She felt as though she was suffocating. She felt as though she could not breathe. How could this be happening to her? How could this fate be forced upon her? What had she done wrong to earn such a horrible fate? She released a heavy sigh that mingled in with the echoing footsteps. The tunnel, dark, cold, and damp, felt like it was falling in on her. It was silent besides the sound of walking, and it only added to her anxiety. She was used to noise. She was used to the forest. This tunnel felt like a cage. In fact, she felt as though she had been put into a cage. She knew each step was taking her closer to a fate she only wanted to escape from. She did not want to meet with the vampires, their sworn enemies. She did not want to be forced to marry the vampire prince. In fact, she wanted nothing to do with any of it. Vampires had nearly killed her once before, they had killed numerous members of her pack, and they continued to haunt the pack from the shadows. How could her parents have agreed to this? How could they have ever agreed to this horrible nightmare? She did not know, and that was the part that scared her the most.
"Tasha," a gruff voice said. The girl's head jerked up to the taller, older man standing beside her.
"Keep your head up," he reminded her. Tasha sighed softly as she glanced away. She felt completely out of her element. She did not belong in tunnels. She belonged in the forest. She did not belong in the redicilous red
dress she wore. Yes, it was beautiful, and she loved it. But the reason she wore it made her hate it. It made her hate her entire appearance. The stunning dress, the wonderful way her mother had done her
hair, and even the very, very light make-up that brushed her face, was all done to show her off to these bloodsuckers. She hated it. And she was angry. She was angry at the bloodsucker for reaching out to make this treaty, she was angry at her parents for agreeing, and she was even angry at her pack. Why did it have to be her? Why did she have to be the heir to be sacrificed in this treaty? And just below the surface, Tasha was barely able to hide her pure, sheer terror.
No one said anything else as the group walked into the large opening. The stone cealing streatched up until it disappeared in a point at the very top. The floor was a very light gray, and numerous benches were scattered about the place. In the center of the floor was a blue design nearly fadded over the centerius this place had been here. Tasha had been told this place was chosen as the meeting place because it once belong to an ancient cult. It was a "peaceful" place where violence was not allowed. The girl could almost scoff. If this place was meant for peace, it would only cause bloodshed today. There was simply no way werewolves and vampires could co-exist together...was there? Tasha bit her lip as the troubled thought crossed her mind. She would have no choice but to learn how to co-exist with these vampires. She was to be wed to one, rather she liked it or not.
"You're shaking," a soft female's voice said. Tasha looked up at her mother as she came to her side. She took her hands in hers, and gave them a gentle squeeze.
"You are strong, Tasha, and you will be fine. Just keep your head up, and do not let them see your fear," she whispered to her. Tasha forced a smile that she did not feel and nodded in response. Her mother smiled and kissed her forehead before stepping back. Udolph did not say a word. He would not offer his daughter comfort in front of others, and Tasha knew better than to expect it. She swallowed hard and forced herself to stand up straight as the sound of footsteps reached her ears. The vampires were approaching. Their blood-coated stench filled the air, and the girl nearly choked on it. How could she ever learn to live with, much less love, one of these horrible creatures?