*Storm's POV*

I was in so much pain.

I signed , staring at my reflection in the mirror. I couldn't even recognize who I was. All I could see was the monster that they had created. I'm only eighteen but I've been through worse pain. Hoping it would get better, but it only got worse.

My sight was blurred by the tears in my eyes.

I studied myself in the mirror of my dressing table. Not with optimum satisfaction, but critically. Even though I looked a mess, my thick and beautiful shaped body is to die for. I placed my small, perfectly shaped but badly manicured hands on my waist, pushing open the thin silk. A good designed black lace corset gown revealed all my charms, breast not too big nor too small but were in their proper size, a tiny waist perfect hips. All this for a mate that I wouldn't want to be with.

Pain is a weird feeling.

It sucks your energy and turns you into a version of yourself you never imagined.

Time heals all wounds, they say.

Spare me that trash. Time heals nothing. Just gives things more space to grow and fester and rot. I fidget in my seat, the gold wooden bench tearing into the skin of my thighs and making me flinch. But that was no pain compared to what I felt inside.

Evans and Damian, my step brothers wouldn't spare an opportunity to humiliate me. They were so happy, anything to see tears roll down my cheek. To see me in pain. I have developed a deep-seated loathing for them, not like they didn't feel the same way.

Glaring at me every minute, they seem to enjoy the situation. I began having flashbacks about memories made and life not forgotten. I needed Evelyn more than ever. She and Hermes had always been my strength out of every trouble life throws my way. No matter how much I want to strangle both of my stepbrothers. This isn’t about me. Not today. Today is about Evenly. About avenging her death and making her Killers wish they never lived. I had made all plans to escape this hell hole today. There was no way they will enslave me to some king, all in the name of being his mate. That weird feeling surges up my throat again.

Pain.

It can be unpredictable, like the ebb and flow of the sea, or it can be rigid, like a frozen sculpture. Right now, it’s rock solid and heavy in the center of my chest. Two weeks ago, I had lost my only family and now I'm being forced into marrying a stupid king. I bite my cheek, trying to hold it together.

I decided to step out, carefully studying my surroundings as I walked, making sure nothing stops my escape. As I entered the main foyer, the sheer size of the hall was almost overwhelming. The ceilings are high and painted with intricate frescoes, while the floors are made of polished marble. Crystal chandeliers cast a soft glow over the room, while plush carpets cushion my every step. They elegantly decorated the hall with green and white flowers. Rose, hibiscus. Name them. Everyone was celebrating my pain and getting ready for the binding ritual.

"My lady, you're not dressed for the wedding. Black isn't a wedding colour my dear, it brings bad luck" the Luna of the dark moon pack said the moment she saw me.

"And who said I was having a wedding?" I groaned with so much anger. "Get lost!" I yelled.

I watched my father approach me with anger in his eyes. His eyes were orange, and I knew his wolf was fighting for attention. I was ready for anything that is to come. He made this monster. He should deal with it.

My father clears his throat and groaned right in front of me. "This is your only chance to be useful if you mess it up! I would make your life more miserable."

This was one of the times were I wonder if this man is really my father. This monster that was in front of me. He told me several times about how he killed my mother, because she was worthless and how she left him a disgrace for a child, simply because I'm not a lycan. Honestly, I wished for nothing more than to slit his throat. He is immortal, that was the only thing saving him.

"Hello pretty," drawled a rough, masculine voice, dragging me out of my thoughts. I knew that voice, how on Earth would I have forgotten how he order his packs to kill evenly. How I begged them to spare her life and take mine, but they didn't stop. They didn't stop till she was dead. It was him. The most dreadful lycan king.

I was white before he'd finish the sentence, white before I even raise my eyes to meet his. I almost screamed. He laughed, even though his facial expressions could tell he was angry. I could not drop my gaze from his. my heart was pounding so fast, I was even more frightened when I realized I wasn't with any weapon.

"Get into your wedding dress. Patience is a virtue I don't have." He muttered.

He was the same as I had ever remembered. Just then, reality struck me right in the chest. He is my mate. And my father had married me off to this monster without a second thought.

My heart stutters in my chest. This was more than I could bare I needed someone to wake me up from this dream.

I ran quickly to my father without saying any word to Scott Howard.

I knelt before him and pleaded. "Please father, please don't do this to me. I could be your slave, rare the horse's, wash your cars, scrub the entire Mansion. But please don't marry me off to that monster." I held his garment, hoping to find mercy at his sight. My fingernails digging into his clothes until they feel like they might split in half.

He bent over, close enough for me to feel his breath on my face and said, "Storm, you are not worthy to be my slave, and you should thank you heavens that Scott sees a wofless, worthless thing like you as his mate. Now you would behave yourself and put a smile on your face because this wedding would hold." And immediately, every tear in my eyes dried up. I stared at him with confusion in my eyes.

"Luke!" He called out to his guard. "Whip her till she's back to her senses and make sure she joins us at the wedding ceremony in the next twenty minutes. We can't keep the king waiting."