Amara POV
“Wh-what do you mean?” I asked my Father. My heart was thumping erratically in my chest as my fear perfumed the air. Am I going crazy, or did he just say what I think he did? He’d pulled me aside to tell me something urgent. Something he says may change my life forever.. and the words he’s saying only makes me believe that it’s true. “You’ve been chosen as one of the two girls from our pack to attend the Dark Kings Royal ball.” He said. He clasped his hands together and sat back in his chair as he watched me. “But.. why?” I asked with wide eyes. “He’s choosing a wife. He went through every packs list of unmated females over 18, and he selected you and Lola from our pack.” He said. A wife? Another.. wife? I couldn’t believe my ears. Surely, I must be hearing my Father wrong.. am I hallucinating? Am I dreaming or something? I pinched myself.. but nothing happened. Then I dug my fingernails into my palms, cutting through the skin and letting blood seep out. Nothing happened. This is real life.. “Me?” I asked as I wiped my bloodied palms nervously on my training pants. My Father nodded his head and sighed, clearly getting irritated with the fact that I’m still not grasping it completely. “Yes, Amara. You. There are 40 girls in total, and you are one of them. If this turns out in our favor.. you could be the Queen. We will be wealthy, and because of that, the pack will flourish.” He said, pointing out that I’m only doing this for the well-being of the pack. How could he? How could he allow this? I’m supposed to be waiting for my mate! I may be 24.. but I still have time to find my mate. Yes, it’s very rare to not have found your mate by now, but here I am. If I were to be picked.. I wouldn’t be able to be with my mate. The King would force his mark on me, and my mate would never be found. The idea made my heart sink to the pits of my stomach. “H-how will he choose?” I asked nervously. I fiddled with my fingers in my lap as I stared at him, waiting for his response. “He will observe each of you during the ball. I’m sure if he takes interest in you, you will know. He will likely spend most of his time with the girl he plans to pick.” He said. I let out a breath as I took in all of the information. The Dark King is choosing a wife. He only just lost his chosen mate a few years ago.. no one knows exactly what happened, but there are rumors that he went mad and killed her, himself. The man is a beast.. all he knows is death and destruction. He’s killed so many men.. including his parents and his siblings. That is why they call him the Dark King. The Dark Lycan King. “Father.. I don’t think-“ he cut me off with a glare, forcing the words right back down my throat. “You have no choice. He picked you. The ball is this weekend, so I will have a gown made for you.” He said. I tucked my hair behind my ear nervously, trying hard to fight back the tears that threaten to fall. I am the only daughter of the Alpha of Black Forrest pack. Not his only child, but his only daughter. His youngest child.. the child that is the cause of his mates death. During childbirth my mother passed. He has always been.. indifferent towards me. Deep down I know he despises me with every fiber of his being. He’s never been kind to me, always treating me as if I’m some disobedient child. He has always been cruel man. It doesn’t help that my two older siblings don’t like me much either. They blame me for the death of my mother, as if I had any say in that. They act as if I’d taken a silver blade and rammed it straight into her heart.. but all I ever did was be born. “You will be on your best behavior. Do you hear me? If you mess this up for us, Amara.. I swear to the Moon Goddess you will pay.” He growled those last words in such hatred, I swear I felt it pulsating off of him. “Yes, Father. I will, I promise.” I swore to him. Despite the urge to to scream and curse at him, I will be quiet and do as he asks. Not only because I’m afraid of what he’d do, but I’m afraid that if I make the wrong move that the King would take my head. I prefer it where it is.. so I will try to be on my best behavior. “Have you finished your training for today?” He changed the subject. I nodded my head once as I looked away. “Yes, Father. Beta Jamie has posted this weeks scores.. if you’re interested in seeing them.” I said. He nodded and handed him the sheet of paper that was laying in my lap. He snatched it from me and examined it closely. “You’re the top, again.” He said, still unimpressed. Beta Jamie trains all of the warriors. We each train in different combat skills, a new one each week. At the end of the week, we hold one on one competitions