroy them both. Inside the warm room, I sat on the luxurious queen sized bed, feeling the silk under my sweaty palms.

A black lace veil covered my face. My mind was spinning, and the wolf inside of me let out a whimper, cowering and on the edge just like me. A beautiful black bow was tied at the end of the black veil. 

Since I was young my mother told me I was beautiful, a porcelain doll. A priced jewel. And any influential beta or even an Alpha would kill an entire pack just to claim me as their mate.

Who would’ve thought I would end up this way. Mated to pay off a debt.

My eyes were covered by a black gauze, blindfolded and was told never to take it off. It wasn’t my right, and I was ordered to stay still like a dog.

My body was shaking, and my chest tightened every time I heard scratches, footsteps and whispering from the outside of the room.

Just when I thought I could relax, an unfamiliar scent swept through my entire being. With a "click", the door opened.

Soft footsteps came from the door’s direction, licking my lips. I turned towards the sound, trying to tell myself to stay still, not to whimper nor make a sound.

The palm of my hands and the soles of my feet were getting cold. I wanted to turn into Torri, my silver wolf and run away, but I couldn’t.

When I felt someone’s hands on my cheeks, I had to bite my tongue to stop myself from screaming. ‘Fuck!’ Calloused fingers ran over my cheeks, caressing my skin. It made my skin itch, as if a hundred spiders were crawling on my skin.

Disgusting.

I couldn’t take it anymore.

“Please. Stop.” I whispered, feeling my body tremble in his touch. My hands balled into a fist, tensing and releasing as I tried to calm myself. “Please, please… don't do this.”

The man pulled the veil away from my head. The moment I felt his presence, I felt so helpless, and I trembled as he released his aura.

Alpha Kevin. The cold hearted Alpha from the Black Eclipse pack. The man who attacked our home while he wore a Phantom of the Opera mask.

The moment I heard his voice, my body shivered. I could feel his eyes on me making my body tremble. He looked at me as if he owned me. All of me.

"Regret agreeing to this mating ceremony?" He spoke without emotion, empathy or remorse, and his voice was deep and low.

I pursed my lips together, trying to stop my body from trembling in his presence.

My mind was filled with the words from my father — this is for Victoria. For the pack and for my mother.

Kevin was supposed to have my sister as my mate. That's what he and my father had agreed upon. But she’s too young, too innocent to be with someone like him. I took my sister’s place willingly. For if Alpha Kevin didn’t get what he wanted, the Red Star pack would be no more.

I was supposed to be mated to Corinthian. The next Alpha of my pack. Corinthian was kind, sweet and considerate and looked at the Omegas kindly. He treated them as humans and not as a slave — but Alpha Kevin killed him.

I bit my lip upon the memory, tears welling on my eyes when the scene replayed on my mind like a plague.

The pack was having a feast under the moonlight, a beta named John and his mate named Grace had been having trouble having kids for years. That night, the mated pair announced Grace’s pregnancy, the pack was delighted for them. Another strong member will be soon born into the Red Star.

Before midnight, Alpha Kevin’s men appeared on the scene. They splashed water on the bonfire — declaring war and death if the ‘Word of Honor’ is not met.

“10 years ago, you promised me one of your daughters, George Starling.” Alpha Kevin growled, long claws growed on his fingers. “I am here to claim that promise.”

Corinthian tried to stop the word of honor from happening. In the end, the noble steed of our pack was killed.

Now here I am.

I was prepared to surrender. But this… this is too much!

"Can you stop staring at me?” I whispered, voice trembling in shame and anger. “Can you… can you please leave and give me some time. Alone. I just —”

Before I was able to finish what I was saying his fingers pinched me by the chin. “Who said you can make such requests?”

He said with a hiss, releasing his powerful aura. It made me feel weak, made me lose control of myself and soon I was apologizing even though I did nothing wrong.

“I’m sorry! I’m so sorry — please stop!” I hate this!

"Do you think you can have an inch of control? You think you can make demands, hm? Know your place, little girl.” Kevin’s domineering and powerful words pierced my ears, making the wolf inside of me whimper and cry.

His insulting words made me grit my teeth. His insulting words dug deep into my skin, reaching the depths of my soul.

