Lavinia's POV
"What do you mean by marriage?" I blurted, tears brimming at the edge of my eyes.
"Lavinia please calm down and listen to me carefully. All this is for your own good. Everything I've been doing and still doing is all for your own good……" He began but I couldn't let him finish.
"Stop! Just stop it already! I've had enough! You keep telling me that everything is for my own good but if it really is, why aren't I happy then? Stop lying to me. Everything you're doing is for your own self motives, I'm pretty sure you don't even love me at all. You keep telling me you're protecting me but you're only ruining my life. I've spent 18 freaking years in this place and when I finally have my freedom, you want to marry me off to some stranger? Do I really mean nothing to you? If you truly are protecting me, then what from? What are you so afraid of? I'm tired, I just can't do this anymore. I don't care if I have to die but if I can get just one week of happiness, I'm willing to die peacefully." I spluttered, tears copiously pouring down my cheeks. I couldn't take it anymore, my poor heart was hurting so badly. How can my own father, who I love so dearly, do this to me?
After I said that, he stood up with the speed of light and covered my mouth with his hand, stopping me from speaking any further.
He looked deep into my eyes without words for a few seconds and I could see that he was deeply hurt by everything I had just said. But how could he? Didn't he enjoy punishing me this way?
"Please don't ever say that again. You won't die, you'll live very long and see many generations of your offspring." He corrected and finally let go of me hesitantly.
"Do you think I'm happy doing this? Do you think I derive joy in being separated from my own daughter? It's a pity that you'll never be able to know how much I actually love you, I love you so much that I'm willing to do anything to protect you, even if it means being away from you and even having you hate me. I know I've not been the best father and I've been hiding things from you but I just want you to trust me, believe me when I say that I'm doing this all for you. If there were another way, I would take it but I'm helpless. When I look at you, my heart is filled with joy because I'm reminded of your mother and the love we share. I'm ready to give up my life just to keep you safe so please try to understand me." He pleaded and paused, I could see that he was holding back tears and I was genuinely taken aback. This was the first time I had ever seen my father like this. Could it be that I'm really misunderstanding his intentions?
My mind quickly sways to the last part of his sentence. He rarely ever talked about my mother and it made me assume that he hated her or something. This could be my chance to squeeze the truth out of him and at least make a little bit of sense of what could be going on.
"What happened to my mother? Where is she?" I asked softly. He looked at me with red eyes, a lone tear finally falling down his left cheek.
"She….. She's gone. She passed away. But before she did, she made me promise her that I would make sure that nothing ever happened to you. Lavinia, you're no ordinary wolf, you're special in so many ways and people will try to take advantage of that. I'm only fulfilling my promise to your mother so you'll have to forgive me." He explained and held both of my hands, kissing them softly.
"But what does that promise have to do with this marriage? If I'll be guarded and protected my entire life then don't you think that it's my right to be allowed to fall in love at least?" I asked the question that had been on my mind since the mention of marriage.
"Listen to me dear, I'll be completely honest with you. I'm against this marriage as well, I don't want to have to marry you off to a complete stranger but I'm helpless in this situation. You just turned 18 a few days ago so you're eligible for marriage, it's my wish to see you fall in love and get married to the man of your dreams but the goddess seems to have different plans for you. Our pack is on the verge of war with the Shadow Stone Pack and we absolutely cannot go to war at this time because not only are Shadow Stone's warriors twice the number of ours, we just won a war not too long ago and we're trying to recuperate from that. If we go to war with Shadow Stone, it'll be a complete disaster, lots of lives will be lost but that can be averted.
And there's where you come in.
I was desperately looking for a way to avoid this war and your stepmother, my Luna, suggested we have a peace treaty with them but this treaty can only be upheld through marriage.
Coincidentally, the Alpha of the Shadow Stone Pack has only one son, Prince Rylan and he is unmated. You're my only daughter who is of marriageable age so it'll have to be you.
I was strictly against the idea but when the sudden attacks of Shadow Stone on our people began, I was left with no choice.
