FOREVER BOUND

# 1

She pushed open the creaky door to the dusty attic that served as her room. her eyes scanning the cluttered space that felt more like a prison than a sanctuary.

Exhausted, she collapsed onto the worn heap that passed for her bed. Her father had once again used her to pay off a debt, forcing her to spend the entire night working as a waitress at a club.

Her hand instinctively went to the locket necklace she wore, this was the only connection to her mother. She sighed, whispering "Mother" as a mix of sadness and longing washed over her.

Her father's descent into drinking had begun after her mother's death, and it only worsened when he remarried. His addiction to gambling led to trouble, and when he couldn't pay his debts, he'd pawn her off to do chores for his creditors until the debt was paid.

She longed for the life she once knew, and her heart yearned for something good to happen, something that would change her life for the better. Maybe, just maybe, she'd meet her mate, someone who would love and accept her for who she was.

A small smile played on her lips at the thought, but it was short-lived, as the venomous voice of her stepmother pierced the air, making her heart sink.

"Open up, Alexa," the woman spat, her tone dripping with malice. Alexa's heart sank, and she knew she was in for another long, difficult day.

Alexa's smile faltered as she hesitated. She slowly got up from the heap of clothes and blankets that served as her bed, her body aching from the long night of serving at the club. Her eyes felt heavy, and her mind was foggy, but she knew she couldn't avoid her stepmother forever.

With a deep breath, Alexa opened the door, trying to steel herself for the venomous words that were sure to come. Her stepmother, Victoria, stood in the doorway, her eyes narrowed and her lips pursed in disgust.

"You're finally back, I see," Victoria sneered. "I hope you made enough money to pay off your father's debt. He's been in trouble again, and it's all because of you."

Alexa felt a familiar sting of resentment and anger, but she bit her tongue, knowing that arguing with Victoria would only make things worse. She looked down at her feet, her eyes welling up with tears as she whispered, "I did what I had to do, Victoria. I didn't have a choice."

Victoria's expression twisted into a cruel sneer. "You've never had a choice, have you, Alexa? You're just a burden to your father and me, but that's about to change."

With that, she gave a curt nod, and a heavily built man stepped into the room. His attire was unmistakable - the black and gold uniform of the palace guards. Alexa's heart raced as she wondered what her father had done this time. Had he somehow managed to get into trouble with the palace? She prayed silently to the moon goddess, begging for her protection.

The man approached Alexa, his gaze assessing her from head to toe. "She'll do," he said, his voice devoid of emotion.

Victoria's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Great! Get dressed, we have an important appointment to keep." She said, before turning to leave with the guard.

Alexa's fear grew as she watched them leave. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong. This wasn't the first time she'd been forced into a situation she didn't understand, but the palace was a new and weird development. She couldn't refuse, but she knew that compliance would only lead to more trouble.

As she changed, Alexa's mind raced with questions. What did they want from her? What had her father done?

"What's taking you so long?" She heard her father's voice and quickly rushed down.

She noticed them talking in hushed tones. She could only pick the words 'good money' as they stopped talking when they saw her.