Victoria Brynn was unhappy.

The time when she was innocent and carefree belonged to a completely different universe. Sometimes, she wondered if it even really happened or if she just made it all up in her mind. Now, everything she knew was misery, fear and violence. Ironically, it all started on the day that was supposed to be the best in her life.

Her wedding day.

Victoria’s fate was sealed when she tied the knot with her husband Jake. If she knew what was awaiting her, she’d certainly not have committed such a terrible mistake. She wouldn’t have been so naive and gullible.

But was she really to blame? She was only sixteen at the time and was told all her life that her father knew what was best for her. Naturally, she couldn’t complain or have doubts when he introduced her to Jake.

He was the most prominent bachelor in the gem pack and the fantasy of many female wolves around town. Jake was a strong alpha in his mid twenties and he belonged to a good family. After his father’s death, he took over the latter’s businesses and made them better. Most of the shops in town were his. Without a doubt, he had all the qualities to make a perfect husband and a great provider.

Victoria was no different from the other girls. She also thought that Jake was really attractive but it was nothing more than a vague crush. Never did she expect that she’d have the opportunity to marry him, not when he had so many other omegas to choose from.

Back then, Victoria wasn’t yet aware of her feminine attributes. In her mind, she still considered herself a child, oblivious to the way people looked at her when she stepped out of her home. She especially caught the attention of the male alphas and betas that were searching actively for their mates.

Victoria was blessed with generous curves and a pretty face. Her hair was the color of fire, something she got from her great grandmother and her eyes were brighter than the purest tropical sea. The fact that she wasn’t aware of her beauty made her even more attractive and naturally, Jake heard of her.

When he met with his friends and they ended up talking about women, Victoria’s name was always brought up without fail. That’s how he knew he needed to have her.

Jake wanted to be the best and so, it was evident that he needed the most desirable woman in the pack by his side.

Victoria’s father was reticent at first when he asked for her hand. He thought she was still too young but Jake knew how to be convincing. He gathered information around the Brynn family and found out that the father, Marcus, always fancied a position as one of the members of the elderly council in the gem pack. Unfortunately for him, he wasn’t influencing enough.

From then on, Jake only had one thing to do: he promised Marcus that in exchange for his daughter’s hand, he’d help him achieve his life goal and become a member of the elderly council.

How could he refuse such an exquisite offer?

That’s how Victoria was officially acquainted with the man who’d become her husband. Her friends couldn’t stop talking about how lucky she was and of course, she didn’t fail to attract a little jealousy from her peers. How could a young, foolish girl like herself end up with the best party in town?

She didn’t understand it either but she was happy because Jake covered her with gifts and compliments. He was nice and frankly obsessed with her. Victoria was even more convinced into this marriage when her father told her that Jake was her true mate but she just couldn’t tell because she wasn’t eighteen yet.

Lies.

She found out on their first night together. Jake marked her between her shoulder and neck but when she woke up the next day, it was gone. If he had been her true mate, the mark wouldn’t have faded.

Naturally, Victoria felt betrayed, especially when Jake told her how her father happened to become a member of the elderly council. He’d sold her for a better status within the pack and now, she wasn’t going to know the pleasure of being reunited with her mate.

How could he have done something so cruel to his own daughter?

Victoria spent the remaining of her honeymoon days crying. Jake didn’t understand why any of this mattered to her. She married the best man in their pack, she should be jubilating.