Chapter 1 One

Lena’s pov

“B- Both of the them, Father? You're not serious!” My voice was flat but my hands trembled against the dark silk of my gown, my throat burning.

Across the room, Alpha Godric BlackThorn sat at his desk, his fingers steepled beneath his chin. He didn't meet my gaze but I'm sure as hell he's aware I didn't exactly look ecstatic about hearing the news.

“They are your mates, you were bound to marry them either way. But they will leave for war soon and it's imminent you are with child before they depart. Did I not make myself clear to you Lena, or are you just being difficult?” His voice is clipped, devoid of emotion as his cold brewing eyes finally meet mine.

“The war… “ I took a step forward, realization crashing down on me. I steel my frame, squeezing my hands into tight fists. “I am NOT a bargaining chip.”

His eyes flashed, a piercing crimson color, as he got up, large hands coming to lay flat on the desk before him with a loud thud. My lips trembled, my heart racing as I visibly surrendered under his aura, the hairs at the back of my neck rising.

Tears burned the back of my eyes as I shook, head down.

“You are my daughter. That is all you need to be.”

I wanted to scream, to shift, to tear the room apart with my claws- to hurt HIM. But I stood frozen in my own cowardly fury, my spine stiff with defiance.

“The arrangement has already been made. You will marry them. At dawn.”

“I won't do it. You can't make me do this,” for the first time in long time, I whispered the one word I never realized I could use with him, my voice already trembling. “Please father.”

Stale silence settled in the office, and when it had dawned on me that his decision was final, I fled the study, breath ragged as I shut the door hard after me.

Fury boiling under my skin, I rested my back against the door, head to the ceiling as I let the tears freely roll down my cheeks.

All my life, I have let my father use me as a pawn, a rag, a doll, to his satisfaction in his evil plotting games. He had always wanted a son, made it clear from the day I was born, drew out of my mother's corpse, that he hated me.

And I have endured so much of his resentment up till now. I wasn't going to let him take the reigns and determine the rest of my life for me.

Down the narrow stone halls where the candlelight flickered low and warm, I made my way to the servant wing. The flame burning in lantern in my hand flickered as a gust of wind whispered past me just as I approached one of the doors.

I paused, taking a deep breath before I knocked. Once, twice, Once and thrice. He answered instantly, recognizing my pattern of knocking.

Ash.

He stood in the doorway, shirt unlaced, neck and collarbones shadowed in the soft latern light. His dark hair was tousled from sleep and his silver eyes widened the second he saw me.

“Lena, what are you doing here? You know you can't be caught snooping in the servants’ quarters again.” He whispered sternly, but he stepped to the side, letting me walk in. I could feel his gaze burning into my skin as I set the lantern down on the bed side table.

“Lena… “ his footsteps approached me. “What happened?”

I spin to face him, tears streaming down my face. “You knew, didn't you?”

Even if he tried to pretend, he was always bad at hiding his true expression. My heart clenched as I waited for him to say anything but I got silence.

Of course he’d know. He was an Omega but he was my father's most trusted subordinate. But he was my best friend too.

“Have some water. You look pale.” He pushed a glass of water towards me, eyes narrowed with worry.

I roll my eyes, managing some sips before I push it back towards him. Trust him to be a worry wart even when I'm dead serious about my father ruining my life in a matter of hours.

“They are your mates, Lena. They are not the best of people but they'd never hurt whom the Moon goddess chose for them.” He muttered, but even he didn't sound convincing of it.

“Alpha Riven and Alpha Kael are monsters. Getting married to one of them is one thing but both? Alpha Riven has a harem of women at his beck and call, Ash. Not only will I be one of this breeders, I risk being killed by one of his women before Alpha Kael kills me,”

“Alpha Kael is known for that, one thing and one thing only. Killing. If I'm forced to have their children, what do you reckon he'll do to me after. He hits women like they're objects. He abuses them, taunts them, forces them to do the most despicable things you can never imagine. Ash,” I close the distance between us, grabbing his collar and pulling myself close to him. “Ash you have to help me. Please.”

For a moment, he leaned his forehead against mine and we just stood there, breathing the same air, the silence thick with tension.

Slowly, I peeled my eyes open. I wasn't sure if I caught his gaze lingering on my lips- mine was subtly fixed on his to notice.

“Lena, If your father- ” he groaned and I sobbed, drawing him close as I shook my head stubbornly, my skin caressing his.

“I don't care about him, what he says or does, he's never had my best interests at heart and you know that, Ash,” I snapped, but as our eyes locked, my tone softened. “I can't do this alone Ash, I need you.”

I softly gasped, feeling his arms protectively clasp around my waist as he stepped even closer, till all that remained between us was the barrier of our clothes.

“You know I would do anything for you.”

My breath hitched as I fondly rubbed my thumb across his lips before raising mine to brush against his in a whisper.

“Then get me pregnant.”

Almost like he was slapped in the face, he tried to push me away, but I nestled in his embrace, letting the tears flow freely now.

“You are not going to do this Ash. You are not going to leave me, not now when I need you the most.”

“Lena, no.”

He finally got rid of me, and silence ensued in the room, our chests rising and falling in sync as we glared at each other across the room, the flame flickering on the walls.

“Your father… “

“He doesn't have to know It's you. What I do know is when the Alpha Twins find out I am not the pure flower my father makes me out to be, they'll cancel the union.”

Ash chuckles. It's bitter. “And where do you think that leaves you, Lena?”

“Ash…”

“I care about you to tell you this. You are better off with them than with your father.”

“What about you?” I approach him again, watching his throat bob as he stared down at me. I slowly fiddled with the buttons of my nightgown. “Where does that leave you and I. You might never see me again, Ash.”

He opens his mouth to speak, but my dress hits the floor at that moment and he's left frozen as his gaze runs over my body before they meet mine.

“If this doesn't work, we can run away,” I can taste the desperation in the tone of my voice but I don't even care. I grab his arm and draw myself close again, this time he doesn't resist. “Look at me, and tell me you don't want this. Ash, tell me you will feel fine living your life with the thought of me in one of their beds… “

I'm abruptly cut off as he claims my mouth in a feisty kiss. My legs instantly weakens but he lifts me with ease, and in seconds, my back is against the door.