Elizabeth's POV

I stared at my reflection in the mirror, my hand tightly clenched and my lips pressed together to keep the tears at bay. I knew I couldn't ruin my makeup, but I was so scared and sad. The only thing that kept me from completely losing it was my mother's words.

I kept replaying our last conversation in my head. "My beautiful Elizabeth, you must not let the alpha king find out that you are not Alma, or our family will be doomed," my mother had said, her eyes filled with fear.

"Mother, what about Alma?" I wanted to ask about my sister.

"It's all Alma's fault for eloping with that bastard before the wedding. If only Alma knew how to behave like you do."

"You can do it, right? Promise me... or we are doomed!"

I wanted to refuse, but I owed my mother so much. His next words reminded me of how much I owe him and how much he loves me.

"Elizabeth, although I had to foster you in the countryside all these years because I was worried about you being hurt by Alma's mother, you will always be my most precious daughter. Daddy will find a way to bring you home... Daddy loves you."

Why was I so against this marriage? Just imagine being marked by the most ruthless Alpha King of all time. Someone who kills at the flick of his fingers. Although it was a rumor, it sent chills down the spine of anyone who heard it.

Alpha King Augustus was rumored to be very brutal and despicable. He had rendered many families homeless and headless in a bid to expand his territory. The very air that he walks on smells of murderous intent. His eyes breathed out death. That's how brutal he is.

That was the husband I was going to marry in place of my sister.

You might be wondering why I couldn't just refuse or run away. That's because I owe my family my life and every good thing I might be enjoying.

I had been living with my foster parents since the death of my father, who happened to be his mistress. Yeah, I was the illegitimate daughter of my father.

My father's wife only accepted me because my father died as soon as she gave birth to me. I never got to feel the warmth of a father, and I never got it from my father's wife either.

As soon as I was about two years old, my stepmother made a fuss, according to my father, and I was thrown into the foster home where I grew up. The only consolation I had and the only reason I was happy staying there was the occasional visit from my mother.

That's why I was willing to do something, even if it was to the detriment of my happiness. It was just temporary because I was sure that when Alma would come back, my mother would find a way to save me from this monstrous wedding.

"It's time, Miss," a servant said, drawing me from my thoughts.

I looked up at her with glistening eyes, and I could see the pity in her eyes. Who wouldn't pity someone who was being escorted to the devil as his wife?

"You can do it, Elizabeth!" I cheered myself on.

The wedding ceremony went smoothly without a hitch, but deep down I was scared stiff! I hardly breathed throughout the ceremony. After everything was done, I was escorted to the bridal room, awaiting the Alpha King.

The sound of heavy, powerful footsteps came, and I shivered uncontrollably. My heart was beating faster and heavier deep down in my throat.

A huge shadow enveloped me, and I was too scared to even look up. I bit down on my urge to look at his face. But my curiosity got the better of me as I looked up to see a very handsome face.

He was also examining me with a pair of dark brown eyes. A kind of magnetic eye that got me hooked.

"Afraid of me?"

The Alpha King's voice was deep and magnetic, but it was laced with a hint of teasing. His rough fingers cupped my chin and rubbed it slowly. "Relax."

I was so scared, but I had to do this for my family. I had to be brave and face this monster. I had to be strong and not let my fear take over. I had to be the one to save my family from this nightmare.

It was clear that he was taking marriage as seriously as he would do a business transaction. His eyes were teasing, but there was no emotion behind them. It was all business, nothing more.

Should I be happy about this?

I watched as the Alpha King removed his beautiful clothing and hung them on a tall rack instead of leaving them on the floor. I gulped, knowing that I would soon have to do the same. I slowly undressed and hung my clothes up too.

Do you know how your heart races when you're on a rollercoaster? That's how my heart felt right then. But it wasn't from excitement; it was from fear.

I felt his burning gaze on my body, and I felt like I was on fire. He drew me closer, his hands exploring my body. I trembled at his touch, yet I wanted more. He brought his lips to mine and started to kiss me.

The Alpha King groaned in pleasure. He kept kissing me, and I had no choice but to go along with it. Just when it was getting intense, he pulled away. I was confused until I heard his next words.

"I will leave my mark on the back of your neck, a golden crescent. You belong to me, Alma."

Tears started to stream down my face. As wolves, we can identify our mates when we reach the age of eighteen, but only alpha wolves can mark omega wolves. It can only be done once in a lifetime, and once they are marked, they can never identify their mates again.

I wasn't eighteen yet. This meant I would never have the chance to identify my mate again.

I was filled with sadness as I closed my eyes to be marked when the King's lips left the back of my neck.

I wasn't marked.

Why did he stop? Feeling uneasy and scared, I looked into his handsome face, which was now clouded.

He was filled with terror, and his eyes were dark. "You're not Alma. Who the hell are you?"

And that was it. I was doomed.