Destinada al príncipe rebeldeES

Veeryl Pack

Heather's Point of View

I hurried up the stairs toward the dining room. I knew I was running late and that everyone was probably waiting for me. Just as I almost tripped over my dress, I took a deep breath, grabbed it by both sides, and kept walking. Anyone who saw me then would think someone was chasing me, but all I wanted was to get to the dining room on time to avoid my stepsister and stepmother's anger.

The only person I'd ever known, the one I'd called mother, was my stepmother. I never knew my biological mother. I was told she'd died shortly after giving birth to me. I'd never seen a picture of her and knew nothing about her. I felt that asking about her was a grave sin. No, it was forbidden. Probably because she was my father's mistress, if you can call a one-night stand with a stranger a mistress. And I was the result of that unexpected one-night stand. As soon as I reached the door, I took a deep breath and smoothed my hair before carefully stepping inside.

They were all already seated at the enormous table. My father sat in the highest chair in the center, and my stepmother and stepsister sat to his right, two seats away.

"Look who has finally decided to honor us with their presence," my stepmother said sarcastically.

"Sorry I'm late..." I began, trying to sit down next to them.

"Sit somewhere else. It's very hot in here. I need some air," she interrupted without looking at me. I slowly let go of the chair and sat down on the left side of the table.

"Do I have to tell you for you to realize that you're blocking our view when you sit there? As if being late and letting us starve wasn't enough, why do you have to stress me out?" my stepsister asked angrily. What a failure at avoiding her wrath.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to," I replied politely, walking back to the right side of the table and sitting about seven seats away from them. I glanced at my father, but he didn't say a word.

"Good morning, Father," I greeted him with a smile. He muttered something and responded with a wave of his hand. As if it wasn't already obvious, my family wasn't exactly fond of me. My father had always been rather cold toward me since I was a child. As an illegitimate son, I knew it had to do with the fact that I was a stain on his reputation. A stain he could never erase.

As for my stepmother and stepsister, it wasn't their fault we didn't get along. We sometimes had misunderstandings, but that didn't mean they hated me. Besides, the negative reaction I received today was partly my own fault. I delayed the meal because I lost track of time. The maids only started serving the food after I sat down.

"I have something to announce," my father said, speaking for the first time all night.

"What is it? Have the dresses I ordered arrived yet?" my stepsister asked excitedly. I grabbed a glass of water to quench my thirst.

"Your marriage is arranged, Debra. It will take place in three days," he said with a serious face, looking directly at my stepsister. Debra looked at him without saying anything.

"Will the marriage be so soon? With whom?" my stepmother asked, coming to her aid.

"With the son of King Alpha, Prince Keith of Devontae," he replied calmly.

"What?!" Debra shrieked. I spat out the water in my mouth, completely shocked. Debra shot me a murderous glare. I shook my head, trying to explain that I hadn't meant to, but I couldn't get the words out.

“Prince Keith? Are you serious?” my stepmother asked, shocked. I was just as shocked as they all were. Devontae was a prosperous and powerful kingdom ruled by the Alpha King, who ruled over smaller packs like ours. Anyone would jump for joy at the chance to marry into that family or even just meet them, but marry Prince Keith? That was something else entirely.

Prince Keith was the Alpha's youngest son and was crippled, but despite his disability, he was rumored to be cruel, useless, and despised by the king. The Alpha king had even banished him to a part of the palace where no one ever went. Was my father going to allow his favorite daughter to marry a man like that? It was unbelievable.

"I will not marry Prince Keith, father. He is the worst of all the Alpha King's sons," Debra said, shaking her head vehemently.

"That's my final decision, and you must obey me," he declared. Debra turned to her mother, gripped by panic.

"Mother, did you hear that? My father hates me. He's going to force me to marry a disabled man," she screamed.

"Don't say that, Debra. Your father doesn't hate you," I murmured softly, but she looked at me so intensely that I thought her eyes were going to pop out of their sockets.

"You can't do this to our only daughter. You're ruining her life. I won't allow that to happen," my stepmother replied.

"The wedding will be in three days. Start getting ready," my father ordered firmly. I was surprised to see him act so coldly toward Debra. That had never happened before. Debra stood up angrily and pushed the chair aside. It fell to the floor with a loud crash.

"I will never marry Prince Keith! Never!" she screamed and stormed out of the room.

"You need to reconsider," my stepmother told my father as she hurriedly followed Debra. The room fell silent. I stood up gently, my chair scraping against the floor.

"I'll go check on them," I said before leaving. He stared at me without answering. I walked quickly to Debra's room. The door was open, so I went in.

"Don't worry, darling. I won't let him do that to you," I heard my stepmother say to reassure her.

"Debra," I called softly. They both looked up at me.

"Are you okay?" I asked as I approached her.

"Don't you dare take another step!" he growled, his eyes shifting between green and gold. His wolf was threatening to break free.

"I just wanted to see if you were okay," I said, surprised by his attitude.

"You pathetic liar! You came here to make fun of me, didn't you?" she asked, pointing her finger accusingly at me.

I shook my head, bewildered by the accusation. "Of course not. I would never do something like that. If it was my reaction at the table, I'm sorry. It wasn't intentional."

"I bet deep down you're happy. You're glad this is happening to me!" he shouted.

"Sister, how can you say that? I really came here to comfort you..."

"I'm not your sister! I forbid you to call me that!" she shouted.

"Calm down, sister. I understand how you must feel right now. You're angry and upset. You're not serious about what you're saying," I said calmly. She must still be in shock to be talking like that.

“I told you I’m not your sister and I never will be! Your mother was a whore and you’re nothing but an illegitimate child. We’re not related,” she spat viciously. Her words stung, but I tried to keep my composure. Anyone who heard this kind of news would react the same way, if not worse. I tried to approach them again, but my stepmother stopped me.

"Don't go near my daughter. Stay where you are," she warned me. I nodded and remained rooted to the spot.

"I won't take any further steps if that makes you feel better. I'm sure Mom will do everything in her power to make sure everything turns out alright," I replied.

"How could I be your mother? Your miserable mother, the one who destroyed our home, is dead and in hell, where she deserves to be," she said with complete seriousness.

"How can you say something like that to me?" I asked incredulously. Were they both so angry that they would take it out on me like this?

"That's right. I'll make sure you join her soon, but before that, I'm going to make your life a living hell. Every second you live, every breath you take, will be filled with pain and misery," she swore. I stared at her, speechless and in shock.

"Did you hear that? I'm going to ruin your miserable life! Get the pathetic wretch out of my room!" she growled furiously. I looked at my stepmother, and she glared at me with disdain. I turned and slowly left her room. I couldn't understand what she meant by making my life miserable. Was something going on that I didn't know about?