(Book 1)
Blackwood.
The name of Wrenley Nightingale's new mate.
Her pack is in desperate need of trainers, of warriors. She is their sacrifice. She is given so that the pack may receive security once again.
No one told her that he wouldn't treat...
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Life is full of unexpected twists and turns, but sometimes they wind and wrap themselves around you until you can hardly breathe.
That's how I feel right now. I feel like my mind is on the verge of breaking and my body is on the verge of purging.
Always do as you're told. Always do as you're told.
That has been my mantra since birth. Drilled into my brain, into my very being since before I could even walk, but for the first time I want to break this mantra.
I can tell that my father is staring at me, that he's beginning to burn a hole into my mind, trying to break my feeble resistance, trying to make me bow down to his will. I'm stronger than he thinks. I've just hidden it deep under my skin, into the muscles and tendons where he would never find it.
I start to let it go now, let it seep out, let him see that I have a backbone, that I won't do what he's asking.
"Wrenley."
My name.
Spoken from his tightly drawn lips.
He thinks he can make me do this.
I don't say a word as I slowly glance into his black eyes. The wolf swirling underneath the surface.
"It's for the greater good of the pack, daughter." He spits with venom.
Oh, I'm not Wrenley anymore, just daughter. He's trying to guilt trip me, trying to make me think of the women, of the children, but what would happen? One pack off our backs? There will be more to take their place with this bond.
My father knows what I'm thinking before I can even say a word.
"We will have protection, training, and a bond to last a lifetime. You will do this Daughter, whether I have to drag you by your neck or not this is happening so you had best accept it, move on and start readying yourself, because Blackwood will be here in the next hour." There is no room for argument and I don't say anything as he stomps out of my room like an errant pup.
A few moments later my mother and younger sister are in the room ushering me to change and ready myself. I must look my best, of course, for the Blackwood alpha.
An hour later they have me in a gauzy confection of cream lace that runs the length of me. I spread my hands under my barely covered breasts. They might as well send me down the aisle naked for all this dress covers, if you could call it that. You can see completely though it... I almost cry when I look at my visible body in the mirror. Everyone will see me, everyone will see my large hips and breasts. They will see my almost bare rear end.... There has to be more to this dress... I ask my mother but all I get is a stern shake of the head. No complaints, it says.
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My hair is pulled to the side loosely, beaded and weaved with baby's breath. My makeup is nonexistent except for a light pink tint to my lips.
I have a few moments to rest until I hear a commotion from the main floor of our pack house.
He's here.
My fathers feet are making their way slowly up the steps, giving me time to react, time for my eyes to water, for my chin to rise, to let my strength seep out the smallest bit.
As he knocks on the sturdy wooden door my mother hands me a pair of lace underwear, a small gift to cover my dignity, something most packs wouldn't allow, but then again most packs send the women naked as the day they were born.
My sister, Shay, hugs me and I feel her tie something around my wrist. I don't look down. I want it to be a surprise, something to remind me of home. I smile at her, trying to keep her calm, trying to keep myself calm too.
My father enters, his presence disposing of my happiness, however small it was. He doesn't look at my state of dress, he only holds out his arms for me to latch onto. I take it. Knowing that all fantasies of love and laughter will be over once I walk over this threshold.
I take no joy in the fact that I'm a sacrifice for the 'greater good'. It feels as if this is the end of my life and a new me is being born. A stronger me, adapting to my new circumstances.
I take a small breath in, pulling the strength from my brain and bones and anywhere I can find it.
