Chapter 1-The Proposal

Lucy's POV: "What do you mean I'm getting married? " I asked the queen in utter dismay. She stared at her nails under the lights, acting the least bit interested in what I had to say. "Did you really think my husband adopted you because he wanted another daughter? No sweetie, you've always been a business investment ,this was the plan all along .You're finally going to serve your purpose and repay us for giving you a roof over your head all of these years." I gasped at her cruel words, I always knew that almost everyone in the royal family disliked me but I never once thought that they despised me to the extent that they were willing to sell me off like this. "What are you saying?" I asked, unable to hide the shock in my voice. "I'm saying, first thing tomorrow morning you'll be in King Jeremy's castle, getting married to his son Prince Austin Lance Vinci." She explained with a wicked smile. "What they do with you after is none of our concern, if I were you I'd start praying for I'm sure they're going to treat you much worse than us considering you're so hard to love." I fought hard at the tears I felt threatening to fall. No. . .I wouldn't cry, for my entire life this family has mistreated me, to the point that I often tried to hide from them as much as I could. The less I was around them, the more I felt at peace. For these reasons as well as many others, I should be happy that I was finally able to leave. Right? I could only hope that my new family would be nothing like my old. I knew nothing about them, so all I could possibly do for myself was pray that they would treat me better, at least a little. ……………………………. Austin's POV: Ariana's hands tangled in my hair as I jammed her up against the wall, my mate. My lips crashed down on her neck and she moaned my name in response. . .and just like before, I couldn't do it. I couldn't mark her, what the hell was wrong with my wolf? "Alpha, we have a problem." My eyes shut to Alex in annoyance. "This better be good ." I warned him. "I can assure you that it is." I reluctantly dropped my hands from around my mate and followed Alex outside. "We just had word from your parents, something that will affect you greatly. As you're already aware. . .our kingdom is in jeopardy and in order to save it they've accepted a marriage proposal from Princess Lucy Rosemary." "What?" I roared.  NO! NO FREAKING WAY! They couldn't possible think of doing this to me when they already knew that I'd found my mate. There was no way I would ever be able to accept anyone else other than her! Within minutes I was storming into my parents room, I found them both discussing in a corner. "I'm not getting married to that woman."I stated matter of fact before either one of them could say a single word. I needed to get it through to them that this wasn't something that was negotiable. My mother gave my father a look of helplessness before speaking. "Son, I know this is very disturbing news but you need to understand this is the only choice that we have, you need to take this decision for the people of our kingdom. You need to finally prove your worth to them, you know how much they love and adore you already, this is not about us but about them. . ." I loved my people with all my heart but I never thought that this day would ever come, a day where I would have to sacrifice my happiness. It was all too much to take in just in one day. A photo in my mother's hand caught my attention and I slowly reached for it. "What's this?" As my mother handed it over to me she said. "It's a picture of the princess," at the exact same time my eyes fell on the photo. I felt the anger within me slowly leave my body as I scanned the image. Long black hair framed a beautiful heart shaped face, bright blue eyes that seemed to see straight through you and sweet pink lips to die for. Who was this woman? Why did I feel a connection with just a photograph? After staring at the photo for what seemed like hours I finally faced my parents."I'll marry this woman only for the sake of my people , however as you know I already have a mate , this woman can never have my heart." ………………………………………………………………………………………………… "What the hell is this story about you marrying this slut of a princess today?"Ariana shouted at me before her eyes took in my suit. "And you're actually going through with it?"She asked in disbelief. "Ariana , I'm so so sorry ,I never even knew of this arrangement until yesterday , I have to do  this for my people, please try and understand...this is just as hard for me as it is for you." "Your people?That's all you ever think about, what about me?Your mate?Do I mean nothing to you?"She demanded. "Of course you matter to me , look I swear to you , if there is any way to get out of this marriage I will...if not, please know that she would never mean anything to me."I whispered."No one can take your place in my life." "Make sure you make her life a living hell." "I think its already happening , I mean she isn't even having a normal happy wedding which every woman deserves, just a rushed private ceremony."I pointed out."You have nothing to worry about."I said pulling her into my arms. …………………………………………... Lucy's POV: I bit down on my nails nervously as the limousine pulled up to my new home, my nerves were all over the place. I could feel my heart thumping louder than drums and it felt as though I was about to meet the man I was destined to be with. Wait, what? Where did that thought even come from? I was so nervous that even my thoughts were scaring me. "Try not to embarrass the family like you're so used to doing." The queen snapped at me as soon as we stepped out of the vehicle. I saw the king nod his head in agreement with her. Like always, they both saw me as a complete embarrassment to the family. "I can't wait to see the ugly prince she's being forced to marry." My step sister Ellie spat with an evil smile. It never failed to amaze me how low these people would stoop just to see me unhappy when I'd never done a single thing to any of them. I tried to ignore everything my family said after that, I had enough on my mind already. The nervousness in me only increased with each step I took closer to the beautiful castle, my stomach started to hurt, something that usually happened whenever I was nervous.I tried to ignore it at first but the pain was becoming unbearable. "I need to use the washroom." I told the queen. She rolled her eyes at me ."Don't expect me to carry you to find it, you can help yourself." I shouldn't have been surprised with her response, I turned away from my family and headed in the direction a maid had shown to me , my eyes took in the full beauty of the place. This castle was even more beautiful than the one back home, everything here looked like it cost a fortune. From the window frames to the curtains, even down to the flooring. After a few minutes of trying to find a washroom, I was convinced I was lost until I heard voices. I followed the sound hoping they could help me find my way. I was close enough now to hear everything that they were saying. "If there is any way to get out of this marriage I will."  I heard the guy say. Any way to get out of this marriage? There was only one person getting married here today as far as I knew. . .Which only meant one thing. Was that the prince I'm supposed to be getting married to? I continued to listen to the conversation, my heart broke into tiny pieces with each word that came out both of their mouths. They suddenly stopped saying anything and I peeped around the corner to see why, what I saw next had me doubling over in shock. My soon to be husband had another woman in his arms in a full on heated make out session! A/N: Hi my wonderful readers,thank you so much to everyone who's willing to give this book a chance, hope you enjoyed the first chapter. Lots of love, Laura.