Forbidden Hope: A Werewolf Wars Prequel Novella by Bethany Shaw Read Free Book Online

comes first, always.”
    “Over my happiness? Over my life? No,” Emily hissed through clenched teeth. Tears blurred her vision, and every hair on her body stood at attention as she challenged the alpha.
    “You’re not in a position to tell me no. Your place is to secure our pack with the safety and power that the Gulf Packs have to offer,” Emmett growled, his hands pressing down on her shoulders. “I’m not suggesting this course of action, I am telling you it is going to happen.”
    Emily grimaced under the painful grip, but held his gaze.
    “This is happening, Emily. You will obey me, or there will be consequences to pay.”
    “I’m not going,” she stated as a traitorous tear slid down her cheek and pooled on her top lip.
    Emmett grasped her arm, pulling her to him. “You will drop this charade with Marcus immediately, or the next time you see him he won’t be breathing. You will go with Fernando Juarez when the time comes, and you will breed with as many of his grandsons as he sees fit until you conceive. If you disobey me, or show any of this defiance in front of Juarez, I’ll kill Marcus myself. Slowly. Painfully. And right in front of your eyes.”
    “You wouldn’t,” Emily murmured. Her father’s gaze was murderous and she shivered, realizing that he very well might.
    “This isn’t a game. Do as you’re told,” he snarled, shoving her away.
    Her head spun as she tried to wrap her mind around the entire conversation. Not only was Marcus’ life in danger if she didn’t end things, but she was going to be forced to sleep with multiple men. Bile rose up in her throat and she gagged. I’m not doing this. He can’t be serious.
    “I’m your daughter,” she reminded him, her voice cracking ever so slightly. “How can you force me to breed? Men? Not just one, but multiple men? What is wrong with you? It’s disgusting and I won’t be degraded to some-”
    His hand flew up, striking her across the face. The impact caught her off guard, causing her to trip and fall to the floor. Pain exploded in her jaw, and a sharp pain shot through her arm as her elbow collided with the floor. Her vision blurred as she tried to push herself up, the coopery taste of blood flooding her mouth. Before she could comprehend what was happening, hot, angry hands snatched her back up to her feet. Vice-like fingers squeezed around her neck and lifted her off the floor.
    Emily gasped, attempting to catch her breath as her toes grazed against the wooden floorboards, trying to find traction. She sputtered, her arms flailing wildly before she wrapped them around Emmett’s forearm. Her father tightened his grasp. Black clouded her vision and she blinked her eyes as she dug her fingernails into his flesh.
    The alpha flung his daughter backwards with a growl and she toppled onto the couch in a heap. He loomed over her and snatched a clump of her hair in his hand, forcing her to meet his eyes.
    “This is the last time you talk back to me, Emily. End things with Marcus and be on your best behavior, or next time, it will be worse and Marcus will be dead. The pack always comes first. Don’t forget that,” he snapped. He wrenched her hair harder, his icy green eyes boring into hers before he shoved her away. “See her to her room, Daniel,” Emmett snarled, returning to his desk.
    Her eyes flew to her brother. She’d forgotten he was there. Why didn’t he do anything? Why didn’t he stop him?
    Daniel walked hurriedly to his sister, offering her his hand. She hesitated a moment before grasping onto him, allowing him to help her stand. Her body shook, and he wrapped his arm around her to support her weight. Emily wobbled unsteadily as dizziness consumed her.
    Her vision clouded and her knees buckled. Daniel caught her, sweeping her up into his arms. Whimpering, she buried her face into his shirt as he moved them quickly out of the room.
    Emily kept her face hidden, not wanting anyone to see her like this. Anger, hurt, and fear