Listen to me Lavinia, I know I've controlled your life long enough so I won't force you into this. I'll let you make your decision since after all, the rest of your life depends on your decision.
But don't forget that you're the princess of the SilverClaw Pack and it is your duty to do what will benefit the pack.
I'll leave you to think about this. If you agree to the marriage, then we can proceed with things but if not, I won't force you, even if it means that we'll have to go to war with Shadow Stone. We'll fight fearlessly and with the goddess's help, we'll conquer.
I'll give you some time to think about it and make a decision, I'll come by later to hear your decision and I promise you that whatever you decide is right, I'll support you." He said and I felt like collapsing right there and then.
What kind of a situation is this? Why do I have to go through this? Agreeing to this marriage would be the right thing to do, I would be saving the pack by making this sacrifice but what about me? Marrying the prince of an enemy pack doesn't seem like a good thing for me, what if I'm mistreated there? What if I'm never happy?
But refusing this marriage would be the same as betraying my entire pack and I don't know if I can live with myself after that.
What should I do?
I'm in a dilemma right now and my head feels like it'll explode.
My father stands up and heads for the door, ready to take his leave but I stay still on the spot, scared and confused.
"The answer is right in front of you Lavinia. We're the princess of this pack and thus, duty comes first. We have to do the right thing no matter what it costs." Isis, my wolf echoed within me and right there and then, I took my decision without thinking about any consequences.
"Father, please wait." I called and he paused, turning back to me wearily.
"I've made my decision, I'm ready to marry the prince of the Shadow Stone Pack."
Lavinia's POVOver the years, I'd always imagined what living in a pack would be like and what it would feel like to be around so many people but the real thing beat my imagination hands down.I've never left so welcomed in my entire life. Everyone was already gathered outside of the pack house, waiting for me. I was welcomed upon arrival and they all seemed so happy to see me. I was equally happy as well to meet everyone, though being around so many people made me feel shy. I met my stepmother and step siblings for the first time.I was given a beautifully furnished room in the pack house and I felt like all my worries had disappeared.Dad came to my room and informed me that my marriage would be taking place in three days, after which I would go with my mate to his pack to start my new life. He also told me that Prince Rylan and his entourage would be arriving at our pack the next day so we would have enough time to at least get to know each other and come to an understanding before
Lavinia's POVI landed heavily on the ground with a thud, the wolf pinning me to the ground with its weight. It growled at me aggressively, looking like it was ready to tear me to pieces. I was too afraid to shift at this time and even if I could, I had received no training whatsoever. How am I supposed to defend myself? I closed my eyes in fear, tears falling down my cheeks but then it suddenly stopped and got off of me.When I couldn't feel its cold and ragged breath on my cheek, I slowly opened my eyes and saw the wolf standing a few metres away from me.Just then, it shifted into a man and a very handsome one at that. There was just one problem, he was completely naked!He looked at me straight in the eyes, seemingly unashamed of his nudity. A huge blush instantly spread across my cheeks as my eyes travelled downwards to the place they were not supposed to.I turned away instantly in shame, mentally kicking myself for staring at him so boldly.I heard him chuckle behind me before
Lavinia's POVI closed my eyes, petrified, waiting for the intense pain that was to inevitably envelope me once the arrow lodged into my body but it surprisingly never came.I opened my eyes slowly and saw Prince Rylan standing a few metres away from me, a bow in his hand and a quiver of arrows hung around his shoulder.He held an apologetic look and I turned around to see that I was standing in front of the target. The arrow was embedded directly in the bullseye, which meant that it had missed me only by a few inches…..The arrow was never meant for me but I had unknowingly gotten in the way and was almost hit. Thanks to the goddess for the prince's perfect aim."My lady, are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere?" The maids soon clattered around me, checking my body for any signs of injury but they found none.Prince Rylan finally approached me. "Are you OK? Please tell me that you're fine." He asked, worry and guilt etched on his face."I'm….. I'm fine, just feeling a little shaken."
