ma

ht of authority, escalating the tension to a breaking point, and I felt my own temper ignite like a wildfire. I completely lost control, momentarily forgetting the p

respect, and obey without question. But in that heated moment, respect felt like an impossible concept, a foreign language I co

hing in the morning, a life-altering decision that affects everything about my future, and suddenly it's just a done deal? What about me? Where do I fit into this twisted scenario you've concocted? What am I supposed to think, say, or do in

p with a demonic glint, her eyes glimmering with a cruel amusement that sent a shiver down my spine. I snapped my head around, glaring at her with a

rk alongside our father!" Julia replied, her smirk spreading into a wide, self-satisfied grin that radiated

voice slicing through the air like a blade, effectively ending the argument-or so he thought. His furrowed eyebrows and rigid postu

of fear and anger. "You're my older sister! You're supposed to support me! Do something! Please! I can't be forced into mating with someone I don't even know, someone I d

ght!" she snorted, then quickly clapped a hand over her mouth, realizing our parents were still within earshot. She

d anger coursing through my veins had translated into physical action. "Yes, I'm not ugly, okay? I found someone! This morning! Just an hour ago!" I crossed my a

ng. Could I even belong to this family? Was I truly born of this mother's womb, conceived by this father's seed? And Julia-this cold, indifferent woman-could she tru

lity, my gaze landed on Julia. She was still there, still ac

e can change his mind," Julia whispered, her voice dripping with condescension as she ruffled my hair back behind my ea

at her. I tried to appeal to her sense of responsibility, to guilt her into helping me. S

erging the two packs will make us stronger," Julia murmured, turning her head away to avoid my p

ith my clenched fist. She flinched, startled by the force of my outburst, her eyes widening in genuine shock. Did she really think I would meekly ac

opted a tender expression. But I wasn't fooled. I knew her too well. This was a performance, a mask she wore to

u'll never see me again-not until I'm dead!" I narrowed my eyes at Julia, forcing a bashful l

n reluctant surrender. "Fine. Okay, okay. Calm down," Julia said, placing her hand

han anything else-more than me, more than love. But for me? Love was everything. I would find my mat

es. You're going on vacation with John tonight-for a week. And after that, you'll be mated to him," he announce

ghtmare. I needed a pinch, a punch-something to wake me up

ead to Julia, my face twisted into a mask of fury. "You're coming with me. End of discussi

er. They were pushing me too far, forcing me into an unwanted union, and I would make them regret

too beautiful to die so young. If he insisted, I would stab him right in the chest. Or maybe poison