Mated to the Father, Claimed by His Son.

l a harsh reminder of my position here. My body was a war zone of pain and marks; my right leg pulsed ineffectively, a victim of Jenny's relentless harshness. Rain fell unceasingly

ter than the agony. More d

rived-the i

nce of the glade, causing chills to race along my back. A second how

er bro

moist soil. Pack members dispersed like shaken deer, their actions frantic and disorganized. Cries of terror and t

filled with urgency. *"All members to the

. My heart raced in my chest as I fought to stand up. The ropes tying me had been hastily severed, yet my limbs felt weak a

ack house, the area was packed, with bodies closely packed together and tension satura

ze shifted to

with dirt and blood marking his face. A jagged cut scarred his arm, with blood oo

nxiously to me before swiftly averting them. "Well, Sia." I encountered one of the scoundrels.

ightly concealed by the heaviness of the situation. "Just state

onfessed, his voice trembling. "It wasn't really that profound." But now

swelling like a tide of fear. Murmurs began, whis

ried out, shrill with fear. "Y

murder us all!"

make an a

quie

ained, uncomfortable silence. He stood firm, although the pressure of the situatio

sire," he declared, his tone icy and unwaveri

the atmosphere, dense and stifling. Des

person whispered, the

justly," he stated, each word intentional, determined. "An election paper."

e apart like

is ins

option mu

t accompl

stated, his tone resolute. "This is t

il once more, voices colliding

is voice leaving no room for

ith a seemingly effortless assurance, as if he enjoyed the disorder. The

athering, my heart pounding in my chest. Chills ran through

dn't be neces

eir scapego

e of paper lay on top, the corners bending from many years of handling. The Alpha gestured quietly to the assembled crowd, his f

going to be chosen," she whispered to Mel, her tone infused with the sharp arrogance of someone who felt b

e slip into the box, my stomach twisted fiercely, and bile scorched the back of my throat. I didn't require anyone to reveal the truth to me-I was disposable. T

on rock. The audience collectively held their breath as his hand descended, each moment extending into fo

nife

plexion became pale, and she fell back, vigorously shaking her head. "Absolutely not!" "This is not oc

aced the Alpha, her tone icy and resolute. "Sia will take her

heart pounded against my chest, each thump a bo

I glanced at Rio, his eyes glued firmly to the ground. Jonah moved restl

a contemptuous grin that oozed malice. "She cannot speak." Point

automatic, aloof, as though this choic

pless as I felt. I felt the urge to scream, to grasp at the delicate str

covered in lean muscle, his face marked and harsh. His eyes sparkled with a hunter's joy

as coarse and harsh, every

ead. "She belongs to you," she stated, her

d swiftly, his hold firm as he pulled me to my feet. His odor was intense a

rked, an icy amusement th

ny stood next to Mel, her arms folded, a look of smug satisfaction displayed on her face. Rio lowered his head,

found than any bodily pain. I gulped it down, compel

ropes scorched my skin as he started to drag me toward the trees. Th

a delicate barrier against the treachery. "They have

d leg pulsed with each step, the pain a relentless reminder of my newfound fragility.

growled, pushing me a

etermined not to fall. I wouldn'

cornfully, his tone laced wit

spond. I was

rm and foul against my ear. "Ex

I quieted her. There was no purpos

kground, engulfed by the gloom of the woo

y departing fr

inal fragment of hope I h