Chapter 1

Snow

T he music fills the church as everyone rises. We all turn our heads to see her, the bride. She stands at the end of the aisle, head to toe in the most expensive lace money can buy; from her stunning veil all the way to the bottom of her flowy gown.

My heart beats just a little faster as she starts to make her way toward us. A pang of sorrow fills my chest. I can't see her face beneath the veil, but I know there isn't an ounce of happiness in her expression.

Today might be the day the King marries his new bride, but it's far from a happy occasion, despite what the fake smiling faces might show.

My gaze flicks over to my father, who stands at the opposite end of the aisle, next to the priest. His hands clasped together in front of him, face stiff and unamused as he waits for his bride.

A bride who he does not know, does not love. A bride who is no more than a few years older than myself.

This marriage isn't one of love but one of power and connections.

Anger mixed with pity are the emotions that swirl within me right now. Anger at my father for getting married to another when my mother's death is still so fresh—hardly a year later, and he's already finding someone new.

And pity for her, Regina, my new stepmother. The new Queen of Dracaria.

Maybe my pity is misplaced. She is about to be queen after all—maybe this is a dream come true for her. I know it would be for a lot of women in our kingdom.

However, I find that hard to believe. When Regina arrived last week, she came with her mother and father—a duke and duchess from Varynthos. Father had a massive feast prepared and invited all the important people he could think of.

By the end of the meal, Regina's parents had signed her life away to my father.

After everyone was excused, I stumbled upon Regina and her parents. She seemed distraught, begging them not to leave her. She didn't want to marry some man she didn't know.

Her parents dismissed her and told her it was for the best, that anyone would kill to be in her position. When Regina tried to argue, her mother slapped her across the face and said she would ruin her if she screwed this up. Regina being Queen meant more money and power for both parents. Of course, they wouldn't just let her walk away from that.

Selfish, that's what they are. It's what most people are, from what I've come to learn.

Money and power, it rules worlds like mine.

And me? While I can have anything my heart desires, I would trade it all in if it meant I could leave here. All I dream about is running far away from this place.

Father would never let that happen, though. He has plans for me—plans that are very similar to Regina's parents.

I'm to be used for his gain. It wasn't until my mother died that the truth came out. It's like the mask he wore faded away. My mother's death revealed just how cruel and uncaring of a man he was. Someone who would rather be rid of me than love me. Not that he was ever very kind or loving to me in the first place.

Mama was sweet and kind; she loved me with all her heart. I miss her every day. To see someone like my father take over what was her birthright sickens me.

Did she ever think that her arranged marriage to my father would end with him taking her place, with him ruling her kingdom?

Mama getting cancer was the best thing that could have ever happened to my father. He didn't shed a tear as she took her last breath, not even when we laid her in the ground forever.

My father only cares about three things. Power, money, and himself.

As Regina stops before him, I feel like I'm watching the ending of her life. Any hopes and dreams of finding love, having a family, and living happily ever after are fading away.

I watch her standing there, stiff as a board, repeating the words the priest prompts her to say with no emotion. Each word is hollow like she's unaware of what she speaks.

Father says his part next, and then they're announced to the kingdom as husband and wife. The new King and Queen of Dracaria.

As Regina turns to face the crowd, there's no smile, no joy. Nothing but a blank face and a single tear that escapes the corner of her right eye.

She does nothing to wipe it away as if she wants everyone to see this is not by her choice.

They all know, it's how things go. It's rare for someone of hierarchy to spend their life with the one they choose out of love.

The thought of never being happy, never finding the person who can't live without you, the person you're eager to fall asleep next to and hate to leave their side in the morning, is truly terrifying to me.

I've yet to figure out how to get out of the fate my father has chosen for me, but I'm working on it. I will not stay here and marry some man I don't love. Some man who will only see me as an object to wield and use for their own desires.

Mama used to read me stories of true love. Of princesses finding their princes and living happily ever after.

While it might be only a story—a dream—I want it. I want that with every fiber of my being.

Father and Regina walk down the aisle, everyone standing, watching, waiting for them to leave the church before following them to a grand party with a feast big enough to feed the entire village.

Of course, that's not what's going to happen. While the villagers continue to go hungry, people here will have their fill, letting most of it go to waste. It breaks my heart any time we have a big party. I've begged Father to share the leftovers, but all he did was laugh and tell me nothing in life is free. If they wanted food, they had to work for it like everyone else. As if they don't work endless hours for the measly pay he offers them, which is not enough to survive on.

Regina passes me, her gaze flicking over to mine. My heart stops for a moment as I look at her dead eyes.

At this moment, I want nothing more than to save this woman, to take her far away from here.

But how do I save someone else when I can't even save myself?

THE PARTY GOES ON FOR hours. The dim lights provide me with the perfect cover as I carefully make my way around the room, grabbing as much food as I can throughout the night and stashing it away.

