The Beast's Possession
8: Part of the plan.

**Milly pov**

"So? How did it go?" I asked as I jumped from my seat the moment my dad walked into the living room.

Ignoring my question, he ran a hand through his graying hair and groaned. My eyes didn't leave him while he started pacing the room as if his ass was set on fire.

This didn't look good. The tension that radiated off him could mean only one thing - she was pulling out of the deal. No. I couldn't let this slide. I wouldn't allow that useless piece of crap to take everything away from me. Never. I was so damn close, I could almost taste the lavish lifestyle I could enjoy soon after the wedding and here she was, after all our family had done for her, denying the only thing we asked of her.

"She said she will think about it," my father's voice broke the tense silence, doing nothing but pissing me off even more.

"Did you tell her about the new deal too? Will she consider that part?" I asked as I tried to stop him.

"No," he growled. "I got enough time to explain the wedding deal and that's where she shut me out. She promised to think and asked for time to let it all sink it. She knows Killian is coming back home soon, but she doesn't know any more." "Goddess, you're fucking useless, dad," I growled at him. "Couldn't you find a moment to sprinkle that in too? Just throw everything on her, ensure she's overwhelmed and take advantage of the situation. How many times do I have to remind you how easy it is?"

I struggled to keep my voice down. All I really wanted was to shout, scream and rage. He fucking had to understand that this was my last resort. I needed her to marry Killian, I needed the money I had already started investing in my pack - money I didn't have.

Unless my pack looked up the part, there was no way I could have a chance with the king. He had been looking for a wife for a while, the whole world was talking about it, and some silly girl was about to take away my big chance? Ha. "I'm trying, alright?" Dad hissed. "It's not like I don't care about her at all. I've raised her ever since she was an infant, I can't just ignore the bond that grew between us. And besides, I'm not that keen about that second part of the plan." He finally stopped pacing and looked at me with nothing but pain and regret in his eyes. Hadn't he learned that the pitying look won't work on me? I had gone too far, done way too much to get where I was and there was no way I was even considering ever turning back.

No. I didn't come this far to lose it all. I was so close to my damn goal that I was ready to kill if it came to it.

"What bond, dad? The non-existent one? Aren't you supposed to think about me before you think about others? Are you willing to leave your daughter, your flesh and blood in a ditch? Broke, homeless, dirty?" I spat each word with nothing but fury as I neared him.

Dad threw his hands up in surrender and shook his head, "no, Milly, darling, that's not what I meant. Never. I would never leave you behind, broken and all the rest of the things you mentioned. You are my child, I care for you and will until the day I die. Please, calm down and let's sit down. Maybe you can navigate me through the plan again so I understand better?"

One thing was clear - he knew how to calm me down. While I didn't want to give into his suggestion, I knew it was better if I focused on the problem rather than the root of it. First, careful planning and then, I would strike.

I followed him to the couch and fell on it, letting out a heavy sigh of annoyance. Of all the people, my dad shouldn't be someone who betrayed me.

Since he didn't speak, I decided to break the silence before it dragged out. "What is it that you don't like about the second part of the plan exactly? And don't try to dance around the topic, I need the answer as soon as possible. Seriously, don't let me down with this one. Not this time."

From the corner of my eye I could see him cover his face with his palms before he let out the weirdest grunt ever. "Can you give me a moment to gather my thoughts? Please, just a moment, surely that's not even half as much as you ask of me."

How many sounds of displeasure and anger could I make to get my point across with this old man? He had one job, one fucking job and he still managed to blow it all so easily.

I didn't get it. The brat refused to talk to me, so I had to send him. But now that she was finally opening up and agreeing on conversations, he failed. Damn it, I was surrounded by idiots.

Just as the thought crossed my mind, he shifted in his seat and cleared his throat. "What I am not comfortable with is your idea about basically selling her off with a primary purpose of a breeding machine. I get it, the two of you never had a chance to spend time together or form a bond, but Milly, this is wrong my child. It's so wrong. An arranged marriage? Fine, our ancestors did it, some people still do overseas and that is viewed as the most basic thing that might happen to someone. But childbirth? And also, I don't think it was a good idea to promise him six children. Think about your sister, please."

Listening to him made me burn in anger. How could he? I was his daughter, not her. This piece of leftover Alpha was worrying about some nobody more than he was worrying about his flesh and blood.

Jumping to my feet, I snarled at him. "How dare you put her so high where she doesn't belong? Are you seriously placing her needs and comfort before mine now?"

He shook his head, eyes as wide as ever. "No, Milly, you misunderstood me. Listen, don't pull stuff out of context, that's so bloody unfair of you. Please, calm down and listen."

"Calm down?" I laughed in his face. "He says I should calm down and listen. So how about this - you fucking listen. Not only to me but to yourself too because you sound mental at this point."

Another frustrated sigh left him as he averted his gaze down to his feet. "I'm listening, I really am. I listen to you and to myself too. I've wanted to bring this up for a while but I couldn't find a moment to do so. Now, we can finally discuss everything like grown people, not like father and his spoiled little princess."

"You reap what you sow, father dearest. I'm not a spoiled little princess without a reason. In fact, I've had a lot of help to become one over the years. And would you look at this, isn't the person who made me one sitting in the same room I stand?" I mocked him.

He still refused to look at me, just insisted on muttering, "I still think you're taking it all too far. She is as much of a human being as we both are, she shouldn't be treated as less. Or a breeding machine."

I rolled my eyes at his pity party attempt. "News flash, daddy dearest. You agreed to this and you will go through with it. If Killian wants her to give him six children, she will do that even if the price she has to pay is her life. I don't give a shit. The only thing I care about are the five million per child Killian will stop in my bank account. I've already started work in the pack which has forced me into massive debt so I suggest you don't fuck this up for me. Not to mention that you have failed to marry her off to Killian so I haven't gotten the initially agreed sum yet either. And besides, you were the one who strived to offer your poor widowed daughter as a candidate for the king to marry, so we must look up the part when he arrives to visit. And father," I leaned down to whisper, "don't make me reveal your big secret to Killian; I doubt the Alpha would be happy after learning that the rat who killed his best friend is living under his roof and sitting at the same table with him. Watch your back."