"How could you say such a thing, Mina? I'm just thinking of you."
"Save it, Sally. I know your game," I hissed.
Mike roared, "Enough! You will marry the Alpha's crippled son. Do you understand?"
I glared at him, the wolf within me howling.
"And if I don't? What are you going to do, lock me up?"
His eyes narrowed. "Don't test me, Mina. You know I can and I will. The moon is full tonight, and the ceremony will take place under its light. Be ready."
With that, he stormed out, Sally trailing behind with a smug look.
I was left seething, but a new determination burned in my chest.
I was reborn, and this time, I wouldn't be a pawn in their games.
"Laura, you never stood a chance. Mike's mine now," My father's mistress Alan sneered, her voice a menacing growl as she circled the laboring Laura.
Laura gasped in pain, "You... you monster! How could you do this?"
Alan just cackled, "His wolf chose me. And now, you'll pay."
Amid Laura's agonized howls, she lost her life, leaving me, a helpless pup, to the world.
Once, Laura and my father Mike were a force. "We'll have a family, Laura," Mike had promised. But that was before.
"Mike, how can you? After all we've been through?" Laura's voice echoed in my mind.
"Alan's different. She... she's my future," Mike's weak excuse rang hollow.
And with that, he mated with Alan, abandoning me to my heart - broken grandmother.
Nineteen years passed in the slums.
Then, Mike showed up.
"Mina, it's time you did something for the family," Mike barked.
I snarled back, "The family you destroyed? What do you want?"
"Sally's fiancé, the Silvermoon Alpha's son, is broken. You'll marry him instead," he commanded.
Mike Smith and Alan knew they couldn't send Sally to the broken Silvermoon Alpha's son.
But the Howard family? Too powerful to defy.
So, their scheming eyes found me.
"Insolent! You'll do as I say!" Mike roared, lunging to strike.
I caught his wrist mid - air.
"Think again, old man. You're soft. I've fought for my life in the slums. You're no match."
"Mina, stop! He's your father!" Alan shrieked, rushing in.
"Shut up, you home - wrecker!" I snarled, and slapped her hard.
Sally screamed. "Sister,you're crazy!"
Mike growled, "You'll pay for this, Mina!"
I laughed coldly. "Pay? She's no stepmother of mine. Stay out of my way, or next time it'll be worse."
Sally sobbed, "How could you talk that way to our parents?"
I whirled on her. "You, a product of their betrayal, dare lecture me? One more word, and I'll show you my claws."
Sally's hands balled up, blood dripping.
Alan hissed, "Sally, we'll get her back."
Mike Smith took a deep breath
"No need to bicker over words now."
"Mina, you're a disgrace! Look at your uncouth ways. You're nothing like a proper werewolf, let alone my daughter!"
"Who in their right mind would want to mate with you?" He glared at me.
"But I'm still your father. I have to see to your mating. You're done with your pup - schooling anyway. Pack your things. You'll be mated to the Howard's in two days. Got it?"
I lowered my eyes, a sardonic smile on my lips, "Fine, I'll mate. But I have conditions."
"Don't be ungrateful! The Howard? You could never aspire to such a match in your wildest dreams..." Mike Smith's eyes bulged as he stared at me.
"What did you say?"
"If the Howard is so great, why not send Sally?" I sneered.
"Cut the nonsense. I want an apartment in Westland, and five hundred thousand in silver coins. Less than that, and forget it."
"Monster! You dare bargain with me?" Mike Smith roared.
Alan grabbed his arm.
"Mina didn't grow up with us. It's natural she wants something to hold onto."
Alan forced a smile, her eyes calculating. "Giving a dowry is only right. Mike, I know you care about Mina deep down. Just give her what she asks."
She knew Westland was on the edge of the slums, and the price was negligible compared to sparing Sally. It was a small price to pay to maintain their status.
"Fine, you ungrateful wretch," Mike Smith grumbled.
"I'm your father. I won't short - change you."
"Short - change me? After nineteen years of abandonment, asking for a few things isn't too much, is it?" I scoffed.
"Bring what I want, and I'll mate. It's getting late. Scram, all of you. My grandmother will be back soon, and she doesn't need to see the likes of you."
Mike Smith opened his mouth to retort, but Alan pulled him away. They left with Sally.
As I was about to close the door, a figure darted forward and embraced me tightly. "Mina!"
I looked into the face of a young, carefree - looking werewolf, his eyes full of innocence.
For a moment, I was lost.
"Frank."