Isabella

I found myself standing outside the patio of the castle staring in fear as the event unfolded before my eyes.

One second my father's pack was fighting off rogues and the next I was being exchanged as a treaty contract.

I couldn't believe it when the Chief guard announced that my presence had been summoned by the Alpha, that's my dad. And that he had ordered him to bring me to his office immediately. I felt some kind of way and the whole stuff didn't sit well with me and I'm not the kind of girl that looks for trouble, I'm always in my lane, you can actually say I was quite boring. I tried talking to the Chief guard just so he could tell me what might have triggered Dad to call me out by that odd hour.

He didn't say a word instead he glimpsed at me with pity and a fretted look and continued walking to the Alpha's office. I silently said a quiet prayer hoping everything turns out okay. But something doesn't seem right, my intuition has never been wrong.

We arrived at the entrance door of Dad's office and the Chief guard tapped on the door to announce our presence, Dad's voice thundered " Come in."

The chief guard opened the door and bowed to Dad and then indicated with his hands for me to go inside the office. I looked at him weirdly and then glanced at Dad before I finally entered his office. Immediately I got in he shut the door of Dad's office leaving the two of us alone.

I got seated in one of the mesh armchairs that faced his desk and stared at Dad, his countenance was enough to tell me that all isn't well. He looked like he was in so much pain. Though he ignored my presence and was busy flipping through the documents on his table. I felt some kinda way and decided to break the abnormal silence between us.

"You sent for me Dad," I said trying to keep my voice very low

He closed the documents and dropped them on his table and cleared his voice and stared at me. His face was devoid of any form of emotion and I felt my heart constrict. It was beating so wildly that I thought I would die of shortness of breath.

He sighed and spoke in a dreadful voice

"Isabella I have agreed on an alliance negotiation with the Blood Moon Pack, I have consented and signed a marriage agreement between you, Isabella Cross will marry Arden Vinci on the next full moon."

I was shocked. It felt like my world was collapsing before my very eyes. I stared at him in horror

"What? Dad? I let out a small chuckle and whispered lowly

"Tell me you're joking, Dad! You can't possibly sign that without seeking my opinion first." I looked at him like I was pleading with my eyes for him to take back his words and tell me he was joking.

"It has been decided and sealed," Dad said

"How could you do this to me?" I yelled at him

"Arranged marriage for real!" Who still does that ancient practice at this time and season?"

"How can you force me to marry someone that is not my mate?"

"Bella, I did it for the sake of our pack, we are the smallest and most feeble pack. And the most accessible park for rogues' attacks. We need the protection of a larger and more powerful pack. This new alliance will guarantee our survival and safety." He replied without any emotions

I felt a shift in the air as suddenly a pressure weighed down on me. I grabbed the chair for support and stared at Dad with tears threatening to fall

"But…Why me? Why not any of my older sisters?

I have older sisters and we are all yet to find our mate, we are much single and available. And the three of my sisters would jump at the opportunity, so why me?

Celia the eldest was the beta of our park and was smart and strong and also the most skilled warrior of our pack. Gwen the second one was the intelligent and crafted one, and also Dad's favorite.