No one pays me any mind. After my father pulled me in front of the room and forced me to stand at his side as he lied to his people about how happy he was and how much he loved his family, he shooed me away, not to be seen for the rest of the night.

I changed out of my colorful dress into something of a darker shade, allowing me to blend into the crowd.

Throughout the night, I keep stealing glances at Regina; the need to check on her is overpowering.

It's as if she's a statue. She just sits there, unmoving, face blank, as she stares off into the distance. Father ignores her completely, talking to his friends. Not real friends, just people who are of use to him. The moment they're not, he finds new people.

Standing there with a basket of food, I'm conflicted on if I should leave and do what I've had planned for days now, or stay and find a way to help her.

Only there is no helping her, at least not right now. Not today, not with everyone's eyes on the happy, new couple. Not while she is so close to him.

So, as much as it pains me to do so, I turn around and slip out of the ballroom.

Gathering as many baskets of food as I can, I make my way out of the palace through all the endless tunnels within the walls.

The sun has yet to set, leaving my path well-lit as I make it to the end of the property and out a small door.

I take the familiar path down to the village, one I've taken many, many times before.

While I might have a luxurious home and expensive items, I've never felt more at home than when I'm out here.

Smiling, I make my way to the orphanage, excited to see the children. Their smiles and childlike wonder always bring me joy.

"Snow!" Sally, a sweet little girl with messy blonde curls, cheers as I step into the old rundown building.

I smile back brightly. "Hello, Sally. I've brought you some sweets."

The way her eyes light up like it's Christmas morning makes the risk of being here worth it.

"Hey, everyone! Snow brought sweets!" Sally shouts, gaining the attention of all the children around.

"Now, now. Not before you've eaten your supper." I laugh as I place the baskets on the table.

Annie, the kind older lady who cares for the children, approaches me with a grim look. "Sadly, that's not happening tonight, Princess." She swallows hard. "Willy has been ill the past few days and was unable to work. No work, no money. No money, no food. We've been trying to make do with what we have, but it's not enough."

My heart sinks, and my stomach churns, but I give her a soft smile. "I do hope Willy is feeling better soon. But..." I pull back the cloth that covers one of the baskets to reveal dozens of freshly baked rolls. Then, I pull out a pot from another, one that's filled with chicken noodle soup.

She gasps, her eyes welling with tears as she puts her hand to her heart. "Princess," she whispers. "This is too much."

"No." I shake my head. "It's not enough. And for that, I'm sorry. I promise I'll try harder to get you more."

"You've already done so much." Her face falls. "I know every time you come here, you're taking a large risk."

"It's worth it," I promise with a smile. "They deserve the world." I look over at the children who all stand around in a group, waiting for what comes next.

"They do. They really do," Annie sighs. "Kids, gather around. Princess Snow has brought baked goods and soup."

"Along with so much more." I laugh as all the kids gather around the table.

I help Annie dish out the food. Once all the kids have some, they find a place to sit on the floor. It hurts my heart to see them dig into their food like they haven't eaten in days. And maybe they haven't. This isn't right. My father should be doing better by his people. Does he not understand that we wouldn't have half the things we do if it wasn't for the people who work hard to provide it for him?

"Snow," Sally's soft voice has me turning to face her. As soon as I do, she wraps her little arms around my waist and squeezes.

I'm taken by surprise for a moment before my body relaxes, and I hug the sweet girl back.

"Thank you," she murmurs against me.

I want to say you're welcome, but the words don't come. They deserve so much more. While the people back at the palace are gorging on all they can eat, these sweet, young children are starving.

"Go on, Sally, eat up. Then you can have your sweets," Annie says in a soft voice. Sally pulls back and smiles up at me.

"Bye, Princess," she says before going back over to join her little brother.

"Here." I turn to Annie, sticking my hand in the pocket of my coat and pulling out a wad of money.

Her eyes widen, lips parting as I grab her hand and place the money inside it.

"This is too much." She shakes her head.

"As I said before, it's not enough. Take it. Get the children anything they need. I'm not sure when I'll be able to sneak away again, but I promise when I do, I'll bring more."

She slips the money inside her apron pocket and places her hands against my cheeks. "You are a true angel, my dear. Your mother would have been so proud."

My eyes sting at the mention of my mama. I learned from the best. When my mother was in charge, everything was so different. No one went hungry, everyone was taken care of. Within a year of my father's ruling, everything has started to crumble.

"I hope so," my voice cracks. "I wish I could do more."

"You will. When you are Queen, everything will be as it should be."

I want to tell her that won't be happening. I can't be queen, not unless my father passes away. And as much as I hate that man, I can't bring myself to take his life. It's not who I am.

So, I just smile and nod.

The sun is just starting to set as I make my way out of the house and down the path that leads to the shops.

