I am Ovelia Ashford, 20 years old, living in the secluded Timberline Village. I learned I was adopted when I was just 10 years old. My non-biological parents, the mayor and his wife, had chosen me as a sacrificial bride for the werewolves instead of their real daughter, Alessia. Ever since I found out, I've faced relentless torment from those I thought were my family. My body is a canvas of bruises, each mark a testament to their cruelty. Yet, amidst their abuse, Alessia, my non-biological sister, has been a beacon of kindness, secretly tending to my wounds when no one is watching.
"Ovelia, fetch water from the river," my father commanded, tossing a bucket at me with a cruel smirk.
"Father, why did you do that?!" Alessia gasped, worry etching her face as she shot him a defiant glare.
I glanced at Alessia, offering a reassuring smile, though my heart ached. It was a silent promise that I would endure. I picked up the bucket and trudged toward the river, a heavy weight in my chest.
•River•
As I filled the bucket with water, I gazed up at the sky, the full moon glowing brighter than I'd ever seen. It cast an otherworldly light across the surroundings. Suddenly, a rustling in the grass made me freeze. I turned to see a massive wolf, silver-furred with hints of gray, staring at me with piercing eyes. Terror gripped me, my heart racing as instincts screamed to flee. In that moment of fear, the chilling sound of the Timberline bell echoed through the air. The wolf vanished into the shadows, leaving me trembling.
Standing alone by the river, I realized how fragile my existence was, caught between two worlds: one filled with familial cruelty and another ruled by ancient legends I could barely comprehend.
The bell always tolled when danger loomed or something important was about to happen in the village. I wanted to run, but the heavy bucket of water I carried held me back. I dreaded the thought of being scolded or beaten tonight.
As I returned to Timberline Village, I noticed women dressed elegantly, their hair meticulously arranged, yet beneath their polished exteriors, I could see the sorrow lurking in their eyes; some were openly crying. A chill ran down my spine. I hurried inside our house, my heart racing.
"Where have you been!" my non-biological father shouted, his voice harsh and tense.
I opened my mouth to explain and ask something, but before I could speak, my mother hurled a beautiful red long-sleeve dress at my face. It shimmered in the dim light; it was stunning. I hadn't received anything so lovely in ages, and for a fleeting moment, joy flickered in my heart.
"Why did you give me this dress?" I asked my non-biological mother, my voice a mix of confusion and excitement.
My non-biological parents shot me disdainful glares. The silence was deafening, their refusal to answer clear. I felt a sinking sensation as I walked toward the bathroom to change. Passing Alessia's room, I peeked inside and saw her getting ready. I chose not to disturb her and continued on my way.
Once I was dressed, I approached my parents.
"Finally! Hurry up, the werewolves are waiting outside the village," my non-biological father said, his tone serious and insistent.
His words pierced my heart like a dagger. I gasped, the truth crashing down on me—it was the day I was to be sacrificed in marriage to a werewolf. A desperate cry clawed at my throat, a mournful lament for all the dreams I hadn't yet fulfilled. I longed to weep, but I swallowed the tears, knowing my mother's piercing disapproval loomed over me like a storm cloud, ready to strike.
In that moment, fear enveloped me. My heart raced, not just from dread of the werewolves outside, but from the realization of my future—a future I had never chosen.
"Get out of here. What are you waiting for!" my non-biological mother yelled angrily.
I was about to leave the house when Alessia suddenly hugged me, whispering, "Thank you, you stupid little sister."
I looked back at Alessia, hoping I had misheard her words, but she walked towards our mother and father, smiling at me. She stuck out her tongue to taunt me, then glared at me, mirroring the hateful expressions of my non-biological parents.
I ran out of the house, tears streaming down my face, towards the front of the village. My heart ached. The sister I thought would be my ally, the one I believed loved me, had been nothing but a hypocrite. They hadn't loved me at all; they had used me, treated me like a servant for ten years, fed me scraps, beaten me, and now planned to sacrifice me.
As I approached the exit of the village, I wiped away my tears, desperately hoping that a kind werewolf might choose me to be his bride. I longed for someone who would care for me, someone who could finally erase the pain gnawing at me from the emptiness of my false family.
As I stepped outside the village, my heart raced, and I took in the scene before me. Rows of stunning women stood poised and elegant, each one vying for the attention of the tall, handsome men who towered over them. The air buzzed with excitement and nervous anticipation.
I thought we were going to marry werewolves, but these men looked completely ordinary. My gaze fell on one man, dragging a woman by the arm. She screamed, then plunged a knife into his eye. Everyone gasped, including me, especially when the man transformed, his shirt ripping as he became a werewolf. He grabbed the woman's hand and snapped her bones. A wave of panic washed over the other women, screams tearing from their throats as they fled in terror. Amidst the chaos, the men surrounding them transformed, morphing into ferocious werewolves, their growls blending with the cries of the fleeing women.
Desperate and terrified, the women ran, their footsteps pounding on the ground, frantically trying to escape their pursuit. The werewolves lunged after them, intent on capturing the terrified girls, attempting to hoist them into their carriages amid the madness.
But not all of the werewolves gave in to primal instincts. Some lingered in their human form, projecting an unsettling politeness as they approached the remaining women. Their soft voices were almost soothing amidst the chaos, each word laced with an eerie kindness as they offered a hand to help the women into their carriages.
I didn't know what to do. I wanted to run, scream, cry, but I couldn't do any of it. I had escaped the cruelty of my fake parents, but could I even survive if I was forced to marry a werewolf?
Ace's POV
The cries and screams of the humans were intoxicating, a haunting melody that echoed through the night. Ordinary humans, so fragile, yet so full of life. Luckily, we weren't able to have offspring with them; that made things easier. We werewolves could use these women for our pleasure and discard them like trash. It was tragic, really, to witness them become sacrifices, all in the name of peace between our kinds.
"Ace, this sacrifice only happens once every twenty years," my older brother Ray reminded me, his voice a mix of urgency and tradition. "This is your third time. You need to choose your mate and your Luna."
I never wanted to be here, yet I found myself compelled by my father, Alpha King Raymond, who insisted I find a human mate to symbolize the fragile peace between our worlds. Other werewolves might treat their captured humans as mere objects, but I knew I couldn't do that; my reputation as the next Alpha king was on the line.
Suddenly, a sweet scent drifted through the air, one I had caught earlier in the forest. I closed my eyes, letting the aroma guide me. As I moved forward, I opened my eyes to find a stunning woman in a long-sleeved red dress, her hair cascading down her shoulders like silk.
She stood no taller than my shoulder, and as I gently grasped her chin, her gaze met mine. Fear danced in her eyes, but beneath the trepidation, I sensed something else—a flicker of curiosity. My wolf stirred within me, drawn to her.
"I'll make you my mate," I declared softly, heart pounding.
Her breath hitched, and I could see the mix of fear and intrigue painted across her features. In that moment, the weight of my duty clashed with my wolf sudden urge to protect her, to cherish her—a feeling I had never expected to possess. But in my human form, I will not accept these feelings now, I don't want to make her my mate yet.