Awake

Amber

By the time I woke up again, I realized that I was tied up. My hands and legs. I attempted to move, but I couldn't and that was when I realized that I was in a moving car. “Dad?” My voice was shaky as I slowly sat up from the car seat.

My father was in the driver’s seat and we were in his truck. “What are you doing??” I asked and there was a look of horror on my face as I struggled with the ropes, but it was just so strong and refused to bulge. The harder I pulled, the more it hurt me and dug into my skin.

“Dad, what are you doing?? Please stop the car.” I begged and my eyes were filled with tears. I could still feel the pain all over my body. Pain that I had gotten from him. He beat me till I passed out. That was what he did. To me, mom and my siblings. He was an abusive bastard without a heart.

“Please, stop the car. We can talk about it. I don't want to go there.” I pleaded with him and tears were already streaming down my face. I screamed when his truck screeched to a stop:

“Look girl,” He stopped the car, his tone hard and harsh. Then he turned to face me as he held up my chin to look him in the eye. “You don't have a choice here.” He pointed out.

“And stop acting so weak. This will be a lifetime opportunity for us if the Alphas choose you.” He said and I resisted the urge to cry even while crying. He would never choose me. And did he say Alpha?

“Alphas?”

“Don't interrupt me when I speak.” he snapped at me and I swallowed. I felt like there was something that he was not telling me.

“Have you seen the other girls? They will be pretty, but I'm just me. I'm small, tacky, and look so malnourished. He will never look at me.” I cried, hoping that my father would just change his mind. I would never stand a chance among the females there.

“You never can tell. You know you are a pretty girl. Very.” I knew that I was beautiful. But my beauty was one that was simply not maintained. I looked so small and it was all because of my father. His hands were always down on me or my mother.

“But—”

“No buts!” He suddenly snapped at me. “The selection is only going to happen for two weeks. Can you just be a good girl and stay there?” He sounded so impatient and it felt like something was actually holding him back from hitting me.

The selection process would happen for two weeks, and then the Alpha would go ahead to choose the woman that he wanted. Many ladies were dying to be in that position. Having babies for the supreme Alpha, and it never mattered if he had a mate of Luna. It was just a tradition. An Alpha having an heir with a human breeder.

“Dad—”

“Shut up! We need the money, Amber.” He needed the money because he was going to drink it off. Gamble the money away. He would not give it to Mom.

“Dad.”

“Okay, I will stop hitting your mother.” He gave me a hard look. “That's what you want right? I will stop hitting her. And once you go in there, whatever money that is given to me, I will split it and give her half of it.” He was lying. I knew that he was.

Participants in the selection were usually paid and then the winner in turn would get paid. Handsomely.

“Dad—”

“If I go to that house with you, just know that I'm going to tie you up with your siblings and your mom. And then I will burn all of us to death in that house.” My eyes widened and I looked at him with tear-filled eyes.

“Dad!” I called, helpless tears streaming down my face.

“Amber look. You are our first daughter. You have a responsibility. You have siblings to take care of. You have sacrifices to make. Why don't you just do this? You are a virgin. I'm sure he will love that.” There was a wicked look in his eyes and I cried even harder.

“Dad, no—”

“Can you just agree!! What the hell is wrong with you?” He snapped, his voice turning cold. My dad lacked patience. I wondered what even pushed Mom to marry a man like him.

“You are going for the selection. Will you? If not, I suggest we go back to the house. Then you will watch me beat your mother to death before I burn you and your siblings alive.” He threatened and I knew fully well that he was going to do it. My father was sick.

“Okay, I will do it.” I bit down hard on my lower lips and he only smiled at me.

“Now we are talking.” He smiled more and I watched as he reversed the car. “I was planning on throwing you down the bridge if you refused.” I felt chills and my whole body shook with fear as I wrapped my hands around my body while I stared outside the window, crying silently.

The moment we got home, he dragged me out of the car, heading straight into our house. “You will go into your room, and shower. Your mom will fix your hair. Make sure to wear your finest dress.” My hands were still tied as he dragged me into the house.

Mom who must have heard his voice ran downstairs. “Cassian, where did you take her to?”

“Shut up woman!” He snapped at her, brushing past her.

“Amber dear, please don't listen to what he has to say.” My heart ached at the sight of her. She looked so weak and there were injuries all over her body.

“Move! Before I lose my cool and do something that we will both regret.” He dragged me upstairs and standing by the hallways were my siblings. Renee, my immediate younger sister. Noah, Ronan, and Zion. They all had tears in their eyes and just watched helplessly as my father dragged me into my room.