Tonia's POV
This had to be some sick joke. Or at least, not what I was thinking.
Father's expression grew deadly serious as he stepped closer. "I considered offering Sabrina to him, but she's already involved with someone else, and the Alpha King might rage if he thinks we're trying to give him another man's woman. That's why you're our only option, Tonia. And... you have no clue how perfect it is that your face is healed. At first, I worried we'd have trouble getting the Alpha King to accept you, but now I'm sure he'll be pleased."
"Wait a minute," I laughed bitterly, placing my hand on my hip. "Please don't tell me you dragged me all the way from Eldoria just to inform me that I'm about to be fed to a monster."
Every wolf knew the name 'Shadowpeak'. Even someone like me who barely paid attention to Pack politics understood how dangerous they were. Nobody wanted anything to do with them—not in this lifetime, not ever.
"Alpha Kermit isn't a monster," Father said, looking shocked.
"That's exactly what he is. Years ago, you said the same thing yourself."
Alpha Kermit Shadowmere was the most ruthless man I'd ever heard stories about. Tales of how he'd destroyed his enemies—and sometimes his allies—were common knowledge throughout the Packs. Coming from a bloodline that bred only the most powerful Alphas, he currently ruled as Alpha King of Shadowpeak, a man everyone feared and nobody wanted to cross. I had no idea what he looked like. I'd never been important enough to meet someone like Kermit Shadowmere. Not that I'd ever wanted to.
"There are stories that he murdered his own father and brother!" I threw my hands up. "How do you expect me to be with someone like that?"
"Those are just rumors, Tonia. Besides, you'll only be with him for one year."
"You don't need a whole year to kill someone, Dad. It takes maybe a minute, at most. But for someone like Kermit, I bet thirty seconds would be plenty. And why does it have to be for just one year anyway?"
From what I'd heard, Shadowpeak hadn't had a Luna since Kermit took power. But if he wanted to take a Luna, wouldn't it be permanent? Why was he only asking for one year?
"Honestly, I have no idea, Tonia."
"And you don't care," I interrupted, pain stabbing at my heart. "All you care about is giving him a Luna so you can solve your problem. You don't give a damn about what problem you're creating for me."
For just a moment, shock flickered across his face. The old Tonia would never have argued with him. She would have quietly agreed to whatever he wanted. Well, I learned my worth when I discovered how beautiful I was. This Tonia was done being everyone's doormat.
Father moved close enough to take my hands. This time, he looked so desperate I thought he might actually get on his knees.
"Tonia, please." He squeezed my hands gently. "This is the last thing I'll ever ask of you as your father. Just do this for me, for one year only. And I swear, you'll make me the happiest father alive."
---
Hours later, I stood in my room—or what used to be my room—staring at myself in the mirror. I wore a long red dress with my hair flowing over one shoulder. I was completely ready to meet Alpha Kermit, even though I'd rather do anything else.
Something felt wrong. Him wanting a Luna for only one year... it made no sense. But Father had practically begged me earlier. I couldn't let him down. Besides, before he married his second wife, there were times when he'd been good to me.
I tried to fight the urge as I stared at the dresser drawer. But I failed miserably, opening it and pulling out the ultrasound image. My heart broke all over again, old wounds tearing open.
This was the one picture in the world that destroyed me every time I looked at it, yet I was addicted to it. I couldn't go more than an hour without touching it. Holding it.
A tear slipped down my cheek as I traced my finger over the shapes of the unborn babies in the image.
Five years, and it was still both the best and worst thing that had ever happened to me. But l'd rather focus on it being the best.
It killed me to look at them, but I couldn't stop myself.
The sound of someone trying my door handle snapped me back to reality. I quickly hid the picture. I'd locked the door earlier, not wanting anyone to catch me with the photo.
Opening the door, I found Sabrina, absolutely furious.
"How did you get rid of that scar?" Her voice shook with anger. "And what's your game plan? You want everyone to see how gorgeous you are now, don't you?"
I rolled my eyes, my earlier sadness fading temporarily. "Please don't tell me you banged on my door just to complain about how good I look. What, did you really think I'd stay hideous forever?"
Her glare turned even colder. "Well, just so you know, this won't change anything between you and Sterling. He'll be here soon, you two will go to the temple and finish your breakup."
Realization hit me like a truck. Oh, hell no.
"Wait," I blinked. "You and Sterling?"
A smug smile spread across her lips. "Years ago, things didn't work out between us. But now he's ready to choose me."
Well, if Sterling wasn't an even bigger piece of trash.
"Ugh, you're pathetic, Sabrina. Taking my leftovers?" I shook my head. "Considering you've always thought you were the pretty one, I expected better from you."
Her eyebrows pulled together in a angry frown. She opened her mouth to respond, but I cut her off. "Don't worry about it. I'm done with Sterling and can't wait to be completely finished with him."
I slammed the door in her face.
Later, Father and I arrived at Shadowpeak in one of his luxury cars. The Pack, known for being the largest and wealthiest, was just as stunning as people claimed.
I was amazed by what I saw and couldn't believe I might actually become Luna here.
Getting out of the car, Father and I were escorted into one of the buildings by some servants while his guards stayed outside.
The Grand Luna—Kermit's mother—was waiting in the spacious living room to greet us.
"Fox! I'm so happy you could make it," the Luna said, though her eyes showed little warmth.
"Greetings, Luna." I bowed my head respectfully.
She looked at me with surprise. "Is this your daughter?" she asked Dad. "Well, bless the Moon Goddess, she's absolutely beautiful!"
I couldn't help but smile. Luna Estelle had been a powerful Luna in her time. She'd ruled alongside her late husband with strength and determination, crushing anyone who dared oppose her. I'd always wanted to meet her.
"Please, have a seat while we wait for Alpha Kermit. He'll be joining us soon," she gestured toward the couch.
Her idea of 'soon' turned out to be almost an hour later. Father and I were getting tired and kept looking at the door, wondering how long it would take the Alpha to show up. Didn't he know he was supposed to meet guests? His... future Luna?
At one point, Estelle looked irritated and left the room. When she came back, she promised he'd be here shortly. And finally, he arrived.
The atmosphere in the room completely changed the moment the door opened, revealing a man with two others behind him.
The Luna breathed a sigh of relief as she stood up. Father and I did the same.
It was easy to tell who the Alpha was since the other two men flanked him like bodyguards. But the second I got a clear look at his face, my entire world collapsed.
No. No way.
Terror gripped my chest, squeezing until I felt physical pain. This had to be some sick, twisted joke. Because how in the Moon Goddess's name was I staring at the face of the very man who had destroyed me five years ago?