Elsie is a werewolf and who had never wanted to marry out of love. Because she was an orphan, her alpha uncle wanted to marry her out to just anybody, in order to get rid of her. On the day of her arranged marriage, she ran away because she didn't want to get married. While she was running through the woods, she accidentally tripped and fell into a river. Madriod, the wolf hunter, found her injured in the woods and because of the injury she sustained she lost her memory. He picked her up and took her to his place. Elsie became his responsibility but still he had no idea that she was a werewolf. What happens when Madriod finds out she was a hunter, will he push her away to the village to have her kill or he would fight his people for her to be with him? What happens when Elsie has to return to her pack as an arrogant witch who loves to see people in pain?
Elsie's Pov
As I knelt before my Uncle, Alpha Knight, the cold, unforgiving floor beneath me seemed not to show me mercy. My heart pounded loudly in my chest as I thought of why my uncle had requested my presence.
"Elsie," my uncle's deep voice rumbled through the silence, pulling me out of my thoughts. "I've arranged a marriage for you."
His words hung in the air like a heavy storm cloud, threatening to send me flying away. My mind raced as I tried to process what he had just said. Marriage? I wasn't ready for this, not now, not ever. I opened my mouth to protest, but the words caught in my throat.
My uncle, a stern and imposing man with a salt-and-pepper beard, leaned forward, his piercing eyes locking onto mine. "This is not a negotiation, Elsie," he growled. His face was a mask of authority, and I knew better than to challenge him. In our pack, defiance meant punishment, and I had seen enough to know the consequences.
"But Uncle..." I finally managed to whisper, my voice trembling, "I'm not ready for marriage. I want to explore the world, learn more about myself before settling down."
Before I could utter another word, the back of my uncle's hand connected with my cheek, sending me sprawling to the floor. Pain radiates through my face, and tears welled up in my eyes. I clutched my stinging cheek, disbelief and humiliation washing over me.
"Never speak to me in such an obnoxious way, Elsie!" he hissed, his anger simmering just below the surface. "I am your Alpha, and my decisions are final."
I struggled to regain my composure, pushing myself up from the floor. The room spun for a moment before settling into a blurry focus. I felt a mixture of anger, frustration, and helplessness, but I knew better than to let my emotions show. My uncle was a man of authority, and in our pack, his word was law.
Taking a deep breath, I nodded in submission, though my spirit remained unbroken. "I understand, Uncle," I said, my voice quivering slightly. "I will do as you say."
He gave me a curt nod, his expression relenting just a fraction. "Good. You will marry Ethan, the son of my friend from our neighboring pack. It is a prestigious match, Elsie, one that will strengthen our pack's alliances."
I didn't dare meet his eyes again. The thought of being married off to a stranger, someone I have not chosen for myself, was suffocating. I had always imagined love leading me down the path of matrimony, not a forced union.
My uncle's warning brought me back to reality. "You will behave, Elsie," he warned, his voice low and dangerous. "On the day of your marriage, you will be a symbol of our pack's unity. If you disgrace us in any way, I won't hesitate to kill you myself."
I nodded again, this time with a heavy heart. "I won't bring shame to the pack, Uncle."
With that, he dismissed me, and I rose to my feet. I couldn't help but wonder how my life had taken such a sudden and dark turn. As I walked away, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being pushed into a cage, my dreams and desires trapped into an unknown marriage.
My heart ached as I remembered how drastically my life had changed since the death of my parents, who had been the Alpha and Luna of the Enchanted pack. They had ruled with wisdom and compassion, and their loss had left a gaping void in my heart.
My parents' reign had come to a tragic end during a brutal war with a group of relentless werewolf hunters. I could still taste salty tears as I clung to my parents, knowing they couldn't protect me anymore. In the end, they had sacrificed themselves to save me, leaving me an orphan and at the mercy of my ruthless uncle.
I couldn't help but feel like a pawn in my uncle's game, a mere object to strengthen his alliances and secure his grip on power. I knew Ethan, the manipulative son of my uncle's friend, only too well. He was as cunning as a fox, and the prospect of being with him for the rest of my life filled me with dread.
|Two Weeks Later|
The day I had been dreading soon arrived. The sun was out already but all I saw in the pack's territory was nothing but darkness. My heart ached as I looked out at the sprawling forest that surrounded our pack, a place where I had once found solace and freedom.
I stood in front of the mirror, dressed in the elaborate wedding gown that had been chosen for me, its lace and pearls feeling like chains that threatened to suffocate me. My reflection revealed a girl who had lost her spark, her eyes dulled by resignation.
A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts. It was my cousin, Mia, who had been my confidante and source of support since my parents' death. Her eyes held sympathy as she approached me.
"Elsie, are you sure about this?" Mia whispered and gave me a hug from the back.
I turned to her, my eyes welling up with tears. "What choice do I have, Mia? Uncle made it clear, I will marry Ethan or face the consequences."
Mia took my hand in hers, her touch a fleeting comfort. "We can find a way out of this. We can't let Uncle dictate our lives."
I shook my head, tears streaming down my cheeks. "You don't understand, Mia. I can't risk bringing shame to the pack. I've seen what Uncle is capable of."
Mia's expression hardened as she understood the weight of my predicament. "Then we'll make sure you're safe, no matter what it takes. I won't let you suffer in silence, Elsie."
Her words brought a flicker of hope to my heart, but I knew the decision was going to affect me. My uncle had spies everywhere, and he had eyes that saw and ears that heard in every corner of the pack. Was I ready to oblige his decision? But then, the time had come, and I couldn't delay any longer. I stepped out of the room, my heart heavy with the weight of my impending fate.
