Chapter 1

SERAPHINA

"You've what?" I screamed, shattering the glass filled to the brim with apple juice in my hand.

My father winced but did not back down. "I made a marriage proposal for you to get married to the Lyman King."

"You can't make me," I said stubbornly, crossing my hands.

My father pressed the bridge of his nose in exasperation. "Sera, please, I don't have time for you to act like a child,"

I stood there, staring at him in defiance, challenging him. "I am not marrying one of them." I pressed tightly.

His eyes dropped; shoulders heavy from the weight of whatever he was carrying. 'Our debts are drowning us, Sera. The pack is divided. You are the only one who can save us now."

I looked up, arching my eyebrow at him in surprise. We were in debt? Of course, I know. I hissed through my teeth not buying into his pathetic excuse. "No!" I huffed at him. "You can't marry me off to a Lycan. We are werewolves! We're not even the same species! And to them of all people? They're monsters!"

Now sitting down on the edge of the sofa, he placed his hands on his knees. At only forty years old, he looked so much older. If he was given the same business opportunity as his business and pack rival; the silver fang pack, he would be in a better condition now. But the man before me was not only aged beyond his years but also broken. He had changed drastically after the death of mother, had given up on his business and left it to the careless hands of people he termed 'family'.

When he had mourned the loss of mother and decided it was time to take over the business, it was there that the problem started. The capital had been wasted, profits exhausted, and the company was now dwindling in massive debts. Ever since then he has been trying to generate income to settle it, but it seems we were just moving from fry pan to fire as the debts kept on increasing and spiraling out of control.

He looked at me with pleading eyes. "Believe me when I say I hate these ideas, but this is our only chance. You're our savior. The pack won't last longer if we don't ally with the lycans."

I shook my head firmly. "Get someone else to do it then, it is unclear to me why it has to be me."

"Need I remind you are the daughter of the Alpha of Violet pack, and the lycan kind grandfather himself demanded someone of notable status for the marriage."

"You say I am doing this for the pack, why don't you pick Clarissa or Juliet. They are my cousins and also of notable status. I don't see them forced into a marriage with lycans." I spat out, narrowing my gaze at him.

The word lycans burned hot on my tongue and filled me with a silent rage. I detested them just as much as they hated us. The werewolves and the lycans have been loggerheads since centuries ago, each trying to claim rights as the supreme. At first, it had started as a normal war between both species but the lycans took it to the edge. They conquered packs with nourishing lands and greater territory and took it for themselves.

Other packs surrendered as a result of the horrible things they witnessed and heard the lycans did. The werewolves were forced to live in squalor and act as if they were superior to us. And the lycan king who started it all was the same grandfather who wanted me to marry his son.

I'd heard plenty of Leone Night, the playboy prince made into king at the sudden death of his father - in a battle of a rogue attack - who was also a treacherous and wicked bastard, and was soon followed by the death of his wife and Leone's mother. That's a death I found more empathy than the father, king Roary. Not only because of my mother's death, but Queen Safira was known to visit violet packs bringing supplies and kind words to those who spoke to her.

I'd never met her but from the rumors, she was a contrast to her husband. And it is a quality I was sure Leone possessed as no changes had been made in the five months of his father's death. And to accept a marriage so soon after his mother's death showed me how much he didn't care for her.

Tears threatened at the back of my eyes, but I blinked them away. I thought of my younger sister, Freya. The bills, the warnings and constant reminders she has been sending back home. The threats she faced at school – my sister was going to be a drop out if her next fees weren't sent to her.

"I'll never forgive you," I whispered even though I knew he heard me.

I rose and stormed out of the shabbily and empty sitting room to my room. But my mind was already racing with so many thoughts. Was this truly the only way? Would I truly marry the lycan king to save the future of my sister and our right?

LEONE

"Grandfather, you can't be serious," I hissed, clenching my fists.

"You want the empire, Leone? Do you want your inheritance? And the wealth and properties? Then marry her. She's just a werewolf girl. It's perfect. In the sense of political, poetic, and it pisses off our enemies."

I narrowed my eyes." Fine. I'll marry her. But don't expect me to love her."

My grandfather smirked. "Love isn't required. Just a child."

I stormed out of grandfather's room feeling very perturbed. I could not argue with him on this decision. It was a lost cause. He knows time is running out for me. If I don't find a wife within a month, my inheritance would be passed on to my younger cousin, Gabriel.

There's a power struggle between the both of us because Gabriel is a week younger than me. Grandfather had made this rule because he thinks a woman would make a difference in my life. But he was mistaken. I can't lose my inheritance, I just can't, so I am forced to marry the girl grandfather choose for me - since I have been unable to provide one for myself – the werewolf girl, Seraphina.

"Are you certain you want to go through this?" Philip asked, his voice jolting me out of my thoughts, rubbing his neck nervously.

I wasn't concerned about the inheritance. But my cousin Gabriel... he would destroy what our family built.

I glared at him over my shoulder. "I don't have a choice."

"Of course you have a choice, we can just find you a substitute lycan girl. Grandfather can't force you to marry the werewolf if you provide one."

I continued glaring at him as I turned to him. "If you don't know, it was my mother's wish for me to marry a werewolf girl, and unite both species together. And it so happens to be grandfather's idea too."

"Your mother was a wonderful and kind woman. But I don't think she understood what she asked her son to do. And your grandfather just seems to be after the power he gets from this. It has never been done in history."

I shrugged carelessly. "I am not concerned by that at the moment. I want to fulfill my mother's wish and get my inheritance."

"Do you think Grandfather would stop at you just marrying the Werewolf girl to get your inheritance without providing an heir?"

"That's not a problem either. If he wants an heir, I will give him."

"Have you been to any of the werewolf packs?"

I arched an eyebrow at him, and then shook my head. "It's not necessary."

He flashed me a grin. "Of course it's not. Because we are Lycans. We don't need to go there, let alone marry one of them."

I sighed, turning around to face him. "Look I understand where you are heading as my friend and Beta. But you should know there's no changing my mind about this."

Philip nodded reluctantly. "You're just as stubborn as your late father."

"You can say that again and again." I smirked cockily.

He looked at me, worry evident on his face. "Just tell me you will be careful."

I scoffed. "I have nothing to be afraid of."

"You know, the council members are not happy about this arrangement. I can't think of lycans who would be happy if they knew their king would be marrying a werewolf."

I reiterated in a growl. "Grandfather will deal with the council members and the people. He made the arrangement, not me."

"I hope you know what you are getting into."

I slapped his shoulder and barked a laugh. "I do."

But even as I said, I felt doubts lingering at the back of my mind, but I pushed it away. I had one thing in mind which was marrying the Werewolf to get my inheritance.

And that was it!