where we fight each other. Beta Jamie then scores us from best to worst. I, always end up at first place.. but it never seems to impress my father. “Yes, Father.. I’ve been training extra hard lately.” I said. I was aiming to become one of the head warriors, but every time I ask Father, he turns me down. The only time I’m ever allowed out of the pack-house is to train.. so I don’t see him allowing it ever, but I still try every time. “That won’t be necessary now. Especially if the King chooses you.” He said plainly. He tossed the sheet on his desk and folded his hands together. There was several moments of silence.. each second feeling like a knife to the skin. He leaned over and picked up the glass that smelled heavily of whiskey. “Good, that is all I needed from you. You may go now, Amara.” He said. I closed my mouth and lowered my eyes as I stood. Once I was away from his office, I let out a breath. Goddess, what am I supposed to do? Theres a possibility of me being picked. I’m glad that there are at least 39 other women, but somehow that still doesn’t ease my nerves. I made my way to my room, listening closely to my surroundings. The last thing I need is to run into one of my siblings. If they have heard about this, I’m sure they’d rub it in my face without hesitation. I rushed up the stairs and sighed once I’d made it to my room, walking in and closing the door behind me. I’ve never felt so afraid in my life. I’m going to a Royal ball to be offered to the king.Amara POV The days seemed to go by in a blur, and the next thing I knew, i was sitting in the carriage in front of the Dark Kings palace. I nervously fiddled with the sheer black skirts of my dress as the carriage door opened. My Father had my dress made by one of the top designers in the surrounding packs. The black color looked amazing against my pale skin. It even matched my hair perfectly. The bottom of the dress was see through. Thankfully, I had the proper undergarments on underneath, so you could only see my legs and arms. The torso looks like a corset, which is uncomfortable but very beautiful. The sleeves are long and flare out towards my wrists with lace at the ends. And there was lace at the bottom of the dress where it spilled out across the carriage floor. It’s a wonder that I’ve even been able to keep it in the corner where I sit. I’m not sure how anyone expects me to dance in this dress.. but I guess I’ll have to make it work. “Hurry up. We’re al
Amara POV “Mate.” I whispered softly. He didn’t speak a word, nor did he move a muscle. He just stared at me with not a single expression on that perfect face of his. Goddess.. I couldn’t believe my eyes. The man before me stands at over 6 feet tall. His large muscles looked as if they could rip anyone apart in a moments notice. His short, dark curly hair lay neatly on his head, framing his perfect face.. bringing out his beautiful dark brown eyes. And goddess.. those lips? So plump and full.. Before I could say anything else he turned around and rushed back inside. He just.. left me? My mate just walked away from me. I went after him, only to see that he was nowhere in sight. Where did he go? A wave of sadness flowed through me.. my mate just left me without speaking a word to me. Could this night get any worse? I walked back into the room full of people, hoping that maybe I would find him but instead my arm was gripped by a big, warm hand. “Th
Amara POV “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you were Alpha Brock’s daughter.” He said truthfully. “It’s fine.. do you know him?” I asked. “We’re neighboring packs and allies.” He said with a laugh. When I didn’t respond, he spoke again. “You dance very well.. maybe you could trouble me with another?” He looked hopeful as he waited for my response. “Unfortunately, I think after this dance I may need a break. I never realized dancing could be so exhausting.” I said. I shrieked when he picked me up by my sides and spun me. When I was placed back on my feet, he let out a chuckle. I caught a glimpse of my mate staring at us, his eyes dark and terrifying. “Sorry, it was part of the dance.” The man brought my attention back to him. The music came to an end, his lips forming into a slight frown. “Maybe I could get you a drink then?” He asked. “I do think I’m alright. I’ve had plenty to drink..” I said, trying my best to give him the hint that I was uninteres
