---- "It would be nice to get rid of the remnants of you know what." "| understand, child." She drops to her knees again and reaches for my hand. | can't take my eyes off my reflection; no matter how much | want to forget and unsee, it's impossible. As | keep staring at the damage, she starts questioning me all over again: "Before | go, please tell me what you meant when you said he's selling you. Who is buying you? And why? And why all this? The suffering. The damage and injuries. Why? How can he sell you? You're an Alpha's daughter, a high-ranking woman, | don't believe the Council is okay with this." At one point, although the questions seem to be the same, they become too much. | can't act like | have the answers she's looking for. If | knew more than what father was willing to tell me, I'd spill the beans right here, right now. But what good would that do? Another person would learn about my father's poor financial ---- decisions, and people wouldn't trust me because I'm his daughter. No matter how hard | would try to save and protect them, | couldn't do anything right because they would form a new opinion about my family. It's better if | settle on what she already knows. He's not a good father. Not for me. But he's a decent Alpha for them, and the people respect him. Most of the people, at least. Besides, if | tell the maid anything, she might act out. She has always tried to shield and protect me, like a true mother would. And at this point, learning that someone hurt me like that might lead her into massive trouble. Father can punish me as much as he wants, but | don't want her to get hurt. Sometimes | wonder if being born as his daughter is a blessing or a curse in disguise. While many might think it's luck to be the child of a high-ranked man, | believe it's the other way around. The thoughts that run through my head are ---- unstoppable, but the maid still doesn't move. She won't until | tell her, so | gather the courage to say his name. "Alpha Dorian," | whisper and tears immediately run down my cheeks. Just when | thought | couldn't cry anymore, all it takes is one damn name. | force down the lump in my throat and wipe my cheeks as aggressively as | can. That man doesn't deserve my tears. That man doesn't deserve anything but spit in his face. Such a vile creature shouldn't walk among others. "My cousin met her fated mate, so father let her off the hook. One of us had to get married to him to unite the packs and strengthen the alliance," | lie. Nobody can know the true reasons for this marriage - even her. All it takes is a mere rumour about the bankruptcy, and the entire pack would be ruined. Not only my father, and | wouldn't care about him, but the people who believe in his ability to take care of them. The only good thing about this conversation is ---- that | can take my eyes off the stranger in the mirror reflection. My gaze sets on my hands as | whisper, "Since | still have three more years to wait, I'm the perfect pawn in his game. Even more so now. No mate would want this anymore." | gesture at my body to emphasise the statement. "Please get that pill for me." Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!