Chapter 2
Hayley
One week later….
"Remember what your father told you," my mother stared at me from the corner as I was being prepared.
"Yes," I nodded, clasping my hands tightly to stop myself from shaking. Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to gaze at my reflection in the mirror.
"You will not fail us. Try as much as possible to please him."
There was no reason I should be this afraid when I was strong.
"I won't fail Moon Walker pack," I said.
I sucked in a panicked breath as I gazed at the stranger staring back at me in the mirror. The candlelight flickered, sending a warm glow across the room. Scented oils were rubbed on my skin, making it glow under the chandelier candlelight. My long black hair was straightened and allowed to fall down my back.
My heart pounded so fast that I could barely hear anything my mother was saying. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself from the panic attack, but my chest tightened even more.
The perfume was so strong that it began to suffocate me slowly. The gown I wore clung to my body like a second skin.
I rose from the chair, trying not to move too much as I would only hurt myself in the gown.
The maids stepped aside as my mother drew near. We looked like twins, having her pale blue eyes and tan skin.
My mother's eyes met mine briefly in the mirror before she moved to stand behind me.
The meeting with the Vampires had been arranged a few days ago. My stomach growled with the need to eat, but asking for food was not an option now. The maid had applied a rosy pink color to lighten my dark lips.
She took the brush from the maid, brushing my hair once more. Her expression was blank, leaving me with uncertainty if she was happy about this.
Afterwards, she moved to place the pearl necklace she'd gifted me on my sixteenth birthday around my neck. As she did, I was once again reminded of my encounter with the Vampire King last week.
After he left, I'd been terrified of the rejection. I closed my eyes, trying to shut down the thoughts.
"Open your eyes, Hayley," my mother said, and I complied.
"You look so beautiful," a tight smile appeared on her face that quickly faded as she returned to what she had been doing.
"You may be a young wolfless girl, but the moon goddess has chosen you for this—to end the bloodshed in this pack," my father had said to me earlier today.
I spent the entire week thinking and preparing for this night. What I was chosen for tonight had kept most rejoicing. The entire pack had been happy since the news reached them, excited that the war would finally come to an end. The news that the Vampire King, Rhain, is my destined mate. Tonight, on my nineteenth birthday, I would be presented to Rhain as his mate.
My chest tightened. I'd kept the part where he rejected me from my parents. My father, who was more determined to go to war with the Vampires, had been more than happy when he heard the news.
Why was I so nervous? I was ready for this. If this was the only way to stop the bloodshed, then I would be ready to take the risk.
My mother had told me in the past there was once a young female Werewolf who was chosen as a mate to a Vampire. I wondered if she was this nervous when she was presented. Who wouldn't be anxious in the presence of a bloodsucking creature?
What if he decided to feed on me? My heart skipped a beat as I clenched my hand into a fist.
Mother leaned closer. "You look so worried. What is the problem, Hayley?"
"I am fine," I forced a smile.
"Are you ready?" she asked.
"Yes, mother."
I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself that everything would be alright. It has to be. If Rhain sees me tonight, he might be very impressed and take me as his wife. Then the war bringing death to my people would cease.
She gave me one last look before turning around. We reached the door when I paused to see my father enter my room.
"Daughter," Father smiled widely as he wrapped his arms around me.
"Easy before you ruin her dress," my mother shot Father a glare, and he smiled.
"You look really beautiful," Father said. "Happy nineteenth birthday."
My heart skipped a beat as I realized today was my birthday. I'd been too deep in thoughts and worries about my mate to remember that today was my birthday. I smiled at my father, bowing my head slightly.
"Thank you, Father."
"I brought you a gift," he motioned to bring something from his pocket. "A gift that will not only benefit you but the whole pack."
I raised an eyebrow. What was he talking about? Father pulled out a dagger.
"This is the Set dagger capable of killing any vampire," Father said.
I looked at Mother and then back to Father. "Are you asking me to kill the Vampire King?"
"Exactly," he murmured.
I looked at the dagger in his hand. It had a curved blade with intricate carvings. The handle was depicted with a design that included motifs.
"But—"
"I would never wish for my daughter to marry a Vampire."
I gulped softly as I took the dagger from Father with trembling hands.
Father placed a hand on my shoulder. "There is no need to worry. Once the King is dead, you will return to the pack and you will be celebrated. Rewarded greatly by the moon goddess."
I suppressed the shudder as Mother took the dagger from me and led me down the long corridor. I was led to the Alpha's room where the meeting would be held.
Sitting next to my father on his Alpha throne, I felt my heart continue to pound.
There was a knock on the door and a werewolf guard came in, bowing his head to Father.
"The Vampire King has arrived."
Shortly after, the air in the room shifted as Rhain walked inside. His aura was cold and unmatched to anyone in this room.
As he approached, his gaze settled on my father before glancing at me. I swallowed hard, feeling my heart flutter. He gave me a look, a warning as to what occurred last time we met.
My father stood up, extending his hand. "King Rhain. I am a little surprised that you showed up for this meeting."
Rhain stared at me hard. "Welcome to you. What is this meeting about?"
"You know my daughter recently discovered that both of you were mates," Father said.
"What do you want, Alpha Tyrion?" Rhain asked.
"I want peace for my people," Father said, walking towards me.
He extended a hand for me and I placed mine on his as he led me before the Vampire King.
"There has been too much blood flowing through the pack for years now," Father said. "So I am asking you to take my daughter as wife and mate. Let this bring peace between both packs."
I saw Rhain's eyes narrow. "A moment."
"What?"
"I need a moment with the werewolf Princess."
I swallowed hard as Father turned to me, giving me a small nod.
"There is no need to fret. I won't bite her."
Father laughed lightly before turning to the Elders. "Everyone! Leave!"
There were murmuring whispers among the Elders before they stood up and left.
Once everyone was out of the hall, I forced a smile on my face. He closed the distance between us, intimidating me with his tall frame. The aura from him was cold and dark.
"You," he said. "Did my rejection in the woods fall on deaf ears?"
My body jerked as he grabbed my chin. "W—what?"
"Let this be clear. I have no need for a mate, least of all a wretched pup born of dogs," he said. "I reject you."
"What about the war? My people are dying."
"The war shall continue," he said, turning around as he strode outside.
I felt a heaviness settle in my chest as Rhain left me standing alone. Sometime later, Father appeared walking towards me with a smile.
"How did it go?" he asked, eyes wide with excitement. He must have thought Rhain had chosen me.
"Fa…. Father…." I trailed off, feeling lightheaded and dizzy wash over me. I felt nothing as I collapsed into my father's arms and everything went dark.