Chapter 4

Taking a deep breath, I tried to steady myself despite the fear coursing through my veins. His red eyes were still fixed on me, and I couldn't help but feel a mix of apprehension and curiosity about this mysterious prince.

"Reject the engagement," he repeated, his voice firm and unyielding.

"Why should I?" I managed to say, my voice trembling slightly. "Why should I do what you say?"

A sinister smile spread across his face, revealing his sharp fangs. "Because I am the next lycan king, and what I say goes. You don't have a choice."

His words should have angered me, but a strange feeling washed over me, a sense of submission I had never experienced before. I tried to shake it off, reminding myself of my own strength and independence.

"No, I won't just blindly accept what you want," I said defiantly, trying to regain some semblance of control.

His eyes narrowed, and his claws dug into the wooden door behind me. "You dare defy me? I could crush you with a single thought."

I swallowed hard, feeling a shiver run down my spine, but I fought back the urge to cower. "I won't be bullied or intimidated into doing something I don't want to do," I declared, mustering all the courage I had.

He seemed taken aback by my response, his eyes searching mine as if trying to understand me better. "You're different from the others," he muttered under his breath.

I didn't know what he meant, but I took the opportunity to press on. "I won't let you or anyone else decide my fate. If you want to be king, fine, then go down there and tell them you don’t wanna get engaged to me."

For a moment, a flicker of surprise crossed his face before it was replaced by a dark smirk. "I like your spirit," he said, leaning in closer. "Perhaps you're not as weak as you seem."

"I'm not weak at all," I retorted, feeling a surge of confidence. "And I won't be manipulated by anyone."

"Princess, you have no idea what you're getting yourself into," he said, trying to scare me, but I wasn’t moved.

"You're going to be the next lycan king, right?" I said, as he raised his eyebrows in curiosity.

"So?" he replied coldly.

"So, go down there, call off the engagement, and leave me out of this!" I exclaimed.

"Lower your tone, lady!" he yelled.

"No, I won't!" I retorted.

"You know, you're really brave for a mere beta," he said, annoying me.

"What did I say wrong?" he asked calmly, noticing the frown on my face but with a mocking tone.

"I'm not a beta," I revealed, glaring at him. He seemed shocked but quickly replaced it with a cold expression.

"Then what are you?" his commanding voice sent chills down my spine, and he never took his eyes off me.

‘I couldn't answer his question because I didn't know myself, though I suspected I might be an alpha. Although I do wonder if I'm actually a werewolf or a human. Stop thinking nonsense, Ashley. I can't be a human, or the hungry animals here would have killed me by now,’ my thoughts trailed off.

"Ashley!" His deep, husky voice calling my name snapped me back to reality as I was lost in my thoughts.

"Yes, what?" I held my forehead, pretending to feel weak.

"What are you?" he repeated, not caring about my pretend pain, which made him less of a gentleman in my eyes.

"What are you?" he asked again, his eyes darkening as he stepped closer without breaking eye contact.

‘Let's go down; I'm sure they must be waiting for us,’ I quickly pushed past him. But before I could reach the door, he held my hand tightly and turned me around to face him.

"You dare not walk out on me," he growled right at my face.

"Dude, ever heard of mint?" I cringed at his wolf breath, and he looked stunned.

"How dare you talk to me like that!" he yelled, clearly furious, but I couldn't care less.

"I'm gonna..." He raised his hand, and claws sprang out of his fingers. I quickly held his hand.

"Don't even think about it!" I sternly warned before throwing his hand away.

‘I left the room, leaving him frozen in shock. When will people learn that I'm Ashley, I can never let anyone belittle me or bow down to anyone. Anyway, it's time to shut down this engagement. There's no way I'm allowing it after what that maniac pulled in there.’ I thought to myself, determined to face any consequences my actions led to.

I was about to go back to the living room when I overheard my father and that maniac uncle talking in the corridor, which caught my attention.

"You know if this engagement doesn't go as planned, you will face the consequences," the maniac uncle threatened my father.

"It will, I promise," my father assured him.

"It's better because this is your last chance to redeem yourself to the pack after what you did," the uncle declared, which I couldn’t help but wonder what my father did.

"I know if it wasn't for your mercy, my daughter and I would have been destroyed," my father gratefully said.

As I listened from the corridor, my curiosity and concern grew. I needed to find out what was going on between my father and that maniac uncle. Sneaking closer, I tried my best to remain unnoticed.

"The engagement better go well, or else you and your daughter will suffer the consequences," Loco uncle threatened with a menacing look.

I had finally reached my breaking point. Fueled by frustration and anger, I couldn't stand idly by anymore. Before I could think twice, I mustered up the courage to confront them. As I was about to approach my father and Loco uncle, someone suddenly pulled me back, making me turn around to see who it was. My eyes widened in surprise at the unexpected intervention.

"Who are you?"