The Crown Prince Harem

Prologue

***Bethany***

I cowered in the corner, my small hands covering my ears as I tried to block out the sounds of my parents' argument. They had fought many times before, but this time was different. My father's anger boiled over, his voice rising to a deafening roar. My mother's cries and pleas for mercy only seemed to enrage him further.

"You're the worst joke fate ever played on me!" My father thundered.

My heart pounded in my chest as I watched, frozen in terror, as my father's fist landed on my mother's face. She landed on the floor with a thud. The sound of her sobbing and the sight of my father's twisted, angry face were etched into my memory forever.

I felt a wave of nausea wash over me as I realized that this was my reality – a reality where violence overshadowed love. I vowed never to be involved in something like this in my life.

Just then, my father's face turned red with rage, and he bellowed, "Bethany, you're going to live with your aunt for a while. Maybe she can teach you some discipline!"

I was the one who had inadvertently triggered the torment. My father had sent me to get groceries at the market, but I had an entrance examination coming up, and I had gone to study with my friend instead.

My mother rushed to my side, tears streaming down her face as she hugged me tightly. "I'm so sorry, baby. I'll come for you soon, I promise."

As I was dragged away from my mother's embrace, I caught a glimpse of my father's menacing face, his eyes blazing with a malevolent intensity that made my blood run cold.

The journey to my aunt's house was like a dream. My mind was still reeling from the events of the day, and my heart was heavy with the weight of my parents' toxic relationship.

As I settled into my new surroundings, I soon realized that my aunt's marriage was no different. Her husband, a large and loud-mouthed man, seemed to take great pleasure in belittling and demeaning his wife.

I watched in horror as he reduced her to tears, always saying hurtful things to her. I remembered when he was courting my aunt; it was all loving and kind words. He would buy us things, and I had almost hoped that there was truly love in their relationship.

But now, his cruel words had cut deep into my aunt's self-esteem. I was sure she had nothing left. The scene was all too familiar, and I felt a wave of despair wash over me.

Were they cursed in my mother's family to never find happiness and love? Or was it that true love never existed, only in movies and storybooks? Was this what marriage was all about?

My young mind struggled to comprehend the complexities of adult relationships, but one thing was clear: I would never end up like my mother or my aunt.

Just then, my phone rang, breaking the spell. It was my friend calling to check on me.

"Hey Bethany, have you checked your mail today?" Zara's cheerful voice asked, unknown to her, the turmoil that had taken place in the house that morning.

I sighed, feeling a pang of guilt for not returning her calls earlier. "No, I haven't. Why?"

"You need to check it, like, right now!" Zara's excitement was infectious, and I found myself smiling despite the events that had taken place earlier in the morning.

I got up from the couch and walked over to the mailbox, my heart racing with anticipation. As I opened the envelope and pulled out the letter, my eyes widened with excitement.

And then I saw it – the letterhead of SilverCrest University, the prestigious institution I had applied to two months ago. My heart skipped a beat as I read the words that would change my life forever:

"Dear Bethany Craig,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been admitted to the Anthropology program at Silver Crest University, commencing in the fall semester.

Congratulations!

Sincerely,

Admissions Committee"

I felt like I was walking on air as I read the letter again and again. My heart was racing with joy. Finally, I would be leaving the four walls of this violent house, determined never to return. I would live on my own, and no man would ever control me.

I quickly rushed to the phone and dialed Zara's number. "Zara, I got in!" I screamed into the phone, unable to contain my excitement.

Zara's squeals of delight echoed through the phone. "I got in too!" We both ended up in fits of giggles. For the first time in months, since I had moved to my aunt's place, I felt like I could finally breathe again.

A thought ran through my mind – should I call my mother or not? My mother loved me, but I felt that she didn't love herself enough to leave my father despite the torment.

But fate had other plans for me. It was as if every time I vowed never to get involved with a man, the moon goddess was secretly watching me from above, laughing mockingly at me.

When I started university with my friend Zara, we shared a room, and I met James, the son of the alpha of our pack back home, Silver Crest. He had also been admitted to the university, and it was no surprise that he was every woman's dream. Every lady in my department swooned over him, and he didn't hesitate to flaunt his breathtakingly handsome looks.

But somehow, I had managed to develop a strong dislike for him. Something kept reminding me of the violent nature that had plagued my family, and I couldn't help but associate James with the same toxic behavior.

We didn't move in the same circles, and I didn't expect him to even notice me. I was determined and focused on my studies, earning me the nickname "nerd" or "bookworm" among my peers.

So, it was surprising when James walked up to me one day and asked me out. I will never forget that moment.