The blood-red wine scorched my throat, but I welcomed the burn—it numbed the shame that crawled beneath my skin as Jasper's cold hand settled at my back.
"Smile, wife," he whispered, breath chilling my ear. "Eyes are on us."
I smiled, a practiced mask after twenty-four years of survival. Skilled at ignoring whispers that cut, at holding my head high while wolves who belonged looked at me like I was a mistake barely surviving.
"To the new Luna!" someone shouted, and howls filled the great hall, shaking the rafters.
Jasper's grip tightened briefly, a warning, before he released me and joined his warriors. Alone in my silver gown, clutching a bouquet of nightshade and silver roses, my hands trembled as I watched my husband dismiss me like a servant.
"Quite the ceremony," Serenya said, appearing beside me, honey-blonde hair falling over bare shoulders, green eyes gleaming with fake sympathy. "Very traditional."
"Thanks," I said, voice empty.
She leaned close, voice dropping. "The way he looked at you during the vows? I almost believed he wanted this."
My chest tightened. "He—"
"Oh, Araya." Her laugh shattered the air. "You think he chose you? Father needed an alliance. Jasper needed Varrow ties. You…" She studied me like a specimen. "You were convenient."
The word punched me.
"That's not true," I whispered, knowing the lie.
"Is it?" Serenya's smile sharpened. "Why would Alpha Jasper bind himself to a wolf-less girl? What did Father promise him?" Her nails dug into my arm. "Why wasn't I chosen when everyone knows I'd make a better Luna?"
She left before I could speak, leaving venom in her wake.
Convenient.
I'd known from the start this was politics. When Father summoned me months ago, Marisol stood at his side like a vulture waiting.
"The Drevyn Pack needs an alliance. Jasper has agreed to take you as Luna."
Not chosen or asked. Agreed—like a duty.
Still, I hoped. Foolishly, that after the ceremony, he'd see me as more than a political pawn.
"Araya." Millie appeared, concern in her warm brown eyes. "Are you okay? You look pale."
"I'm fine," I lied.
"You're shaking." She pressed a drink into my hands. "Drink. The night's young."
I drank. The wine burned worse, twisting in my stomach. Across the hall, Jasper laughed easily with Corvin, his Beta. They looked relaxed.
He hadn't looked at me since the vows.
"He'll come around," Millie said softly.
"He won't." The words escaped me. "He told me the bond means nothing."
Millie squeezed my hand. "He said that? In front of Selene and the pack?"
"No one else heard." I laughed bitterly. "They see what they want: powerful Alpha, new Luna, perfect bond. They don't see he can barely touch me."
"Araya—"
"I should go." I thrust the empty glass at her. "Say I'm tired."
"But the feast—"
"Tell them I'm preparing for my wedding night." Bitterness surprised me. "Say whatever keeps them from noticing their Luna fleeing."
I didn't wait for her answer. Didn't wait for rules or permission. I walked away, silver train trailing, tears burning.
The doors slammed shut behind me, silence swallowing the celebration.
The corridor stretched, torchlight flickering over ancient wolf heads, Drevyn power and territory. I didn't belong.
I pressed my palm to cold stone, fighting panic.
This was my life now. A beautiful cage. A cold husband. A pack that would never accept me because I was broken.
"You left early."
I spun. Jasper stood in shadow, dominance radiating.
"I needed air."
"The feast lasts till dawn. Luna stays."
"I know the customs." Anger flared. "I'm supposed to smile, pretend the bond means something, pretend you didn't spend the ceremony looking at me like dirt."
Moonlight softened his face, turning it to stone.
"Want honesty?" His voice low, sharp. "I married you for politics. I took you because it was necessary. I'll do my duty because tradition demands it." He stepped closer. "Don't mistake duty for desire. Necessity for love."
Each word twisted in me.
"Then why the ceremony? The vows? The show?"
"Because appearances matter. My pack needs strength, not doubt. Even a wolf-less Luna is better than none."
I clenched fists. "After tonight? What then?"
"You serve as Luna, attend pack events, bear heirs. You do your part; I do mine. That's all."
"Is that all a bond means? Duty and heirs and politics?"
"Love? Fairy tales? We're wolves. Bonds are chains forged for advantage."
"My mother—"
"Is dead." The words hit like a slap. "Her bond died with her. Look at Father, mated to Marisol within a year, first mate forgotten." He stepped closer. "That's love's worth."
Tears burned. "You're wrong."
"Am I?" His fingers caught my chin. "Prove it. Show me this great love. Show me why I should care for a girl whose wolf won't wake for her."
I jerked away. "I didn't ask for this. To be wolf-less. To be convenient."
Surprise flickered, then vanished.
"No," he said. "But here we are." He turned. "It's time."
"What time?"
"To consummate our bond. The pack needs proof. I won't have doubts."
Heirs, not children. Bloodline, not family.
"What if I refuse?"
He paused. "Then I'll reject you publicly. Strip your Luna title. Cast you out. Your father's alliance ends. Marisol gets what she wants, your place."
Cruelty stole my breath.
"No," he said as he climbed. "You won't refuse. You'll do as expected. Serve your purpose." His footsteps echoed. "The alternative is worse."
I stood, silver gown pooling, hope unraveling.
No power. No choice. No wolf.
Only this cage, this cold husband, this duty I never wanted.
I followed him upstairs, each step toward my end while below, the pack celebrated a dead union.