"I don't want to do this."
"You think that matters?" Riven, my Beta, tightened the black sash across my chest. "Your father made the match. All you have to do is smile, mark her, and try not to growl."
"She's not my mate."
"She doesn't have to be. This is politics, not a fairy tale."
"She smells like roses and glass. I can't even breathe near her."
"You're breathing just fine."
"I'm suffocating."
"Drama queen."
I shot him a look. "Shut up."
"You shut up." He handed me the ceremonial blade. "Now go mark your ice queen and pretend you don't hate every second."
"You look like death," Father said when I stepped into the grove.
"Good to see you too."
"Fix your posture."
"I'm standing straight."
"Your spine's bent with rebellion."
"Maybe because I don't want to bind myself to a stranger."
"She's not a stranger. She's the key to everything we've built."
"She's not my mate."
"She's your duty."
"She's not—"
"I don't care."
I clenched my jaw. "You really think this will work?"
"I don't think. I know. She has Iceveil blood. Royal. Cold. Controlled. Just what this pack needs."
"What you need."
He gave me a cold smile. "You'll thank me someday."
"Don't hold your breath."
The Moon Altar shimmered in silver and white. Guests watched from the shadows, silent, eager, dangerous.
"Don't mess this up," Riven muttered beside me.
"Watch me."
Celine approached. Graceful. Elegant. Perfect.
Her lips curved. "Hello, Kael."
"Celine."
"You look… powerful."
"You look… ready."
"I am."
She extended her neck without hesitation.
"Let's get this over with."
"Try not to flinch," she said sweetly.
I raised the blade.
My wolf froze.
My breath caught.
Something was wrong.
"You're stalling," Celine said.
"Shut up."
"Kael."
"Something's...…."
A wind swept the grove.
The torches shivered.
The priestess faltered.
And then—music.
A melody I hadn't heard in years.
Wild. Ancient.
Her.
My head turned.
And there she was.
A girl. Standing just outside the circle. Small. Wide-eyed. Ordinary… but not.
"Who the hell is that?" Riven asked.
I didn't answer.
I dropped the blade.
"Kael!" my father's voice cracked like thunder.
I stepped across the line.
The girl backed away.
"No, no, no…..wait, I didn't mean to...…"
I reached her.
Her eyes locked on mine.
And everything stopped.
I touched her neck.
She gasped.
Light exploded.
The mark burned itself into her skin.
Her knees buckled.
I caught her.
Silence.
Utter silence.
"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?" Father roared.
I looked down at the girl in my arms.
She wasn't Iceveil.
She wasn't prepared.
She wasn't even supposed to be here.
But she was mine.
The bond had chosen.
And I had just shattered every rule, every alliance, every plan.