Alpha Valerius

Never Say Never

It felt like my limbs would only move if he commanded me to. The influence he has on me is terrifying, as if he suddenly put a chain around my neck.

I felt sick to my stomach. Not just from the nervousness wrenching inside me, but from the pressure that was put on me when he took his place with us. I didn't know what to say.

What should I say? Clearly, he already knew. He already knew that I was bound to be his for life, he knew that we were tied together by fate.

That red string that connects us, he was holding it in his hand, while the second end was wrapped around mine. My future...is sealed.

With a contract, with money, I was sold to the man I was supposed to spend the rest of my days with. What kind of mate would do that? What kind of person would give an ultimatum to their destined one?

"Rosalie, are you okay?"

My dear sister placed her gentle hand onto my shoulder, giving me a tiny push to get me out of my daze. I looked away from Valerius. Finally, I could tear my gaze away from him, and give myself some relief. I nodded at my sister, offering her a small smile. But I couldn't keep this up forever.

Gathering what was left of my strength, I looked at the man again. It was like electricity shot through my body, the heaviness in my arms and legs growing within seconds.

"It's nice to meet you too."

I spoke in a quiet voice and he took a deep breath once it reached his ears. His eyes glowed golden, as if my voice triggered something in him.

Valerius's lips only twitched in a smile, but it disappeared as quickly as it appeared. He straightened his shoulders even further and tucked his hands into the pockets of his pants. His attention turned to my father, the slight gentleness in his expression disappearing.

"I have a car prepared. My men have already packed up her stuff. We will leave within an hour."

He spoke with authority. I could almost imagine my father kissing his feet just to stay out of trouble. I can also imagine why most people fear him. He was huge. Not just his body, but his power was also overwhelming. With his height and big body, those eyes that seem to see everything, he held an aura of a leader and a true alpha.

In the last second, he offered me another glance. One that lingered on my face and then directly into my eyes.

I'll come back for you, Rosalie.

It rang inside my head.

That deep, consuming note of his voice took over every spec of my thoughts. Those words weren't only meant to reassure. I was exposed to his pheromones longer than I should have been, and the bond that we share screamed for us not to be apart. He wanted to calm my senses and mind before he walks away.

He was being kind.

I knew that.

But in that moment, I was more than glad to see his back slowly fading away into the crowd. I was relieved...that he was no longer here.

Breathing out a shaky breath, my shaking hands clutched the fabric of the dress I was wearing.

Not letting me rest for even a moment, my father was already in my face.

"Where are your manners?!"

He whispered in a harsh tone, grasping my arm into a tight grip. Mother stared, fearful and pulled my sister aside when she tried to intervene.

"Your attitude is unacceptable! This man has offered us more than we could have ever dreamed of! How dare you act like that towards him?!"

His breath was on my face, the anger swarming on his own. It twisted dangerously and his grip tightened to the point I had to wince.

Never have I seen him so furious. There were moments when he would come home enraged, but mother always seemed to be able to calm him. Now, even she was afraid to speak up.

However, the fear didn't fill my veins. Instead, the same dosage of red coursed through me. The adrenaline gave me the power to tug my arm back and away from his. His grip loosened and I was finally set free.

In that second, I could only see what was obvious. Greed, anger and resentfulness. The need to show Valerius just how good of a gold-digger he was, the need to hug the money and power all to himself. It didn't matter that I was sold. It didn't matter that I was his daughter. It only mattered that he would get something out of it.

That something was a big deal for him.

It hurt.

The empty, gaping hole in my chest contracted and then expanded. Sorrow and fury overtook my better judgement. If it weren't for my self-control, I would have broke down. Instead, the words I wanted to say since I heard the news...flew out.

"Says the one who sold me like I were a slave."

My voice was hushed, rough and full of ire. I couldn't control it.

"You're just glad you get to bathe in his riches, while I have to give up the rest of my life."

My father's expression from shock, to disbelief and then back to anger. He lifted his hand, a finger pointed at me as he opened his mouth to speak. But my tongue was quicker than both of our brains.

"If you're so afraid of him, if you admire him so too, then you should be careful when you speak to his mate."

I turned around and left the conversation. Shut the door in his face.

There were times...when me and my father weren't on equal grounds. Arguments, fights, door slamming and then silence as we ignored each other's presence. Still, we never took it too far.

My father...is a good man. I'm positive he did it for all of us. But the pain of the consequences was too much for me to bare. I could barely cope with the situation as it is.

Once I reached the secluded corner of the yard, I realized that this fight might as well be our last.

I will live with another man, outside of our little pack city, while he will live with mother and sister, or be away in the war.

It tore my heart apart.

It pained me...that I will barely see my family.

But... I was sure that no matter what happens, I will never give in. I won't let this pain inside my belly subdue me to my alpha. I will not let this desire for him overwhelm me.

I will...never be the mate he wants me to be.