It's a busy night; people are out doing their shopping and walking in the streets. There's only the odd car here and there because the majority of the village can't afford one; most had to sell theirs. Some even sold their homes to be able to survive. Another thing that breaks my heart.

Maybe someone will be brave enough to do what I can't and take the life of my father. It might be cruel of me to think, but I don't have any love for that man and wouldn't shed a tear if he were to die.

As I always do when I come into town, I hit up Mrs. Bark's baked goods. Mama would always have her make our desserts. I miss them. My father let her go, but somehow, thankfully, her shop is still going strong.

"Snow!" She smiles brightly when I stop in front of her store. "I'm so glad to see you."

"Same." I smile back. "How are you doing?"

"Surviving, it could be better, but it could also be worse."

I nod grimly and hand her over a hundred-dollar bill. "I'd love an apple pie pastry."

"Of course!" She takes the money and rushes to grab it for me.

While I wait, I look around, a happy feeling settling inside me. This village is my happy place; the people are like my family. It's the one place I have that my father can't take away from me.

No one from the palace comes here, all of them too good to go near the poor—the exact words of my father. How messed up is that?

As my eyes slowly take in the subtle changes, my attention catches on something in the tree line. I squint, trying to get a better look. Then my eyes go wide.

No, I have to be seeing things, right?

In the shadows of the trees stands a seven-foot-tall figure. The only thing that size around here are the wolves, a pack of six Lycans that live deep within the forest.

I've never seen one myself, but I've heard they come to the village every now and again. For the most part, they live in solitude. They have an arrangement with my father. He leaves them alone, and they do the same.

My father has often talked about how much he hates that deal, but even he's not stupid enough to mess with monsters. We're merely humans. They are otherworldly.

While magic does play a part in our world, that's not what they are. They are simply beasts stuck in their form. Maybe they're born like that, maybe they're cursed. I've never bothered to find out more.

Two glowing eyes lock with mine, and it's as if all the air within my lungs seizes.

My heart pounds, hands growing clammy. What the heck is wrong with me?

"Snow?" Mrs. Bark's voice has me jumping. I spin around to find her frowning. "Are you alright?"

"Yes." I nod a little too quickly. "I'm fine."

She looks behind me, eyes scanning the treeline. When I look back over, I find nothing, and I'm able to settle my heart.

"Here you go, love." She hands me a box with one hand and my change with the other.

"You keep it," I tell her, not taking the money.

"But, Snow, the pastry is only five dollars."

I smile softly and close her hand, making her fingers curl around the money. "Keep it."

She swallows hard but nods. "At least let me get you something else."

That has me smiling again. "I wouldn't say no to a burger and fries."

Mrs. Bark laughs. "I should have known."

"Could you make it two orders?"

Along with the bakery, her husband runs a little pub on the other side of the building that serves the best burgers and fries.

Another fifteen minutes later, I have two bags of food. With the sun now set, I start to rush home. I might know this trail very well, but that doesn't mean it's not a risk to walk. It's nighttime, and it's surrounded by the forest. I could easily run into a bear or a coyote.

Or even a wolf. If one of the members of the pack ran into me, would they hurt me?

The town doesn't seem too scared of them. From what I've heard, they're nice enough. But in the dark, all alone, would that change?

Not wanting to find out, I practically run home.

A half an hour later, I'm back in the palace unseen. I should head straight to my room and eat the food, then hide the evidence.

But as I head towards my part of the palace, I can't help but be pulled towards the room that's been assigned to Regina.

At least my father had the decency to give her her own private space and not force her to share a bed with him.

Standing outside her door, I wonder if she's inside. The party should be over by now.

I'm about to knock when I hear the sounds of someone crying. My heart drops. Pressing my ear to the door, I listen.

Soft cries sound from the other side. My lower lip quivers as my heart breaks for her. While my life might not be perfect, I'm not shackled to a heartless man—at least not yet—with no control over my life anymore. Not that I have much control over it now.

"Regina," I say as I knock on her door. The crying stops. "It's Snow."

No response. But I think she heard me.

"I noticed you weren't eating tonight. You need to eat." I place a bag of food on the floor next to the door. "I got you something. You don't have to eat it, although I really hope you do. At least... please bring it inside because if my father or his men find this, I could be in big trouble."

It's a risk, but I'm willing to take it. I don't know why, but I feel the need to help her as much as I'm able to.

She didn't ask for this life. Neither of us did.

I wait again, but no response. Not wanting to linger, I leave and head back to my room to eat my own food and hope that she takes hers.

When I'm done, I hide the garbage to get rid of it tomorrow and slip into my sleepwear before getting into bed.

Laying down on my side, I look outside my window. The moon is big and bright tonight and as I lay in the silence, I hear howling in the distance. Closing my eyes, I let the haunting sound lure me to sleep like a lullaby.