But as I made my way through the packhouse, I noticed a flicker of movement out of the corner of my eye. It was Mia, signaling me to follow her. With a sinking feeling in my gut, I understood her plan. I had one last chance to escape this cage, and I couldn't let it slip away.
Silently, we slipped out of the packhouse, moving through the shadows slowly and carefully. Mia led me to a hidden path that would take me beyond the pack's territory, to a place where I could start anew, free from the plans my uncle had for me.
As we ventured deeper into the forest, my heart raced with a mix of fear and determination. I was leaving behind the only life I had ever known, but I couldn't bear the thought of being trapped in a loveless marriage. With every step, I felt a glimmer of hope, a flicker of freedom, and the promise of a future where I could choose my own destiny. Soon, Mia turned to me. "I'll stop here, Elsie. Take good care of yourself please. Look for a way to survive and I promise not to tell uncle about you," she assured and I nodded as she retraced her steps and turned to leave. It then dawned on me, I was all alone by myself now. But then, where was I heading to?
Two years ago, Ricky found himself coerced into marrying Emma to protect the woman he cherished. From Ricky's perspective, Emma was despicable, resorting to underhanded schemes to ensure their marriage. He maintained a distant and cold attitude toward her, reserving his warmth for another. Yet, Emma remained wholeheartedly dedicated to Ricky for more than ten years. As she grew weary and considered relinquishing her efforts, Ricky was seized by a sudden fear. Only when Emma's life teetered on the edge, pregnant with Ricky's child, did he recognize-the love of his life had always been Emma.
Linsey was stood up by her groom to run off with another woman. Furious, she grabbed a random stranger and declared, "Let's get married!" She had acted on impulse, realizing too late that her new husband was the notorious rascal, Collin. The public laughed at her, and even her runaway ex offered to reconcile. But Linsey scoffed at him. "My husband and I are very much in love!" Everyone thought she was delusional. Then Collin was revealed to be the richest man in the world. In front of everyone, he got down on one knee and held up a stunning diamond ring. "I look forward to our forever, honey."
Rachel used to think that her devotion would win Brian over one day, but she was proven wrong when his true love returned. Rachel had endured it all—from standing alone at the altar to dragging herself to the hospital for an emergency treatment. Everyone thought she was crazy to give up so much of herself for someone who didn’t return her feelings. But when Brian received news of Rachel’s terminal illness and realized she didn’t have long to live, he completely broke down. "I forbid you to die!" Rachel just smiled. She no longer needed him. "I will finally be free."
She was a world-renowned divine doctor, the CEO of a publicly traded company, the most formidable female mercenary, and a top-tier tech genius. Marissa, a titan with a plethora of secret identities, had hidden her true stature to marry a seemingly impoverished young man. However, on the eve of their wedding, her fiance, who was actually the lost heir to a wealthy dynasty, called off the engagement and subjected her to degradation and mockery. Upon the revelation of her concealed identities, her ex-fiance was left stunned and desperately pleaded for her forgiveness. Standing protectively before Marissa, an incredibly influential and fearsome magnate declared, "This is my wife. Who would dare try to claim her?"
"Sign the divorce papers and get out!" Leanna got married to pay a debt, but she was betrayed by her husband and shunned by her in-laws. Seeing that her efforts were in vain, she agreed to divorce and claimed her half of the properties. With her purse plump from the settlement, Leanna enjoyed her newfound freedom. The constant harassment from her ex's mistress never fazed her. She took back her identities as top hacker, champion racer, medical professor, and renowned jewelry designer. Then someone discovered her secret. Matthew smiled. "Will you have me as your next husband?"
Elodie took a deep breath and knocked, the sound echoing in the quiet corridor. A moment of silence passed, broken only by the pounding of her heart. Finally, the door snicked open, revealing a surprised Dashiell. 'Can't you see the Do Not Disturb sign? We don't want-' His initial frown quickly morphed into confusion at the sight of his wife. 'What are you doing here?' he demanded. 'Your girlfriend invited me,' Elodie replied, her voice laced with icy calm. She tried to peer past him, but his broad frame blocked the view. A saccharine voice chimed in from within the room. 'Elodie? Oh dear, we didn't mean for you to find out this way. It's just that-' Elodie cut her short. 'Oh please, Selene. Spare me the fake apologies. You wouldn't have sent me all those texts if you didn't want me to know.' Dashiell shifted uncomfortably, his face a mask of annoyance. 'What texts?' Elodie stepped past him, taking in the luxurious suite with a sardonic smile. The king-sized bed, the scattered rose petals, the lingering scent of sex – it all painted a vivid picture of their betrayal. She looked up at Dashiell, her gaze unwavering. 'I want a divorce.' ****** Dashiell lived a life of luxury, surrounded by the best things money could buy. But when a car accident left him vulnerable, he met Elodie, a seemingly ordinary woman who nursed him back to health. Mistaking her for just another employee, Dashiell entered into a loveless marriage with her solely for convenience. However, fate had a different script in store. Elodie, the 'ordinary nurse,' held a secret more precious than any diamond: she was the sole heiress to Northstar, a vast and powerful enterprise. Unaware of her true identity, Dashiell cast her aside when his ex-girlfriend returned, leaving Elodie humiliated. But Elodie was not one to be easily broken. She shed the facade of the meek nurse, reclaiming her rightful inheritance and stepping into the role of Northstar's CEO. Now, the woman Dashiell discarded was the one holding the reins of power. As Elodie thrives in her new role, Dashiell is consumed by regret. He finally sees Elodie for the extraordinary woman she truly is, realising the depth of his mistake. But will his remorse be enough to win back the heart he so carelessly discarded?