Amara POV I looked over at him nervously as we started to dance again. My father smiled brightly at me as my gaze fell on him. “He seems to enjoy your company.” He mind linked me. “It would appear that way.” I responded quickly. In the middle our our dance, we were stopped when a hand fell on King Sebastian. I held back my growl, not wanting to anger him when I noticed the girl the hand belonged too. “I was wondering if you might have another dance with me, my King.” Lola spoke. I couldn’t believe the audacity of that girl! Touching the King, my mate! If only I didn’t want things to go sour, I would’ve bitten her hand off by now. Even if I’m afraid of him.. deathly afraid, he’s still my mate. He looked down at her hand, his aura tripling, making it almost impossible to breathe. She quickly retracted it and took a step back, but didn’t go away. She stood there ogling his arms and chest, making my blood absolutely boil. He nodded without even glancing at me. His hand he
Amara POV I felt myself take a few steps back but I suddenly hit a brick wall. “You’re his mate?” My father gasped from behind me. I gulped as I looked around to see everyone staring at me in shock. “Y-yes.” I said. This night, I came to be chosen by the Dark King against my will. Not only just given to him as a mate by the very Moon Goddess I prayed to every night since I could speak. I felt betrayed.. I watched as Sebastian walked down the steps from the stage and stop next to a man I hadn’t seen before tonight. The man’s eyes fell on me, and before I knew it he was walking towards me. “Miss, Amara. Please, follow me.” The unfamiliar man said. I looked at him incredulously, before searching for Sebastian who was nowhere to be seen. “I-I don’t know you.” I said. “The King has ordered me. Now, please, come with me.” The man spoke again. He took my arm in his hand and pulled me through the ballroom. I couldn’t explain the emotions I was feeling. It was like I w
Amara POV I moved to take my hand away which only angered him. My gaze drifted to the door, maybe I could make it away in time.. maybe.. I began to slowly inch off the bed. I didn’t want to make any quick movements.. afraid that it may be my last time breathing. As I backed away, his crimson eyes narrowed at me, and within seconds he lunged on the bed, pinning me beneath him. I let out a scream as he snapped his teeth at me. This is it.. I’m going to die right here, right now. He lowered his face into the crook of my neck and sniffed in my scent. He pushed my head aside with his giant, furry hand, before going right back to my neck and pressing his canines against my marking spot. I began to sob.. this isn’t how it’s supposed to be. Marking your mate is supposed to be sweet and loving.. not being forced by your mate in his Lycan form. “Please.. shift back.” I cried softly. I didn’t want this yet.. I was more afraid of this beastly lycan than the human side of Sebastia
Amara POVI woke up to the smell of food and the sounds of people moving around in the room. I yawned as I slowly sat up, my eyes landing on one of the maids from last night. Kleo.. I think is her name.“Oh, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to disturb your sleep.” She spoke softly as she sat two glasses down on a table.“It’s fine.. what time is it?” I asked. She placed two plates full of food down on the table before looking at me.“It’s eight, miss. The King requested I serve breakfast in here this morning.” She said. I furrowed my brows as I dropped my feet onto the soft, fluffy rug on the floor.“Is he joining?” I asked. I looked over at the two plates that sat in front of each other.“He is. He’s just finishing up with a small meeting with the Elders.” She gave me a warm smile as she placed a pitcher and a few other things on the table.“The Elders?” My eyes widened. The Elders are the oldest of the lycans. They are wise and very well educated.They’re probably here to discuss the fact t
Sebastian POVThe bond was tearing at me, begging me to mark her and claim her so that she could never leave. As I watched her dress, seeing how the gown tightened around her waist and pressed her breasts up.. it took everything in me not to do just that. I’ll admit, she is an alluring little creature. But I wouldn’t give in. Not after losing my first wife, Loralai.“How am I supposed to do anything in this?” Amara asked. I turned to look at her, an annoying expression on my face.“What is there to do? You will sit and learn what it is to be Queen.” I said.She scoffed as she turned towards me, Kleo quickly running behind her to finish her hair.“That’s it? I want to train. I’m a good fighter.. I want to continue that.” She narrowed her eyes at me in defiance.“Fight? Train? You’re going to be the Queen, Amara. You have no time for any of that. All you are to do is learn the Queen duties and bear my children. Anything else is pointless and a waste of time.” I said.“The hell I will.