CHAPTER 128: MY PRICE

Hailee’s POV

The moment Father stepped in, a deep frown carved itself onto my face. I didn’t bother hiding it. But, as always, he didn’t care. He shut the door behind him and walked over with that same heavy presence. He sat on the edge of my bed, far too close. Out of impulse, I shifted away, putting space between us.

"I know you’re angry with me," he said, his voice low and surprisingly calm. "But I did what I had to do. You had to be punished... for your crime."

My head snapped toward him, disbelief and fury burning hot in my chest. My jaw tightened, heat searing through me. "Crime?" I spat, the word bitter on my tongue. "Is that what you call it?"

Father’s expression hardened, his nostrils flaring. "You helped a rogue, Hailee. You brought an enemy into our land, healed him when he should have been left to bleed out. Do you understand what that means? You endangered this entire pack." His voice thundered, heavy with the authority of a King.

My hands clenched into fists. "He was dying!" I snapped. "He wasn’t some enemy to me in that moment—he was just a man who needed help! But you... you looked at me like I had betrayed you, like I wasn’t your daughter anymore."

To him, it would always be betrayal. To me, it was humanity.

Father sighed, his shoulders heavy, but his eyes still sharp. "Can we not keep dragging this out, Hailee? It’s not like I sent you into exile to suffer. You lived a comfortable life in the full moon pack."

I scoffed, shaking my head. He would never understand. He thought my anger was just because he sent me away. But no—it was because that one decision of his had twisted my whole life, turning it into something I never asked for.

Silence pressed down on the room, thick and suffocating. Finally, I lifted my chin and spoke. "Why are you here, Father? I believe you have something else to say."

He straightened, his expression unreadable. "Robert and his family will be arriving tomorrow... for the marriage introduction."

Inside, I scoffed bitterly, though outwardly I kept my face calm. Marriage introduction? As if I had no say in my own life.

My lips curved into a mocking smile. "And if I say I don’t want to marry him... will you let me choose?"

Father’s voice came hard and final. "Robert is the best man for you. Strong. Loyal. A future leader. He will give you stability."

I forced a hollow laugh, shaking my head. "Fine then. Let them come."

Let them come... it will be the perfect moment to break the news. I leaned back against the headboard, narrowing my eyes at him. "What are you gaining from this, Father? From my marriage?"

He gave a short laugh, shaking his head. "Come on, Hailee. Don’t act like I’m selling you to an old man. Robert is barely two, three years older than you. He’s the heir to the Western Lycan Kingdom. You’ll be treated like a queen there—with your abilities, you’ll thrive."

I scoffed, my lips curling. "Cut the slack. You want me to believe this is just about me? That it’s all for my good? No, Father. If I’m being sold off, at least I deserve to know my price."

His eyes darkened, but he didn’t flinch. "There is no price. Just an agreement. Your bride price... is the Falcon land."

My breath caught, my eyes widening in shock. "Falcon land?" My voice came out sharp, disbelieving.

"That’s right," he said evenly. "five hundred plots of fertile land. It will strengthen our kingdom’s hold. With you as Robert’s wife, the West and East will finally unite."

I swallowed hard, anger twisting in my chest. "Father... I’m just about to clock eighteen. I haven’t even lived my life yet. And now you want to marry me off like some bargaining chip?"

He raised his chin, his voice steady but cold. "I married your mother when she was eighteen. And look at her now—happy, strong, your Queen. You’ll do the same."

I shook my head, biting down on my lip to stop the scream rising in my throat. He went on, like he hadn’t even seen the fire in my eyes.

"Girls would die for the chance to marry Robert. He’s young, powerful, and already admired across kingdoms. Do you even realize the gift you’re being handed, Hailee?"

My fists tightened at my sides. The rage clawed up my throat until I couldn’t hold it back anymore. "Get out," I hissed, pointing at the door.

His eyes narrowed angrily. "Mind your words, Hailee."

But I was beyond caring. "If you don’t leave this room right now, I swear—I will kill myself. And then Robert will have nothing but a corpse for a bride."

Father’s eyes widened slightly at my words. For a heartbeat, I thought he might lash out, might argue and try to shout at me the way he always had. But instead, he only stared, his gaze sharp and searching, as though he was trying to recognize the girl standing before him and failing. His jaw tightened, and for a long, heavy moment, silence stretched between us.

Finally, he exhaled and gave the faintest shake of his head. "You’ve changed," he said at last, his voice low, edged with something that sounded like disappointment, maybe even sorrow. "You are not the same girl I once knew."

He rose to his feet, straightened his shoulders, and without another word, turned and walked out of the room.

The door clicked shut behind him, leaving me in silence. My chest felt tight, my breath shaky. Tears blurred my vision as I sank back onto the bed, clutching the silk sheets with trembling hands.

All the anger I had shown him crumbled, leaving only the ache of loneliness. In that moment, I wished I wasn’t here. I wished I was anywhere else—preferably in the arms of one of them. Nathan. Callum. Dane. Or maybe all three at once. They were the only ones who could have held me together when I felt like breaking apart.

But they weren’t here. And I was alone.