Tiger love

“You’re marrying into the Wells family, and that’s the end of it!” My father roared, his words echoing within the grandeur of our ancestral home.

His voice was as cold as the marble floors we stood on, his face a thunderstorm of unyielding resolve. “This isn’t fair!” I protested, my voice trembling. “Red got the freedom to-” I couldn’t finish my sentence as a swift, harsh slap came into contact with my cheek.

I gave a startled gasp, cradling my stinging face in my hands. “Don’t you dare talk back to me, Reign,” he warned, his voice low and menacing. “Go to your room. Get dressed. Our guests will be here in exactly 30 minutes. Don’t embarrass me.”

He turned on his heel and left me standing there, a sense of hopelessness washing over me. With a resigned sigh, I trudged up the grand staircase, making my way to my room.

I slipped into a shimmering blue dress that sparkled under the chandelier’s soft glow. My blue heels clicked against the wooden floor as I walked around the room, practicing my posture and poise.

My curls were put into a neat ponytail, a stark contrast to the chaos that was unfolding around me. I traced my lips with a vibrant shade of red, a color that symbolized both love and rebellion.

Ready or not, I stepped out of my bedroom to face what was waiting for me.

My brother, Red, was waiting for me, his face a turmoil of emotions. “I can’t stand this, Reign,” he spat out, his voice barely a whisper. “Tiger is a brute. And our father...he’s just a money-grubbing fool.”

He offered me his arm as we began our descent down the grand staircase. “Maybe...it’s for the best...” I tried to find a silver lining amidst the stormy clouds. But he cut me off, scoffing at my words.

“It’s not, Reign. It’s not the best,” he fumed, his voice rising with each word. “You’ve barely turned 18 and he’s already auctioning you off to some monster. Can you imagine how he will treat you?”

His words hung heavy in the air, a grim reminder of the uncertain future that awaited me.

We found ourselves advancing towards the dining room, my parents anxiously waiting. ”Sit,” my father commanded, his voice echoing through the silence. Red, my older brother, rolled his eyes as he pulled out my chair, “We know, Dad.”

No sooner had I taken my seat than the doorbell chimed, the sound sending ripples of anxiety through me. My heart pounded in my chest as I anticipated the arrival of my future husband. My mother, beaming with excitement, practically sprinted to the door.

As he entered the room, I felt my breath hitch in my throat. There he was, in all his glory. His raven-black hair was a striking contrast against his bronzed skin. Tattoos, an intricate tapestry of ink, adorned his neck and arms, and his lean physique emanated an aura of raw power and magnetism. He was undoubtedly a sight to behold.

Then, his mother entered the room, pulling me out of my reverie with her infectious energy. “Hello Mr. And Mrs. Addams!” She announced, her voice filled with warmth.

“Oh, please Melissa. Call us by our actual names,” my father replied, a smile tugging at his lips. “If you insist,” she chuckled, her laughter light and contagious. Yet, amidst the pleasant chatter, I was acutely aware of Tiger, my would-be husband, studying me. His gaze was intense, as if he was trying to unravel the mysteries buried deep within me.

As we both sank into the plush seats, one of our ever-smiling maids unveiled our feast for the evening - lobster bisque, and white rice. A tantalizing aroma wafted up, but we were far from the comforts of a family dinner. The food sat before me, untouched, its allure drowned out by the turmoil in my mind. It was a difficult pill to swallow, but my father, a man blinded by the shimmer of wealth, did not hesitate to auction off his own flesh and blood. He’d sold me - his daughter - to one of the world’s most feared men, all without a flicker of remorse.

The obliviousness of my mother was equally distressing. She seemed to believe she had no power to sway my father’s decision. Then there was Red, the sole beacon of sanity, who had the guts to say out loud that this was an ill-conceived plan. Just as I was sinking deeper into my thoughts, Red’s voice sliced through the air, jolting me back to the present.

“REIGN!” he bellowed. I snapped out of my daze, stammering a feeble “S-sorry, what?” My eyes darted to my father, whose stern glare seemed ready to bore a hole through me. “What can you do for Tiger that’s productive?” my soon-to-be mother-in-law chimed in. I blinked at her, struggling to process her question.

“I- I’m just 18...I haven’t...had time to think about that yet. I’m sorry.” I muttered, lowering my head under the weight of their collective gaze. She let out a sigh, forcing a smile onto her face. “Not your fault, honey.” she said, her voice dripping with faux sweetness.

Thus, the dinner dragged on, a seemingly endless ordeal. Talks about my impending duties, the contract I had to sign, the scarce opportunities to see my family again, filled the air. But amidst all the despair, I knew I would miss Red the most. The only person who saw the absurdity of it all, the only person who dared to voice it.

As the last morsels of our feast were consumed, the echoes of silverware against China slowly fading into the distance, I found myself abruptly rising from my chair. It was as if an unseen force propelled me, and the chair itself was relieved of my weight.

“Reign, it’s time to prepare your belongings,” my father’s voice cut through the silence like a knife. His words, stark and unadorned, hung in the air. “At dawn, you embark on your new journey.”

I was tethered by his words, but my tongue felt like lead in my mouth. I was speechless, my throat dry and unresponsive. I simply nodded, my actions speaking louder than any words I could have uttered.

With heavy steps, I ascended the grand staircase, each step echoing my impending departure. My sanctuary, my room, awaited me - a place of solace that was now nothing more than a temporary refuge. The comfort it once provided seemed to fade, mirroring the transient nature of my stay. As I closed the door behind me, the finality of the situation set in. Tomorrow, I would leave behind everything I knew, venturing into the unknown.