Chapter 6

• Just like that, she excused herself.
• Althea sat up from the floor, her hands were covered with blood but she could feel her healing capability was already taking place.
• Althea sat still, numb to the pain of her wounds, knowing that as a werewolf, her body would heal itself. She watched as the torn flesh on her arm began to close up, the edges of the wound weaving together like a tapestry being repaired by an expert weaver.
• The process was both fascinating and disturbing, as she could see the muscles and tendons in her arm knitting themselves back together. As the wound closed up completely, she could feel the sensation of her skin becoming smooth and unbroken once again.
• Despite the pain having subsided, Althea remained still, watching intently as the last of the damaged tissue repaired itself.
• With her wounds now fully healed, she stood up, feeling invigorated and ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
• Althea walked down the street, the soft swish of her simple blue dress whispering against her legs. She had chosen the dress for its understated elegance, not wanting to draw too much attention to herself at the wedding of her ex. As she approached the venue, she could see the happiness on the faces of the guests, their laughter and chatter filling the air.
• Her heart sank as she caught sight of her ex, looking resplendent in his wedding attire. Despite the pain in her chest, Althea plastered on a smile and made her way inside, trying her best to blend in with the crowd.
• The interior of the venue was decked out in festive colors, with streamers and balloons adorning the walls and ceiling. The smell of fresh flowers wafted through the air, and Althea felt a pang of nostalgia as she remembered this was what she planned for their wedding day.
• As she watched the ceremony unfold, Althea felt a sense of detachment, as if she were watching the proceedings from a distance. Despite the happiness that surrounded her, her thoughts were consumed by memories of what could have been, and the realization that her ex had moved on without her.
• After their happy celebration, Caleb approached her.
• "Thank you for coming and understanding" Caleb said smiling and patting her shoulder.
• Althea shrugged as if it was no big deal even when within her, she felt like she was being boiled. "It's no big deal."
• Her eyes met the hand written gifts in the table and picked one up taking it home to lock the sweets.
• Althea looked down at the delicate wedding handmaid gift, her heart heavy with a mix of sorrow and bitterness. Her mother's cruel actions seemed to taint everything around her, even the supposed gesture of kindness from the wedding. Unable to bear the weight of the reminder, she tossed the gift aside in her room, leaving it behind like a painful token of her mother's disapproval and her heart broken from Caleb.
• Determined to find solace, Althea sought refuge in the library, hoping to escape the haunting memories of the discarded gift. As she stepped into the hallowed halls of knowledge, she was greeted not by the woman from yesterday but by the other librarian, a gentle and caring man. He had always treated her like his own daughter.
• "There you are, my dear," the librarian said warmly. "My wife and I wanted to come and help, but your father prevented us from entering. He was adamant about keeping everything within the family."
• Althea's eyes widened in surprise, realizing that her neighbors had been aware of her mother's actions. "You knew?" she asked, her voice trembling.
• The librarian nodded solemnly. "Yes, my dear. We heard what happened and were deeply concerned for you. We've always seen you as a part of our extended family, and we were devastated to hear about your pain."
• Althea felt a strange mix of emotions welling up inside her, but she quickly suppressed them. Numbness had become her shield, protecting her from the overwhelming pain and disappointment caused by her family.
• It was also a bit embarrassing for her to have her neighbors hear what was going on in the little house they lived in.
• "Thank you for wanting to help," she replied, her voice void of emotion.
• The librarian placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, offering silent reassurance. "You don't have to face this alone, my dear. We care about you, and if you ever need someone to talk to or a safe place to escape, remember that our door is always open for you."
• Althea smiled, "Thank you"
• Althea had always thought him and his wife were a match made in heaven. Soulmates, she often called them. They were meant to be.
• "And that father of yours he doesn't seem to care what happened to you."
• "Technically, he is just head over heels for her that he is willing to be dumb. "
• "I know, I know but..." He paused before he continued. "I am Highly disappointed by Caleb and his family. I did not expect that from them. They were well respected in the pack but now look. What a shame."
• She shrugged. "Well, it is what it is"
• "If I could just fight all of them for you, I would."
• A quick imagery of that crossed through her mind and she quickly stifled a laugh because of how ridiculous the librarian had looked in her imagination.
• "The only thing I need to fight right now is being chosen."
• How much things had changed from then. From wanting to find a romance book and now to being one of the Lycan's king bride.
• "Well, you know the book for it."
• She nodded, then started walking away.
• While she sat on one of the tables to read, the man dropped a cup of tea and biscuit.
• "I should get on reading then." She said.
• "If you need anything..."
• "You've already helped me enough with this." Althea pointed at the snacks.
• "You will be fine at the end of all these, child, just be strong."
• "Thank you, dear Sir."
• She smiled politely, then disappeared within the shelves.
• In the land of the werewolves, every family with eligible daughters lived under the shadow of the dreaded mating ball. It was a cruel tradition enforced by the king to ensure the continuation of werewolf bloodlines. Families were obligated to present their daughters for selection, and failure to do so came with dire consequences.
• Rumors swirled around the kingdom about what happened to those who dared to defy the king's decree. Some spoke of the dark dungeons where offenders were locked away, never to see the light of day again. Others whispered of the king's fearsome Lycan, a creature said to be hungry for disobedient souls, consuming them whole.
• If she attempted to deceive the king, a risky maneuver that could cost her and her family dearly. To avoid the wrath of the crown and the terrible fate that awaited those who defied the royal decree, her family decided to offer Althea as their sacrificial lamb for the mating ball.
• Althea was a mere pawn in her family's desperate bid for survival. Forced to comply with a tradition she loathed, she was groomed and prepared for the ball against her will. The weight of her family's fate rested heavily on her shoulders, and the burden of their actions pressed upon her heart.
• Each hour leading up to the dreaded event felt like a slow descent into darkness. Althea couldn't escape the suffocating pressure to conform, to play her part in a tradition that robbed her of her agency and freedom.
• As the night of the mating ball approached, Althea's heart became a battleground of emotions - anger, fear, and sorrow entangled within her. She yearned to break free from the chains that bound her, to defy the king and his oppressive decree. But the cost of rebellion was too great, and the consequences too dire to bear.
• The ball was tonight and was being held at the grand park here in Trixie.