Lavinia's POVI followed the maid to my father's room and though I was slightly upset, I didn't show it.As I knocked on the door of his room, the maid retreated. I heard his voice from the other side of the door and when I informed him of my identity, he told me to come in.When I entered the room, he was standing by the window gazing outside, he didn't turn around to acknowledge and this worried me a bit. Had I done something wrong?I cleared my throat before speaking. "Father, you called?""Yes." He replied before finally turning to face me and it was then that I saw that he was holding something, a golden box.He clutched it protectively and I wondered what it could possibly contain."Please take a seat." He requested and I obeyed."Lavinia, you'll be getting married tomorrow and once this marriage happens, there's no going back so I'm giving you a final chance to decide if you want to go through with it or not. I realize that the first time I asked this of you, I was indirectly
LAVINIA'S POV"Son, I still don't understand why you agreed to this marriage in the first place, we could have easily gone to war instead. That girl is cursed, she could bring destruction to our pack but yet you're still adamant about it." Alpha Argo said and my heart clenched. I didn't realize it but tears had gathered at the edge of my eyes.Was this really what my future father in-law thought about me? How can he refer to me as cursed and a bringer of destruction? What had I ever done to him? I was beginning to worry if I would be treated right in the Shadow Stone Pack after marriage."Lavinia please calm down and control yourself or they'll be alerted of your presence. In life, not everyone will like you, there's always bound to be people who dislike you." Isis tried to console me."It doesn't seem like Alpha Argo just dislikes me, from his words, it's clear that he hates me for some reason." I muttered sadly."That shouldn't matter right now, Rylan is the one we're going to marr
LAVINIA'S POVMy eyelids open gradually and I'm blinded by the darkness all around. I blink repeatedly and it takes a few seconds for my eyes to adjust to the dim light coming from what I assume to be a lamp.I try to move but then notice that I'm stuck, I try again with more force this time and the thick chains around me bore into my skin, rubbing roughly against it and leaving my skin sore and raw. I seemed to be chained tightly to a chair.Confusion instantly sets in and I start to wonder where I am but just then, a deep but familiar voice causes me to still."I see you're finally awake."I turned my head to the direction of the voice and I saw him sitting in the shadows. Even in the dark, I could make out his figure, he was sitting back, legs crossed. His eyes were fixed on me and I could make out the small smirk at the edge of his lips.His eyes twinkled in the dark, they held a raw emotion I had never seen, one that scared and intrigued me at the same time."Lavinia focus! Have
LAVINIA'S POVI'm awakened by the sound of birds chirping. As my eyes flick open, I'm nearly blinded by the sharp rays of sunlight that wash over my face. Only then do I realize that I'm chained to a chair just beside the window. It takes a few minutes for my eyes to adjust to the light but when they finally did, another realization quickly hit me.Taking a good look around, I soon discovered that I had been kidnapped and was currently being held hostage in my own cottage!Yes, the cottage I'd known as home my entire life had suddenly become a prison for me and I was being held by a twisted and sadistic man who I'm sure is completely out of his mind.I think back to the events of yesterday and though much of it still makes absolutely no sense to me, I decide not to focus on it.The most important thing to me right now should be escaping from here. I should try my best to free myself and leave before Rylan comes back. The sooner I'm able to return to the pack and tell my father everyth
Lavinia's POVHe tore at my panties, leaving them in shreds. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, readying myself for the intrusion but just then, the door pushed open and I saw the last person I expected to see.Siri was standing at the door with anger expressly written on her face and I had never been so happy to see anyone.Rylan paused, obviously shocked. Siri didn't grant him a moment to second guess as she rushed towards the both of us and pushed him away from me. For a woman of her age, she seemed to be really strong and I'm grateful for that.Rylan fell flat on his face and she quickly helped to untie my hands."Siri…." I cried and grabbed her into a hug, crying into her chest."I thank the goddess that you're OK, I'm glad I got here just in time. I'm so sorry about what you've been through dear but now's not the time to cry, you have to leave now. Shift and run to the pack as fast as you can, inform the Alpha about everything. I'll deal with this sicko for now while you b