CHAPTER 2

" I've always known that Asteria wasn't my place". I murmured to myself.

Dawn fell and soon the gates of Asteria could be seen from a distance.

The intricate walls of Asteria held so high made my spine shiver.

" I don't think this is a good idea, Kayla," I spoke out.

" I know my Lady, we've both had our fair deal of sufferings behind these walls, mine was worse than yours my Lady, my mother was raped and killed in front of me, they made my father burn the corpse of his wife, and set him up in her pyre, you saved me, my princess from being burned in that pyre and I pledged my allegiance to you from that day."

" The case is otherwise Kayla, no one can be saved from the king and his queen," I said lowly.

" Whatever the case may be my Lady, I'll always be there with you, and for you, even if it takes my life", Kayla said holding her hands up to her chest.

" The princess is here, open the gates of Asteria", one of the guards shouted, announcing our presence.

The large gates were open and the castle was filled to its brim.

" I've never seen such a large homecoming celebration, my princess, I can't help but feel apprehensive," Kayla said interrupting my thoughts.

" Neither have I Kayla, seems more like a wedding celebration," I said gasping at the beauty of the Palace.

The paths were cleared as I walked in the middle of the red carpet and lay on the floor towards the throne.

" Aha, welcome my amiable daughter" , the king said from his throne, stretching his hands out towards me.

I raised my head at him, in his eyes I could sense the hidden contempt of hatred, so much hate, in them.

I stood In front of him, bowing my head, and I greeted him.

" I bow before you, Your Highness, please accept my greetings."

" Aye, Fenrir, welcome. You do not need all these formalities, come into my arms," he said with a slight grin on his face.

I walked towards him apprehensively, each step slower than the other, into his arms.

" It's good to see you again Fenrir," he said patting my shoulder softly.

" Fenrir, the queen called from where she sat, it's very good to have you back in Asteria," she said with a slight smile on her face.

I bowed from a distance before I took my seat beside the king.

" Now that the item is here, let the bidding start."

I turned my head in an instant when he said those words.

" What item, who's the item?" I asked puzzled.

" My dear Fenrir, you're the item, and you're going to be sold to your future husband today". The queen said from where she sat.

" Father, what is she talking about, whose husband, and what is she talking about bidding." My body got uneasy from where I sat.

" Fenrir dear, your mother and I have decided to give you off in marriage", he said nonchalantly.

" I refuse to be sold like a slave father, I've every right to decide who and when I want to get married", I stood up from where I was seated.

" Shut up you this shameless daughter, I've every right over you, I own your life and you do not get to tell me or exercise any order over my decisions," he argued back.

" I should have known that coming to Asteria was a bad decision, for once Father, I thought you wanted to give me the love I deserved as a daughter, don't you have any ounce of love or sympathy for me." I talked back arguably.

" Sit, Fenrir, lest you get on my nerves, I can choose to have you locked if you refuse to obey my commands " the king bellowed.

" I refuse to follow your commands, lock me up if you deem fit, but I swear by the day I was born that I would not give in to your demands," I argued.

" Fenrir", the queen called out to me

"what nerves you've gotten to talk to the king like that, have you forgotten that you're just a spineless wolf that cannot shift?"

" You cannot move from this form that you're Fenrir, you're of no use to the pack and yet you stand so proud talking like that to the king." Her voice filled the grand Castle.

The scornful and mocking laughs from the people in the castle made me bow my head in shame.

" Am I that useless to you Father, do you have me so much because I'm unable to become the warrior daughter that you want", I said with a quivering voice.

" Yes, Fenrir, your mother was a lowly slave who threw herself to me and bore you. You grew up again to be a spinless wolf, Tell me Fenrir, what would you have done?" He said disgustingly.

I could feel the contempt in his voice, and could only sit back down where I sat.

His words stung like a dagger, as tears fell from my face.

" My lady," Kayla called running towards me, she sat at my foot, not daring to anger the king and his wife.

" Now, we'll call out all the Alphas who are in this ball, and whoever wishes to own you, will you follow, we will ally with them, and you being our exchange," he said before sitting back down.

The large table in the Castle was soon filled with alphas of different packs, the rebels, the lords, and the powerful ones.

I could feel my world crumbling at my feet.

Was I to be a bride, a slave, or a sex slave to these Alpha's, I could only imagine the rest of my life in horror.

"Stand up Fenrir, let them see you for the trash that you're", the Queen said tugging at my hands.

I was held by Kayla from tripping and the loud sound of a slap resounded on her face.