I hated how he could control me.

"I can sense some anger in your face. Are you really going to fight me?" Kevin hissed through gritted teeth, his hold on my chin got tighter, making me wince. “I own you.”

I let out a shaky breath. “You may own my body, but you will never own me!”

Kevin rolled his eyes, laughing at me and belittling me with his smug grin. "You’re not much of a price either, sweetheart. I’d rather have your sister. She’s prettier than you, and has fairer skin. While you — you’re tough meat. Old and gamey.”

“You are the worst, Kevin Jam —”

In a flash of a second, his hand was on my mouth. He slammed me down on the bed and tore the clothes away from my body. This man, like the storm outside the window, showed no pity.

“Please — no!” I screamed as I closed my eyes against the fabric. Tears fell, rolling down my cheeks as I felt his hands and lips on my body and marked me as his.

As he touched me, marked and forced me — all I could think was Corinthian. ‘I’m sorry…’ I whispered in my mind. ‘I wish it was you.’

The heavy rain finally stopped that night, and the sunlight gently shined down through the window. I woke up feeling sore and weak.

My long eyelashes fluttered as I opened my eyes, trying to rid of the drowsiness. Thinking of what happened last night, I couldn’t help but frown, feeling disgusted with myself at the same time I was terrified.

I looked around. “Hm. He’s not here.” I said with a blank expression on my face. “Good.”

I pushed myself off the bed, wincing when a sharp pain shot on my spine. He claimed me again and again last night. Even though I was in pain, I forced myself to walk towards the shower room. I want to rid myself from the stain he left on my body. I wanted to be clean from his touch.

Pushing the door open, my body stiffened on the spot. In the bathtub was an indifferent man with delicate and handsome features but an expression like a sculpture.

‘What the —” I hissed, my eyes widening.

Hearing the door opening, the man slowly looked at me, stared at me the same way I was looking at him.

I couldn’t move and my breath hitched upon staring deep into his eyes. Butterflies flew and swarmed my stomach. Fear and excitement rushed into me at the same time.

I had never met a person with such a powerful aura. His cold gray eyes reminded me of the wolves on the foot of the mountains in Minnesota. In his presence my knees become weak. I had to pull myself together to stop myself from collapsing on the marbled floor.

Who is this man?

Without saying another word, I cleared my throat and broke off the awkward staring contest between us.

I looked away from his gray eyes. I didn’t know what to say or do — so I turned and walked away.

“Stop.” The man with gray spoke, and his voice was hoarse, deep and oddly magnetic. As if I was a fool if I did not look back at him.

“Uhm… It’s just that… you were in the shower.” I pointed back to the bed. “I — I’ll be leaving until you finish.”

“Don’t leave."

Huh? I wondered to myself as he stared at me. I could only stare at his handsome face as if I’m a scared rat and he was a fierce, beautiful calico cat.

"I don’t think so?" I answered, unsure of myself.

"Don't let me say it a second time." The man was used to being aloof, and every word, every sentence had an irresistible majesty.

I began to play with my fingers, and felt helpless in his presence. “Okay.” I didn't dare to disobey his words, and took small steps and walked over slowly.

"What do you want?”

His damp long fingers wrapped around my wrist, making me yelp as he pulled me inside the shower room.

“What are you doing?!” I exclaimed, feeling my body being pushed against the damp walls of the shower room.

The man grabbed me by the shoulder, making me turn to face him. He grabbed me by the chin and was forced to look into his deep gray eyes.

"Why are you in my room?”

What?! What is he saying?! Isn’t this Alpha Kevin’s room? I shook my head frantically. “I — I didn’t! I — I’m sorry.”

"I don’t accept your apology." The man whispered in my ear.

His handsome face was too close to mine, and I could feel his warm breath against my skin — a contrast to the cold water in the shower room. My face flushed when he stared at my entire being.

"I don’t care — I’m already claimed! Don’t touch me!"

The man in front of me laughed. "Heh. So you’re now acknowledging that I own you.”

I paused, feeling the blood on my face depleting and my body became cold. “Alpha Kevin?”

The man in front of me laughed. “Alpha Kevin? Heh. You're dumber than I thought. Stupid girl.”