The Genesis

Nadia’s POV

Born a werewolf, I've never dreamed of marrying without love. Growing up as an orphan, my alpha uncle had taken me in, but he always seemed eager to marry me off to just anybody, as if I were a burden he couldn't wait to be rid of.

The full moon cast eerie shadows on the walls as I sat in the dimly lit living room, nervously waiting for my uncle to arrive. The grandfather clock ticked ominously in the corner, heightening my anxiety with each passing second.

My alpha uncle, Albert entered the room, his eyes filled with a menacing glint. The tension in the air was palpable as he sat down in the armchair opposite me, the leather creaking under his weight.

"You know, I've been taking care of you ever since your parents passed away. You should be grateful for everything I've done for you," he voiced, the reason for his visit clearly stated in his tone.

I swallowed hard, my throat feeling dry and constricted. I couldn't help but feel a sense of dread as I awaited his next words.

"I've arranged a marriage for you. You'll be marrying alpha Blackwood. It's for your own good, and you will not defy me on this. This is the only way you can repay me for fending for you and catering all of your needs,” he said, adding those last few words to emotionally get me hooked.

I stared at him, my heart pounding in my chest. The thought of marrying someone I didn't know, let alone someone so much older than me, was unbearable. But I knew better than to argue with my uncle.

"Uncle, please... I don't want to marry him. I don't even know him,” I tried pleading with him, hoping that his decision would change.

Alpha Albert leaned in closer, his voice low and threatening. "Listen closely, child. You'll do as I say, or you'll regret it. Don't even think about pulling any stunts. You'll marry Alpha. Blackwood, and that's final,” he said in a very high tone, giving me no room to counter his words.

The room seemed to close in on me, making me realize the gravity of the situation. I was trapped, with no way out. My fate was sealed, and there was nothing I could do to change it.

No way I couldn’t just sit back and watch my life get ruined. Pa and ma would never have wanted me to get married at such a young age, not to talk of an elderly man whom I knew nothing about.

“Uncle please do not do this to me. I promise to repay back all of your kindness but I can’t do so in this manner,” I begged him, now down on my knees.

“This decision of mine cannot be changed, your marriage to alpha Blackwood will give me a name in this pack,” he finally let out his reason behind this arranged marriage of mine.

I was well aware of the type of person my uncle is but I had never imagined he would stoop this low, all for fame and power.

For goodness sake I was his blood, if not his biological daughter, I still looked up to him as a father.

“Stand and prepare for your big day. Mind you, I wouldn’t want Blackwood rethinking this union, so wipe away those tears of yours and put a smile on your face,” he shamelessly advised.

There was nothing more I could say to him, it was quite obvious that his mind had already been made up.

He looked at me for some time before leaving. I stood from the floor and climbed onto my bed, racking my brain for a way out of this dilemma.

Finally the long awaited day of my arranged marriage came by, I remember how decorated the pack hall vividly. The walls were adorned with intricate tapestries, and the scent of fresh flowers wafted through the air. Candles flickered, casting a warm glow on the faces of the guests who had gathered to witness the union. Despite the beauty of the scene, I couldn't shake the feeling of dread that weighed heavily on my chest.

As the ceremony approached, I knew I couldn't go through with it. The man whom I was to get married to was way older than myself. Everyone seemed happy, no one really cared about what I wanted, not my aunt and definitely not my uncle.

There was no one happier than my uncle. I couldn’t give him the satisfaction of using me, I immediately knew that I had to escape quickly.

With a fake smile on my face, I patiently waited until everyone was preoccupied with their conversations and the festivities before I would take the next bold step of my life .

In no time everything worked out just the way I made it out in my head.

Slipping out of my wedding dress and disguising my identity with weird painting all over my face, I took off my shoes, then I tiptoed towards the back exit, careful not to make a sound. My heart pounded in my chest, threatening to give me away, but I managed to slip out unnoticed.

Once outside, I broke into a run, the damp earth beneath my feet providing a small comfort in my flight. The woods were dense, and the trees seemed to close in around me, but I pushed on, desperate to put as much distance between myself and the life I was leaving behind.

As I sprinted through the forest, my foot caught on a protruding root, and I stumbled, falling headlong into a cold, rushing river. The icy water took my breath away, but I fought to stay afloat even though I could not swim.

The thoughts of my uncle catching up with me made me really determined not to let this setback stop me from escaping my unwanted fate. I was starting to drown, I knew I had to call out for help, else I would drown inside this river.

“Help, someone help,” I roughly managed to fight between life and death.